Youth Exchange is getting crazy competitive in Arizona and we need help to stay in the race! The reason?
The J-1 Visa slots at high schools are filling up far earlier and faster than ever before - which is quite concerning. Recently, Representatives at the AZ State Legislature advised us that there were over 300 J-1 visa inbound students last year in Arizona! It's hard to believe there are that many programs and students, but it's becoming more apparent every day. (That's also the main reason why we lost our bill with the AZ legislature last year - they wanted a better understanding of how many students there were and wanted us to adjust our proposal.)
What this has caused is extra work to get the J-1 Visa placements since we are being turned down more and more because their slots are already filled. The majority of those 300 students aren't a true 1-for-1 exchange program like Rotary Youth Exchange is as most of the for-profit companies have very few outbounds (from the US anyway).
The good news? We were able to resume exchanging this school year after the pandemic shut everyone down across the world. There are currently 4 Inbounds in D5495 and there will be 13 for the 2023-24 school year. That triples our number from 2022-23. To do this, we need people on our committee to take some of the jobs required on a regular basis instead of when Donna and I get time to complete them. (We have been what my daddy always used to say "a day late and a dollar short" a lot this year.)
So this is what the D5495 Rotary Youth Exchange Committee needs to be more efficient and not draining:
- Chair Understudy - Right now we need this because THIS YEAR RI highly suggested putting a three-year term limit for district chairs. A person cannot simply jump in and run with it. Donna and I are interpreting that as a guideline not a requirement however, it isn't a bad idea to have new energy on our committee.
- Inbound Chair Understudy - I will fully support, teach and guide. My husband just retired and wants to travel more to see our 4 grandkids in NE and FL so I will need assistance at the very least.
- Outbound Chair - Donna is doing this AND District Chair. Need I say more?
- Paperwork/Database Oversight - See that all documents for home visits/interviews and trainings are completed and filed/received/sent in the correct timeline as well as references, background checks and new applications for Host Families, Counselors and YEOS are completed.
- Marketing - Present our program to schools and Rotary clubs a full 3-4 months before Outbound applications are due. Write articles for local newspapers and Rotary District newsletters about going on exchange and host family opportunities. Currently, we simply do not have time to do any of this.
- Social Media - We MUST be current and in people's minds: TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, FB and YouTube. It should be one person to keep track of it easier.
- Events Planner - Schedule and organize the IB trips/excursions/hikes/required District events, then publicize the calendar to the students and Host Families.
- ROTEX Guide - Keep them in the loop, notify them to be ready to assist in orientations for both students, Host Families, Counselors and YEOS. As you probably know, a lot of Rotex are fluid so it helps to keep them on track. They will also need to be background checked to be involved and you can help guide this process.
Donna and I simply cannot do this by ourselves. Teresa Haire, D5495 Youth Services Chair has recently joined us. WE NEED YOU! Please think about it seriously and let us know. If you have an idea of someone who would like this as well, please send me their contact info and I will contact them.
Thanks for your consideration of this very important opportunity and wonderfully exciting and fun committee!
Yours in building world peace and understanding one student at a time,
Machel Considine
Inbound Chair for Rotary District 5495
480-235-0814
