Rotary International Youth Exchange Rotary International District 9970 Inc.

1. Counsellor & Host Family Briefing Rotary International Youth Exchange Rotary International District 9970 Inc.

2. Agenda • Eligibility (Slide 3) • Background (Slide 4) • Rotary Club (slide 9) • Counsellor (slide 10) • Host Families (Slide 16) • RI Certification (Slide 27) • Student Wellbeing & Abuse Prevention (Slide 29) • Summary (Slide 40)

3. Who is eligible….. • Aged between 16 – 18 years at departure • Academically above average • Articulate • Demonstrate leadership • Capable of being an excellent ambassador

4. Rotary Exchange Organisation CC HOST FAMILY ROTARY COUNSELLOR ROTARY CLUB RYE COMMITTEE

5. Aspects of a Rotary Exchange • Cultural exchange • Become part of their host families • Educational exchange • School attendance is compulsory • Non-attendance results in being sent home • Rotary Involvement • Attend meetings whenever possible

6. What the exchange means to Students • It is not just about eating lunch at school • It is really full immersion • How much a Student puts into the Exchange is how much they get out • Develop personal leadership & communication skills • Build Host family & counsellor relationships greatly influence the students success

7. Pastoral Care Code of Practice • NZ Rotary districts registered under Pastoral Care Code of Practice – S238F Education Act 1989 • Aim is to protect the interests of all international students studying in New Zealand • Police checking prescribed for all family members and volunteers over 18 years • Consent to disclosure of information • Exception – section 19(3)(e) Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004

8. Code of Practice Requirements • Robust procedures for selection of host families • Interview host parents • Check of physical accommodation • Monitoring & Inspection • Written Agreement with Students School • Welfare & Wellbeing Training • Commonsense approach for everyone’s benefit

9. Rotary Clubs – The Key & Core • Clubs are a KEY part of the exchange programme, providing vital resources and support for students … • Counsellor • Host Families • Activities • Support Network • It is a CLUB project and it is the CLUB that host the student not one sole family • Adopt the student as a member • Include in club services & activities • Celebrate customs, festivalsfrom their country • Get to know them!

10. D9970 Student Counsellors • Thank you for offering to be a student Counsellor. • The position of counsellor to an inbound student under the rules of our exchange programme is an important and responsible one. • The attitude of the counsellor can have a major effect on the success or otherwise of a student’s year in our District. • The counsellor should ensure they keep a liaison with the District Youth Exchange Committee.

11. Counsellor Responsibilities Rotary Club Student Counsellor District Committee Host Family

12. Counsellor Responsibilities • Help the exchange go smoothly for all parties • Students interests & Welfare comes first • This may be the first time a student is away from home for an extended time • New language, New school and New families. • The District timetable • A checklist for counsellors • Counsellor reports • Out of district travel • Change of family forms • CANNOT be a host family for the student

13. What YOU and YOUR Club can receive from participation • International guest speaker • Insight into another culture • Meet an interesting and outstanding young person • The satisfaction of helping a young adult achieve a dream • Fun & good times • A Lifetime experience

14. Weekly Hospitality Host

15. Transport Emergency numbers Map Banking Using a phone Banking & ATM NZ Money and Exchange Rate Customs Doctor Your City or Town www.rotary9970.org.nz/rye.htm Student Familiarisation

16. Host Families Thank You for being a Host Family • Treat students like your own • Give an insight into typical Kiwi life • Can be Non-Rotarians • Do NOT need children ofthe same age • Host for the right reasons • Host for about 3-4 months

17. Host Families are.. • Welcoming & Hospitable • Open Minded & Accepting • Willing to promote cultural exchange • A mother and/or father figure • Prepared to take responsibility for students care & wellbeing

18. Host Family Code of Practice • Encourage student to speak English • Make them feel at home & a family member not a guest • Provide Clean & Comfortable accommodation • Environment for them to study • Balanced & appropriate diet • Eating regular & wholesome meals • Care for their welfare, safety & security • Regular access to bathroom facilities • Maintain a close liaison with their counsellor & Rotary • Respect their cultural background

19. Host Families • Questionnaire for first night. • Forward Program • Out of district travel • Risk Activities • Student insurance • Medical • Accident • Theft/loss/damage • School & Rotary Attendance • Change of Host Family Advice

20. Language Comings & Goings, Curfew Student travel Damage 7D’s (next slide) Food Getting Lost Homesickness Host Family Relationship Insurance Keys Quality of their friends Money Religion (& Food) Using phones Internet usage Medical Treatment Rotary emergency contact numbers Keep in touch with students commitments Financial assistance Student planning Host family activities Sibling relationships Points to consider

21. The 7D Rules • No non-prescription drugs • No driving of motor vehicles of any kind • No serious dating • No drinking of alcohol • No disrespect of People or Property • No downloading of prohibited material, • i.e. pornography (or visiting chat rooms ) • No body decoration

