For Updates of this year's team travels click here

Both GSE Teams here in Michigan

For a video tape interview of the GSE team from the Philippines click on one of the parts below.  It is in three different parts.

PART ONE

PART TWO

PART THREE

TEAM LEADER

ROBERT GRAHAM SMALL is a member of Portage Rotary Club in Michigan’s District 6360.  He is a playwright, director, dramaturg, lighting designer, and professor with extensive national and international experience.  He was born in Spokane, Washington, the son of Dr. Delbert Small and Rosemary Kendall Small; and is married to Kathleen Tosco.  Kathleen is also a Rotarian, led a GSE team to the Philippines (District #3780) in 2003, and will serve as District Governor in 2009/2010.

Since his first performance at age 5, Bob knew his home was the stage. He graduated from Gonzaga Preparatory High School in 1967, received a BA in Theatre from Washington State University in 1972; and an MFA in directing from Catholic University in Washington DC in 1974. 

Bob serves as Artistic Director of Shenandoah International Playwrights, Ink., now in its 31^st year. To date, he has worked with over 300 playwrights from 38 states and 32 countries on six continents.  Plays developed at Shenandoah have been produced On and Off Broadway, and on stages, televisions and movie screens worldwide.  Bob approaches his work in theatre as a vocation.  His mission is to use the power of theatre to build bridges of compassion and understanding locally, regionally, and globally.  He is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

TEAM MEMBERS

ANDREA ANDERSON was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1969 and is very close with her only sister and parents.  She has traveled and lived all over the United States and Europe and is the proud owner of Tank, her dog!

Andrea serves as Director for the Center for Leadership in Sexuality Education at Planned Parenthood of South Central Michigan.  She is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Family Life Education and is a Certified Sexologist.  Andrea has created, designed and implemented dozens of highly successful programs in Kalamazoo educating hundreds of young people about sexuality issues and healthy decision-making skills throughout Southwest Michigan. 

Andrea is passionate about empowering each person in her community with the tools and resources they need to be healthy and make well-informed decisions regarding sexuality, family planning and child-bearing. 

JULIA GOURLEY (BFA Ohio University, MSEd University of Dayton), is the Director of Education for the Krasl Art Center.  She and her husband, Joey Greene, and their two-year old son, Isaac live in St. Joseph, Michigan.  After a seven year career in museum education at The Dayton Art Institute in Dayton, Ohio Julia is happy to focus her creative energies in Southwest Michigan. 

The Michigan communities of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor present unique racial and economic challenges.  Julia believes that art has the power to mend these cities by bringing people together, bridging communities, and inspiring youth.  She has a positive impact on the community by actively writing grants to send Krasl Art Center artists out in the community to facilitate art and cultural experiences with the public.  Her responsibilities also include developing school tours, promoting outreach programs, and developing public art classes and camps. 

In addition to her work at the Art Center, Julia is a founding member of Chartreuse: A Local Arts Co-op.  This cooperatively owned and run gallery started with 12 artists and now features 23 artists artwork.  Julia is a member of the American Association of Museums and National Art Education Association.  

ADAM J. MARTIN  was born in Petoskey, Michigan.  He graduated from Delton Kellogg High School in 2000 and received a BA in comparative religion, English, and gender and women's studies from Western Michigan University in 2004.

Adam started his career as a Prevention Specialist in 2004 with Community AIDS Resource and Education Services, based in Kalamazoo and Benton Harbor, Michigan.  With CARES, Adam provides HIV counseling, education, and testing in Southwest Michigan, working with high risk populations.  In collaborating with area groups and researching trends in HIV, Adam assists individuals in developing skills that help them make healthier life decisions. 

With CARES, Adam also facilitates a social group for young gay men, PROJECT(!).  The group is modeled after an innovative program, the Mpowerment Project, which incorporates a diffusion of new behaviors through social networks, peer-influence, putting HIV prevention within the context of other compelling issues for young gay men, community building, and using gay-positive approaches to empower participants individually and as a community.

Adam is certified with the Michigan Department of Community Health as an HIV counselor, educator, and tester, and street outreach.

LESA ANN STRAUSBAUGH is an enthusiastic education professional with experience in project management, program development, human resources and marketing.  She was born a twin in Fremont, Ohio, the daughter of Randolph and Anne Strausbaugh; sister to Erich and Brian.

In her work experience, Lesa has gained a strong understanding of academic operations and program development. Professional experiences led to her present position as a Training Coordinator with Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, Michigan.  In this position Lesa works directly with business leaders developing training programs to enhance workforce skills.

Lesa graduated from Portage High School in 1994, received a BS in Marketing from Jacksonville State University in 1998; and an MBA from University of Phoenix in 2003.  She has a passion for education, which extends to the success of the institution and its students.  Lesa has had involvement with many professional and community groups.  She represented the Kalamazoo Area Chamber of Commerce as an Ambassador for three years, volunteered for Toastmasters International as a member of the Blue Granite Toastmasters Group, and mentored elementary students through the Kalamazoo Area Academic Achievement Program. 

MESSAGE TO ALL CLUBS IN DISTRICT 6360