Welcome And thanks for coming Informational Meeting for Potential Outbound Candidates and their Parents Welcome And thanks for coming

What is Rotary? World’s oldest and most respected international service organization Non-profit, no religious affiliation 1.3 million Rotarians worldwide 33,000 Rotary clubs, in 200+ countries Focus on Elderly, Handicapped, Environment and Youth Rotary Motto: “Service Above Self” Rotary Theme: -”Light Up Rotary” 2014-2015 Gary Huang, RI President, Taipei, Taiwan Confucious: “It is better to light a single candle than to sit and curse the darkness.” The Four Way Test Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOOD WILL and better friendships? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

What is Rotary? Rotary in Florida: 8 districts 400+ Rotary clubs First club: Jacksonville, 1912 Involved in projects, local & global

Purpose of the RYE Program Offer high school students an opportunity to spend a year studying in another country, learn a new language, learn a new culture, develop new skills and maturity Bring the world into our local communities through friendship and understanding Promote Rotary’s goal of world peace and understanding, one person, one exchange at a time

Rotary Youth Exchange Details District-to-district program Established exchanges with partners we trust FL exchanges with non-English speaking countries Started in 1927, now more than 8,000 exchange students per year, 82 countries participate Operated completely by volunteer Rotarians as part of Rotary’s commitment to international and community service, and it’s respect and concern for youth

Why Be An Exchange Student? A highly selective program The most exciting year of your life Meet challenges and conquer them Respect and admiration of family and community Friends for life … worldwide! Fluency in a foreign language Impact on college admission and future success

Rotary Youth Exchange Details Questions students may have: Where can I go? How long will I stay? Do I get to choose my destination? Do I have to know the language? What will I do in school? Will I have teenage host siblings? What if I have problems with the family? Can I drive/work/drink? How do I know if this is really for me?

Rotary Youth Exchange Details Questions parents may have: Who will my son/daughter live with? Who is going to look out for my child? What about insurance? How will it affect schooling here at home? How much contact will I have with my child? Can I visit my daughter/son during the year? What kind of kid will I get back? Do we have to host an exchange student? How much will it cost?

Rotary Youth Exchange Details $4,950 program fee Includes round trip airfare, room & board, medical insurance, orientations here and abroad, blazer. Host club provides monthly allowance – approx $75 US Does not include passport, visa or spending money First $450 due with sign-up for January orientation – refunded if student cannot be placed; forfeited if student refuses valid assignment or drops out $900 payments due Feb 1, March 1, April 1, May 1, June 1 Emergency Fund for host district - $300-$500 $150 non-refundable application fee

Application Process Application due to District no later than Nov. 1 Online application 1 copy of school transcript Confidential School Reference direct to District YE Outbound Vice-Chair Medical and dental may be submitted later if necessary, but must be in prior to November interviews, and may impact selection You will be asked to provide the names of potential host families for inbound students “Host Family Referral Form” Notification of interview date/time by Nov. 9

Selection and Preparation District Interviews Nov. 15/16 at St. Johns River State College in Saint Augustine Notification of acceptance/rejection by December 1st Final acceptance dependent on successful completion of orientation programs Country notification by December 7th Jan. 9-10, 2015 – Orientation Weekend #1 Mar/Apr, 2015– Saturday language workshop, date/location TBA May 2015 – Rotary District 6970 Conference Jun. 12-14, 2015– Orientation Weekend #2 Departure dates – from late July to early September, depending on destination

Expectations of Students Program Rules Driving Alcohol and Drugs Smoking School attendance Relationships Working Traveling Visits from home Phone calls, e-mails, IM

Expectations of Students Follow Program Rules and Conditions of Exchange Adapt to host family Learn the language and culture Perform well in school Communicate Submit journals to our website: www.ryeflorida.org Represent country and Rotary Get involved with Rotary, school, and community Participate in our “Welcome Home Dinner”, and speak at Rotary Club(s) when invited

Expectations of Parents Love your kids, and try to understand what they want to do. “Give them wings and kids will think you are the greatest parent alive.” Allow the students to “manage the exchange” Reserve the orientation dates on your calendar – they are required Abide by Rotary rules and guidelines Phone calls, e-mails, instant messaging Visits from home Trust Rotary, and work through the Rotary system if problems occur Host a student in return

Why Rotary? Why Now? Decades of experience Award winning District 6790 Rotary’s unrivaled support system Volunteers who truly care Best value by far Why Now? Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity Chance to make a difference, change the world

What Happens Next? 1. To arrange a club interview contact JEFF HART jhart936@hotmail.com before October 15. 2. Complete application. 3. Submit application. Send signature pages & $150 to Daphne Cameron by Nov 1.

Finally ….

“The best year of my life started with the worst three months of my life.” Quote from Maya Frost’s book, The New Global Student

CONTACT INFORMATION Daphne Cameron, OB Vice-Chair daphnecameron@ryeflorida.org cell:904-814-6799 Jeff Hart, D6970 Chairman Elect jhart936@hotmail.com cell: 904-517-3493 Jack Murray, D6970 RYE Chairman jack@ryeflorida.org cell: 904-382-6008

Questions ?