AmbassadorSelectionPacket

TableofContents

Introduction

QuestionsforPotentialAmbassadors

Questionsforreferences

FollowUpGuidance

AmbassadorPledge

BeingaGoodAmbassador

SpecialNoteonMobilityandHealthLimitations

FFIMission

FFI2017/2018JourneyPolicies:SectionFexcerpts

DevelopingaSuccessfulRecruitingStrategy

LinkstoOnlineDocuments

HowtoRecruitAmbassadorsfromBeyondYourCommunityPaper

IntroductionYouhavehostswithemptybeds,yourJourneyisontheFFIWorldofFriendsCatalog,andfriendsarewaitingtobemade!Beforeacceptingparticipants,itisessentialthatambassadorsandhostsbevetted,orscreened,inorderthatallwillhavethebestpossibleJourneyexperience.

AfteraJourneyispublicized,youwillbeginreceivinge-mailsortelephonecallsfrompeopleyouhavenotyetmet,oryoumayreceiveacompletedapplication.Yourtaskistodetermineiftheywillmakeagoodambassador,basedone-mailandtelephonecommunication.Itisdifferentfromacceptingapersonfromyourclubthatyoualreadyknow.Infact,wheninterviewingastrangeritiseasiertoaskthestandardquestionsthatsometimesdon’tgetaskedofpeoplewealreadyknow.Rememberthatyouarestill“sellingyourJourney”atthispointintherecruitingprocess,sobepositiveandfriendly!Afriendlyconversationencompassingthesuggestedquestionsispreferabletoaskingthequestionsoneafteranother.

Prior club membership SHOULD NOT be made a precondition for a person to apply to be anambassador.However, some clubs have a policy that allwho join a Journey are required to join theclub.ItissimpletoincludeclubduesasapartoftheJourneyProgramFeesfornon-members.

QuickTips:

• TalktothepersoninquiringaboutyourJourneyabouttheFriendshipForcetosee whattheyknow,explaintheitinerary,andspecificrequirementsforyourJourney includingfeesanddeadlines,traveloptions(ifany),aswellasthephysicaland culturalconditionsyouanticipate.

• Shareyourexperiencesaboutourspecialhome-hostingcomponent.Gettoknow

thispersoninacasual,approachablemannerwhilesellingyourJourneyandthe

FriendshipForce.Remember,wewereALLnewcomersonce!• Asktheapplicantiftheyhaveanyquestions.Sharesomeofyourmemorable

FriendshipForceexperiencesofinteractingandbecomingfriendswithpeoplefrom

othercultures,economiclevels,religion,race,etc.Oftenthepersonwillrelate

similarexperiencestheyhavehadeitherhostingormeetingpeoplefromother cultures.

• Itisamistaketofollowa“firstcome,firstserve”approachtorecruiting-rather emphasizefromtheoutsetthatyouarelookingforthosethatarebestqualified. Applicantsarenotsigningupthewaytheymightforacruiseoraconference.They

areapplyingandneedtobeacceptedbeforetheycanbeconsideredonyour Journey.Ifyoumakethisclearfromthebeginningyoucanavoidproblemslateron.

• Striveforatruecrosssectionofthecommunity.If,aftercompletionofgeneral recruiting,thegrouplacksparticipantsfromcertainraces,ethnicgroups, occupationsandages,specificallyseektorecruitthem.

• SharethemissionoftheFriendshipForceandexplainhowwonderfulitistobeacitizenambassadorandhowthefriendshipsmadecanlastalifetime.Explainthatopeningyourhometoa“stranger”isaveryself-selectiveprocessbecauseonlywarmandgenerouspeopletendtowanttodothis.

QuestionsforPotentialAmbassadors

1. WhatisyourunderstandingofthegoalsoftheFriendshipForce?2. HaveyoubeenonaFriendshipForceJourneybefore…ortraveledwithagroup?What

qualitiesdoesapersonneedtomakeagoodgrouptraveler?3. Anyonewhohastraveledknowsthatthingscansometimesgowrong.Howwillyouhandle

theunexpectedproblemsthatmightarise,suchasadelayedflight,stolencreditcard,orlost luggage?

4. Howdoyouviewpeoplewhohavedifferenttraditionsfromyourowninsuchareasasdress, behavior,attitudes,foods,evenadifferentstandardofcleanlinessintheirhomes?

5. Youmightbeassignedsomeoneofadifferentrace,religion,politicalideology,orsocio-economiclevel.Howwouldyoureacttothis?

6. Canyoutoleratedifferentfoods?Isthisasituationthatwouldcauseyousignificantstress?7. Somehomesrequiregueststoclimbstairsormaneuvertothebathroomonadifferentfloor.

Couldyouhandlethischallenge?Canyouhandlecarryingyourownluggage?8. Wouldyoubewillingtoparticipateinplannedactivities,evenifyoumightprefertodo

somethingelse?9. Doyouhaveanyhealthissues,orproblemswithmobility?Howaboutstamina…canyou

standforhalfanhour?Walkfortwentyminutes?Wouldstairsorunevensurfaces,like cobblestones,beaproblem?(Relatethisquestiontotheparticularrequirementsofthe program.)

10. WhatdoyoulookforwardtomostonthisJourneyandwhatmightyoudoafterwardwith regardtoyournewculturalunderstanding?

11. Whatqualitiesdoesagoodguest,agoodtravelerhave?12. HowwillyouprepareforyourFriendshipForceexperience?13. Itispossiblethatyourhostwillspeakorunderstandverylittleofyourlanguage.Howdoyou

plantocommunicateinthissituation?

QuestionsforReferences

TheselectionprocessincludestheAmbassadorApplicationandAgreementform,whichshouldbecompletedandsignedbyeachapplicant.Eachapplicationincludesaplacefortworeferences,apreviousAmbassador/HostCoordinator,orotherswhocouldattesttotheprospectiveambassador’sabilitytotravelandbeagoodparticipantintheFriendshipForceprogram.Belowarequestionstohelpguideyouthroughadiscussionwiththereferencestheapplicantnominatedtosupporttheirapplication.

(Theinterviewershouldusetheapplicant’snameratherthansaying“theapplicant.”)

1. Doesthisapplicanthaveapositiveornegativeoutlooktowardnewculturalexperiences?2. Onalmosteverytravelexperience,somethinggoeswrong.Howwillthisapplicanthandle

unexpectedproblemsthatarise…adelayedflight,lostluggage,stolencreditcard?3. Howwillthisapplicantbehaveifassignedtoahomethatisnotkepttothesamestandardas

his/herownhome?4. Howwillthisapplicantcontributetothewell-beingofthegroup?5. Howwillthisapplicantcontributetocross-culturalunderstanding?6. IfyouweretravelingonthisJourney,disregardingthegenderoftheapplicant,wouldyoube

willingtoroomwithhimorher?Whyorwhynot?7. Besuretoaskabouttheapplicant’shealthandmobility,explainingthephysicaldemandsof

yourJourney.Willthisapplicantbeabletofullyparticipate?8. (ForpreviousAmbassadorCoordinator)Wouldyoutakethisambassadorwithyouagain?Ifnot,

why?

FollowUpGuidance:

• Attheendoftheinterview,telltheapplicantyouaretakingapplicationsatthistime

andwillgetbacktohim/herwhenambassadorsareselected.Thenbesuretodosoina

timelymanner,nodoubtwithawelcomelettertoyourjourney!• Ifyoushouldgetanegativeresponsefromreferencesorotherwisedecidetheperson

shouldnotbeaccepted,youcanuseaface-savingresponse(Iamsorrybutwehadso manygoodapplicantsthattheJourneyisfull.)unlessyouareveryadeptatexplaining thattheyarenotsuitedforthistypeofexperience.

• Ifthepersonisacceptedbutwillnotbeabletoattendpreparationworkshops,arrange tosendthemallthematerialthatisneeded,everythingthatwouldbereceivedifthey werefromyourownclub!Stayintouchwiththemonaregularbasistomakethemfeel partofthepreparationprocess.Introducethenon-localambassadorstoallofthe othersbye-mail.Shortbioswithpicturesareanicewaytodothisandthosecanalso besenttoyourcounterpartHostCoordinatortoassistwithhostassignments.

• Communicatewitheveryonebothnearandfarbygroupe-mailsorawebsiteona regularbasisandbesuretoshareasummaryofwhatispresentedatlocalworkshops.

DiscussingtheAmbassadorPledgeandBeingaGoodAmbassadoroverthetelephoneorSkypeinterviewishighlyrecommended.Youcanalsofollowupwiththeapplicant,ifyouaregoingtoselectthemtoparticipateonyourJourneybyemailingthem,andpastingtheseintoyouremail,remindingthemthatthisiswhattheyareagreeingto.

AmbassadorPledge:MymainobjectiveasIjointhisJourneyisforculturalunderstandingandfriendship.MyhealthisgoodenoughtokeepupwiththegroupactivitiesplannedandIknowIwillberesponsibleforcarryingmyownbaggage.

Asanambassador,IamawarethatmyactionsreflectontheclubandthecountryfromwhichItravel.Ipromisetoconductmyselfinanexemplarymanner.IunderstandtheAmbassador/HostCoordinatorofthisJourneyhasbeengivenauthoritybytheFriendshipForceheadquarterstoleadandconductthisJourneyforthebestinterestsofallpartiesconcerned.TheAmbassador/HostCoordinatorhastheauthoritytoremoveanypersonfromahosthomewhoisnotincompliancewiththegoalsofFriendshipForceInternational.Incasethereisneedtousehotelsasauxiliaryhousing,oraneedforasingleroomontheadd-onpartoftheJourney,Iwillbeartheexpense.

BeingaGoodAmbassadorandGuest:

ThosewhotravelasFriendshipForceambassadorsgonotjustfortheirownpersonalgoalsbutalsotorepresenttheirhomecommunityandtheircountry.Thismeansthatinadditiontolearningaboutthehostculture,theycanshareabouttheirown.Astheymakefriendsinthehostcommunity,ambassadorsprovideaverypersonalanduniqueconnectiononbehalfoftheircountry.Theyshouldgopreparedtobeatrueambassador,reflectingthebestoftheircountry.

WhatmakestravelwiththeFriendshipForceuniqueistheopportunitytoliveforfivetosevendayswithalocalhostfamily.Theambassadorbecomespartofthehostfamily,sharingeverydayresponsibilitiesaroundthehomewhilelearningfirsthandaboutthehostculture.Livingconditionsvaryaroundtheworld,andtheambassadorshouldbephysicallyabletomeettherequirementsofthehostcommunity.Thismayincludewalkingtothemarket,travelingonpublictransportationandclimbingstairsinthehome.Lodgingandmealsinthehomeareprovidedbythehost,andgroupactivities,suchaswelcomepartiesandlocalsightseeing,areincludedinthebasicFriendshipForcefee.Otherexpensesoutsidethehomearetheresponsibilityoftheambassador:localtransportation(oratankofgas),admissioncoststolocalattractions,andmealsoutsidethehome.Sometimesambassadorsliketosharetheirculturebypreparingamealinthehome—purchasingtheitemsrequiredatthelocalmarket.Beingagoodguestalsomeansexpressinggratitudeinappropriateways.Takingthehostouttodinnerandsendingathankyounote(notjustaquickemail)aftertheJourney.

AFriendshipForceexperienceisagreatwaytoexperiencetheworldfromanewanduniqueperspective.Withlocalcitizensasguides,theambassadorisintroducedtothebestattractionsoftheregion.Interestedinparticularopportunities?Justask!Ambassadorswhoenjoyexploringontheirownwillfindampletimeforit.TravelingasaFFambassadorisenjoyableandenriching,butitalsorequiresspecialdedicationandpreparation.Aspiritofadventure,flexibility,andbeingopentonewexperiencesareallessentialsforasuccessfulambassadorexperience.

SpecialNoteonMobilityandHealthLimitationsAmbassadorJourneycoordinatorsareresponsibleforacceptingonlythosewhocancomplywiththephysicalrequirementsoftheJourneyprogram.Ambassadorsmustbeabletojoininwiththeactivitiesoftheirhosts.Extensivewalking,carryingone’sownluggage,ridingpublictransportation,andclimbingstairsareallnormalwithinaJourney.Participantsmustalsobealertandcapableoffollowingdirections.

Herearesometipsforscreeningpotentialambassadors:

• ReviewthehealthsectionoftheAmbassadorApplicationwiththeapplicantand makesurethatanypotentialorcurrenthealthproblems,includingmobilityand staminaissues,areadequatelynoted.Limitationsorconditionswithinthehosting homesorcommunityshouldalsobetakenintoconsideration.Thiscouldbe everythingfromtheformofpublictransportationavailableoraltitudeofthehost city.

• Askapplicantsdirectquestionsabouttheirdailyroutine,travelhabits,andlevelof physicalandmentalabilities.Explainthenatureofactivitiesproposedonthe

Journey.• IftheapplicanthastraveledpreviouslywithFriendshipForce,checkwiththe

applicant’smostrecentAmbassadorCoordinator.Or,askforreferencesthatcan

speakabouttheapplicant’slevelofphysicalandmentalcapabilities.• Ifconcernsremain,askforaletterfromtheirhealthproviderindicatingthatthe

applicantwillbeabletomeettherequirementsoftheJourney.• Usecommonsense.Therewillcomeatimewheneachofuswillnolongerbeableto

travelcomfortably.Ifyoubelievethattobethecase,becandidbutcaring,sharing

yourconcerns.Makesuretheyrealizethatitisnotfairtotheothermembersofthe

Journeyifyouacceptapersonwhoisunabletocope.

FFIdoessupporttheparticipationofambassadorswithhealthlimitationsandphysicaldisabilities.However,withoutexception,theycanonlybeacceptedonaJourneyuponfulldisclosureoftheirlimitationstoboththeambassadorandhostcoordinatorsandwithwrittenagreementfromthehostJourneycommunityand/ortravelsuppliersthattheyareabletoaccommodatethelimitation.

Who We Are

Friendship Force International (FFI) is a non-profit cultural organization focused on promoting understanding, cultural education, and citizen diplomacy through homestay Journeys and

personal friendships. FFI provides opportunities to explore new countries and cultures from the inside by bringing people together at a personal level, as local hosts welcome international

visitors into their culture, sharing with them meals, conversation and the best sights and experiences of their region. Through these exciting personal encounters and our signature

program of home hospitality, strangers become friends – and we know that by experiencing different views, you can discover common ground.

Friendship Force International conducts over 300 programs every year, in over 350

communities throughout more than 60 countries. Our programs bring diverse people together into each other’s cultures and homes to share one-of-a-kind experiences not available to

regular tourists. When you travel or host with the Friendship Force, you get to know real people by sharing real life. Friendships are formed that often last a lifetime.

Mission

To promote global understanding across the barriers that separate people

Values

Mutual Respect • Cultural Diversity • Cultural Exploration • Service

Vision Each individual will make a contribution to global goodwill.

The Friendship Force worldwide network of clubs and individuals will overcome differences

among people and nations.

By connecting the world one friend at a time, we will create a world of friends that becomes a world of peace.

Tagline

Experience Different Views. Discover Common Ground.

FriendshipForceInternational2017/18PoliciesandGuidelinesforClubsandPrograms:

Part B: Journey Guidelines; V. Ambassadors and Hosts; b: Recruitment and Selection (p.10-11)

TheAmbassadorCoordinatorshouldrecruitasmanyqualifiedapplicantsascanbeaccommodatedbythehostclub(s),whilemaintainingawaitinglist.Theambassadorrecruitmentgoalisthemaximumnumberthehostclubcanhost.

Coordinatorsshouldlookbothwithintheclubmembershipandtothebroadercommunityforthemostqualifiedambassadorsandhosts.FFIprovidesanonlineJourneycatalogonfriendshipforce.orgwhereCoordinatorscanpublicizetheirJourneyopeningsiftheychoose.TheoutboundCoordinatorshouldrequestadvertisementofaJourneyonthewebsiteassoonasthereisanyawarenesstheclub(s)cannotfilltheJourneywiththeirownmembership.Manyregionsalsoofferregionalrecruitmenttools.

PriormembershipinaclubshouldnotbearequirementtoapplyforaJourney,butclubsmay,iftheychoose,asknewparticipantstobecomeaclubmemberwhenjoiningtheirfirstJourney.CareshouldbetakentoscreenallapplicantsandtoacceptonlythosewhounderstandthegoalsoftheorganizationandwhofitthehealthandmobilityrequirementsoftheJourney.Clubsshouldavoida“sign-up”processthatsuggeststoapplicantsthatacceptanceonjourneysisautomatic

Part B: Journey Guidelines VI. Filling a Journey; a: Accepting Ambassadors from Other Communities (p.11)

Theincreasedpromotionofjourneysviaemailandtheonlinecatalog,alongwithtravelflexibility,makeitpossibleforambassadorsfromanywhereintheworldtojoinaJourney.Asaresult,AmbassadorCoordinatorsareincreasinglylookingoutsidetheirowncommunitiesforqualifiedapplicantstofilltheirJourney.Sincethesecandidatescannotattendworkshopsormeetface-to-facewiththeCoordinator,othertechniquesareneededtoensurethatonlyqualifiedcandidatesareacceptedontheJourney.Coordinatorswishingtorecruitambassadorsfromoutsidetheircommunityshouldfollowtheseguidelines:

Thecurrentambassadorapplicationincludesthefollowingstatement:"IntheeventtheapplicantisnotabletomeetinpersonwiththeCoordinator,youwillbeaskedtoprovidereferencesandothersupportingdocumentation."ThisenablestheCoordinatortorequestreferencesasneededtosupporttheapplication.

TheCoordinatorshouldcorrespondwiththeapplicantviaemailandalsospeakwithhim/heronthephone,orviaSkype.Iftheapplicantisinadifferentcountry,theCoordinatormayrequestassistancefromFFIinmakingdirectcontacttointerviewtheapplicant.TheCoordinatorshouldhaveseveralconversationsoremailswiththecandidate,includingadetaileddiscussionregardingtheJourneyandwhythecandidateisinterestedinparticipating.SuggestedinterviewguidelinesareprovidedontheFFIwebsiteintheClubResourcessection,under“Documents.”

If,afterdiscussingtheJourneywiththeapplicant,theCoordinatorwantstoconsiderhim/herfortheJourney,theCoordinatorshouldobtainatleastonewrittenreferencefortheapplicant.Thisshouldbefromtheapplicant’sFriendshipForceclubpresident,othersuitableclubreference,orpreviousCoordinator.ClubsthatareaskedtoprovidereferencesmustbehonestinrespondingtotheCoordinator’squestions.Theapplicantmayalsobeaskedtoprovideoneormorenon-FriendshipForcereferenceswhomaybecontactedbytheCoordinator.InthecaseofanapplicantwhoisnotcurrentlyamemberofaFriendshipForceclub,atleasttworeferencesshouldbeobtained.Ifanon-clubmemberlivesinacommunitythathasaclub,theymayalsobeaskedtomeetinpersonwithaleaderofthelocalclub.

TheCoordinatorshouldprovideapplicantsfromoutsidehis/hercommunitywithallofthesamematerialthatisprovidedthelocalapplicantsattheJourneyparticipationworkshops.Tofacilitatethisprocessandtoprovideanadditionalmeansforpre-Journeycommunication,theCoordinatormaywanttoestablishaninteractiveemail,onlineorsocialmediaforum(suchasFacebook)withalltheambassadorsparticipatingintheJourney.

DevelopingaSuccessfulRecruitingStrategy

YourrecruitinggoalistosolicitenoughapplicationssothatyoucanhaveafullJourneywithexcellentambassadorsandhosts.IfyouhavedoneagoodjobinplanningtheJourney,thisshouldbeanachievableobjective.ParticipatinginaJourneyentailsamajorcommitmentoftimeandmoneyonthepartofbothambassadorsandhosts.Armedwithanexcellentitineraryandanenthusiasticattitude,wherewillyoufindprospectiveambassadorsandhosts?

Yourfellowclubmembers

YoushouldstartpublicizingtheJourneyinyourclub’snewsletterandonthewebsiteassoonasyourJourneyisconfirmed.Makesure,however,thatyouletyourmembersknowthetypeofJourneyyouareplanningandthedegreetowhichitwillbephysicallychallenging.Besurethemembersofyourclubunderstandthattheyareapplyingasanambassador.Theyarenotsimplysigninguponafirstcomefirstservebasis.

Thebroadercommunity

Itisequallyimportanttolooktothelargercommunitytorecruitnewparticipants.OneofthebestwaystodosoistoseeyourJourneyasanexcellentwaytoenlistnewpeoplefromthecommunity.Therearemanyotherwaystogetthewordout:localnewspapers,radioannouncements,speakingtocivicorganizations,placingfliersatlocallibraries,orseekingsupportfromalocaluniversityprofessor.

Yourfriendsandcolleagues

Donotforgettoinvitefriends,family,andprofessionalcolleaguestoconsiderjoiningyouontheJourney.

FriendshipForcemembersfromotherclubs

Ambassadorcoordinatorsarerecognizingthatotherclubsprovideanexcellentsourceofpotentialambassadors.EvenifyouwouldliketofilltheJourneyfromwithinyourowncommunity,youshouldlookforwaystopromotetheJourneytootherclubsfromtheverybeginning.Toooftenambassadorcoordinatorswaituntiltheyknowtheyhavevacanciesbeforedoingthisandthenveryoftenitistoolate.

Thekeyistopursueallcategoriessimultaneously.Themistakethatisoftenmadeistofocusonlyontheclubmembershipduringtheearlymonthsofrecruiting.Theproblemwiththisapproachisthatiftheclubmembershipdoesnotprovidesufficientqualifiedapplicants,thenitmaybetoolatetorecruitfromtheothercategories.

HowtoRecruitAmbassadorsfromBeyondYourCommunity

AfteraJourneyispublicized,youwillbeginreceivinge-mailsortelephonecallsfrompeopleyouhavenotyetmet,oryoumayreceiveacompletedapplication.Yourtaskistodetermineiftheywillmakeagoodambassador,basedone-mailandtelephonecommunication.Itisdifferentfromacceptingapersonfromyourclubthatyoualreadyknow,butitcanbejustaseffective.Infact,wheninterviewingastrangeritiseasiertoaskthestandardquestionsthatsometimesdon’tgetaskedofpeoplewealreadyknow.Remember,whileyouaredeterminingiftheywillbegoodambassadors,youalsoneedto“sell”themontheJourney,sobepositiveandfriendly:

• TalktothemabitabouttheFriendshipForcetoseewhattheyknowandexplainthe itineraryandourspecialhomehostingcomponent.Gettoknowthispersoninacasual, approachablemannerwhilesellingyourJourneyandtheFriendshipForce.Remember, wewereALLnewcomersonce!

