Who are host families?

Families with young children

Young children are very willing to help an exchange student and are not afraid to correct language or behaviour errors. 

Families with high school age children are recommended for first host families where possible. 

Help an exchange student fit in at school and to find friends

Families with no children

Have a good opportunity to develop a closer relationship with the exchange student  

Are usually better as 2nd, 3rd or 4th host families         

   Finding host families in Rotary   

   Although this approach is not always productive, announce at a Rotary meeting that you need families and that you will be contacting members personally in the near future.   If some volunteer right away,  they can have first pick of the students and hosting periods available!  

   If you have already received your inbound application's, make copies to circulate at a meeting, and talk to likely individual members and their spouses.      

  Personally talk to members and spouses at their homes (or by phone). If they want to discuss hosting between themselves, set up a time to call back and get their decision.     

   Do the calling YOURSELF! Asking others to do ft may not be successful, as they are not ultimately responsible for finding families and a "Sorry, I had no luck" response is easy for them to make.    

   Give Rotarians the first opportunity to host. If you then still need more host families - go on to the next step.    

   Non-Rotarian host families     

   Consider families of outbound and rebound students.

   Ask at outbound interviews if famillies would be willing to host - whether or not their son or daughter is selected for exchange (providing you consider the family suitable). 

   Record the names of students that attend the information meeting at the high school. Contact the families of these students and invite them to host a student.  

   Keep a list of families that have hosted a student in the past. Many of them will be prepared to host again - even though they may need a break of a year or two. 

   Consider your friends and neighbours, people from church or other organizations that you - or other Rotary club members - belong to, team parents, etc. as they may be interested in hosting. Teachers may also be willing to host if invited to. Ask your fellow Rotarians if they have friends or relatives that might want to host. 

   Invite non-Rotarian host families to Rotary social functions with the student, and get to know them.  You will find new Rotarians this way! 

   When to find host families

   If possible, make recruiting host families a year-round activity!      If that's not possible, start in     November, and keep at it so that by the District Youth Exchange Committee meeting in early spring to assign inbound students you will have host families lined up and will be sure of the number of students your club will be able to host. Ask your host families what time of year is most convenient for them to host, whether they prefer a male or female, if they have any country preferences, etc. This will help you to choose appropriate exchange students for your club.

  Dedication and perseverance will do it!      

AND YOU ARE GOING TO GET OUT THERE AND FIND THEM!  You WILL be successful!