Rotary International-District 5180 WELCOME

Rotary International-District 5180WELCOME Orientation Program for Host Families – Counselors and District Leadership

Rotary District 5180 – Youth Exchange AGENDA • What is Rotary and its purpose? • Who are Rotary Exchange Students? • Expectations – Family, Student, Club. • Arrival and settling in. • Student transition throughout the year. • Insurance, Finances, Travel, School. • Rotary Involvement & Support System • Activities & Calendar • End of Year • Other Topics • Youth Protection Policy

This Program will be offered On-Line • For on-line students, please prepare by printing a set of these slides, 4 or 6 per page. • As you read this program, jot down at least three questions and e-mail them to halshipley@cs.com as confirmation that you have received the required training. • Read Youth Exchange Handbook, 746EN • Review RYE documents on RYE Home Page at www.rotary5180.net

What isRotary International • World’s oldest and most international service organization. • 1.2 million Rotarians in almost 200 countries. • 33,000+ Rotary Clubs in 531 Districts. • Formed February 23, 1905 • Rotary’s Motto: “Service Above Self” • Rotarians adhere to the: “The Four Way Test”: • Of the things I think, say or do: • Is it the Truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? • The Rotary Foundation. • Polio Eradication – 99% there – Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Nigeria • Millions of dollars to community grants, partnerships – water, health, education, vocational, etc. • Ambassadorial Scholarships, Group Study Exchanges

Rotary Districts • 16 Districts in California • District 5180: • 7 Counties • Oroville to Walnut Grove • Walnut Grove to El Dorado Hills • 40 Rotary Clubs • 2,000 Rotarians • 16 Clubs hosting inbound students

What is aRotary Club • A Rotary Club is made up of 20 to 500 business owners, management, professionals, community volunteers and retired persons from these vocations. • Each Club chooses its local, educational and international service projects to support financially and as volunteers. • Clubs meet weekly to enjoy meals and fellowship.

Purpose of Youth Exchange • To promote Rotary’s goal of World Peace and Understanding – One person, one exchange at a time. • Our hope is that 30 years from now, when these students are making corporate decisions and setting world policy, they will remember the friendships they made world-wide and realize that all people are concerned about the same things, a safe, comfortable environment in which to raise and educate their families.

RYE Program Overview • Rotary International • Rotary District 5180 • District Governor • Youth Exchange Officer • Other Rotary Districts in other countries • Local Rotary Club • Club President and Board of Directors • Rotary Counselor • Youth Exchange Officer • Host Families • Youth Exchange Students

RYE in Rotary District 5180 • Member of Wessex – A non-profit, multi-district organization of 17 districts. Includes Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Alaska. It is the largest geographical multi-district in the world. • Arranges exchange partners with other districts. • Helps to arrange – flights, insurance, visas, orientations, training and background checks. • Lee Oelke, Chairman of Wessex and YEO for District 5180.

RYE World-Wide • Reciprocal Exchanges: My U.S. kid for your International kid. • 8,000 – 9,000 exchanges annually. • Open to all students – Rotarian children included. • Operated entirely by Volunteers – as a part of community and international service. • Complies with certification requirements of Rotary International and U.S. Department of State.

Who are Exchange Students? • Outstanding young people, good grades. • Ages 15 – 18 ½ at start of program. • Grades 10 – 12, not here for a diploma. • Carefully selected and prepared. • Many speak English fairly well. • Anxious and excited to: • Learn our language and culture. • Represent their countries. • Become a part of the family and Rotary Club.

Responsibility of Rotary Club • Initially: • Provide Counselor – Monthly Report/buddy • Provide Youth Exchange Officer – Qualify Host Families. • Meet student at airport, open bank account for emergency fund, provide I.D. card, register student in school. • On going: • Be an advocate for the student • Support Host Families and Schools • Invite student and host families to meetings • Get Rotarians involved

Expectations of Counselor • Deliver monthly allowance from club – Range from $75.00 to $145.00/monthly – Aug – May. • Register student at school – assist with shots, check-up, forms, etc. • Get fellow Rotarians involved – festivals, fishing, family events, etc. • Assist student and family with resolving problems before they get big – School, Health, Mediator. • Maintain monthly contact with student and host family – Monthly reports required by Department of State and Rotary International • Read and understand District 5180 Program Rules. (handout)

