2. Success Story
Came to India as an IYE student in 1997
Studied Social Sciences, Philosophy and
International Relations in Belgium, South Africa and
France
Settled in Delhi in 2005 to develop undergraduate
student exchange programs for Sciences Po, Paris
Got married in 2007
Is pursuing a Ph.D. in Political Science on State
politics in India and the trajectory of a North Indian
political party.
"The year spent in Gujarat as an IYE student gave me
the opportunity to immerse myself into Indian
culture and society as no degree in the world could
have done. Being hosted and loved as a family
member opened my mind in practice to alterity
and ultimately made me capable of developing a
sense of belonging to places I do not originate
from".
-
Gilles
3. YouthExchange Program- A
Unique Program
It’s an RI program but:
Totally financed by the clubs and students
It spills over more than one Rotary year
It’s success is dependent on very few
individuals, but demands co-operation from
a lot of Rotarians and non Rotarians
It’s success highlights an emphasizes the
fourth objective of Rotary and creates a
wonderful public image of Rotary
4. Demands of a YEO
He has to be sincere, dedicated and
hardworking.
He is responsible for the physical, social and
emotional health of the students.
He needs to be having highest standards of
moral and ethical value.
He needs to be a diplomat, coordinating with
two/three consecutive district governors, host
families, students, sponsor families, club
officers.
5. Demands of a YEO
He has to be an excellent trainer.
He has to be knowledgeable about the
program, the local regional and country
laws and the laws of his own district.
He has to be socially active in the
district.
He has to work as hard as the district
governor for three years of his tenure.
6. Problems faced by YEO
Poor communications with his predecessors
and with RI at the time of taking over the
position.
Inadequate training for the position.
The sense of insecurity during the transition
from one District Governor to another.
Constraints of finance.
Regional issues in conflict or not in
accordance with the RI YEP rules.
7. Problems faced by YEO
Lack of infrastructure for paperwork,
communications etc.
Lack of knowledge on use of electronic
media.
Difficulties in setting up desired exchanges
because of regional factors, political issues
and cultural prejudices.
Poor training/support in handling emergency
situations.
8. Why a Regional association?
It can offer a required platform for sharing
of regional concerns and ideas.
It can offer additional training to the
incoming youth exchange officers.
It can offer materials and equipment for
training Rotary Youth volunteers, host
families and students.
It can provide support for safe exchanges
for students.
9. Why a Regional association?
It can be a bridge between districts, the RI youth
exchange committee, and the district governors to
formulate and enforce policies in an effective
manner.
It can promote more exchanges within the regional
association amongst the member countries.
It can create fellowship amongst fellow YEO’s.
It can associate with similar regional associations to
improve the number of exchanges and the quality of
exchanges.
16. STATISTICS OF YOUTH EXCHANGE (INBOUND)
IN SOUTH AND SOUTH EAST ASIA (2009-'10)
17. Experience a ‘Special Flavour’
South & South East Asia, in particular, India,
offers a very unique cultural experience.
The joint family system – a different
community life style – a special warmth.
Great opportunity to understand the
community needs that offers a chance to
VOLUNTEER to meaningful SERVICE.
A Superb chance for an inbound exchange
student to develop a global vision, in the
true sense.
18. RYE in 3060– a Genuine Commitment
A special emphasis is laid on the Training and
Orientation programmes
Great stress is put on the orientation of the Host
families encouraging them for their role as foster
parents.
In-bounds are properly looked after, more so with
respect to Abuse & Harassment prevention.
Sufficient opportunities for schooling & extra-
curricular activities like dance, music, language
skills, festival celebrations etc.
Tours to historical & cultural locations.
Very affectionate, efficient & considerate RYE Team,
right from the Committee Chair up to the local club
counselor, vastly increases the comfort level of the
exchangees.
19. South and South Asia Regional Association
(SSARA)
Proposed Constitution
PP Dr. Mrugank Merchant
District Counselor - YEP
RI District 3060
20. Success Story
Melissa Burke
Exchange Student
RI District 3060
Year : 1989
Melissa Burke
Visiting Sardar Dam in 2007
Vice Principal in a High School in LA California
22. How of Constitution
Includes mission and objectives
Acts as bridge between RI YEP, RI Districts and
the YEO’s without creating a parallel
organization
A legal document reflecting the legal concerns
of the member countries
Simple and easy to follow without creating
ambiguities and wrangling
Plan for the proposed finances to run SSARA.
