I need your help!  In spite of the fact that District 1130 is still involved with our current scholars, I am already receiving requests for host clubs for Global Scholars for the next academic year. (Ambassadorial scholar requests will also be arriving soon, but the Global Scholars process is more urgent.).  When the sponsor clubs/districts apply for funding for a scholar they should have already identified a club in the hosting district and a ‘committee’ of three club members, including the counsellor.  I will have no way of knowing at this stage, how many scholars will apply and how many will be accepted, but I do need to have a list of potential host clubs at my fingertips.

Please will you contact me if your club is willing to host a global scholar, and send me the names of your team plus e-mail addresses and their club office if applicable as soon as possible.  Any club not allocated a global scholar will be added to the list for ambassadorial scholars.

I realise there may be some problem with regard to bookings for the District Conference at Warner’s as non-refundable deposits are expected and bookings need to be confirmed earlier than usually expected at Eastbourne.  I have asked for advice from the Conference Chairman, and will send information as and when I receive it.

Thank you to all for your support for this year’s scholars.  From their reports they are extremely indebted to our district for the guidance, hospitality and help they have experienced so far.  Don’t forget, many are still keen to visit the clubs.  If your club has not had the pleasure of hearing at least one of them, please encourage your programme chair to send an invitation.

Stella Russell, Foundation Scholars Coordinator

Full details of the Rotary Foundation Scholars in London this Rotary year are available here: http://www.rotaryinlondon.org/docs/b89142ac0e6a57546f61504531c93561.pdf

HOST COUNSELLING an
AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLAR
This year, 2011/12 we have many Scholars staying in District 1130 and each one needs acounsellor to help them make their experience a happy and fruitful one.
PLEASE VOLUNTEER!!

The purpose of the Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships programme is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries.

Whilst studying abroad, scholars serve as ambassadors of goodwill to the people of the hostcountry and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Uponreturning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to a greaterunderstanding of their host countries.

What sets the Ambassadorial Scholarship apart from any other scholarship programme is thescholar’s relationship with their Host Counsellor, one of the best jobs in Rotary. You get to meetyoung people from around the world and show them what living in London is all about, from justbeing at the end of a phone in an emergency to making the scholar one of your family for a year.

Do I have to provide accommodation for the scholar?No, except possibly for a few days when they first arrive. Usually the scholar will have found accommodation before they arrive, usually through their University or on the internet.

Do I have to be the same gender as the scholar?Yes unless the counsellor is married or living with a partner of the opposite sex.

Do I have to be on email?Yes, email communication is essential to ensure the smooth transition to this country and duringthe scholar’s stay in London.

Am I responsible for ensuring my scholar carries out at least 10 speaking engagements?It is the scholar’s responsibility but you should ensure that they do it. They must complete fivebefore the end of December. Also remind your scholar that the First Report must be submitted toRI, Evanston, two months after the start of classes, together with tuition payment receipts. Failureto meet these requirements could affect the release of the second scholarship payment. They canmake presentations to Rotary clubs, Inner Wheel, Probus clubs, Church groups etc.

What do I do before the scholar arrives?Correspond by email with the scholar and introduce yourself, your family, your club and London.This initial contact can put the scholar at ease and let them know that they have a friend waitingfor them in London.

Do I have to give the scholar their first scholarship cheque?No, the cheque will be sent to the scholar before they leave their home country. As it is difficultto open a bank account without a permanent UK address, suggest to the scholar that they open anaccount while still in their own country with an international bank with a branch in London.

Do I have to meet the scholar on arrival in the UK?Usually the answer is yes. This is important as the scholar is likely to have a fair amount ofbaggage and most probably will be unfamiliar with London and its transport system. You mightwant to give them a mini A-Z as a welcome gift. If you are unable to meet the scholar then youshould ensure that another member of your club goes in your place. At least one club welcomesthe scholar with a card signed by the club members.

What do I do when the scholar arrives?Apart from settling him or her into their accommodation, if they haven’t already done so, assistthe scholar with opening a bank account.

What is the Link Weekend?There will be around 150 scholars studying in various cities in the UK and each one is expected toattend an orientation weekend, held in early September when they arrive. They will already havethis arranged before they arrive. The expenses for this should be paid by the Scholar’s SponsorClub/District and not by the Host Club.There will be a welcome party at York Gate early September for scholars and their hosts.

Should I involve my scholar with my club?Absolutely, treat him or her as another club member. Involve the scholar with your family, yourclub and its members. If you have a club magazine ensure that your scholar is on the mailing list.Arrange for your scholar to speak to your club at the earliest opportunity. Invite the scholar toattend your weekly meetings as often as possible. Don’t forget to ask for their help when you aremaking collections etc.At Christmas if your scholar hasn’t made other arrangements then try to ensure that they aren’talone over the holiday period. A number of clubs run Christmas Day Parties and would probablybe only too glad for some younger help!

Does my scholar have to attend the District Conference?Definitely. Scholars MUST attend the District Conference which this year is from15 – 17 October. You will need to ensure that single room accommodation with bed andbreakfast and possibly dinner, is booked for your scholar for two nights and that you help themwith arranging transport to and from Eastbourne. They will eat most of their meals with yourclub. There will be a Foundation reception for scholars, host counsellors and partners on theFriday and scholars will be introduced to Conference on the Saturday morning. District will makea contribution of around £80 being one night’s stay, towards the scholar’s hotel bill and your clubpays for all other expenses incurred including travel.

Application form to download:

http://www.rotaryinlondon.org/docs/161af48c01edbc3e023aa3c482e41146.pdf

Our district is hosting 21 Scholars this year and each one has an obligation to make 10 Presentations to clubs about their homeland, their studies and any projects they may have done with Rotary etc. before the end of May.  They are finding it very difficult to find Clubs which have a vacancy in their speaker programme.  Please will any club which is able to offer a date for a scholar to come and speak, or perhaps two scholars on the same day, get in touch with their Co-ordinator Mary Barrett from the Leytonstone and Woodford Club, email Mary Barrett and she will liaise with you to find a scholar.  Their details are on the Rotaryinlondon website if you would like to contact a scholar direct.

Full details of all Ambassadorial Scholars are now available.

http://www.rotaryinlondon.org/index.php?c=c&page=cms&title=rotary-ambassadorial-scholars-in-london-for-2010-2011

Click to launch the Ambassadorial Scholars leaflet
Publishing Software from YUDU

Interest: Club Foundation Chairs

Bookings are now open for the 2010 Bill Huntley Memorial Peace Seminar at Bradford University on 30th October.
This year the seminar will be held in the Great Hall. This is a bigger, better and more convenient venue than before and we can accommodate much larger numbers.

Don’t restrict the attendance to Rotary - bring your friends; spread the word; support the Rotary Peace Programme!
Click here to find out more and to access the online booking form. We look forward to seeing you there.

Best wishes from
The Bradford Host Area Committee

I would be grateful to receive an offer from a club to host a young lady from Nigeria but who has been studying in the States.  Her name is Mofeyisayo Ayodele and she arrives in September to attend the LSE to study International Development/International Law.  The main commitment of a Club to act as a Host is to provide someone within the club to act as Host Counsellor, rather like a mentor, to be there for the student and answer any questions they may have so that they have a friend as soon as they arrive in the country.  The club would invite the scholar to speak to them and attend whenever convenient.  The financial implication is a cost of about £150 in total as arrangements have to be made for the scholar to attend Conference in October and pay for one night’s accommodation (one night’s costs being reimbursed by District)  Most volunteer clubs find it a rewarding experience to get to know their scholar and this often results in a lifelong friendship.

Please get in touch with Mary Barrett (details in District Directory)