Michele Sinclair letter
Posted by Bob Hlina
This is a letter that Michelle sent to the Youth Exchange Officers of the PG clubs regarding her experience at the Inbound Orientation in 100 Mile. Very nice read.
First, I'd like to thank you all for allowing me to represent our PG clubs at the Inbound Orientation – it was really wonderful! If you haven't already, I highly recommend that everyone participate at least once.
The student group this year is a lot of fun. They experienced lots of team building opportunities, good discussion, and of course late nights making friends and doing what teens do – talk! It was a true honour to sit around the camp fire at Educo with our group and listen to their hopes and dreams for this year.
I encourage each YEO to engage with your student, and help them accomplish their list of things to do with the assistance of your club. One idea may be to have the top picks for the month of ... and have the student let club members know the top 3 things they would like to do each month (or maybe even each week). Auction off the opportunity to make this happen for the student, and before the meeting is over or the month is over, make sure that someone is assigned to the activity. It could be something like taking the student to a hockey game, or out curling, or skiing/boarding, or out for a DQ (which, by the way, they love!) I believe we need to find creative ways to encourage every Rotarian to participate with the students. The two we have (and hopefully our third one will arrive soon) are very keen.
Some key dates:
• September 30 – this month – Information Night for Rotary Youth Exchange – the Ramada will provide us with a room and coffee/water service. I'd like to promote this evening at the schools, and perhaps in the local media – is there anyone who can help to organize this, and get the word out, perhaps create a promo poster (8.5 x 11) that we can get out to community bulletin boards. I'll invite our inbound students to attend, along with a Rotex student or two. This will be a chance for students and their parents to find out more about the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, pick up information etc. At this time, we could perhaps have interview dates secured.
• there will be a Halloween Party for the students – this will be in Burns Lake. Date will be announced, either Saturday, October 31, or early November. The Burns Lake Rotex students/club will likely be organizing this event. I will send an update as soon as I have info. I will also take our students to the event.
• The outbound orientation will be taking place at Ness Lake in early May 2010. This will require our best in organizing – the challenge is on, as the southern folks wonder if we have enough people to volunteer and pull this off. Let's show them what Prince George can do!
Thanks everyone for your time and commitment to this wonderful program. You would have been inspired and motivated this weekend – these young people are our leaders of tomorrow, and they deserve the best we have to give them.
Michele
Michele Sinclair North Central BC Area Coordinator Youth Exchange
The student group this year is a lot of fun. They experienced lots of team building opportunities, good discussion, and of course late nights making friends and doing what teens do – talk! It was a true honour to sit around the camp fire at Educo with our group and listen to their hopes and dreams for this year.
I encourage each YEO to engage with your student, and help them accomplish their list of things to do with the assistance of your club. One idea may be to have the top picks for the month of ... and have the student let club members know the top 3 things they would like to do each month (or maybe even each week). Auction off the opportunity to make this happen for the student, and before the meeting is over or the month is over, make sure that someone is assigned to the activity. It could be something like taking the student to a hockey game, or out curling, or skiing/boarding, or out for a DQ (which, by the way, they love!) I believe we need to find creative ways to encourage every Rotarian to participate with the students. The two we have (and hopefully our third one will arrive soon) are very keen.
Some key dates:
• September 30 – this month – Information Night for Rotary Youth Exchange – the Ramada will provide us with a room and coffee/water service. I'd like to promote this evening at the schools, and perhaps in the local media – is there anyone who can help to organize this, and get the word out, perhaps create a promo poster (8.5 x 11) that we can get out to community bulletin boards. I'll invite our inbound students to attend, along with a Rotex student or two. This will be a chance for students and their parents to find out more about the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, pick up information etc. At this time, we could perhaps have interview dates secured.
• there will be a Halloween Party for the students – this will be in Burns Lake. Date will be announced, either Saturday, October 31, or early November. The Burns Lake Rotex students/club will likely be organizing this event. I will send an update as soon as I have info. I will also take our students to the event.
• The outbound orientation will be taking place at Ness Lake in early May 2010. This will require our best in organizing – the challenge is on, as the southern folks wonder if we have enough people to volunteer and pull this off. Let's show them what Prince George can do!
Thanks everyone for your time and commitment to this wonderful program. You would have been inspired and motivated this weekend – these young people are our leaders of tomorrow, and they deserve the best we have to give them.
Michele
Michele Sinclair North Central BC Area Coordinator Youth Exchange