Host Family Orientation

1. Host Family Orientation Rotary District 6600

2. Introduction Welcome Our goal: Making the World A Better Place . . . One Student at a Time! Thank you for your participation !!! Without Host Families, We would not be able to Host the Exchange Students!

3. What You Will Learn Today • Rotary Support Structure • Student Challenges • Rotary Expectations • Helpful ideas for you • Calendar of activities

4. District 6600 Organization Youth Exchange Chairperson: George Costaras • Appointed by the District Governor • Appoints Committee Members

5. District 6600 Organization Inbound Student Chair: Janice Costaras Outbound Student Chair: Trina Buettner Short Term Program Chair: Bonnie Kimpling-Kelly Student Counselor: Mary Aufdenkampe

6. District 6600 Organization Committee Members: Rich Fredrickson Doug Maurer Melanie Fredrickson Amber Stover

7. Local Rotary Club Support Structure • Rotary Club Youth Exchange Chair • Rotary Club Youth Exchange Counselor • Rotary Club Members

8. Rotary Club Youth Exchange ChairResponsibilities • Ensure that the student is safe at all time • Over-see and maintain the Rotary Club’s YE Program • Train the Club’s YE Volunteers and Host Families • Ensure that the required documents are completed to sustain a successful Rotary Youth Exchange Year • Communicate to Everyone (Host Family, YE Counselor, other Rotarians) about required meetings, updates, etc. • Ensure that student receives monthly allowance • Develop Rotary Club involvement with the YE Program • Confirm that the student has transportation to Club and District Events

9. Rotary Club Youth Exchange CounselorResponsibilities • Ensure that the student is safe at all time • Maintain contact with Student and Host Family • Show continued interest & support • Resolve problems before problems get out-of-control • Help when and where needed: ex. School registration, bank account, student transportation to Club and District Events.

10. CHALLENGES FOR THE ROTARY EXCHANGE STUDENT ARE MANY Local Community Host Families School Exchange Student Host Rotary Club Friends in High School Host Rotary District

11. Student Challenges • Adapting to Host Families and New Culture • Doing well in school • Homesickness & making friends • Speaking English • Following the rules of Rotary • Getting involved in Rotary Club & Community

12. Host Family Expectations • Attend the Training provided by the Club’s YE Chair • Family Interview • Video • Home Visits (Two: before and after student arrives) • Treat student as member of the family • 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

13. Sample Family Rules • Be on time • Curfew • Do school homework • No telephone after certain hour • Help with chores (cleaning dishes, mowing lawn, etc.)

14. Use of Telephone • Explain how it works (different countries have different systems) • Set rules for use • Limit calls to country (family, friends) • Helps them to overcome homesickness • Ensure no phone bills • Mobile telephone

15. Use of Computer • Do not let student spend too much time on computer • Makes adapting to our culture more difficult • Limit or prohibit downloading information • Explain no visits to pornography sites, or other improper sites (Will be sent home)

16. Expectations at School • Students must complete assigned school work • Students are here on a J-1 VISA (educational VISA) • Student will be sent home if grades are not acceptable • Usually “not allowed to graduate” • Student must maintain regular class attendance • Students must completed missed work • Rotary will take students out of school at times • They are expected to make up work

17. Varsity Sports at School • Students who have already graduated cannot play on Varsity team • Per State of Ohio Regulations • Can play on local city Recreation Leagues • Participation in varsity athletics • May cost extra • Hosting Rotary Club will pay for the academic school; but may not pay for extracurricular sports costs. • Talk to Club YE Chair to see what exactly the Rotary Club has budgeted.

18. 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

19. Hei! Hallo! こんにちは！ Oi! Moi! Γεια! Salut! Cześć! Ahoj! Speaking English Hi! Hoi! Salve! 嗨！ ¡Hola! • Sometimes students speak own language • Considered quite rude • This can be major problem • Ensure students actively work to improve • Good computer programs available • Don’t be afraid to correct student’s English

20. Visits with Other Exchange Students • Rotary provides many opportunities for exchange students to get together; i.e. District Meetings, optional Rotary Trips etc. • Students will meet other students and will want to get together • Transportation can be difficult • Can cause other Host Family unnecessary stress • Unless the Meeting Opportunities are Mandated Events, you can decline these requests.

21. Serious Rules of Rotary • No drinking • No driving • including no drivers’ education class • No serious dating • Obeying the law • No smoking • No drugs • No shoplifting, etc.

22. Problem Solving • Some problems will occur • Student should ask for help, in this order • Host family • Club Counselor • Club Chair • District Youth Exchange Committee • Host families must not let small problems become big problems. Ask for help. • Club Counselor • Club Chair • District Youth Exchange Committee

23. 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 the District Chair

24. Student Protection Guidelines • Keep Communications Open • Assure student that you can jointly address his/her concerns/problem • Report the Case to the District Chair and the Club Counselor Immediately • Don’t Investigate • Leave this to the proper authorities • Support the Student Emotionally

25. Mandatory Attendance IB Orientation August IB Fall Socials October & November OB Interviews/IB Social December OB Training/IB Social February District Conference April or May District Assembly April or May World Community Workshop May Optional Rotary Trips December, March, June

26. Student’s Role as Ambassador • Students portray their whole country • By their attitude • By their decisions • By their appearance • Each Individual Student makes a difference • Much depends on their desire to be ambassador

27. To Become a Good Ambassador • Active involvement in Rotary & Community • Rotary meetings • Programs to Rotary Clubs • Programs to schools, churches, and local clubs • Help your student to say “yes” and to be proud to be an Ambassador for their Country and Rotary

28. Summary THANK YOU !!!!!!!! Rotary Youth Exchange Program would not be successful without dedicated Volunteers

29. Resources Rotary Club Rotary Club Youth Exchange Committee Rotary District Youth Exchange Committee Rotary District 6600 Youth Exchange Web Site: http://rotarydistrict6600.org/rye/ Ohio Erie website: www.OhioErie.org Rotary Youth Exchange Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Rotary-District-6600-Youth-Exchange-146068838766193/timeline/