1 Orientation for RYE Host Families Rotary District 6600

2 Introduction Welcome Our goal – Making World A Better Place Thank you for your participation We hope you enjoy being a Host Family

District 6600 Youth Exchange Committee Youth Exchange Chair George Costaras Rotary Club of Elyria Sunrise Inbound Student Chair Bill Donnelly Rotary Club of Bowling Green Outbound Student Chair Trina Buettner Rotary Club of Defiance Short-Term Program Chair Jan Metzger Rotary Club of Maumee Student Counselor Mary Aufdenkampe Rotary Club of Oberlin Committee Member Janice Costaras 3

4 What You Will Learn Today Rotary expectations Helpful ideas for you Calendar of activities

5 CHALLENGES FOR THE ROTARY EXCHANGE STUDENT ARE MANY Host Rotary Club Host Families Exchange Student / Rotary Counselor Your Community School Friends in High School Host Rotary District

6 Rotary Support Structure Rotary Club Rotary Youth Exchange Committee Rotary Counselor

7 Counselor Responsibilities Maintain contact with student and family Show continued interest & support Resolve problems before problems get big Register student at school Ensure that student receives monthly allowance Keep Club’s YE committee informed Involve Rotary Club membership

8 Student Challenges 1. Adapting to host families and new culture 2. Doing well in school 3. Homesickness & making close friends 4. Speaking English 5. Following the rules of Rotary 6. Getting involved in Rotary club and community

9 Host Family Expectations Treat student as member of the family Delegate daily responsibilities for the home Assist student in finding right friends Be prepared to say “No” when appropriate Ensure students dress & present themselves appropriately

10 Sample Family Rules Be on time Curfew Do school homework No telephone after certain hour Help with chores (cleaning dishes, mowing lawn, etc.)

11 Use of Telephone Explain how it works; set rules for use Limit calls to country (family, friends) Helps them to overcome homesickness Ensure no phone bills Telephone calling card for student calling home Idea: Wal-Mart (ATT International Card)

12 Use of Family Computer Do not let student spend too much time on computer Limit or prohibit downloading information Explain no visits to pornography sites, etc. Limit the use of Facebook, Skype, etc. Ensure not too many s to family and friends back home Makes adapting to our culture more difficult

13 Expectations at School Inform student about school credits Often student does not earn transferable credits Usually “not allowed to graduate” Remind them to say thank you to school teachers Stress regular class attendance and proper attention to work Any school work missed due to Rotary Program MUST be completed

14 Varsity Sports at School Students who have already graduated cannot play on Varsity team Student can plan on intramural teams Student may have to pay own costs for sports (depends on individual Rotary Club)

15 Making Close Friends A major challenge to YE students Help in finding clubs for student to join Interact (in many of the schools) Sports Theater Band, orchestra Active participation is good cure for homesickness

16 Limit Visits with Other Exchange Students Rotary provides many opportunities for exchange students to get together Limit party invitations to American students and exchange students close by If difficult to transport student If invitations does not work with family plans REMEMBER: You can say, “No!”

17 Speaking English Sometimes students speak own language Considered quite rude Forces others away from you This can be major problem Ensure students actively work to improve Good computer programs available Don’t be afraid to correct student’s English

18 Serious Rules of Rotary No drinking No driving No serious dating Obeying the law No smoking No drugs No shoplifting, etc.

19 Problem Solving Problems may occur Student should ask for help, in this order Host family Club counselor Club youth exchange officer District Youth exchange committee Host families must not let small problems become big problems. Ask for help. Club counselor Club Youth Exchange officer District Youth Exchange Committee

20 Statement of Conduct for Working with Youth Rotary International is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all participants in Rotary activities. It is the duty of all Rotarians, Rotarians’ spouses, partners, and other volunteers to safeguard to the best of their ability the welfare of and to prevent the physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of children and young people with whom they come into contact.

21 Student Protection Guidelines What to do if your exchange student tells you of Harassment and/or Abuse Listen attentively & let him/her know it was right to tell you Assure him/her that they are not to blame Remain calm and make sure student feels safe Encourage student to share with you what happened and who was involved Make detailed notes including date & time Don’t promise to keep secrets & explain the necessity of informing the District Chair

22 Student Protection Guidelines Keep Communications Open Assure student that you can jointly address his/her concerns/problem Report the Case to the District Chair and the Club Counselor Immediately Don’t Investigate Leave this to the proper authorities Support the Student Emotionally

23 Student Getting Involved Student should attend Rotary Meetings and Activities Student should become involved with school clubs and/or sports Help student to say “yes” and to be proud to be ambassador for their country and Rotary

24 Student’s Role as Ambassador Students portray their whole country By their attitude By their decisions By their appearance By their willingness to do for others Students make a difference; so much depends on their desire to be ambassador Reminders from counselor and host family needed

25 One Last Request Student’s Name, Address & Telephone Number must be kept current in US SEVIS database Please inform your YE Chair when student moves families and provide the needed information; including host family The YE Chair will inform the District’s YE Inbound Student Chair

26 Summary THANK YOU !!!!!!!! We have a great year planned Program will not work without dedicated counselors and host families