Dear Rotarians and Club Presidents,
We hope this message finds you well and thriving in your service to our communities! As we continue to inspire and empower the next generation, we are excited to share an incredible opportunity that aligns perfectly with your Rotary values - the Rotary Youth Exchange program.
The Program is more than just an adventure. It’s a transformative experience that fosters international understanding, cultural appreciation, and personal growth. By promoting the Program with our District’s Rotary Clubs, we can provide young people the opportunity to explore a new culture, develop lifelong friendships, and enhance their leadership skills. .....
Why participate in Youth Exchange?
1. Cultural Immersion: Participants live with host families and attend school in a different country, gaining firsthand experience of diverse lifestyles and perspectives.
2. Personal Development: The Program encourages independence, adaptability and confidence - preparing them for a globalized world.
3. Global Leaders: By fostering international friendships, we are nurturing a generation of compassionate leaders who understand the importance of ‘service above self’.
4. Strengthen Our Clubs: Engaging with youth and their families through the Rotary Youth Exchange program can invigorate our clubs and inspire new members to join our cause.
How You Can Get Involved:
Identify two members of your club that are passionate about Rotary and youth in your community. Each club needs a Youth Exchange Officer (YEO) and Club Councillor. The District 7070 Youth Exchange Committee offers training for both of these roles.
Promote the Program in your local high school (brochure attached). The Program is geared to adventurous 16-17 years old students who are typically in Grade 11. We are holding an information session in Stirling on Tuesday November 26th at 6:30 pm. We will also provide a ZOOM link for this session for parents and students that can not attend in person.
Encourage young people in your community to apply for the Program and offer guidance throughout the application process. We use an online application and management system called YEAH. This platform makes the entire process easy for all involved. A link for this system is on the attached brochure. Your Rotary Clubs’ applicant’s information will flow directly to the YEO of your Rotary Club for further review and follow up.
Identify Host Families: Host Families are a vital part of the cultural exchange, offering the inbound student a view of another country, and in turn obtaining the opportunity to learn about a new culture from a young leader. Host families do not need to be Rotarians. These individuals apply to host a student through the YEAH system. YEAH guides the YEO through the process of approval ensuring that all students are placed in safe homes during their exchange. We recommend 2 – 3 host families for each inbound exchange student.
We invite you to join us in championing the Rotary Youth Exchange Program in our District. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positive change that extends from our local communities to the global stage.
Let’s empower our youth to embrace the world! If you have any questions or would like to discuss how your club can get involved, please reach out.
Thank you for your commitment to service and for considering this exciting opportunity for our young leaders.
Warm regards,
District 7070 Rotary Youth Exchange Committee
