Host FamilyHost Family

TrainingTraining

Host Family OrientationHost Family OrientationWhyWhy- - Ensure that the host family is knowledgeable in Ensure that the host family is knowledgeable in all all aspects of the exchangeaspects of the exchange- Comply with RI and State Dept. Regulations- Comply with RI and State Dept. RegulationsWhoWho – the Club Youth Exchange – the Club Youth Exchange Officer/Counselor or District YEP CommitteeOfficer/Counselor or District YEP Committee

When When – prior to the arrival of the student – 3 – prior to the arrival of the student – 3 week or enough time to check references and week or enough time to check references and apply for background check.apply for background check.

Orientation AgendaOrientation AgendaYouth Exchange MissionYouth Exchange MissionPurpose of the Rotary Youth Exchange ProgramPurpose of the Rotary Youth Exchange ProgramWho are Rotary Exchange StudentsWho are Rotary Exchange StudentsWhat is Rotary?What is Rotary?Rotary Support SystemRotary Support SystemWho is the Host ClubWho is the Host ClubWho is the District CommitteeWho is the District CommitteeWho is ESSEX?Who is ESSEX?Expectation of the Youth Exchange StudentExpectation of the Youth Exchange StudentExpectation of the Host FamiliesExpectation of the Host FamiliesWhat is the ESSEX Youth Protection PolicyWhat is the ESSEX Youth Protection PolicyHost Family Youth Protection ResponsibilitiesHost Family Youth Protection ResponsibilitiesArrival and settling inArrival and settling in11stst Host Family, 2 Host Family, 2ndnd – Last Host Family – Last Host FamilyThe End of YearThe End of Year

Rotary Youth Exchange MissionRotary Youth Exchange Mission

““The most powerful force in the promotion of international The most powerful force in the promotion of international understanding and peace is exposure to different understanding and peace is exposure to different cultures. cultures. The world becomes a smaller, friendlier place when we The world becomes a smaller, friendlier place when we learn that all people — regardless of nationality — desire learn that all people — regardless of nationality — desire the same basic things: a safe, comfortable environment the same basic things: a safe, comfortable environment that allows for a rich and satisfying life for our children that allows for a rich and satisfying life for our children and ourselves. and ourselves. Youth Exchange provides thousands of young people Youth Exchange provides thousands of young people with the opportunity to meet people from other lands and with the opportunity to meet people from other lands and to experience their cultures. to experience their cultures. This plants the seeds for a lifetime of international This plants the seeds for a lifetime of international understanding.understanding.””

Purpose of Youth ExchangePurpose of Youth Exchange

Provide high school students an opportunity to Provide high school students an opportunity to spend a year studying in another country…spend a year studying in another country…

-discovering the culture, -discovering the culture, -learning the language, -learning the language, -developing skills and maturity-developing skills and maturity

Bring the world into our local community through Bring the world into our local community through friendshipfriendshipPromote RotaryPromote Rotary’’s goal of world peace and s goal of world peace and understanding, one person , one exchange at a understanding, one person , one exchange at a time.time.

Who are Rotary Exchange Students?Who are Rotary Exchange Students?

Age 15-18 ½ upon arrivalAge 15-18 ½ upon arrival

Selected and preparedSelected and prepared

Most speak English sufficientlyMost speak English sufficiently

Anxious and excited to:Anxious and excited to:– Learn our languageLearn our language– Discover American cultureDiscover American culture– Represent their countriesRepresent their countries– Become part of YOUR familyBecome part of YOUR family

What is Rotary?What is Rotary?

