*Outbound OrientationsThe North Star Rotary Youth Exchange ApproachDistricts 5950/5960

*Who am I?Where is the North Star program?Chrysanne Manoles

ChairBrazil 1973-74

Host Mom to seven

Daughter: ArgentinaSon: Germany

District Committee

*Expected Attendance at Five MeetingsThree pre-exchange orientations, 6 hours each

Pre-departure gathering by country

Rebound orientation

JanuaryFebruaryApril

July

August

*Flexibility is key Change and update topics with the times.

Same as 10 years ago?

Take a chance and try new ideas!

*SpeakersUse peers as teachers Past outbound parents Past Host familiesRotex

Use professionalsBankerPhysicianTrainer in SafetyTravel AgentLanguage TeacherInternational Security Officer

*3 Saturdays January, February, April

*Agenda 8 AM Prep Meeting

9 AM Plenary in morningLunch in cafeteriaCountry Groups in afternoon

3 PMAdjourn

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*Delicious Lunch

*Country Breakout Sessions

*Orientation #1What is Rotary?

6 B's

Culture Shock Roller Coaster

Money Matters

Learning your new Language

Country Breakout SessionThe6 B'sWhat is Rotary?

6 B's

Culture Shock Roller Coaster

Money Matters

Learning your new Language

Country Breakout Session

*Orientation #2

Staying Healthy

Use Common Sense to Stay Safe

Social Media

Country Breakout Session

Homework Presentation: Country Report

*Orientation #3

Travel InformationInsuranceHot Topics and Security MeasuresReverse Culture Shock

Graduation Ceremony

Country Breakout SessionHomework due: 5 minute speech about me

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*Be a Realist not an Idealist

It's not glamorous being an exchange student.You will have at least one problem a day.You won't have three perfect host families.You'll have at least one host brother or sister who doesn't like you.You will embarrass yourself daily for most of the exchange.You will become a professional problem solver.

*EvaluationSurveys after every meetingStudentParents

Honest Feedback

Early returns? Why? Did orientation fail?

*Graduation Certificate

*Graduating Class 2011-12 Exchange Year

*Questions? Comments?Chrysanne Manoles

chair@NorthStarYouthExchange.com

www.NorthStarYouthExchange.com(click on "Resources" tab and find Rebound section)

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It's my pleasure to share with you how the North Star Rotary Youth Exchange Program prepares our students for the most amazing year of their lives. We've been at this for 45 years. We've tried to change our orientations to adapt to the changing world. I've been asked to speak about Outbound Orientations and Rebound Orientation. I'll present Outbound Orientations first.Then we'll hear ideas from you.Then I'll present about Rebound.My name is Chrysanne Manoles and I'm chair of North Star. Location. 2 districts. Meetings are centrally located. Most students are within 3 hours of our meeting location.First student went outbound in 1968 with the help of a neighboring program.Member of 6th class of outbounds. Went to Brazil.44th year.130 Rotary clubs in the 2 districts. 40% clubs participate in Youth Exchange.60 in and out.Our family has hosted 7 students. My kids have participated in New Generations and Youth Exchange.

It takes a big team to make this happen.Above the line....Administration.Below the line.....Most country officers are Rotex. VERY committed volunteers.Remember, we also have 60 active clubs with their committee members.Outbound students are expected to attend 5 meetings.3 pre-exchange trainings.1 social gathering by country group.1 Rebound meeting the first weekend of August.We expect at least one parent to attend each meeting with the student.We try to keep current with topics and finding the best presenters.Orientations must evolve with regard to topic and speaker.If they haven't changed in 10 years, you're probably not reaching your teenage audience.Try new ideas - if they don't work, try something new next time.Invite a variety of speakers.Within the Rotary family: Rotex, past host families and past outbound parents. In fact, our parent panel that addresses only parents is one of the best sessions we offer.Outbound students need to hear from peers. We have 20 Rotex come to each Saturday session. We make sure there is at least one Rotex in each country group.Professionals - most are Rotarians or friends of Rotarians.Banker - credit card vs. debit card; taking cash and how much; travelers checks; finding ATM that worksPhysician - specialty is teen healthInternational Security Officer for a large corporation - was past ex. student to Philippines. How to behave in public. How to answer touchy political questions. What the world thinks of the USA.Travel Agent - documents to bring on the plane; suitcase size and weight; what to leave behindLanguage Teacher - 100 hours of language prep before departure is a MUST.Here's where we meet - in a typical school.Begin the day in the auditorium.

Next Page - agenda outlineThere's a basic pattern to each meeting.I meet with my team of volunteers for 45 minutes before everything begins.Morning in auditorium: All 60 families are together listening to our speakers.45 minutes for Lunch.Country groups meet in classrooms in the afternoon.2 hours meeting by country group.

Country officer is the leader.Rotex are in the room.Outbounds and parents too.Most outbound families are not Rotarian.The 6 B's came from Canada. We like them very much and weave them into the introduction of each speaker.Culture Shock Roller Coaster - Dennis White explains this so well in writing. Rotex present and give examples.Banker and Money Matters - how to get money to student, budgeting before departure, transferring money during year.Owner of Language School - 100 hours of study before departure. A live native teacher is the best way to learn.Adolescent Physician - what stress can do to you. When stressed, find someone to talk with.Corporate Trainer in Safety while Traveling: Use common sense to stay safe. Don't walk in street alone. Don't go into taxi alone. If followed, go into public store...don't go to where you live.Social Media - good for making social plans during exchange; terrible for staying too connected to home.College Professor - Country Report homework.Travel agent - packing, how to behave in airports, document handling, make copies for self and parents of documents; take prescription medicine in original containers and with you on the plane.Insurance - importance of paying bills yourself and not the host family; send in claim for every medical expense to show payment towards deductible.Reverse Culture Shock - Older Rotex explains: reviews the roller coaster during the exchange; warn of reverse culture shock; all normalGraduation Ceremony - important for parents and students; feel like a united teamSpeech about Me - 5 minutes; have it ready on ppt., present to country groupWhen outbound students complain about things, I kick myself for not telling them to be realistic.Every parent and student tells us how we're doing after each orientation.Scale of 1 through 5.Written comments are taken seriously.We adjust from session to session.Everyone gets one. Name announced, Student walks to the stage, is given the certificate and shakes hands with the Chair and Graduation Speaker.

Photo opportunity for parents.

There's alot of excitement in the room. Large group photo.Country group photo along with Country officer and flag.