ROTARY DISTRICT 7770Youth Exchange Program Training

Marketing of the Youth Exchange Program

Recruiting Outbound Candidates

Ideas?

Recruiting Outbound Candidates

In order to have a successful Outbound Program you must visit your local High

Schools and make a presentation.

Interact sponsors, social studies teachers and language teachers are

great resources.

Recruiting Outbound Candidates

• Open to students ages 15 – 18 years old;

• Prefer to recruit sophomores who will spend their junior year abroad;

• Will accept student as long as they have not reached the age of 18 ½ years old by their departure date.

Recruiting Outbound Candidates

• Contact High School principal/guidance counselors early in the year;

• Involve “Rebound” student or invite one from another Rotary club;

• Arrange to meet with a controlled group – i.e., top 1/3 of sophomore class, language class, honors class.

Recruiting Outbound Candidates

1. Interested students should complete a preliminary application (www.rotaryyouthexchange7770.org);

2. YEO or committee should screen applications;

3. Set up local interviews with potential candidates (Sample questions @ www.rotary.org);

4. If the local interviews go well the YEO will submit qualified candidate applications to district, along with appropriate fees.

Student Application

• Use blue ink where indicated;

• Make sure applications are complete, including school & medical reports and pictures;

• Send a copy to district Outbound Coordinator.

District Interviews• Usually conducted in November, December, &

January;

• Must have complete application before interview will be scheduled;

• Parents must attend interview;

• No student will not be accepted at a date too late to attend the district conference;

• District interview is not a “rubber stamp”.

Host Country Selection• Early candidates get 1st choices of

countries;

• District selection committee makes determination based on student’s personality, language abilities, and several other factors;

• Students must trust the selection committee’s decision.

Mandatory Meetings for Outbound Candidates

• District Conference - March

-Long Term & Short Term Students

• Outbound Orientation – June-Long Term Students

Outbound Orientation

• Language and Knowledge review;

• Approximately 12 hours of lectures and class activities;

• Team building activities

Finding Host Families

Use common sense approach to selecting host families. Know with whom you are placing your trust and the trust of the student’s parents. Remember, the YEO is responsible for the student’s safety, welfare, and happiness during the exchange year.

Host Family Basics• Extremely important function of YEO is to

secure good host families;

• YEO should arrange for host families far in advance of students arrival;

• First & Most Important requisite is that host parents must enjoy teenagers and provide loving, caring home.

Finding Host Families

Ideas?

Finding Host Family

• Use personal contacts – Don’t just ask for volunteers at the Rotary meeting;

• Does not have to be a Rotarian family;

• Meet with entire family to answer questions about hosting a student.

Potential Host Families• Rotary Club members

• Families of Outbound students

• Teachers (especially language, social studies)

• Members of your Church

• Network of friends and family

How Many Host Families

• Rotary International suggests 3 families, but hosting club has ultimate decision;

• Having a back-up family or group of back-up families who can host in an emergency is a great idea.

Hosting Guidelines• First Night – First night questions are a must for the

FIRST NIGHT!

• Treat student as a member of your family

• Delegate daily responsibilities for the home

• Assist student in finding the right friends

• Be prepared to say “No” when appropriate

• Ensure students dress / present themselves properly

Hosting Guidelines

• Have student share motivation as to why they want to be an exchange student;

• Answer “First Night Questionnaire” found in Rotary International Handbook - www.rotary.org;

• Explain family rules in detail, write them down so there is no confusion;

• Host family must keep Inbound Student’s paperwork (The student will arrive with a packet with passport, flight info, insurance cards, contact information, emergency money-$350.00, etc.)

Host Family Guidelines

Host Family is required to:– Provide safe, happy home;– Accept the student as their own child;– Talk to the student about expectations;– Communicate with the student;– Encourage / Foster learning & using English;– Discourage using native language;– Provide / Arrange for transportation, within

reason.

Host Family Guidelines

Host Family is not required to:– Be members of Rotary;– Have any children in the home;– Have children of the same age or sex in the

home;– Provide separate bedroom (separate bed and

adequate privacy is required);– Furnish spending money to the student.

YOUTH EXCHANGEResources

www.yeoresources.org www.rotary.org

• RI Youth Exchange Handbook• Application (Long Term & Short Term Programs)• Marketing materials• First Night Questionnaire• Evaluation

www.rotaryyouthexchange7770.org• Contact Information • Important Events• CISI-Bolduc Insurance Agency• Tzell Travel Group• Student & District Information