2. Common Youth Exchange Questions Who are the Youth Exchange Students? Can I work with Youth Exchange even if my club doesn’t take a Youth Exchange Student? What are some of the positives about working with Youth Exchange? What can we expect if I get involved? What are the program rules and where do they come from? What is the support system?

3. Who are the Youth Exchange Students? 15-18 ½ year old students from one of the 30 countries we have exchange agreements with. Can be either male or female. Can be from Rotary or Non-Rotary Families. Are often times more traveled than Americans tend to be. Speak several languages, but English is usually not their primary language.

4. Can I work with Youth Exchange even if my club doesn’t take a Youth Exchange Student? YES – Club level involvement is not a requirement, but it does help give you experience. Getting involve personally may help get your club involved in the future. There are several opportunities at the district level that can be done without your club involved in the program.

5. Positives of working with Youth Exchange Great feeling from working with the students. Builds lifetime relationships. Chance to be a positive influence on a young persons life. WIN-WIN-WIN !!! Great experience for the student, yourself and your club or Rotary. Builds good will and better friendships.

6. Positives of working with Youth Exchange Promotes Rotary’s goal of building peace one student at a time. Gives you a chance to build Rotary’s membership now and in the future. Opens several travel opportunities for you in the future. Allows the student to experience our culture and you the opportunity to experience theirs.

7. What can I expect if I get involved? That is addictive. That it will take up some time, but that it is well worth it. That you will get a great sense of accomplishment from working with these students. You will learn a great deal about other countries and cultures. At times there will be some frustrations, but once again it is worth it. That the friendships you make will last a lifetime, and you will have friends all around the world.

8. What can I expect if I get involved? That you will stay in contact with most of the kids you work with long after their exchange. Invitations all over the world to visit. A sense of Joy that comes from watching kids grow. Unfortunately paperwork, but support in getting it done. Training and support from those of us who have been involved and doing this for years.

9. What are the program rules and where do they come from? Rules come from a combination of Rotary International, US Department of State, CSIET, SEVIS, and Rotary District 7120. Rules are to numerous to cover in just a couple of minutes here, but there is training provided on the rules. Some basics are: The 4 D’s : No Drinking, No Driving, No Dating & No Drugs. No unauthorized travel.

10. Rules continued Some Basics: Any overnight travel requires a signed permission to travel form. Students must attend ALL MANDATED EVENTS. No parties for the whole group without District permission. School attendance is MANDATORY, and an honest effort has to be made in all classes. Program is both a Cultural & an Educational Program. Anyone over the age of 18 with one on one contact with the students must have a background check.

11. What is the support system? District Training offered several times per year. District Youth Exchange Leadership there to support and train: District Chair PDG Mark Wyse District Vice Chair Inbound Anne Morrell District Vice Chair Outbound/ New Generations Director Betsy Fisk Past Chair Mike Davis Interact Chair/2013-14 Vice Chair Outbound Julie Carney

12. Questions ?