23. Steps - Formation
May 2012:
Preliminary discussion at the Pre-convention Youth
Exchange meet at Bangkok Convention
Feedback from proposed member countries/districts,
DG’s, YEO’s and the RI youth exchange committee
members.
September 2012:
Formation of a proposed legal constitution
December 2012:
Adoption of the proposed constitution at the first
annual meeting of the SSARA at Goa, India
January 2013 onwards:
Election of the office bearers and collection of dues
24. Mission Statement
To promote and strengthen the Youth exchange
program in the region and improve the Youth
exchange experience for the young people by
providing an annual forum for the Rotarians to share
the knowledge of, to discuss the issues arising from,
and to explore and create new opportunities within
the Rotary International Youth Exchange Programme
and to provide an effective representation of the
region while at the same time enjoy the
International fellowship in different SSARA zone
regions and countries each year.
25. Objectives
To help spread the knowledge of the Youth Exchange Program in the member
countries of SSARA Zone.
To help promote more districts and clubs and students to participate in the
Youth exchange Program.
To help promote a safe environment for the students who participate in the
Youth Exchange program.
To help creation of more opportunities for young people to participate in the
youth exchange program from and within the SSARA Zone.
To provide forums to study and discuss issues affecting the Youth Exchange
Program in the region and try to find solutions having negative impact on Youth
exchange program.
To help provide adequate representation and liaison with rotary districts and
the Rotary international Youth Exchange Program.
To help promote fellowship amongst YEOs in the zone.
26. Membership
Active Members:
Districts and multi-districts of all countries in
the SSARA zone
(Rotary International Zones 4-a, 4-b, 5-a, 5-b, 6-a and 6-b)
Associate Members:
Districts and individuals outside the SSARA
zone
27. Executive committee
The President
The Vice President
Hon. Treasurer
Chairman of the Conference
28. Role - The President
Propose SSARA representative for the Rotary International Youth
Exchange Committee
Liaison with Evanston and sister organization
Give inputs at Youth exchange events viz. YEP Pre-convention,
RI Convention, National and Regional Conferences, etc.
Disseminate information about Youth Exchange to the member
countries and districts /multi-districts of SSARA
Create & steer task forces to address specific and general issues
concerning Youth Exchange Program
Create programs to promote Youth Exchange amongst Districts /
Clubs / Students in the SSARA zone
Annual conference planning in association with the conference
Chairman
29. Role - The Vice President
Assist President
Assume President’s role in his absence or
as advised by President
Be responsible for maintaining the
statistical details of the members
30. Role – Hon. Treasurer
Financial management of SSARA
Collects membership fees and dues
Prepares budgets in the beginning of the
year
Prepares and presents an audited report
to all the members at the annual
conference
31. Role – Conference Chairman
Organization of the annual conference in
association with the President and the Vice
president
32. Elections - President / Vice-President
The Vice-President to be elected for a two year term by
secret ballot at the plenary session of the relevant
Conference
Each SSARA country represented at the Conference has
one vote
Nominations by a country, a multidistrict or a district
must be submitted in writing to the President no later
than the first of May in the year of the election
Normally the Vice-President will be elected as President
but if the Vice-President does not enjoy the support of
the national representatives then the election of
President will be conducted in the same manner as the
election of the Vice-President.
33. Conference Host &Organising Committee
SSARA Annual Conference in a different SSARA zone country rotating between
North and South
Decision to select host country to be based on voting - one vote per represented
SSARA zone country. After first five years, host country to be decided on show of
hands at a Conference.
A country could opt for hosting only if the application is supported by the written
consent of the District Governor of the District where conference to take place.
If the District is part of a Multidistrict then written consent of the President of
the Multidistrict must also be presented.
Selected country to appoint the Conference Chairman and Organising
Committee.
Conference Chairman and 2/3 members of the organizing committee to attend a
minimum of three SSARA conferences after the country’s nomination
34. Honorary Membership & Certificate of Merit
Honorary membership to the following members who:
Are no longer active as YEOs
Were active for 5 years or more as YEOs
Have attended at least 3 SSARA Conferences
The same rules are used to grant a certificate of merit to the YEOs
of districts outside of the SSARA zone.
The names of candidates nominated for honorary membership and
for certificate of merit should be given to the President before
the last plenary session of the Conference.
