About a dozen Bermudians who have worked with the US State Department are now part of a very exclusive alumni association — put together with the help of the American Consulate in Devonshire.

Friday was the new alumni group's first ever meeting to discuss what the programme has accomplished and what its future may hold.

The State Department's Voluntary Visitor Exchange Programme recruits non-Americans to go to the United States to meet with and learn from American experts in various fields.

For example, the first Bermudian group travelled to the United States in 2005 to pick up knowledge on youth development.

The five-member team went to Washington, DC, New York, Boston, Atlanta, Jacksonville and Chicago in a fast-paced, ten-day stretch.

Dr. Derrick Binns led the 2005 group while he was Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs.

Last year Kennette Robinson from the Department of Child and Family Services led a second team to Washington, New York and Florida on a mission to better understand strengthening families.

Members from both of those trips make up the new Voluntary Visitor Alumni Association.

Part of the inaugural meeting on Friday was spent discussing the 2007 trip to the United States.

US Consul General Gregory Slayton said: "The VolVis Exchange Program is an important public diplomacy tool reflecting the co-operative nature of the relationship between the United States and Bermuda."

He also said he would like to see a contingent off to the United States every year and the alumni association has moved them one important step closer to that goal.

The Bermuda alumni group will have the opportunity to meet with other alumni around the world.

There are an estimate 23,000 who meet occasionally and participate in discussion panels and on-line web chats with guest experts.