WorldWorld’’s oldest and most international service organizations oldest and most international service organization- 1.25 million Rotarians in 170+ countries- 1.25 million Rotarians in 170+ countries- 32,000 clubs in 520 districts- 32,000 clubs in 520 districts

Rotarians are a diverse group of professional leaders working to Rotarians are a diverse group of professional leaders working to address various community and international service needs. address various community and international service needs. Through community service and other means, Rotary club members Through community service and other means, Rotary club members help promote PEACE & UNDERSTANDING throughout the world. help promote PEACE & UNDERSTANDING throughout the world. Rotary Motto: Rotary Motto: ““Service Above SelfService Above Self”” and adhere to and adhere to ““The Four Way TestThe Four Way Test””

-Is it the TRUTH?-Is it the TRUTH?-Is it FAIR to all concerned?-Is it FAIR to all concerned?-Will it build GOOD WILL and better friendships?-Will it build GOOD WILL and better friendships?-Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?-Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Our District 7430 has 49 clubs, explain area and # of Inbound and Our District 7430 has 49 clubs, explain area and # of Inbound and OutboundsOutbounds

Rotary Youth Exchange Support SystemRotary Youth Exchange Support System

Club LevelClub Level- Club President- Club President- Counselor/Youth Exchange Officer- Counselor/Youth Exchange Officer- Club Members- Club MembersDistrict LevelDistrict Level- District Governor- District Governor- District Youth Exchange Chair- District Youth Exchange Chair- District Youth Exchange Committee- District Youth Exchange CommitteeESSEXESSEX- Chairperson- Chairperson- Country Contacts- Country Contacts- Inbound and Outbound Chairperson- Inbound and Outbound Chairperson

Who is the HOST CLUB?Who is the HOST CLUB?

Selects host familiesSelects host familiesProvides student counselor and/or Club YEOProvides student counselor and/or Club YEOSupports & trains the host familiesSupports & trains the host familiesHelps with school arrangementsHelps with school arrangementsSupplies monthly allowanceSupplies monthly allowanceInvolves the student in club activities and Involves the student in club activities and encourage club members to get involvedencourage club members to get involvedWork with host families with transportation for Work with host families with transportation for special eventsspecial events

Who is the DISTRICT COMMITTEE?Who is the DISTRICT COMMITTEE?

The District Committee are Rotarians from the District that facilitate the The District Committee are Rotarians from the District that facilitate the youth exchange program within the District youth exchange program within the District

Provides education, training, resources and Provides education, training, resources and support to Rotary Clubs in all avenues of the support to Rotary Clubs in all avenues of the exchangeexchangeProvides orientation and resources to the Provides orientation and resources to the exchange student on the Rotary Exchange exchange student on the Rotary Exchange Program, Youth Protection, Rules and Program, Youth Protection, Rules and Guidelines, Health/insurance, cultural Guidelines, Health/insurance, cultural differences……..differences……..

Who is ESSEX?Who is ESSEX?Eastern States Student ExchangeEastern States Student Exchange

37 Rotary districts in the northeastern 37 Rotary districts in the northeastern United States, eastern Canada and United States, eastern Canada and Bermuda.Bermuda.Manages the placement of inbound and Manages the placement of inbound and outbound students into over 40 countries outbound students into over 40 countries around the world placing approx. 280 around the world placing approx. 280 Inbound/240 Outbound Students per yearInbound/240 Outbound Students per yearOperated completely by volunteer Operated completely by volunteer RotariansRotarians

Expectations of Exchange StudentExpectations of Exchange Student

Adapt to host familyAdapt to host family

Learn our language and cultureLearn our language and culture

Attend school with passing gradesAttend school with passing grades

Represent their country and RotaryRepresent their country and Rotary

Participate in school and rotaryParticipate in school and rotary

Adhere to the Rotary IntAdhere to the Rotary Int’’l, Essex and l, Essex and District Rules and GuidelinesDistrict Rules and Guidelines

Expectations of Host FamiliesExpectations of Host FamiliesProvide a safe, non threatening, respectful and Provide a safe, non threatening, respectful and appropriate environment appropriate environment Room and boardRoom and boardTreat student like your own childTreat student like your own childHelp with challengesHelp with challenges- language- language- School- School- culture shocks- culture shocks- homesickness- homesicknessProvide an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, a Provide an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, a hand to depend onhand to depend on

