Electronic Communication and Social Networking

Best Practices

Al Kalter, ChairmanRotary Youth Exchange Florida

Evolution of Technology - 1990

Evolution of Technology - 1990

Evolution of Technology - 1995

Evolution of Technology - 2000

Evolution of Technology - 2005

Evolution of Technology - 2010

Communication – E-mail

Fast, easy, cheap Global sharing of ideas/resources Expectation of instant response Loss of “sleep on it” time Unintentional “Reply To All” “The way old people communicate”

Promoting our Programs

Website – official channel

Promoting our Programs

Promoting our Programs

Promoting our Programs

Promoting our Programs

Website – official channel Facebook/Twitter – official/unofficial

• YE Officers/Students/Parents• Responsibility for content• No filters• Communication channel?• Cannot be ignored!

Challenges

Immersion impossible? Crowd sourcing / Group think Public vs. private – TMI? Comparisons and expectations Are you really there? Rules?

• A 5th “D” – No Digital Existences? Getting the students to buy in

The Student Buy-In

Break the bonds (parents & friends) Use social media to be social in your

new home, not your old home Recognize the language crutch Can’t be in two places at once Can still have a good exchange, but

not a GREAT one

The YEO Buy-In

Embrace new avenues of promotion Consider new avenues of support Welcome input/content from

• Students• Parents• Rotarians

Enlist Rotex involvement Make this work for us!

Making it work:A Facebook example

“Being an exchange parent and household will be the richest most amazing thing you can do for your family. Hosting lets you meet the best the brightest and the bravest; you also get a son or daughter you will love and who will redefine your notion of family and borders. There are no good excuses not to host if you have an extra bed and an open mind. It will be the BEST year of your life.”

– Katrina Hess, host mom