Orientation Program for Host Families

Orientation Program for Host Families
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Orientation Program for Host Families Welcome Our goal – Making World A Better Place Thank you for your participation !!! 20-10

D6150 Youth Exchange Program Orientation Program for Host Families
Congratulations! You’re Expecting a New Arrival 20-10

D6150 Youth Exchange Program
Orientation Agenda -- What You Will Learn Today What is Rotary & its purpose? Closeness of new friends (family of Rotary) Who are Rotary exchange students? Rotary Expectations – families, students, clubs Arrival and settling in Sibling relationships Choosing friends Insurance, Finances, Travel, School Student Protection Policy Rotary involvement Support system Being the first, second, last host family End of the year 20-10

What is Rotary? World’s oldest and most international service organization 1¼ million Rotarians, in 170+ countries Celebrating 100th anniversary in 2005 32,000 clubs, in 520 districts Rotary Motto: “Service Above Self” “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? The Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships Polio Plus Group Study Exchange 20-10

What is Rotary? D6150 covers Central and Northeast Arkansas. 41 Rotary Clubs Approximately 2500 Rotarians In we expect to have 8 long term inbound students, 8 long term outbound students, and 2 short term exchange students 20-10

Purpose of the RYE Program
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Purpose of the RYE Program Provide high school students an opportunity to spend up to 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 20-10

Purpose of the RYE Program
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Purpose of the RYE Program District-to-district program 8,000 exchange students per year Open to children of Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike Operated completely by volunteer Rotarians as part of Rotary’s commitment to international and community service CSIET – Council on Standards for International Educational Travel Accredited for listing 20-10

Rotary YE is about SERVICE to OTHERS 20-10

Who are Rotary Exchange Students?
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Who are Rotary Exchange Students? Outstanding young people Age 15-18½ upon arrival Carefully selected and well prepared Most speak English well Anxious and excited to: Learn our language Discover American culture Represent their countries Become part of your family 20-10

Expectations of Host Families
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Expectations of Host Families Provide room and board Treat student like your own child Help with challenges (language, school, homesickness, culture shock, etc) Provide an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, a hand to depend on 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 20-10

Sample Family Rules Be on time Curfew Do school homework No telephone after certain hour Help with chores (cleaning dishes, mowing lawn, etc.) See list of questions for students to ask each new host family. 20-10

Expectations of Counselors
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Expectations of Counselors Maintain at least monthly contact with student and family Showing continued interest / support Resolving problems before problems get big Ensure insurance in place, student has card Obtain State ID for student Register student at school Provide monthly allowance Keep club YE committee informed; get Rotary club membership involved 20-10

Items Rotary Counselor May Hold for Student
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Items Rotary Counselor May Hold for Student Paid for return airline ticket Emergency fund With student’s permission, Passport, VISA and DS-2019 20-10

CHALLENGES FOR THE ROTARY EXCHANGE STUDENT ARE MANY
Your Community Host Families School Exchange Student / Rotary Counselor Host Rotary Club Friends in High School Host Rotary District 20-10

Expectations of Students
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Expectations of Students Adapt to host family Learn our language and culture Follow Rotary rules Perform well in school Communicate Represent country and Rotary (Youth Ambassador) Participate with Rotary, school, and community Return home at end of exchange year 20-10

Expectations of Students
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Expectations of Students Program Rules Learn English Learn to adapt Be an ambassador Fit into host family Make right set of Friends No operating motor vehicles, no driver ed No alcohol or drugs No dating No smoking No body piercings or tattoos 20-10

Expectations (continued)
No downloading without permission Attend school regularly and make an honest effort. Follow travel rules. RYE is not a travel program. Visits by parents and family may be permitted in the last month or two if visit OKed by host family, not in conflict with school or Rotary events, and not during Christmas, New Year’s or Easter. No visits by friends Attend Rotary club meetings once a month. 20-10

Use of Telephone Each Host Family -- Explain how it works; set rules for use Limit calls to country (family, friends) Helps them to overcome homesickness Ensure no phone bills ($100, $500, $1,000) Options for student calling home Telephone card Call parents; ask them to call them back Cell phone, if needed, should be prepaid phone. 20-10

Use of Family Computer Attention each host family … Do not let student spend too much time on computer Limit / prohibit downloading information Explain no visits to pornography sites, etc. Try to limit too many s to family and friends back home Makes adapting to our culture more difficult 20-10

School Educational program, student visas Visit ASAP with Rotary counselor to set schedule N Driver Education Encourage participation Sports Music, Drama, etc. Interact Homework 20-10

