Get Your Club Involved
Rotary clubs are the heart of the Rotary Youth Exchange program.
Working closely with their District Youth Exchange committee, clubs guide local students through the application process, serve as a support system for Inbound students, and coordinate host families within their communities.
They also ensure the safety and wellbeing of participating students, and provide counselors to assist both Inbound and Outbound students throughout their exchange.
It takes dedication and careful coordination to successfully support a student through the Rotary Youth Exchange, but it is one of the most rewarding programs your club will ever participate in.
Here is your chance to provide a life-changing experience to the next generation of global advocates, inspire your community, and demonstrate the values of Rotary International to future Rotarians in your area.
Check out these resources for more information, and contact Kit Freudenberg, District Youth Exchange Officer/Chair, when your club is ready to join us in connecting the world through the Rotary Youth Exchange program.
Myth Busting!
Clubs can’t afford to do Youth Exchange
Club membership increases because of Youth Exchange new energy comes into the club bringing new ideas, new areas of expertise which brings financial growth. Without, the club can stagnate.
Clubs can’t find host families
This is absolute fact when you believe it. Your attitude, your communication, your ability to “see” host families will ensure that there are no host families available. Host families are all over and when you start seeing them, you will be amazed at how easy it is to get them involved. Check your attitude and the way you communicate…
Sub-Myth: Host families have to be Rotarians: No way, this is the beauty of it all; anyone qualified can be a host family whether they are a Rotarian or not. It is a great way to recruit future Rotarians!
The schools don’t want to be involved in Youth Exchange
Not everyone’s experience…have your school principal or superintendent talk to another towns school leaders that embraces this as a wonderful part of their education program. They will tell you that they are disappointed that each school is capped at 5 Rotary students per year.
Students are not interested in Youth Exchange
Get a ROTEX/Program Alum student to come to talk to your school’s student body…share the success stories. Don’t get stuck on the 1% that did not work out perfectly. We have a gold mine of stories with our ROTEX/Program Alum and we should be sharing their stories…talk about changed lives, Mn/ Wi students that became world citizens and are intensely interested in World Peace and Understanding!
Families can’t afford to do RYE, we are in a tough economy
How much does it cost to keep your student at home? Gas, car insurance, food, entertainment, education, etc.…I would suggest that you will save money sending a student abroad. How do measure what they gain from the experience? Perhaps because of their year abroad they will test out of a language, receive college credit for their time, receive a scholarship or grant because of their uniqueness to the institution or even be led into a job or passion because of this year’s development in their life. Priceless. ~
There are other myths beyond just the ones listed above – these are just the ones we hear most often. It is time to do some myth busting and really get behind this worthwhile program!