Expectations of Club YEO • Serve as club representative to the host families, interview in home. • Report changes of address to District YEO. • Assist in paperwork – family and volunteer applications, travel authorizations outside of District. • Hold important papers: • Return Airline Tickets • Passport, Visa, DS 2019 form

Expectations of Host Families • Provide a Home away from Home – more than just room and board for a stranger. • Treat the student like your own child: • Love, support, encouragement, understanding, discipline. • Be willing to say “No” when appropriate. • Help with challenges: • Language • School • Culture Shock • Homesickness • Provide an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on and a hand to depend on. • Read and understand District 5180 Program Rules. (handout)

Expectations of Students • Represent your country and Rotary (Ambassadors) • Adapt to the host family. • Learn our language and culture • Perform well/adequate progress in school • Communicate • Participate in Rotary, school, community and exchange student activities. • Return home within 2 weeks of the end of school, or 1 week after a USA tour.

Expectations of StudentsRules & Guidance • 4 D’s: • No Drinking • No Driving • No Dating • No Drugs • Additional 4 D’s: • No Disfigurement (no tattoos, piercing) • No Downloading onto family computer • No Dumb Stuff: • No smoking unless on application & with host family approval • Do participate in family, community, school and Rotary affairs. • No jobs, except for host family and helping Rotary. • No travel outside district without approval of Host Family, Rotary Counselor and District YEO. • Read and understand District 5180 Program Rules. (handout)

Arriving and Settling inClub and Family • Club and Family together welcomes your student. • Meet at airport, posters, balloons. • The more the merrier. • No party that first night • Host Family First Night Questions (If it isn’t too late.) • Provide I.D. Card, if student hasn’t already received it. • Introduce student to family and friends: • Have a welcome party a couple of days later, if possible. • Invite other teenagers • Encourage involvement immediately in family: • Do not let them retreat to their room. • Drive or bike ride around neighborhood, school, etc.

Being the 1st Host Family • Excitement – everything is new • Culture shock – major adaptations • Language struggles: speak slowly, OK to correct – they want to learn. • School arrangements, classes too easy or hard, confusion, changing classes. • Set the standards for the year.

Sample Family Rules • Parents discuss before the student’s arrival – what are we going to expect? • Be on time – we must know where you are • Curfew – getting rides, transportation • Do school homework – before or after meal • No telephone after certain hour • Help with chores – dishes, cleaning, yard, etc. • Cell phone • Who they can be in a car with • Dating – groups, distances, off-limits.

Use of Family Computer/telephone • Explain how all electronics work – you may want to write instructions on a note card and place with each device. • Set rules for use: • Time limits • Computer site restrictions • Leave computer in family room – not in bedroom. • Limit e-mails – can create problems in adapting to culture. • Limit calls to home country – family & friends • 1st month – arrival call only. • Helps overcome homesickness • Explain rate charges • Options for student calling home after 1st month: • Telephone card • Coordinate time via email for parents to call here • Download free www.skype.com software for on-line video calls • Even if they have their own electronics, it is still ok for you to make usage rules – use only in dining room, not after 9:00PM, etc.

Making Friends • A major challenge to many students • Help in finding clubs they want to join • Discuss family abilities for transportation • Rotary Interact – if at school, required to join • Sports – play, manage, work out with – may require additional paperwork, insurance. • Theater – great for practicing language • Band, orchestra, choir • Debate, world affairs, environment, service • Active participation is the best cure for homesickness.

Problem Solving • Some problems will occur • Student/Host family – should ask for help in this order: • Host Family (if student) • Club Counselor, Club YEO, Club President • District YEO – Lee Oelke – 916 201-0097 • District Youth Protection Officer – Hal Shipley at 1-877-RYE-5180. If the call is for sexual abuse or harassment – this should be the 1st call. • Make the above call before contacting the student’s home country. • Do not let small problems become big problems.