Relations with School Counselor and host families work together to … Ensure clear understanding of school credits while they are here (often answer is “None”) Usually “not allowed to graduate” Remind them to say thank you to school teachers Write letter introducing student & RYE to teachers Ensure regular class attendance and proper attention to work Assure school missed work will be completed Rotary will take students out of school at times They are expected to make up work 20-10

Sibling Relationships
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Sibling Relationships The Good Set the example Be a protector and a listener Introduce to friends & activities The Not-so-good Jealousy Withdraw from family & exchange student Anger to point of harassment or physical abuse Relations can go beyond normal bounds of siblings 20-10

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 20-10

Limit Visits with Other Exchange Students
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Limit Visits with Other Exchange Students Rotary provides many opportunities for exchange students to get together Their initiative -- to make American friends Limit birthday party invitations to American students and exchange students close by Transportation can be difficult Can cause family frustration 20-10

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 20-10

Problem Solving Some problems will occur Student must ask for help, in this order Host family Club counselor Club youth exchange officer District Youth exchange committee Do not let small problems become big problems 20-10

Student Getting Involved
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Student Getting Involved Active involvement in Rotary and community essential to be good ambassador Rotary meetings Orientations for American students Programs to Rotary clubs Programs to schools and clubs Help student to say “yes” and to be proud to be ambassador for their country and Rotary 20-10

Activities Sharing family activities (even if not favorite thing to do) Rotary Club Meetings and socials Fund Raisers Other activities District 20-10

Student’s Role as Ambassador
D6150 Youth Exchange Program 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 20-10

Decision Making ? Rotary 4-Way Test
Year-of-a-Lifetime Which doorway you choose is up to you. Rotary will help. So-So Year Rotary 4-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? Student Goes Home Early 20-10

Student Discipline Process
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Infractions of some rules will result in the District sending a student home immediately. In the case of other problem behaviors, we use the yellow card/red card system. Yellow card is a written warning in which student is given a time frame to correct behavior. Student is on probation. Student, counselor and district yeo sign the warning, and it is sent to student’s home Rotary district and parents. Red card means student is sent home. 20-10

Expectations of Host Clubs
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Expectations of Host Clubs Select suitable host families Provide counselor Consider a backup also (counselor in training) Counselor/YEO “supervise” student Help with school arrangements Supply monthly allowance & Bring to meetings regularly 20-10

D6150 Youth Exchange Program Expectations of Host Clubs Communicate & Support host families & schools Help with transportation for “special events” Organize ways for club to be involved Ensure participation in club activities Remind student of district activities Form transportation committee to offload host parents 20-10

D6150 Youth Exchange Program Expectations of Host Clubs Counselor contacts student and host family once/month (min.) Club meetings once/month (min.) Encourage involvement by members Help with school issues during year Arrange transition to new host family Maintain student’s Emergency funds Available 24/7/365 for support 20-10

Arrival and Settling In
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Arrival and Settling In Welcoming your student Notify us of any flight changes Check-in by YE Committee member Assist with lost baggage reports First Night Questions A Welcome Party? School arrangements Introduce them to family & friends Encourage their involvement Do not let them retreat to their room 20-10

Rotary Prepared to Help
Your Community Host Families School Exchange Student / Counselor Host Rotary Club Friends in High School Host Rotary District 20-10

Support System D6150 Youth Exchange Program Club Level District Level
Counselor Youth Exchange Officer President District Level In-Bound Coordinator Youth Exchange Officers Student Protection Officer 20-10

Rotary Involvement Counselor visits once/month (min.) Club meetings once/month (min.) Club contact student once/month (min.) Club contact host family once/month (min.) Encourage involvement by members Help with school issues Support host family Arrange transition to new host family Monthly allowance 20-10

Medical Insurance & Care
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Medical Insurance & Care All Inbounds Insured CISI/Bolduc policy Belgium, Sweden, Denmark have own CISI/Bolduc – Plan B Medical Accident/Illness – up to $1,000,000 Repatriation - $50K Medical Evacuation - $100K Deductible - $100 20-10

Medical Insurance & Care
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Medical Insurance & Care In the event of illness/accident Medical care authorized by parents Stabilize first Call Rotary Contact Notifying student’s family Let Rotary do the contacting once details are known 20-10

Student Protection Policy
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Student Protection Policy Our Role: Create and maintain the safest possible environment for all participants Safeguard welfare and prevent physical, sexual, emotional or financial abuse of exchange students Provide the means to address all concerns and indications of harassment or abuse 20-10