22. D9970 Travel Rules

23. Familiarisation Training (Today) RI Host family guide (749en.pdf) http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/749en.pdf Student Counsellor Host Rotary Club RYE Committee Contact numbers Youth Exchange website www.rotary9970.org.nz/rye.htm Host Family Resources

24. Host Family Responsibilities • Ensure there is a safe place • Ensure the 7D’s are not broken • Communicate regularly with the Committee • Advise the committee of any breach immediately • Advise the committee of any comments • Work out a ‘What If’ Scenario • What if you heard the student had drugs • Not responsible for all sight-seeing CIHF-001

25. Host Family Expectations of the Student: The student will • be involved with the host family and their activities • won't get stuck in their room or on their computer skyping their family and friends back home • help with household chores, cooking, cleaning, washing • be at least a little independent (once they have settled in) • won't expect to be driven around everywhere or be picked up • will use public transport or a bike or walk • will speak English when ever possible • make some kiwi friends • not to have their home treated like a hotel CIHF-001

26. Host Family Expectations of the Student: The student will • be involved with their host Rotary club, attend their meetings • be friendly and polite to their host parents, they are halfway between being your friends and your parents • be prepared to eat with the family • not expect to be taken on holiday everywhere, some host families cannot afford that • understand that hosting another young adult in their household comes at a financial cost, appreciate that • not act in a way contrary to the host families rules and expectations. CIHF-001

27. RI Certified ~ Consistent & Comprehensive Standards ~

28. RYE Certification • RI has set abuse and harassment prevention guidelines designed to protect youth participating in Rotary club and district programs. • A club and district certification program for Rotary Youth Exchange • To be certified for participation in Youth Exchange, RI districts comply with the abuse and harassment prevention guidelines, and adopt stringent screening, selection, counselling, orientation, and reporting procedures.

29. Student Wellbeing • RI is committed to creating & maintaining the safest environment possible for Rotary Exchange Students • It is the duty of all Rotarians, spouses, partners, and any Volunteer (Host Family & Counsellor) to safeguard the welfare of, & to prevent the abuse, in any form, of Rotary Exchange Students

30. What is abuse? • When the behaviour of someone in a position of greater power than the student causes them harm (Could be Student to Student ) • The common denominator of abuse is that it makes the subject feel bad and worthless

31. Types of Abuse • Physical • Emotional • Sexual • Exposure to inappropriate material • Verbal Gossip, Innuendo, advances etc • Physical • Neglect

32. Recognising Abuse • Unexplained bruising or injury • Continual stomach pains or ailments without medical explanation • Aggressive or withdrawn behaviour – wont talk about injuries • Unexpected fear of an adult – flinching when touched or confronted • Sexually explicit behaviour or language • Unaccounted sources of money • Becoming Quiet & withdrawn • Fear of going home, going out etc • Change in appearance – losing weight, poor grooming • Drop hints – being asked to keep a secret etc

33. Often they will not tell • They feel responsibility • Afraid – they will be blamed • Threatened • Bribed • Embarrassed

34. What to do? • Don’t leave it – it’s your responsibility • First: Notify the authorities - Police • Second: Advise Rotary • Designated contact – RYE Chairman, District Governor • If concerns lie in Rotary, talk to the District Governor

35. What if the student talks to me about abuse? • Listen attentively • Let them know it was right to tell someone • Stay calm • Let them know they are not to blame • Let them know you will have to tell someone • Only ask questions to establish what was done and who did it • Make a note of what was said & time & Date • Contact the Police, then Rotary or Non Rotary contact • Don’t investigate yourself or challenge the alleged offender • Follow up

36. RYE Procedure • Ensure & Confirm the student is safe • Removal to safe/precautionary environment • Advise Rotary D9970 District Governor • Contact appropriate agencies - the Police • Ensure student receives support (incl. Counselling) • Report to legal parents • Cooperate with authorities • Avoid slander or libel claims

37. Sensible Conduct • Treat students with respect • Tone of your voice • No Rough games • No Physical Force • No sexually suggestive comments • No excessive time alone

38. Student as Abuser • Student to Student Abuse • Student to Adult Abuse • The Same Procedures apply • Notify Police • Notify Rotary

39. What is an exchange “ For me this exchange is something that will take me a whole life to understand. I would not know where to start, if I was asked “in what way did you change on your exchange”. It is a time in your life where you are in control the whole time and you learn to take every moment as a gift that could change you to be the best you can be. An exchange cannot be explained for someone to truly understand. The experience has to be felt to truly understand what it is like.It is about learning that your Mum and Dad do have the answers sometimes.”

40. Summary:When the world comes to your place • We have the legal & moral responsibility for someone else’s child • RYE committee is here to help • We cannot help if we don’t know • RYE committee can offer support and guidance • Make life long friends • Enjoy the experience • Have fun!

41. Rotary Exchange Organisation CC HOST FAMILY ROTARY COUNSELLOR ROTARY CLUB RYE COMMITTEE

42. Rotary International Youth Exchange Rotary International District 9970