|
 |
Our exchange students participate in many events throughout the year. Here is a short description of some of them.
Inbound Orientation and Youth Protection Training
Inbound Orientation & Training, Host Family Training, Club Chairperson & Counselor Training, Rebound Debriefing & ROTEX Meetings. In September, we hold a 5 hour event to kick off our exchange year. During the event, we accomplish many things. Orientation is held for Rotary District 7470's inbound students. There is also training for host families, rotary club youth exchange chairpersons and rotary club student counselors. In addition there is a debriefing session for student who studied overseas during the previous school year. This is followed by a ROTEX (Past Youth Exchange Students) meeting. In Addition in the afternoon there is a session of Youth Protection Training for Students, Host Parents and Club Chairpersons and Advisors. We have a shorter second orientation meeting in October at a committee member's home if a student arrives late.
President's Ball
Every year in Fall, our district holds a ball to honor all of the district's club presidents. Our district has 54 clubs and the Rotary year runs from July 1 to June 30.
Denville Weekend
The Denville Rotary Club sponsors a weekend for the students. The weekend starts with a a country western dance at St. Mary's church followed by a overnight at a Denville Rotarian's home and Saturday afternoon bowling.
Pocono Weekend
Youth Exchange students from many Rotary Districts from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Rhode Island meet at Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania for a weekend of sharing and fun. The weekend begins Friday evening with check in, dinner and getting acquainted games. Saturday has some additional getting acquainted games, meetings by district and skit planning for Saturday evening. The afternoon is filled with bowling, hiking or shopping at an outlet mall. Saturday evening begins with a semiformal dinner attended by District Governors and is followed by group pictures. Skits are performed by the students in the evening. Brunch and departure on Sunday. Participating districts are District 7370 of PA, Districts 7470, 7490, 7500 & 7510 of NJ, and District 7950 of MA & RI.
Foundation Ball
This dinner dance is hosted to support Rotary International's Foundation. The Foundation sponsors many of the larger world-wide Rotary humanitarian activities. Many of the district's Paul Harris fellows are awarded prior to dinner.
Outbound InterviewsFrom November to January we interview students interested in going to a foreign country with the youth exchange program. Short-term students begin exchanges in the late spring and long-term students begin exchanges in July or August.
Nutley Weekend
Students are bussed to the Recreation Annex in Nutley for a weekend of fun and camaraderie with members of the Nutley Club. It includes bowling, skating, food and fellowship.
Madison Weekend
The first outbound orientation for students studying overseas for the following school year is held at the Madison YMCA. The current year's inbound students for are also there Saturday and Sunday to help with the training. The orientation consists of Information on the youth exchange program, insurance, travel, gifts, goal setting, different cultures, cultural shock, getting along with others and how to set up a slide presentation. All students are required to put together a presentation to be shown overseas during their exchange.
District Assembly
The District Assembly is held to train Club Leaders. It is a planning and informational meeting for our district. Students participate in several activities during the sessions.
Walk for the World
Inbound students obtain pledges from their teachers, classmates and friends, non Rotarians for the distance they walk. The money raised is divided 50/50 with the Rotary Foundation and the student's club.
District Conference
The district conference is held at a resort somewhere in the New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York tri-state area. Students arrive by dinner on Thursday and participate in many events during the weekend. The students help to promote the youth exchange program throughout the district. Some of the activities they do are showing off their pictures, answering questions about youth exchange, acting as plenary session Assistant Sergeant of Arms, manning the Youth Exchange booth, and having fun in the afternoons.
There are many other event the students participate in as well. There are several International Weekends sponsored by local high school foreign language departments that our students are invited to attend as well as other Rotary sponsored events. In addition to events attended by all students, they attend at least one meeting a month at their host Rotary Club and also attend occasional meetings at clubs that sponsor their year in the USA. During the year they give their presentation to not only their host and sponsoring clubs, but also at other promotional events for the youth exchange program.
|
|
|
|
