Presentation given by Ekkehard Musick at the 2013 Youth Exchange Officers Preconvention Meeting in Lisbon, Portugal.

1. Pre-Convention Lisboa, Portugal 2013
Managing Problems and Rule Violations
during Exchange
Ekkehard Musick, District 1800, Germany

2. Pre-Convention Lisboa, Portugal 2013
„The most important experience in this year has been, to become a
part of Rotary International. Since my parents are no Rotarians, it
was only here in India that I really began to understand the
philosophy of this organisation and I am deeply impressed by the
work in the field. I had a chance to actively take part in different
local Rotary Club projects and I have learned a lot. I came to India
with my wish to help and to make the world a better place – but I
had to accept that this is not so easy. But with Rotary
International, with people who have the same ideas and aims, this
seems possible.
Every single day I am once again so grateful I had a chance to
become a part of Rotary International and to become a part of this
wonderful country...
Letters from Abroad

3. Pre-Convention Lisboa, Portugal 2013
„I am sooo glad, I was brave enough to go on exchange,
to take this important step in my life... And I hope I will
not wake up from this dream too soon“
„I have really enjoyed my exchange year and have made
many, many friends. It is incredible, to see the many
things you learn during your exchange. I am so thrilled by
the lovely people here, the cool parties, the delicious food.
All in all you can say that I have learned to understand
another culture and to become a part of it. But most
important – I have learned about myself and have got a
new respect and love for my home country as well. I now
have two home countries...“

4. Pre-Convention Lisboa, Portugal 2013

5. Pre-Convention Lisboa, Portugal 2013
Inbound: Expectations &
„Accidents“
• Host Club: „we are
so thrilled...“
• Host Parents: „we so
much want to host“
• Host fam.siblings:
„oh great, I always
wanted to have a
brother/sister“
• District:“it is such a
good programme“
• Misunderstanding of culture
• Homesickness
• Boredom; disinterest
• Jealousy, Psychology
• Wish to see more of host
country/continent(internet
contact to other innies)
• family of exchangees
• alcohol, drugs
• Breach of law
• Love
• Poor support by RC

6. Pre-Convention Lisboa, Portugal 2013

7. Pre-Convention Lisboa, Portugal 2013
InboundCounsellor
YEO
Inbd Coordinator
District Chair
Host Family
RYEX WarnSys
School

8. Pre-Convention Lisboa, Portugal 2013
InboundCounsellor
YEO
Inbd Coordinator
District Chair
Host Family
RYEX WarnSys
Problems that might also come down
the line(or from sending side):
Placement problematic
Youth Protection Concern
Insurance concerns
Consequence: direct action up the
line
School

9. Pre-Convention Lisboa, Portugal 2013
InboundCounsellor
YEO
Inbd Coordinator
District Chair
Host Family
RYEX WarnSys and RYEX ReacSys
Urgent request for support
Sending District
Sending Club
Sending FamilySchool

10. Pre-Convention Lisboa, Portugal 2013

11. Pre-Convention Lisboa, Portugal 2013
Communication during the exchange
double check system works, message received
 no reproach, no accusations, mutual trust
Acceptance both sides are doing their best
Aim: to save the exchange
 never direct family :family conflict solution
 never Early Return before „Yellow Card“
Yellow Card with signed Code of Conduct (Club
level)
Sharing Code of Conduct paper with Sending Side

12. Pre-Convention Lisboa, Portugal 2013

13. Pre-Convention Lisboa, Portugal 2013
Where to go from here?
 Let us install or improve the
communication lines
 trained Counsellors keep intensive contact
to Inbound- to Host Family- to the school
Host Families are not left alone with
problems
 Sending ROTARY side is informed at an
early stage of upcoming problems
And perhaps we are prepared to have a closer
look at the rules – they have served well for
about 30 years. Are they still the very best we