Congratulations AGAIN on being selected to participate in the Rotary Youth Exchange program!!!

You were chosen because we believe that YOU have the necessary personal qualities and maturity to benefit from this experience.  We are confident that you are going to have the most CHALLENGING, MEANINGFUL, and FUN YEAR OF YOUR LIFE!!!  And we are very excited for you!!!!

My name is Chris Rice, and I am one of many Rotarians who will be responsible for your success during the coming year. On behalf of our district's Youth Exchange program I would like to extend a warm welcome to you and your family as you begin the first step of your journey.

During the next 7 months you will be working primarily with three Rotarians as you prepare for your departure in August 2007. First, your sponsoring Rotary Club's Counselor….second, our district's Country Contact for your assigned country, and third, our committee Treasurer and Travel Coordinator.   

CLUB COUNSELOR: Your sponsoring Rotary Club has appointed a Counselor to familiarize you with Rotary, to introduce you to the members of "your" Rotary club, and to answer general questions about Rotary Youth Exchange. Please make a point to become acquainted with your Club Counselor, and if you haven't attended a club meeting or activity, don't hesitate to ask him or her to invite you.  

TREASURER & TRAVEL COORDINATOR: Stephanie Sherman is the Youth Exchange Committee Treasurer and Travel Coordinator. She will help you with all financial arrangements, and will be responsible for booking flights to and from your host country.  

DISTRICT COUNTRY CONTACT: A member of our district Youth Exchange committee will be assigned to assist you with specific questions about the exchange process and to answer questions about your assigned country. Your Country Contact is the liaison between our Rotary district and the Rotary District in your host country, and he or she is responsible for ensuring that your documents are “in order”, that all information is transmitted to your host country promptly, and that everyone involved with your exchange is kept informed. Additionally, your Country Contact will be able to provide information on the culture of your hosting country and the practices of its Rotary Youth Exchange program. He or she will serve as your primary contact with our district's Youth Exchange committee before your departure and during your year abroad. 

Here's your Country Contact TEAM: 

Stephanie Sherman - Laurie-Sunrise Beach, MO
CO-CHAIR & Country Contact for AUSTRALIA

Alicia Embley Turner - Jefferson City, MO
Country Contact for BELGIUM

Kent Bagnall - Rolla, MO
Country Contact for BRAZIL, ECUADOR

Chris Young - Sedalia, MO
Country Contact for FRANCE

Karen Tweed - Bolivar, MO
Country Contact for GERMANY

Rick & Toni Soetebier - Lake Ozark, MO 
Country Contact for LATVIA

Angie Kinworthy - Jefferson City, MO
Country Contact for MEXICO

Derek McDaniel - Springfield, MO
Country Contact for JAPAN

Last week we finalized agreements with all of our international partner districts for 2007-08, and during the next two weeks we will finish mailing all of the applications the hosting countries. Everyone now has a targeted host country, and the very FIRST thing you should do (besides getting your passport) is begin studying the language of your new country. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE begin assembling books and tapes, registering for language classes, and looking for people in your community who can help you begin this extremely important process. During the next week you will hear from your Country Contact with more information about this process.  

MISSING DOCUMENTS? If you have been notified that your application is missing ANY information, e.g. Immunization records, physical examinations, original transcripts, etc., please provide the missing documents to us IMMEDIATELY!  We cannot process your application until it is complete. WE MUST HAVE EVERYTHING BY FEB. 9TH!!!  Otherwise, your exchange could be jeopardized!

Upcoming Events:  Mark your calendars now!

March 3:  First Outbound Orientation at the Lake of the Ozarks  (Student and at least one parent MUST attend)

April 7:  Second Outbound Orientation at the Lake of the Ozarks (Student and at least one parent MUST attend)

May 4-6:  Rotary District Conference in Sedalia, MO  (Student attendance is Mandatory)

Details about each of these events will be forthcoming via email. In addition, specific information about each event will be posted on our website as soon as details are available. Visit http://rye6080.org  information about events and activities.

PASSPORTS: If you haven't applied for your passport you ARE behind schedule!  PLEASE make arrangements NOW to get your passport.  (See instructions below) VERY IMPORTANT: Please be aware that AT LEAST ONE of your parents should also have a passport in the event of an emergency that would require him/her to immediately depart for your host country. If you already have a passport, be sure that it expires NO SOONER than February 1, 2009, (6 months after your return), otherwise your Visa WILL be delayed. If your current passport expires before this date, you will need to renew it before you can depart. Do it NOW!  

Download the passport application from the website below and take it along with two passport size photos and a CERTIFIED birth certificate to your local Post Office, County Clerk’s Office or Passport Agency. It usually takes 4-6 weeks to receive your passport. Please be aware that most of our international partners require that a copy of your passport be included with your Rotary application. Passports are valid for 10 years. 

Passport Information:

IMPORTANT: Each Student and at least one Parent should have a passport! 

Cost: $ 97.00 (in 2006)

For Detailed Passport information, go to the State Dept web site:  http://www.travel.state.gov

Next, click "Passports", then select "Get or Renew a passport"

This site contains all of the information you will need to successfully apply for a passport.

NOTE: You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate and another form of identification, and you will also need to complete form DS-11 which is available for download at the website above.

As soon as you receive it, please mail 3 good color copies of your passport to the Rotary Youth Exchange Office in Jefferson City so that we can send these with your application to your hosting Rotary district. If you have a scanner, you can also scan the picture page of your passport and email it to us.

APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE & OTHER COSTS:

Each student is responsible submitting their application processing fee of $250.00 by January 15th. If you have not sent this yet, please mail a check for $250.00 to our Treasurer (below). Make checks payable to "Rotary Youth Exchange".

Stephanie Sherman
290 LONE OAK PT
SUNRISE BEACH MO  65079-5192

Again, CONGRATULATIONS!  As the process moves forward you will receive the necessary information from me, from your Club Counselor, your Country Contact, and from Treasurer Stephanie Sherman. We are all looking forward to getting better acquainted with you during the next 7 months as we help you prepare for your great adventure!

~ Chris

Christopher Rice, Chairman
Rotary Dist. 6080 Youth Exchange Program
Springfield, MO 

Jackie Howard - Waynesville, MO
Asst. Oubound Coordinator

MAIL ALL APPLICATIONS / DOCUMENTS TO:
Attn: Jeff Kunce
Rotary Youth Exchange Office
901 Missouri Blvd. #168
Jefferson City, MO 65109-1759
Phone 1-800-RYE-6080 / 1-800-793-6080 ext. 0
1-312-423-1843  FAX
1-312-895-4984 Phone (International)
web: www.rye6080.org