Note from
President Weir

“F” is for Foreign Exchange
 
One thing that sets us apart from other service clubs is our focus on foreign exchange. Thank you to all Rotarians that have participated in foreign exchanges, either as a student or as a host family. Your willingness to help shows others our culture and embraces the worldwide nature of Rotary!
 
And thank you, Joe Bruce, for sharing your host family experience with the club last Thursday! I hope it helped create some interest in others becoming a host family in the near future.
 
So what does it mean to be a host family? Typically we as a club have three host families. Each family would host a student for approximately three months. We also have a few respite families who might take the student for a weekend or an activity.
 
A student needs a room, a place to study, and transportation to school. They would be a part of your family for that time and you might choose to do some extra activities to show them around and share our culture. Families can, but do not need to have kids in high school.  Also, you can host even if you do not have children at home.
 
Host families are responsible for normal expenses of food and stuff, just like a normal member of the family. But Families also get a small stipend for some student expenses and the students get an allowance from the club. 
 
We need to interview and confirm host families by January 15th.  Everyone involved who is 18 and older needs to be fully vetted.  Criminal background checks, reference checks, youth protection training, and host family orientation. COVID vaccination is required for exchange students and hosts family members. 
 
Big picture we really want to be pretty sure we have host families set up by October 15th when the club needs to commit to a number of exchange students for next August. Thus the '“F” is for Foreign Exchange' push now.
 
For outbound exchange students, we are not ready yet for next August as initial applications need to be entered by October 1st, which is coming up too quickly.  But for the 2023 year now is a time to start looking for interest.  We are looking for students, ages 15 to 18.  The cost is $6,250 which does include most expenses to get students to and from the host country such as airfare, visas, and health insurance monthly allowance. Our District does not want the cost of participating to prevent any student from going so there are funds available at the district level to help with costs.  
 
The outbound students are ambassadors for Rotary and our country.  If you know an 8th grade and freshman student, now would be best to talk to them about considering participating in the foreign exchange program for the 2023-2024 school year.
 
For additional information about being a host family, CLICK HERE to be taken to the district website with more information. And, if you are interested in being a host family, PLEASE reach out ASAP to either Karen Mobley or Jim Johnson.
 
So remember, “F” is for Foreign Exchange! And what better way to experience the global nature of Rotary than to spend time with someone from another country and culture!
 
              Kyle Weir
                                   President                     
                      Rotary Club 21

Upcoming Programs:

September 16, 2021
Understanding and Engaging with Spokane County’s Redistricting with  Brian McClatchey and Jim McDevitt
 
To attend via Zoom
CLICK HERE at Noon on Thursday to attend the meeting via Zoom. To phone in call 
+1 253 215 8782
 
Meeting ID: 842 3937 5370
Passcode: 191121
 
September 23, 2021
A peek behind the curtain with President of WestCoast Entertainment Justin Kobluk
 
For more information on upcoming programs
CLICK HERE
 
CLICK HERE, to notify the Rotary Office about guests.

CLICK HERE 
to view slides from previous Rotary speakers.

CLICK HERE to view the recordings of previous meetings*

*you must be in the Club 21 Facebook group to view previously recorded meetings.

New Member

Last Thursday Club 21 was introduced to new member
Rob Allen, classification:
Physical Therapy - Devices.
Welcome to Rotary Club 21 Rob!

Sep 17 Eric Christiansen

Committees Meeting This Week

Member Engagement
RCS/C21 Board of Directors
Classification
Youth Services
Support Our Veterans
 
Committee meetings can be subject to cancellation. Please contact the committee chairs to confirm the meeting logistics or request a Zoom meeting link.
 
Join a Committee today
CLICK HERE for a list of committee chairs.
Russell Hampton
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