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ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE

District 5490Club Leadership

Training Day

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Why Youth Exchange

• Key RI Initiative

• Create World Peace and Understanding one student at a time

• Offering Youth the opportunity of a lifetime

• Enhancing Rotarian’s Lives

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Paybacks Can Be Enormous

• Inbound / outbound students – Memorable experience of lifetime

• Rotary members – Opportunity to become true Rotarians– Friendships around the world

• Rotary clubs– Involved in making world a better place

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Schedule

– Year Round: Build School Relationships

– Sept - Dec: Recruit Students

– Sept - Mar: Find Host Families

– Dec: Interview Candidates

– April/May: Outbound Orientation

– Jul - Aug: Student Arrivals/Departures

– Aug: Inbound Orientation

– June / July (following year): Return

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Sharing of Duties

District Duties:• Int’l Relationships• District Functions• Assistance to Clubs

Select Students• State Department• RI Policies• Program Oversight

Club Duties:•School Relationships•Applications•Interview Students•Host Families•Allowance•Local Activities

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CLUB RESPONSIBILITY

Budget – Inbound = $1,600 (+/-)

Budget – Outbound = $500

Include student in activities

Host Families: 2-3 per student• In-home Interview/selection

• Family/couple does not have to be Rotarian

• Criminal Background Checks

Club Counselor

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Three Elements

• Recruiting– Adopt a local high school– Find a champion at the school

• Student Interviews

• Orientations

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Message at School

• Rotary Youth Exchange Program is special and low-cost

• Looking for 20 (or 30 / 40) students from 150 schools in district

• Not right for all students

• Fantastic opportunity for those wishing to be ambassador, learn language, live abroad

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Message at School

• Rotary Youth Exchange Program is special & not-for-profit

• We cannot send their students out without placements for inbounds

• Ages 15 - 18 1/2 --leaders/good grades• No language proficiency required• Fantastic opportunity for increased cultural

diversity at the school

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Qualifications of Rotary Exchange Student

• Good student (upper half of class)

• Willingness to adapt to new situations

• Initiative to get involved in activities

• Willingness to speak to groups

• Attitude for giving to others

THE TRAITS FOR BEING AN AMBASSADOR

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Host Counselor Is Key to Success

• Year-around Rotary contact to student

• Best friend to help solve problems for student and host families– Students 15 to 18 ½ years old and need help– Important small problems get resolved

before they become big problems !!!

• Rotary counselor must want to devote time to student monthly

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Counselor Tasks Begin Before Student Arrives

• Welcome letter/email to student with pictures

• Ensure contact from host families

• Insert articles in club bulletin

• Plan options for school (classes, activities)

• Look for initial set of friends (Interact, …)

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Tasks on Student’s Arrival

• Build rapport (host in home for week-end)

• File important papers (passport, Visa, DS 2019, return airline ticket)

• Medical Insurance

• Open bank account

• Discuss end-of-year tour with student

• Arrange for welcome party

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Some Counselor Responsibilities

• Be the “best friend” for the student

• Support host families

• Serve as link from club to student– Help to get club involved

• Transition students from family to family

• Monitor student progress in school

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Budgets

• Student allowance: $100 per month• Other (Rotary lunches, Holiday present, …)• District activities paid by District

– Orientation Week-end– Havasu Falls– Grand Canyon– RYLA– District Conference

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RI’s New Student Protection Policies

• Host family and volunteer applications

• In-home interview with host families

• Training to be conducted on Internet

• All host counselors attend orientation

• District Youth Protection Officer

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For More Information

• Youth Exchange Officer 2006-2007– Joe Waesche

• 928-772-1417 (H)• 928-445-9240 x2035 (W)• 928-925-5068 (C)

• Inbound Exchange Coordinator– Carl Balderson

• 623-376-2575 (H)• 602-250-3401 (W)• 602-320-0882 (C)

• Orientation Coordinator– Lori Kobriger

• 602-494-0928 (H)• 602-309-1448 (W)

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PicturesAlan Sahag in Peru

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PicturesAlan Sahag in Peru

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Pictures

Gideon Hod in Brazil

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PicturesGideon Hod in Brazil

22Havasu Falls

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The Card Game

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The German National Anthem

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Line DancingLine Dancing

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Mike King in Action

27Tri-District Youth Exchange

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Pictures

Carl, Lori & Joe

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Pictures

The Human Knot

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Pictures

Volleyball

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The End

• Support Youth Exchange Today

• Questions??