Being the 2nd or Last Host Family • Second, Third, Fourth Host Family: • Transition Issues • New family practices, rules, different. • Language and culture begin to click • Last Host Family: • Comfortable with language and culture • Big events: prom, graduation, departure • Preparing for separation, depression? • Tearful goodbyes

Family Sibling Relationships • The Good: • Other teens – set the example, introduce to friends and activities. • Younger kids – student can be a protector and a listener, great to help with language. • The not-so-good: • Jealousy – the new kid gets the attention • Withdraw – ignore the exchange student

Medical Insurance & Care • Use Rotarian club member doctors if possible (especially for non-ER problems) • In the event of illness/accident: • Stabilize first • Host Mom/family should have a copy of the Insurance card and the Emergency medical release provided by the natural parents. • Call the Rotary Contact (Counselor or YEO) • Call District YEO only if necessary • If no one else is available call the Youth Protection Officer at 1-877 RYE-5180 • Notifying student’s family: • Let the District YEO do the contacting once the details are known.

Medical Insurance & Care • All Inbounds Insured (they must keep cards on them at all times) • CISI/Bolduc – Plan B • Medical per Accident/Illness - $500K • Repatriation - $10K • Medical Evacuation - $50K • Deductible - $100 one time, Pay from the natural parents/students credit/debit card or from the ER fund ($350. held by the YEO.) • Web Site: www.cisi-bolduc.com

Student Finances • Emergency Fund – Student brings at arrival $350.00 for emergencies, medical, glasses, etc. • Not for prom, clothing, etc. Held by Club YEO. • Rotary Club - $125.00 monthly stipend. • Student: • Should have home Credit/Debit Card • Telephone – long distance bills, reimburse family. • Cell Phone – Required – (inexpensive) to be purchased by student, top-off plan, for emergencies only and for host parent/club/district contact at all times – always charged and on student. Make sure they understand cost of calls, texts, etc.

Host Family Finances • Day to day routine expenses: • Room and board, as your own child. • “I’m going to Wal-Mart, need anything?” • Basics – toothpaste, soap, food for sack lunches, their favorite treat or ice cream. (They may be too shy to ask.) • Family Activities: • Movies, out to eat, family weekend trips • Family Vacations: • Discuss expenses, establish any cost to student • OK, to transfer to a temp. host family if costs are excessive. (Temporary family must have background check) • Extra expenses – student pays: • Clothing, school uniforms, presents for friends, extracurricular activities and trips, postage, phone calls, going out with friends.

Student Travel • Students are not allowed to alone or make their own travel plans with teens/friends. • My friends are driving to Disney on Saturday, may I go? –No-! • My friend from Austria is visiting Reno, may I go spend the weekend with her? –No-! • Host Family alone OKs same day travel within the district • Student wants to go to High School Football game in another town (within the district) Host family approves or not. • Student wants to go to High School Football game in another town outside of district, let the Club YEO know. • Let the Club YEO know of any overnight travel within the district with the Host Family or school and e-mail information to District YEO at loelke@ncbb.net

Student Travel • All overnight travel of a student requires notification to the Club YEO and an e-mail to the District YEO. • Any non-host family overnight trip requires a volunteer application and background check of all adults and the approval of the Host Family, Club YEO and District YEO. • Any out-of-state travel requires the written approval of the natural parents, approval of the Host Family, the Club YEO and the District YEO. • Unauthorized travel will result in the student being returned home.

High Schools • Education Program – requires student visa, not tourist. • Class participation is essential, must pass • Grades/classes may not count at home, so some students may try harder than others. • Club Counselor to set/assist with schedule • School may require ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) • School may require tutoring for student to keep up. • School may allow “all-elective” classes or career oriented classes. • No Drivers Education • Encourage Participation: • Sports (not in varsity if student has graduated or is over 18) • Music, Drama, Interact, etc. • Help with homework – college students, volunteer hours • Reciprocal tutoring – I teach you, you teach me. • Bike transportation, school bus may be new experience

Support System • All names and contact information to be provided to all team members for each student. • Club Level: • Counselor • YEO • President • Local Level: • Law enforcement, emergency and social services • District Level: • District Governor • District YEO • Youth Protection Officer • District Counselor/child Psychologist