What is the ESSEXWhat is the ESSEXYouth Protection PolicyYouth Protection Policy

Statement of Conduct for working with YouthStatement of Conduct for working with Youth““Creating and maintaining the safest possible Creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all participants in Rotary Youth Activitieenvironment for all participants in Rotary Youth Activitiess””

Provides definitions of harassment & abuseProvides definitions of harassment & abuseOutlines Volunteer selection and screening Outlines Volunteer selection and screening proceduresproceduresProvides Incident Reporting Guidelines Provides Incident Reporting Guidelines Meets the US State Department RegulationsMeets the US State Department Regulations

Host Family Youth Protection Host Family Youth Protection ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Provide safe & nurturing environmentProvide safe & nurturing environmentBe interviewed in home and provide access to club counselorBe interviewed in home and provide access to club counselorAll 18 and over household members must…..All 18 and over household members must…..– Sign Youth Volunteer AffidavitSign Youth Volunteer Affidavit– Permit criminal background checkPermit criminal background check– Provide referencesProvide references

Receive and review State Department Policy 22 CFR & Essex Youth Receive and review State Department Policy 22 CFR & Essex Youth Protection PolicyProtection PolicyIf student reports incident of abuse or harassment to you as a host If student reports incident of abuse or harassment to you as a host parent….parent….– Listen attentively and stay calmListen attentively and stay calm– Protect the studentProtect the student– Get facts, but donGet facts, but don’’t interrogatet interrogate– Be non-judgmental and reassure the studentBe non-judgmental and reassure the student– Assure privacy and record detailsAssure privacy and record details– Immediately report this information to the Club Youth Exchange Counselor, Immediately report this information to the Club Youth Exchange Counselor,

provided the Counselor is not the accused individualprovided the Counselor is not the accused individual– Do not challenge the alleged offenderDo not challenge the alleged offender

Arrival and Settling In for 1Arrival and Settling In for 1stst Family Family

Meet and welcome your student at the Meet and welcome your student at the airportairportIntroduce student to your family, friends Introduce student to your family, friends and homeand homeFirst Night QuestionsFirst Night QuestionsSchool arrangementsSchool arrangements– registration, choose classes registration, choose classes – encourage participation in activities, such as encourage participation in activities, such as

sports, music, drama, Interact club, etcsports, music, drama, Interact club, etc

Are you a 1Are you a 1stst Host Family? Host Family?

Expect…Expect…

Excitement – everything is newExcitement – everything is new

Culture shock Culture shock

HomesicknessHomesickness

Language strugglesLanguage struggles

Often the closest bondsOften the closest bonds

22ndnd and/or Last Host Family and/or Last Host Family

Language and culture begins to clickLanguage and culture begins to click

Involved in school activitiesInvolved in school activities

Hopefully many friendsHopefully many friends

Transition to new family, new rules and family Transition to new family, new rules and family practicespractices

Big events: prom, graduations, departureBig events: prom, graduations, departure

Preparing for separationPreparing for separation

Tearful goodbyesTearful goodbyes

The end of the yearThe end of the year

Leaving for home will be harder than Leaving for home will be harder than arriving, especially if a successful arriving, especially if a successful exchangeexchangeReverse culture shockReverse culture shock““The more successful the exchange, the The more successful the exchange, the harder the re-entryharder the re-entry””You will see them again, and you will have You will see them again, and you will have travel opportunities unlike any youtravel opportunities unlike any you’’ve ve experienced beforeexperienced before

Other Topics to DiscussOther Topics to Discuss

Medical Insurance and careMedical Insurance and careDietary issues (religious or other)Dietary issues (religious or other)Sibling relationshipsSibling relationshipsChoosing friendsChoosing friendsTravel while on exchangeTravel while on exchangeFamily visitsFamily visitsCalendar of events for Club & District Calendar of events for Club & District activitiesactivities

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

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