Student Protection Code
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Student Protection Code Do Treat students with respect - be aware of your tone of voice & manner and their reactions OK to touch and hug students in a way that is not intrusive/disturbing to them or observers Control who they hang around with Communicate with Rotary counselor or Rotary club YE committee chair if there are any allegations or suspicions or if you have questions 20-10

Student Protection Code
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Student Protection Code DO NOT Engage in rough physical games including horseplay Use physical force in any way, especially as a form of punishment Touch an exchange student in any way that could be interpreted as intrusive or sexual Make sexually suggestive comments, even as a joke Spend excessive time alone with a student, this may lead to misunderstanding 20-10

Student Protection Guidelines
D6150 Youth Exchange Program 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 Rotary officials 20-10

Student Protection Guidelines
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Student Protection Guidelines Keep Communications Open Assure student that you can jointly address his/her concerns/problem With all of us working together, we can keep our exchange students safe and make this a meaningful and happy exchange experience for all of us. 20-10

Student Finances Emergency Fund Maintained by Host Club True emergencies – medical, etc. Student Bank Account Credit/Debit Card are good option Telephone bills assumed by student Monthly Stipend from Rotary Accountability 20-10

Host Family Finances D6150 Youth Exchange Program
Support day to day routine expenses Room and board Laundry detergent, toothpaste, soap etc. Regular family activities: movies, out to eat, family trips etc. 20-10

D6150 Youth Exchange Program Host Family Finances
Extra-ordinary expenses Clothing and postage are student responsibility Telephone: Long distance costs are student responsibility Family vacations: discuss expenses, establish cost share long before departure IRS publication 526 allows a tax deduction of up to $50 per month for hosting a student. 20-10

Student Travel D6150 Youth Exchange Program
Cultural & Educational Program NOT Travel program District 6150 Travel Policy Students not allowed to make own travel plans – must be pre-approved Unauthorized Travel will result in student being returned home 20-10

Summer Tour Summary Three optional tours available Western – California, Grand Canyon, … Eastern – Washington D. C., New York … usatour.us – 4 weeks – all around U.S. Mid-June to mid-July Belo USA – 2 weeks west coast. June 5 to Jun 18 Sign up as soon as possible First to register will go; last may not Package must be complete when student submits Price of airplane tickets to tour starting point not included in tour fee 20-10

Support System Club Level Club Counselor Club Youth Exchange Chairperson Club President District Level District YE Committee Liaison to Club Long-Term Inbound Coordinator District Youth Exchange Officer / Chairperson 20-10

Being 1st/2nd/Last Host Family
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Being 1st/2nd/Last Host Family First Host Family Excitement – everything is new Culture shock – major adaptations Language struggles School arrangements Often the closest bonds Set the standards for the year 20-10

Being 1st/2nd/Last Host Family
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Being 1st/2nd/Last Host Family Second (or Third) Host Family Transition issues New rules and family practices Language and culture begin to “click” Last Host Family Comfortable with language and culture Big events: prom, graduation, departure Preparing for separation Tearful goodbyes 20-10

The End of the Year Leaving for home will be harder than leaving home was a year earlier Reverse culture shock “The more successful the exchange, the harder the re-entry” You WILL see them again, and you will have travel opportunities unlike any you’ve experienced before. 20-10

Statement of Conduct for Working with Youth
D6150 Youth Exchange Program 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. Adopted by the RI Board of Directors, November 2002 Adopted by SCRYE, 2004 20-10

Summary We have assumed the legal and moral responsibility for someone else’s children We are here to help you and the student have a meaningful and safe year to learn and live our American culture We cannot help if we do not know 20-10

Summary THANK YOU !!!!!!!! We have a great year planned Program is not possible without host families like you. We are more than eager to help 20-10

Where to get more information
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Where to get more information District committee D6150 YE Website: 20-10

Topics To Be Discussed with Students at Orientation
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Topics To Be Discussed with Students at Orientation Review of signed rules Ensure no smoking Tour plans Ideas for Getting Involved Know counselor Adapting to Host family Understanding of travel rules 20-10

Individual Topics, Concluded
D6150 Youth Exchange Program Individual Topics, Concluded Interact Papers to Rotary counselor School Credit Insurance Any Medical Concerns Yellow Card/Red Card System. 20-10

That’s All Folks! Thanks to D5890, D6080, D6040, D6060 and D6110 for sharing host family & counselor power point talks. 20-10

Questions ? 20-10

Orientation Program for Host Families

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