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

2. 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”
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?

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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?

8. 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?

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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 , 2015– Orientation Weekend #2
Departure dates – from late July to early September, depending on destination

12. Expectations of Students
Program Rules
Driving
Alcohol and Drugs
Smoking
School attendance
Relationships
Working
Traveling
Visits from home
Phone calls, s, IM

13. 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:
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

14. 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, s, instant messaging
Visits from home
Trust Rotary, and work through the Rotary system if problems occur
Host a student in return

15. 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

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

17. Finally ….

18. “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

19. CONTACT INFORMATION
Daphne Cameron, OB Vice-Chair
cell:
Jeff Hart, D6970 Chairman Elect
cell:
Jack Murray, D6970 RYE Chairman
cell:

20. Questions ?