1. Host Family Orientation
Rotary District 6600
Host Family Orientation

2. Introduction Welcome Our goal: Making the World A Better Place . . .
One Student at a Time!
Thank you for your participation !!!
Without Host Families,
We would not be able to Host the Exchange Students!

3. What You Will Learn Today
Rotary Support Structure
Student Challenges
Rotary Expectations
Helpful ideas for you
Calendar of activities

4. District 6600 Organization
Youth Exchange Chairperson: George Costaras
Appointed by the District Governor
Appoints Committee Members

5. District 6600 Organization
Inbound Student Chair: Janice Costaras Outbound Student Chair: Trina Buettner Short Term Program Chair: Bonnie Kimpling-Kelly Student Counselor: Mary Aufdenkampe

6. District 6600 Organization
Committee Members: Rich Fredrickson Doug Maurer Melanie Fredrickson Amber Stover

7. Local Rotary Club Support Structure
Rotary Club Youth Exchange Chair
Rotary Club Youth Exchange Counselor
Rotary Club Members

8. Rotary Club Youth Exchange Chair Responsibilities
Ensure that the student is safe at all time
Over-see and maintain the Rotary Club’s YE Program
Train the Club’s YE Volunteers and Host Families
Ensure that the required documents are completed to sustain a successful Rotary Youth Exchange Year
Communicate to Everyone (Host Family, YE Counselor, other Rotarians) about required meetings, updates, etc.
Ensure that student receives monthly allowance
Develop Rotary Club involvement with the YE Program
Confirm that the student has transportation to Club and District Events

9. Rotary Club Youth Exchange Counselor Responsibilities
Ensure that the student is safe at all time
Maintain contact with Student and Host Family
Show continued interest & support
Resolve problems before problems get out-of-control
Help when and where needed:
ex. School registration, bank account, student transportation to Club and District Events.

10. CHALLENGES FOR THE ROTARY EXCHANGE STUDENT
ARE MANY
Local
Community
Host
Families
School
Exchange
Student
Host
Rotary
Club
Friends in
High School
Host
Rotary
District

11. Student Challenges Adapting to Host Families and New Culture
Doing well in school
Homesickness & making friends
Speaking English
Following the rules of Rotary
Getting involved in Rotary Club & Community

12. Host Family Expectations
Attend the Training provided by the Club’s YE Chair
Family Interview
Video
Home Visits (Two: before and after student arrives)
Treat student as member of the family
Delegate daily responsibilities for the home
Assist student in finding right friends
Be prepared to say “No” when appropriate
Ensure students dress & present themselves appropriately

13. Sample Family Rules Be on time Curfew Do school homework
No telephone after certain hour
Help with chores (cleaning dishes, mowing lawn, etc.)

14. Use of Telephone
Explain how it works (different countries have different systems)
Set rules for use
Limit calls to country (family, friends)
Helps them to overcome homesickness
Ensure no phone bills
Mobile telephone

15. Use of Computer Do not let student spend too much time on computer
Makes adapting to our culture more difficult
Limit or prohibit downloading information
Explain no visits to pornography sites, or other improper sites (Will be sent home)

16. Expectations at School
Students must complete assigned school work
Students are here on a J-1 VISA (educational VISA)
Student will be sent home if grades are not acceptable
Usually “not allowed to graduate”
Student must maintain regular class attendance
Students must completed missed work
Rotary will take students out of school at times
They are expected to make up work

17. Varsity Sports at School
Students who have already graduated cannot play on Varsity team
Per State of Ohio Regulations
Can play on local city Recreation Leagues
Participation in varsity athletics
May cost extra
Hosting Rotary Club will pay for the academic school; but may not pay for extracurricular sports costs.
Talk to Club YE Chair to see what exactly the Rotary Club has budgeted.

18. Making Close Friends A major challenge to YE students
Help in finding clubs for student to join
Interact (in many of the schools)
Sports
Theater
Band, orchestra
Active participation is good cure for homesickness

19. Speaking English Sometimes students speak own language
Hei!
Hallo!
こんにちは！
Oi!
Cześć!
Ahoj!
Moi!
Salut!
Γεια!
Hi!
Hoi!
Salve!
Speaking English 嗨！
¡Hola!
Sometimes students speak own language
Considered quite rude
This can be major problem
Ensure students actively work to improve
Good computer programs available
Don’t be afraid to correct student’s English

20. Visits with Other Exchange Students
Rotary provides many opportunities for exchange students to get together; i.e. District Meetings, optional Rotary Trips etc.
Students will meet other students and will want to get together
Transportation can be difficult
Can cause other Host Family unnecessary stress
Unless the Meeting Opportunities are Mandated Events, you can decline these requests.

21. Serious Rules of Rotary
No drinking
No driving
including no drivers’ education class
No serious dating
Obeying the law
No smoking
No drugs
No shoplifting, etc.

22. Problem Solving Some problems will occur
Student should ask for help, in this order
Host family
Club Counselor
Club Chair
District Youth Exchange Committee
Host families must not let small problems become big problems. Ask for help.

23. Student Protection Guidelines
What to do if your exchange student tells you of Harassment and/or Abuse
Listen attentively & let him/her know it was right to tell you
Assure him/her that they are not to blame
Remain calm and make sure student feels safe
Encourage student to share with you what happened and who was involved
Make detailed notes including date & time
Don’t promise to keep secrets & explain the necessity of informing the District Chair

24. Student Protection Guidelines
Keep Communications Open
Assure student that you can jointly address his/her concerns/problem
Report the Case to the District Chair and the Club Counselor Immediately
Don’t Investigate
Leave this to the proper authorities
Support the Student Emotionally

25. Mandatory Attendance IB Orientation August
IB Fall Socials October & November
OB Interviews/IB Social December
OB Training/IB Social February
District Conference April or May
District Assembly April or May
World Community Workshop May
Optional Rotary Trips December, March, June

26. Student’s Role as Ambassador
Students portray their whole country
By their attitude
By their decisions
By their appearance
Each Individual Student makes a difference
Much depends on their desire to be ambassador

27. To Become a Good Ambassador
Active involvement in Rotary & Community
Rotary meetings
Programs to Rotary Clubs
Programs to schools, churches, and local clubs
Help your student to say “yes” and to be proud to be an Ambassador for their Country and Rotary

28. Summary
THANK YOU !!!!!!!!
Rotary Youth Exchange Program would not be successful without dedicated Volunteers

29. Resources Rotary Club Rotary Club Youth Exchange Committee
Rotary District Youth Exchange Committee
Rotary District 6600 Youth Exchange Web Site:
Ohio Erie website:
Rotary Youth Exchange Facebook Page: