This document provides an orientation for volunteers with Youth for Understanding (YFU), an international exchange organization. It discusses YFU's history and mission of promoting intercultural understanding through exchange programs. It outlines YFU's national and local structures, compliance with regulations, volunteer roles, American overseas and international student programs, support and confidentiality policies, and use of the my.yfu.org website. The document is intended to welcome and onboard new volunteers to YFU's mission.

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Volunteer Orientation
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Global Family
a ge y
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La ofic Youth for Understanding
Pr
New
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nds Preparing young people for their
i ng
rsta
n d responsibilities and opportunities in a
de
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n changing, interdependent world
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1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

2. St
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Global Family
a ge y
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Pr
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Welcome to YFU!
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1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

3. St
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Table of Contents
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Global Family
• History and Mission of YFU
a ge y • National and District Structures of YFU
n gu ienc •
La ofic
Compliance with Regulations
Pr • Volunteer Positions
New • American Overseas (AO) Programs
Frie
nds • International Students (IS)
i ng •
tan
d Support/Confidentiality
e rs
U nd • Using my.yfu.org
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l tur • Expense Reports
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• Insurance
• Thank You!
1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

4. St
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History of YFU
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Global Family
a ge y •In 1951 an American minister, John Eberly
n gu ienc led a movement that brought teenagers from
La ofic
Pr war-torn Germany to the United States to live
New with host families and attend high school for a
Frie
nds year in an effort to heal the wounds of World
i ng
rs tan
d War II.
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U nd
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Cu •YFU was officially founded as Youth for
Understanding in 1952 by Rachel Andresen,
educator and social worker.
1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

5. St
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a d
YFU National Office
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Bethesda, Maryland
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Global Family
ge y
President/CEO Program
a
gu ienc Admissions and
Mike Finnell Administration/
n
La ofic
Education & Training
Registration -Margie Ott
Pr -David Barber
New
Frie
nds Travel Finance &
Human
Resources
d i ng - Alex Lopez Administration -Patti Eckels
rs tan -Roberta Hopkins
e
U nd
al Information
l tur Development &
Cu Technology Corporate Scholarships
-Jim Edminston
1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

6. St
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t ay Field Organizational Structure
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Global Family Field Director
a ge y
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La ofic
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AC-Volunteer Area Coordinator AC
New AR-Volunteer Area Representative
Frie IS-International Student
nds HF-Host Family
d i ng
rs tan Field
de AR Volunteer
Un
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IS/HF/ Specialized
School tasks &
projects
1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

7. St
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d Contact Information
Northeast District Office
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Global Family
YFU Northeast District Office Ph: (617) 868-3660
a ge y 2380 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 101 Toll Free: (866) 493-8872
n gu ienc Cambridge MA 02140 Fax: (617) 868-3774
La ofic
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-Alka Bhaskar -Joseph Banda
New District Director District Office Coordinator
Frie abhaskar@yfu.org, Ext. 1107 jbanda@yfu.org, Ext. 1104
nds
g -Marilyn Burgess -Samuel Tate
n di n Support Services Manager Volunteer Program
a
e rst mburgess@yfu.org Coordinator
U nd 614-792-2396, 1-866-889-2702 state@yfu.org, Ext. 1110
ral
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1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

8. St
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a d Regulations
YFU must comply with standards set by:
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Global Family •YFU Basic Standards
ge y
YFU organizations around the world share guidelines with respect to
a
gu ienc
student and host family selection, support, orientations, and
n
La ofic
organizational management.
Pr
New •United States Department of State
Frie These guidelines are designed to ensure that students are provided
nds with basic services ranging from where they will sleep to how they will
i ng be oriented about the exchange experience. The US Dept. of State
d
rs tan has designated Youth for Understanding USA as a sponsor for J1
e
U nd student visas.
al
l tur
Cu •CSIET (Council on Standards for International Educational
Travel)
Being listed as an accredited program with CSIET provides us with the
credibility to place students in local high schools across the country.
The Council for International Educational Travel (CSIET) is a private
organization, which overseas the administration of foreign exchange
programs. CSIET was actually created by a YFU initiative!
1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

