1. WELCOME ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE Informational Meeting for Potential Outbound Candidates and their Parents

2. WHY ARE WE HERE?

3. “If every 17 year old participated in Youth Exchange there would be no more war.” Carl Wilhelm Stenhammar President, Rotary International 2005 - 2006

6. Rotary Youth Exchange What you need to know What is Rotary What is Rotary Youth Exchange Nuts and bolts

7. WHAT IS ROTARY Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. 1,200,000 members and 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas Motto: Service Above Self 2010 – 2011 Theme:

8. WHAT IS ROTARY Rotary in Florida: 8 districts 400+ Rotary clubs Over 20,000 Rotarians First club: Jacksonville, 1912 Involved in projects, local & global

9. WHAT IS ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE Started in 1929 in France and in the 1930s in the United States. Currently there are 80 Rotary countries doing about 8,000 exchanges per year. RYE is a grass roots program administered mainly by trained volunteers. This means students have: Local Rotary Club hosts Local Rotary counselor Local Rotary administration Rotary International “certifies” Rotary districts after a comprehensive review of each District’s administration, orientation and oversight practices, etc. Only certified Rotary districts are permitted to take part in RYE. District-to-district program - Established exchanges with partners we trust

10. WHAT IS ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE WHAT ARE THE PURPOSES OF ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE? Provide high school students an opportunity to spend a year studying in another country, learning the language, discovering the culture, developing skills and maturity Bring the world into our local communities through friendship Promote Rotary’s goal of world peace and understanding, one person, one exchange at a time

11. Rotary Youth Exchange Nuts and Bolts How Much How do I apply Important Dates Other questions …. And answers

12. HOW MUCH? $4,200.00 Sounds like a lot of money but consider: “Commercial” programs charge upwards of $8,000.00 The “scholarship value” of the program has been calculated at over $15,000.00.

13. HOW MUCH? $4,200.00 What is included: - Round trip airfare, one year open ticket - One year room and board - Visa fees - Insurance - Language camps, if required - Two local orientations - Rotary blazer, pins and cards

14. HOW MUCH? $4,200.00 What is not included: - Spending money (there IS a monthly stipend of about US $75 paid by the hosting Rotary club) - Optional tours (Eurotour, etc) - Health screenings/inoculations/vaccinations, etc. that may be required by the accepting country not covered by insurance - “Emergency fund” required by hosting country

15. HOW MUCH? $4,200.00 When is it paid? - $50 with the application - $300 due with sign-up for January orientation – (January 11 & 12) refunded if student cannot be placed; forfeited if student refuses valid assignment or drops out - Balance - $950 payments due March 1, April 1, May 1, June 1

16. HOW DO I APPLY? Go to www.RYE6990.com and download application Complete application and send to the address on the application Don’t miss filing deadline!

17. THEN WHAT? - You will be contacted by the committee and told what local Rotary club you have been assigned to. - You will be interviewed by that Rotary Club and if accepted you have completed the first stage of the process.

18. THEN WHAT? - After being accepted by the local Rotary Club your application will be forwarded to the District committee. - You will be interviewed by the District committee and if accepted you have completed the second stage of the process. - The full application must then be completed, medical exams done and transcripts obtained

19. THEN WHAT? - You will attend the first orientation in Leesburg in January. - After the orientation you will be assigned your country of exchange. - You will be instructed how to complete the visa requirements for your host country and your application will be sent to that country for assignment to host club and family.

20. THEN WHAT? - You will attend the second orientation in Leesburg in June – “cultural boot camp”. - July/August, 2011 Bye

21. IMPORTANT DATES January 2011 First Orientation, Leesburg, Florida June 2011 Second Orientation, Leesburg, Florida July/August 2011 The adventure begins

22. OTHER QUESTIONS … AND ANSWERS How long is the program? One academic year – from July/August to May/June. If optional trip is taken the exchange can be a little longer, but not more than one year. Can I come home during the year and go back? No. Period. Do I get to choose where I am going? Yes, and no. There are no guarantees as to country assignment. A preference form will be completed by you listing five choices, and one that you do not want to go to. You will not go where you don’t want to – every effort will be made to send you where you do want to go. Do I have to be fluent in the language of the country I am going to? No, but some basic language skills would really help.

23. OTHER QUESTIONS … AND ANSWERS Can my friends and family visit me? Yes, and no. Family visits are permitted but not until the spring. Visits from “friends” (including boy friends, girl friends, etc.) unconnected with a visit with family is prohibited. Can I travel while abroad? Yes and no. Travel that is approved by the local Rotary district, host club, host family and natural parents is permitted. Unaccompanied travel is not permitted. At the end of the exchange you must return directly home. What are the rules? The major rules which will get you sent home if broken are the 4 D’s. - No drinking (other than in host family home with hosts present) -No driving -No serious dating -No drugs

24. OTHER QUESTIONS … AND ANSWERS Why Rotary? - Cost - Administration; 99.9% of those working in the program are volunteers, including hosts, counselors, committee members. No profit motive. - Resources. Those involved in the program have created lots of resources for those involved in the Rotary program, including web sites which provide information and advice, a resource web site with forms and articles and training seminars to train those involved in current issues and regulations. - Worldwide support. In addition to a Yahoo site with over 400 youth exchange officers providing almost instant access to assistance around the world many youth exchange officers are personally acquainted with their exchange partners.

25. YOUR QUESTIONS

26. THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK