1 orientation for host families rotary district 5170

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Orientation for Host FamiliesOrientation for Host Families

Rotary District 5170

District 5170 Host Family Orientation 2

Introduction Introduction Welcome

Our goal – Making World A Better Place

Thank you for your participation !!!


What You Will Learn TodayWhat You Will Learn Today

Closeness of new friends (family of Rotary) Rotary expectations Helpful ideas for you Calendar of activities


CHALLENGES FOR THE ROTARY EXCHANGE STUDENT ARE MANY

Host Rotary

Club

Host Families

ExchangeStudent /Rotary

Counselor

Your Community

School

Friends in High School

Host RotaryDistrict


Rotary Support StructureRotary Support Structure

Rotary Club Rotary Youth Exchange Committee Rotary Counselor


Counselor ResponsibilitiesCounselor Responsibilities

Maintain contact with student and family– Show continued interest & support

– Resolve problems before problems get big

Assist in registering student at school Ensure that student receives monthly allowance Keep club YE committee informed Get Rotary club membership involved


Items Rotary Counselor Must Items Rotary Counselor Must Hold for Student Hold for Student

Prepaid return airline ticket Emergency fund (~$350) deposited in a

bank Passport and DS-2019


Student ChallengesStudent Challenges

1. Adapting to host families and new culture

2. Doing well in school

3. Homesickness & making close friends

4. Speaking English

5. Following the rules of Rotary

6. Getting involved with Rotary and community


What we expect from What we expect from Host FamiliesHost Families

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


Sample Family RulesSample Family Rules

Be on time Curfew Do school homework No telephone usage after certain hour Help with chores (cleaning dishes, mowing

lawn, etc.)

See list of questions to ask on yeoresources.org


Use of TelephoneUse of Telephone

Explain how it works: Set rules for use Limit calls to country (family, friends)

– Helps them to overcome homesickness Ensure no phone bills ($100, $500, $1,000) Telephone calling card for student calling

home– buy at Wal-Mart (ATT International Card)


Use of Family ComputerUse of Family Computer

Do not let student spend too much time on computer

Limit or prohibit downloading information Explain no visits to pornography sites, etc. Limit the use of AOL Instant Messenger, MSN,

Facebook or other IM/social networking programs Ensure not too many e-mails to family and friends

back home– Makes adapting to our culture more difficult


Expectations at SchoolExpectations at School Ensure clear understanding of school credits while

they are here (often the answer is “None”) Usually “not allowed to graduate” Remind them to say thank you to school teachers Write letter introducing themselves & RYE to teachers Ensure regular class attendance and proper attention to

work Assure school missed work will be completed

– Rotary will take students out of school at times – They are expected to make up work


Varsity Sports at SchoolVarsity Sports at School

Students who have already graduated cannot play on Varsity team – May be able play on Junior Varsity (JV)

Participation in Varsity athletics requires approval from state (and may cost $$)– School will have the required paperwork– Student is expected to pay own costs for sports


Making Close FriendsMaking 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


Limit Visits with Other Limit Visits with Other Exchange StudentsExchange Students

Rotary provides many opportunities for exchange students to get together

Their goal: To make American friends Limit birthday party invitations to American

students and exchange students close by– Transportation can be difficult– Can cause family frustration


Speaking EnglishSpeaking English

Sometimes students speak native language – Considered quite rude – Forces others away from you

This can be major problem Ensure students actively work to improve

– Good computer programs available– Don’t be afraid to correct student’s English


Serious Rules of RotarySerious Rules of Rotary

No drinking No driving motor vehicles of any kind

– including no drivers’ education class No serious dating Obeying the law

– No smoking– No drugs– No shoplifting, etc.


Problem SolvingProblem Solving Some problems will occur Student should ask for help, in this order

– Host family– Club counselor– Club youth exchange officer– District Youth exchange committee

Host families must not let small problems become big problems. Ask for help.– Club counselor– Club Youth Exchange officer– District Youth Exchange Committee


Student Protection GuidelinesStudent 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 Abuse Prevention Coordinator (DAPC)


Student Protection GuidelinesStudent Protection Guidelines

Keep communications open– Assure student that you can jointly address his/her

concerns/problem Report the case to the DAPC Immediately Don’t investigate

– Leave this to the proper authorities Support the student emotionally


Student Getting InvolvedStudent Getting Involved

Active involvement in Rotary and community are essential– Rotary meetings– Orientations for American students– Programs to Rotary clubs– Programs to schools and clubs

Help student to say “yes” and to be proud to be ambassador for their country and Rotary


ActivitiesActivities

Sharing family activities (even if not favorite thing to do)

Rotary Club– Meetings and socials– Fund Raisers– Other activities

District (see follow-up slides)


Rotary District ActivitiesRotary District Activities YE Orientation (mandatory) August Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk September/October Day on the Bay October Holiday Party December WESSEX Hawaiian Adventure March Ski Trip February/March Yosemite 1st WkEnd May District Conference (mandatory) 1st WkEnd June WESSEX Western Safari June/July


Student’s Role as Student’s Role as AmbassadorAmbassador

Students portray their whole country– By their attitude

– By their decisions

– By their appearance

– By their willingness to do for others

Students make a difference; so much depends on their desire to be ambassador

Reminders from counselor and host family needed


One Last RequestOne Last Request

Student’s Name, Address &Telephone # must be kept current in US SEVIS database

Please inform Mark Junod when student moves families and provide the needed information including host family e-mail


SummarySummary

THANK YOU !!!!!!!!– We have a great year planned– Program will not work without dedicated

counselors and host families– We are more than eager to help


Where to get more informationWhere to get more information District committee

– District Chairs: Evonne Hopkins Phone: (925) 963-3546 E-mail: [email protected]

– Inbound Chair: Mark Junod Phone: 831.332.0720 E-mail: [email protected]

– DAPC: Ron Hyde Phone: 925.846.2727 E-mail: [email protected]

District website – www.rotary5170.org WESSEX website – www.rotarywessex.org

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.rotary5170.org/




1 orientation for host families rotary district 5170

Documents

host families rotary

host family orientation9

host family orientation3

rotary counselor slide

country family

rotary exchange student

rules of rotary

rotary expectations