Hosting Club Information
As a hosting Rotary club, you have the opportunity to learn about a different culture, while teaching a young person about our culture. It is important to note, that while host families are the new immediate "family" of the student, it is incumbent upon the club's members to be involved with the exchange. Should your club host a student, and you are going someplace (as mundane as we may think it is) ask the host family if the student may accompany you. Some of these children have never seen waves at the beach or the desert, as we know it.
Time is of the essence when deciding to host. The earlier your club decides to participate in this great program, the more choices of students you will have.
NOTE: The Club must complete District Certification in order to participate in the Youth Exchange program. This consists of completing a Club Youth Services Certification Application and having at least three Rotarians who have been Certified (trained on the District Abuse Prevention Policy, completed a Youth Volunteer Affidavit Form, been interviewed, had references checked and completed LiveScan.) Additionally, the Club Youth Exchange Officer or Youth Services Chair must attend one of the Youth Exchange Officer seminars which are held in August or September. The Club must also complete a Club Committment Form no later than August 31.
Steps To Hosting A Rotary Youth Exchange Student - LONG TERM
- Get your Club's Board approval to host a Youth Exchange Student.
- A Certified Club Counselor must be identified and assigned to the student.
- Find two or more Host Families that would like to participate in the program (see Host Family requirements below).
- Have the Host Families complete the Host Family application.
- Each adult member of the Host Family must receive training on the District Abuse Prevention Policy, complete a Youth Volunteer Affidavit and be LiveScanned. Please go to this link to find that information: http://rotarydistrict5170.org/SitePage/youth-protection-1
- Prescreening Host Family home visits will be scheduled at a mutually convenient time (for the potential Host Families and the Counselor).
- The District Youth Exchange Committee will give the club a choice of students (if a choice is available) to host.
- Once the student is identified as a good fit, and the club agrees to the student, the Club must notify the District Youth Exchange Committee (It is important that the club contact the school the student will attend to ensure they will accept the student for the following year (pre-check)).
- The student's Application and Guarantee/Visa Form will be sent to the District Inbound Coordinator.
- The Host Family or Club Counselor must then take the Guarantee/Visa form to the school. The school must guarantee that they will accept the student for the following year. The school does this by signing and stamping the form where indicated. If the school has been pre-checked this is a very easy process.
- The student's application is complete with the student's medical history. It is helpful for the Host Family/Counselor to have the school or district nurse complete the medical information required for enrolling in your school district. Many countries do not require the hepatitis B immunization, and other vaccinations that we require here in the United States. If we know this in advance, the student can start any series in his/her home country.
- After the Guarantee/Visa form is complete, it is sent back to the Inbound Coordinator, who sends the forms (along with the DS2019 from the Responsible Officer) to the sponsoring district for processing the visa, along with a "Welcome Packet" explaining insurance and various other items necessary for a smooth exchange.
- The student should arrive with health insurance. The student is aware of the costs as they are discussed in the Welcome Packet. If the student arrives without health insurance, it should be purchased using the emergency funds. Inbound students are covered from the time they leave their homes abroad until the time their plane returns to their home country.
*Youth Exchange students may not travel outside the US without special signatures being obtained first. Please contact the District Youth Exchange Officer if you are planning a trip to Mexico, Canada etc.
Steps To Hosting A Rotary Youth Exchange Student - SHORT TERM
- Get your Club's Board approval to host a Youth Exchange Student.
- A Certified Host Club Counselor must be identified and assigned to the student.
- Find a Host Family that would like to participate in the program (see Host Family requirements below).
- Have the Host Families complete the Host Family application.
- Each adult member of the Host Family must read the District Youth Protection Policy, complete a Youth Volunteer Affidavit Form and be LiveScanned all found at this link: http://rotarydistrict5170.org/SitePage/youth-protection-1
- The Club Counselor must interview each adult member of the Host Family, and check their references.
- A home visit will be scheduled at a mutually convenient time. Remember: The Short-term exchange is a one to one. We send a student, whom returns home with a student from another country that served as a host sister / brother.