Rotary YES/SCANEX

TRAINING & ORIENTATION FOR STEP PARTICIPANTS Ronda Werner, YEO D-5240 Rotary YES/SCANEX

Introduction Rotary International is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all our Youth Exchange Students, both here and abroad. Rotary YES/SCANEX

Topics of Discussion Why are Orientation & Training for STEP Exchanges so important? How is Orientation & Training different for STEP vs. LTEP? What Orientation & Training is necessary and for whom? What are Expectations for effective Orientation & Training for STEP? Rotary YES/SCANEX

WHY SUPPORT RI’S ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY? To keep our students as safe as possible To maintain reputation as an Organization that takes Abuse & Harassment seriously – may help deter potential abusers Potential Youth Participants & Families may find our program more attractive knowing that we take student’s safety seriously Clear policies & procedures protects interests of all volunteers and participants Rotary YES/SCANEX

STEP vs. LTEP TRAINING SIMILARITIES Same Abuse & Harassment Prevention Policy Applies Same Stmt of Conduct for Working with Youth Applies – RI committed to safeguarding youth from all forms of abuse Same 6 D’s Apply (Drugs, Drinking, Dating, Driving, Downloading (Pornographic materials), Decoration (body tattoos, piercings) Training Required for all participants Students must have approved Insurance Independent YE Travel has same restrictions Rotary YES/SCANEX

STEP vs. LTEP TRAINING DIFFERENCES Outbound & Inbound Host Family is the same – combine training May need to do 1-on-1 INBOUND Training Less emphasis on adaptation School discussions not relevant Stages of Homesickness don’t apply Student does not change families – only one HF Interview/Application Reverse Culture Shock not an issue Rotary YES/SCANEX

ORIENTATION & TRAINING District YE Policy Outlines content & frequency of training, who must receive training and whose responsibility it is to conduct training One IB & one OB O & T sufficient for STEP (3-4 hours each) District YEO, YPO, YE Committee, Club YEO, Experienced Counselor may conduct individual IB STEP Training Rotary YES/SCANEX

ORIENTATION & TRAINING District has procedures to ensure that all participants receive training District maintains records of participation Use and Keep on file Sign-in Sheets with date, type of Training (STEP, LTEP, IB, OB) and Location Rotary YES/SCANEX

OUTBOUND TRAINING Outbound Students and Parents/Guardians Required to attend Orientation & Training Content of Orientation includes: Program Rules, Procedures, Expectations and Abuse & Harassment Prevention Awareness and Training Rotary YES/SCANEX

INBOUND TRAINING Inbound Students must have Orientation shortly after arrival Content of IB Orientation includes contact info for Counselor to report problems or abuse, emergency contact numbers & info. on local laws & customs Since STEP is brief and exchange dates vary – holding 1 Group INBOUND Orientation is difficult. The STEP IB Orientation can be done by Host Club’s Trained RYE Counselor, Club YEO, or Committee member 1-on-1 Each IB should receive an IB Packet containing relevant materials & contact info Rotary YES/SCANEX

HOST FAMILY TRAINING Host Families Must receive Training that includes info. on Program & Rules and Abuse & Harassment Training Since STEP is Family-to-Family, can do Host Family Orientation same time as Outbound Training Rotary YES/SCANEX

RYE VOLUNTEERS & YEO TRAINING District provides specialized training for DG, YEO, YE Committee, Rotary Counselors and other Rotarian and non-Rotarian Volunteers District conducts special host family and Counselor Orientation usually in early/mid July before IB’s arrive. The STEP Counselors attend this Orientation as well. District gives each Counselor a Packet with Counselor Job Description, Host Family Interview Form, Background Check forms, etc. Use EXISTING training opportunities: District Assembly workshops (i.e., Risk Management), PETS, PRLS, District Staff Meetings, etc. Rotary YES/SCANEX

KEEP IT SIMPLE Use RI’s Training Manual and Leader’s Guide – Contains specialized training programs & Handouts for Rotarians & non-Rotarians, Counselors, YE Committee, Host Families, Students, etc. ESSEX has excellent Training PowerPoint available on Yahoo YEO Resources – use as a guide Combine STEP/LTEP OB Orientations Can give STEP Host Family Orientation at STEP OB Orientation since parents are present Use same Rotary Counselors, District Contact Info, Emergency & Hotline Numbers as LTEP Rotary YES/SCANEX

ELECTRONIC RESOURCES Can Download the following from www.rotary.org (Under “RI Programs” select “Youth Exchange” then select “Rotarians” then “Resources”) Abuse & Harassment Prevention Training Manual & Leaders’ Guide Sample District YE Abuse & Harassment Prevention Policy Youth Exchange Handbook New YE Application Forms New YE Promotional Materials Rotary YES/SCANEX

Help LEAD THE WAY to International Understanding and Goodwill! WRAP UP Help LEAD THE WAY to International Understanding and Goodwill! Rotary YES/SCANEX