Counselors have one of the most important roles in a successful exchange. Learn how to engage, prepare, and support counselors to fulfill their responsibilities and help their students get the most from their experience. Walter Weidenholzer D1920, Austria

1. 2016 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
Training and Support: Counselors

2. Tips and guidelines for counselors in Austria, MD. 1910/1920
Walter Weidenholzer, RC Haag am Hausruck, D. 1920

3. Short description of club counselor:
• Rotarian or Rotarian spouse
• A person who is there for the student
throughout the entire exchange period
• An advisor, mentor, helper and friend of
the student
• Frequent contact is a condition

4. • Before the student‘s arrival:
 Contact with future inbound student
 Information about host club, host families and
school
 District & club program for inbound students
 Information about the costs incurred
 Make preparations for the student’s
exchange in the host club and school
Duties of the counselor:

5. • When the student arrives/shortly after arrival:
 Meet the student at the airport
 Ensure that important documents are kept in a
safe place
 Check if the student has taken out adequate
health & travel insurance according to RI
 Register the student at the local authority
 Open a bank account, organise the monthly
allowance
 Inform the student about his/her duties regarding
the host club (attendance of meetings, speeches, etc.)

6.  Talk about the Rotary rules & regulations
 Collect the emergency fund and give a receipt about
it to the student (no money without writing a receipt)
 Make sure that the host parents and the student are
aware of the „questionnaire for the first night“
 Pick up the student when he/she is attending the
first Rotary meeting
 Discuss the district’s program and inform the school
about days absent
 Introduce the inbound to Interact and local rebound
students

7. • Throughout the year:
 Don‘t forget the student‘s birthday and
special holidays for the student (e.g. Christmas,
Thanks Giving, ANZAC day,…)
 Organise the host family change
 Keep regular contact with the student (take care
with your heart – let him/her be part of your family life - and
also some consequence)
 Keep contact with the host school

8. • Things that the counselor must know and
consider:
 Rules & Regulations for Rotary students
 District program & activities for the long term
students
 Procedure in case of problems and emergencies
 Dealing with requests for individual travelling (in
accordance with district rules)
 Informing the district chair/country coordinator in
time about upcoming problems/issues

9. Every student needs help and support
(difficulties finding his/her place in the new culture,
homesickness, new language, new school system,
excessive internet use, …)
The counsellor should build up a good
relationship with the student and should be a
person of confidence for the student.

10. Thank you very much for your attention!

11. Rate this session! Your feedback is valuable so remember to
complete the brief session evaluation in the convention
mobile app. To download the app, search for “Rotary Events”
in your Apple or Android app store.
This presentation and others from throughout the convention
are available through the convention mobile app and on
SlideShare at www.SlideShare.net/Rotary_International.