• Asktheapplicantiftheyhaveanyquestions.SharesomeofyourmemorableFriendship Forceexperiences.Oftenthepersonwillrelatesimilarexperiencestheyhavehadeither hostingormeetingpeoplefromothercultures.Askifthepersonwouldhavedifficulty “living”withapersonofadifferenteconomiclevel,religion,race,etc.

• Besuretoaskabouttheapplicant’shealthandmobility,explainingthephysical demandsofyourJourney.TellthemthatFFIcananddoesacceptambassadorswith challenges,butwemustknowoftheseinadvancetoseeifaccommodationscanbe made.

• SharethemissionoftheFriendshipForceandexplainhowwonderfulitistobeacitizen ambassadorandhowthefriendshipsmadecanlastalifetime.Explainthatopening yourhometoa“stranger”isaveryself-selectiveprocessbecauseonlywarmand generouspeopletendtowanttodothisandthatthesepeopleareknownbythehost coordinatorinyourdestinationcity.(Makesuretheyunderstandwhatambassador/hostcoordinatormeans!)

• Askforthenamesofpreviousambassadorcoordinator’sorFriendshipForceclub membershe/shemayhavetraveledwith,ifapplicable.Forsomeonewhoisnot associatedwithaFriendshipForce,youmightaskwhatothergroupstheyareinasthese mightoverlapwithsomelocalFriendshipForcemembers.But,theymaybecomplete strangers!Inthatcase,tellthemthatwewantourhostfamiliestofeelascomfortable withtheirguestsastheywishtofeelwelcomedbytheirhostfamilies.Sowerequirea coupleofreferences.Ifoneisafamilymember,askthattheotherreferencebeanon-familymember.

• Makesuretheapplicantfillsouttheapplicationandreturnsittoyou,soyouwillhave theinformationfromitbeforeyournextconversation.Afterhavingreferencesandthe application,youcanarrangeaSkypeorFacetimeinterviewwiththeapplicanttogetto knoweachotherbetter.YoumayalsobeabletoarrangeforaFriendshipForceperson tomeettheapplicantsomorequestionscanbeaskedandansweredface-to-face.

• Makesuretheyunderstandtheapplicationprocessandfeesandtransportation arrangements.Mostpeoplearesurprisedtolearnthatthehomehospitalityisbasically giventothemandtheirhostingfeesgototheactivitiesfortheweek.

• Telltheapplicantyouaretakingapplicationsatthistimeandwillgetbacktohim/her whenambassadorsareselected.Thenbesuretodosoinatimelymanner,nodoubt withawelcomelettertoyourJourney!

• Ifyoushouldgetanegativeresponsefromreferencesorotherwisedecidetheperson shouldnotbeaccepted,youcanuseaface-savingresponse(Iamsorrybutwehadso manygoodapplicantsthattheJourneyisfull.)unlessyouareveryadeptatexplaining thattheyarenotsuitedforthistypeofexperience.

• Ifthepersonisacceptedbutwillnotbeabletoattendpreparationworkshops,arrange tosendthemallthematerialthatisneeded,everythingthatwouldbereceivedifthey werefromyourownclub!Stayintouchwiththemonaregularbasistomakethemfeel partofthepreparationprocess.Introducethenon-localambassadorstoallofthe othersbye-mail.Shortbioswithpicturesareanicewaytodothisandthosecanalso besenttothehostcoordinatortoassistwithhostassignments.

• Communicatewitheveryonebothnearandfarbygroupe-mailsorawebsiteona regularbasisandbesuretoshareasummaryofwhatispresentedatlocalworkshops.

ForadditionalhelporguidancefeelfreetocontactLaurieAnnScott:lalpscott@aol.comorVickiVance:vcvance@aol.com