Invocation:  by Bill S.,  "The 4-Way Test"

 

Michael G. -  final push for Links & Libations.  We are low on raffle sales;  get them in to Gerald.  Sign up for volunteer duties on the web site.  Remember to register if you or guests will be attending.

Chris Carr introduced Eric Johnsrud, Chair of the North Star Youth Exchange, representing Districts 5950 and 5960.

 

The Youth Exchange Program can be both Inbound, sponsoring a foreign student here, or outbound, sponsoring a local student to go abroad.  There are both Long Term (full school year) and Short Term (a few weeks or months, usually during summer).  There can also be Family-to-Family Exchanges, where a student at the first Host family returns with the outbound student to stay in their home.  

 

Local Sponsoring Clubs are responsible for recruitment of outbound students, providing $250/student up to $500, and maintaining contact with the student while they are abroad.  For incoming students, the Local Club is responsible for recruiting 2-3 host families, making arrangements with local schools, monitoring the well-being of the student while here, and providing $2000-2500 of financial support to the program.  Host families do not have to be Rotary members, and in fact it is encouraged to recruit non-members as a way to spread awareness of Rotary in the community.  North Star is structured to provide training and support to local clubs and host families.  North Star is looking for outbound participants;  pre-Covid there were around 60/year, last year there were 30.