1. What is Youth Exchange?
Youth Exchange is an exchange program for secondary school students.
Students travel to other countries to learn about the culture and the language as well as act as a cultural ambassador for their own country.
Long-term exchanges only in District 5390.

2. Youth Exchange Facts
The first exchanges began in 1927 involving only European students.
Exchanges between California and Latin American countries started in 1939.
Youth Exchange became an official program of RI in 1974.
Today, more than 8,000 students participate annually in over 80 countries.

3. Youth Exchange Goals
Provides young people with the opportunity to experience cultures other than their own
Gives participants a broader view of the world and a deeper understanding of themselves
Develops leadership and communication skills in youth
Advances International
understanding and world peace

4. Qualities Sought in Youth Exchange Participants
Above average academic qualifications.
Good ambassadors for their town, for Rotary, and for the United States.
Good communication skills.
Active in their community through sports,
hobbies, youth activities or church affairs.
Applicants should be well adjusted, particularly in their family relationships.
No older than 17 ½ years older when leaving the USA in July-August. Graduating High School Seniors may apply, participate in the program, and defer college one year while they complete the exchange year. This often works very well

5. How Youth Exchange Operates
Club committees recruit, screen, interview and select students for participation in the program.
Club selected students (and parents) will go through 2nd interview process at District Level for District selection.
District chairs work with their counterparts around the world to organize all aspects of the exchanges.
Rotary International produces a list of district Youth Exchange chairs quarterly to help communication with one another.

6. Club Requirements for YE
Risk Management Certified
Youth Exchange Committee
2-3 host families with background checks
Secured spot at local high school
Approx $ in budget
for stipend/etc.

7. Club Committee Structure
The club Youth Exchange committee chair, appointed by the club president, is responsible for all aspects of the club’s Youth Exchange program. Suggested positions for the club committee include:
Outbound coordinator
Inbound coordinator
Host family coordinator
Club counselor/school liaison
Public relations coordinator/Recruitment
Youth protection officer

8. District Structure
District governors are responsible for appointing a district chair, overseeing the appointment of a district committee, and supporting and monitoring the program throughout the year. The district committee should include:
Chairman
Treasurer
Inbound coordinator
Outbound coordinator/Interviews
Rebound Chair
SCRYE database Chair
Medical Insurance coordinator
Travel coordinator/Event Chair
Public relations coordinator/Training Documents
Youth protection officer

10. The mission of SCRYE is to promote and facilitate Rotary International Youth Exchange for their member districts.
SCRYE ensures that their member districts are thoroughly prepared to do youth exchange, comply with all minimum standards, enlighten students concerning global issues, access
great training and tools through innovation, involvement, and the latest technology in all available media.
Present great conferences that deliver outstanding fellowship, powerful inspiration, and effective motivation. SCRYE recognizes, nurtures, and supports their member districts’ diversity and achieves great two-way communication with all entities involved in their member districts’ programs.
Measure all our decisions and actions to improve Rotary Youth Exchange as a whole.

11. District YE Timeline Applications due to Local Club Oct 15th.
Application to District Chair Nov 15h
District Interviews for Parents and Students early December.
Selected students notified by December 31.
First Out-Bound Orientation for Students January or February.

12. How to Participate Get involved with Youth Exchange by:
Hosting a student from our district or a neighboring district for an afternoon activity, club meeting, or project
Chaperone an exchange student on
orientations/tours
Promote the program in local schools
and to students you know
Serve on your club committee
Work with your district committee