District Activities & Calendar • 2009 • September 12 – 9:00 – 4:00 • 1st Inbound Orientation – Mandatory • 7117 Greenback Lane • September 12 – 4:30 – 8:00 • Inbound swim /dinner party • Cristie Akers & Al Frumkin • 5966 Ridge Park, Loomis, CA • October 16-18 • San Francisco trip for Inbounds • Mike and Paula Schoof and crew • November 7 – TBA • UC vs Oregon – Go Bears • Cori Badgley • November 14 –TBA • Rotary Foundation Dinner • November 21-22 • Outbound Interviews • 7117 Greenback Lane • Howard Sands and Committee • December 12: - 9:00 – 2:30 • Second Inbound Orientation – Mandatory • 7117 Greenback Lane • Lee Oelke and Committee • December 12-13 – 1:30, dinner and Santa Claus • Christmas Party • Sacramento Hostel • December 13-14 • Sacramento Days • Rotary Club of Sacramento

District Activities & Calendar • 2010: • January 25-27 • Ski Trip with District 5190 • Steve Oren and Committee • February 25-28 • North America Youth Exchange Network Conference • O’Hare Airport – Chicago, Ill. • March 20 – 9:00 – 3:00 • First Outbound Orientation – Mandatory • 7117 Greenback Lane • May 16-19 • Yosemite Trip • Ann Hively and crew • June 12 • Second Outbound Orientation • Lee Oelke and Committee • 7117 Greenback Lane • June 20-23 • Rotary International Convention • Montreal, Quebec, Canada • August 7 – 9:00 – 12:00 • Re-bounder Session • Cori Badgley and Committee • 7117 Greenback Lane • August 7 1:00 – 3:00 • Host Family and Counselor Training • 7117 Greenback Lane

Activities & CalendarHost Rotary Club • Club Meetings – as often as practical: • Provide transportation from and to school. • Student to speak to club when comfortable with language. • Goodbye speech in May/June • Club Events – Invite Student and Host Family • Fundraisers, Community Projects, Parties • All Club Members – become “Aunts & Uncles” • Football, baseball, basketball games • Community festivals, fairs • Boating, fishing, family celebrations

The End of the Year • Optional Tours – Paid by student – must be District YEO approved – no non-Rotary • Departure for Home – June/July • Will be hard for student and host family • Reverse culture shock • The more successful the exchange, the harder the leaving and re-entry. • OK for host families to maintain contact – You will probably see them again. • It’s your turn to visit them or to attend their wedding a few years from now.

Student Protection Policy • Our Role: • Maintain the safest possible environment for all participants. • Safeguard welfare and prevent physical, sexual, emotional or financial abuse of exchange students. • Provide means to address all concerns and indications of harassment or abuse. • Rotary has a zero-tolerance policy toward abuse and harassment.

Student Protection CodeDO! • Treat students with respect – be aware of your tone of voice and manner and their reactions. • It is ok to touch and hug students in a way that is not intrusive/disturbing to them or observers. Ask if ok the first time. Some cultures frown on this. • Control who they hang around with • Communicate with Club Counselor and with the District Youth Protection Officer if there is any allegation or suspicion of abuse.

Student Protection CodeDON”T! • Engage in rough physical games including horseplay and tackle football. • Use physical force in any way, especially as a form of punishment. • Touch an exchange student in any way that could be interpreted as intrusive or sexual. • Make sexually suggestive comments, even as a joke or compliment. • Spend excessive time alone with a student, which may lead to misunderstanding.

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 and time. • Don’t promise to keep secrets – explain the necessity of informing the District Protection Officer.

Student Protection Guidelines • Keep Communications Open: • Assure the student that you can jointly address his/her concerns/problems. • With all of us working together, we can keep our exchange students safe and make this a meaningful and happy exchange experience for all of us.

Summary • We have assumed the Legal and Moral Responsibility for someone else’s child. • We are here to help you and the student to have a meaningful and safe year to learn and live our American culture. • We cannot help if we do not know.

District 5180 Exchanges • 16 Inbound students from 13 Countries • 15 outbound students to 12 Countries

Questions • ? ? ? • ?

Rotary International-District 5180 WELCOME