#rotaryyouthexchange and #socialmedia Al Kalter, Chairman Scott Krogmann, Country Coordinator Asia Rotary Youth Exchange Florida

Evolution of Technology

Evolution of Technology

Evolution of Technology

Evolution of Technology

Evolution of Technology

Today’s Instant Communication Fast, easy, cheap Fast, easy, cheap Global sharing of ideas/resources Global sharing of ideas/resources  Expectation of instant response  Loss of “sleep on it” time  Unintentional “Reply To All”

Today’s Instant Communication FacebookTwitter SkypeSmartphones How can we make all of this work for us?

Smartphones as a Prep Tool  Google Translate / iTranslate  420 apps on “learning German”  71 apps on “learning Thai”  TuneIn Radio  BookBox  Many apps are free!  Change the phone’s language

The Internet as an Outlet  Website – official channel  Social Media – What’s Your Presence? For Potential ApplicantsFor Potential Applicants For Current and Future OutboundsFor Current and Future Outbounds For Current and Future InboundsFor Current and Future Inbounds For ReboundsFor Rebounds For ParentsFor Parents For VolunteersFor Volunteers

Promoting our Programs

Facebook – Group Pages

 Every Outbound required to join Keeping an eye on students!Keeping an eye on students!  Can’t be managed by a Rotarian Use a trusted ReboundUse a trusted Rebound  Camaraderie and “creating a culture”  Students check Facebook more often than Ease of communicating meetings, deadlines, etc.Ease of communicating meetings, deadlines, etc. Provide suggestions of helpful websites, etc.Provide suggestions of helpful websites, etc. A constant reminder of who they represent while abroadA constant reminder of who they represent while abroad Discouraging “group think”Discouraging “group think”

Facebook – Group Pages  Every Inbound required to join Keeping an eye on students!Keeping an eye on students!  Not an American activity, it’s a global activity  Gives an idea of things to come  Students can develop friendships prior to arrival  Helps Rotarians tailor exchange to the students needs  Alerts Rotarians of potential pitfalls

Facebook – Group Pages  Every Rebound … already there!  Students stay connected  Many offer to assist  They pass along a positive culture  They’re all future Rotarians!

Facebook – Group Pages  Every Parent invited to join  Separate group for parents and host parents  Constant “round-table” discussion  Parent answers can be more accurate than Rotarians!  Parents often offer to assist “Being an exchange parent and household will be the richest most amazing thing you can do for your family. Hosting lets you meet the best the brightest and the bravest; you also get a son or daughter you will love and who will redefine your notion of family and borders. There are no good excuses not to host if you have an extra bed and an open mind. It will be the BEST year of your life.” – Katrina Hess, host mom

Facebook – Individual Pages  Monitor day-to-day moods, experiences, etc.  Gauge host country immersion vs. FB immersion  Send and receive messages quickly

What Else? What’s New?  Twitter  Instagram  WhatsApp  Touch  FaceTime  Meebo  ?????

Challenges  No filters  Immersion impossible?  Crowd sourcing / Group think  Public vs. private – TMI?  Comparisons and expectations  Are you really there?  Rules? A 5 th “D” – No Digital Existences?A 5 th “D” – No Digital Existences?  Getting the students to buy in

The Student Buy-In  Break the bonds (parents & friends)  Use social media to be social in your new home, not your old home  Recognize the language crutch  Can’t be in two places at once  Can still have a good exchange, but not a GREAT one  Goal: Real exchange, not a virtual exchange

The YEO Buy-In  Embrace new avenues of promotion  Consider new avenues of support  Take advantage of new avenues of communication  Welcome input/content from StudentsStudents ParentsParents RotariansRotarians  Enlist Rebound involvement  Make this work for us!