Rotary student exchange program in desperate need of host families

The Rotary Club of Georgetown needs your help to continue its Student Exchange Program. The club has been involved with the exchange program for more than 40 years but over the years membership has declined. In recent years membership has remained stable at approximately 20-25 members but the decrease in members has put a strain on the continuance of the program. The Georgetown club is one of 53 Rotary clubs in District

7080 that encompasses an area bounded by Orangeville, Mississauga, Oakville and Woodstock. District 7080 is responsible for the student exchange program but each participating club must select a secondary school student to go to another country for the better part of a year as an "outbound" student. Any student between the ages of 15 and 19, who are academically above average, articulate and demonstrate leadership in their communities, are eligible to apply for the opportunity to become a Rotary exchange student. While the "outbound" student is gone from the community, an "inbound" student will be received from another country. Selecting an "outbound" student is not that difficult; the problem is securing four host families to accommodate the "inbound" student during the year. The "inbound" student would be welcomed into your home and basically, be part of your family for a stay of about three months in duration and then would move onto another host family and so on. The club is reaching out to the Halton Hills community for assistance and an information meeting for those who wish to become host families and to those students who are interested in the exchange program will be held at the Georgetown police station (Guelph Street) on Tuesday, February 13 at 7 p.m. For further information and to confirm your attendance please call 905-877-5948.

Past participants in the Rotary Club's Student Exchange Program pose for a photo. The Georgetown club is in need for host families for inbound students.