9. St
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a d Regulations
Impact of non-compliance of standards:
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Global Family
a ge y
n gu ienc •Loss of J-1 visa designation
La ofic
Pr •Loss of CSIET listing status (and state
New
Frie permission)
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d i ng •Sanctions from partners
rs tan
e
al
U nd •Legal liability problems (lawsuits)
l tur
Cu •Insurance risk problems (related to lawsuits or
other damages)
1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

10. St
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a d Volunteer Positions
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YFU is volunteer-based and volunteer supported!
Global Family
a ge y •If you would like to be a part of the International Students’ experience in the US,
n gu ienc you can help us:
La ofic
-recruit and interview host families
-provide support to students and host families
Pr -coordinate successful orientations for our participants
New -create marketing materials
Frie
nds -project management in social media
-plan and facilitate social outings with International Students
d i ng
rs tan •If you are interested in our American Overseas program (AO), you can help us:
de -recruit students to go overseas
Un
al
l tur -interview students after they apply
Cu -help with pre-departure orientation
-coordination of AO Alumni events
These are only two areas to which volunteers can contribute. There are many other
tasks that need to be accomplished and these can be discussed with your field
director.
**We value your experiences and your individuality and believe there is a special
way for you to contribute to our YFU team!
1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

11. St
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a d American Overseas (AO) Programs
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Global Family •Program Options:
a ge y Students may choose from year, semester, summer, or
n gu ienc 13th Year Abroad programs and can pick from over 45
La ofic countries
Pr
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Frie •Eligibility:
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To be eligible, students must be between 15-19 and
d i ng
rs tan maintain a “B” average for year and semester programs
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U nd and a “C” average for summer programs.
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•Description of Programs:
Students who select a year or semester program also
attend high school, while the summer programs are varied
in culture, language, sport, or travel focus.
1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

12. St
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a d American Overseas (AO) Programs
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Global Family •Host-Stay Experience:
a ge y All students live with a carefully selected host family.
n gu ienc
La ofic •Scholarships:
Pr We offer over 300 scholarships each year to students
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Frie who go on program with us and students are
nds encouraged to apply to all for which they are eligible.
d i ng
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U nd
e •Recruitment:
ral We begin recruiting for AO students in early fall and
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continue through the deadline in April (through
presentations at local high schools, community events,
and public service announcements, etc.)
1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

13. St
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a d American Overseas (AO) Programs
Most Frequently Asked Questions
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Global Family
a ge y • What is Beyond Exchange?
n gu ienc
La ofic • How many YFU countries are there and does YFU USA
Pr exchange with all of them?
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Frie • What does the tuition price include?
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• Does YFU offer fundraising tips?
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1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

14. St
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Students
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Global Family YFU USA sponsors over 2,000 International Students (IS) each year.
a ge y
gu ienc
• Overview of Program:
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La ofic
International Students (IS) arrive in August (some in January) to attend
American High Schools and live with carefully selected host families.
Pr
New • Student Profiles:
Frie
nds We receive IS files on a rolling basis beginning in January and begin to edit
and format them to show to potential host families. *Profile writing
d i ng
tan • Host Families: Application and Interview Process
ers When we receive host family applications, we schedule an in-home interview
U nd
with all the family members.
ral
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• School Placement:
In order for students to be placed in a family, we must have a signed school
enrollment for a school within their community.
1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

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a d Hosting Programs/International Students
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Most Frequently Asked Questions
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Global Family
a ge y
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La ofic • What are the requirements of being a host family?
Pr • Do YFU students speak English?
New
Frie • How are YFU students and host families matched?
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• Are families responsible for student’s medical bills or
i ng
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d spending money?
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U nd • How will YFU prepare and support families to be host
ral families?
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• Can families have communication with their host son or
daughter before arrival?
1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

16. St
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a d Volunteer Support and Training
Lines of Communication
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Global Family
a ge y
n gu ienc • International Student/Host Family
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Pr • Area Rep/Area Coordinator
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Frie • SSM
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d i ng -Consults with Headquarters, District Office,
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U nd
e Counselors, and Field Director
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l • National Partner Office
• Area Rep in Home Country
• Natural Parents
1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

17. St
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a d Volunteer Support and Training
Eight Simple Rules for “Repping” Your Student
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Global Family
a ge y
n gu ienc 1. Communicate
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Pr 2. Be Impartial/Objective
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Frie 3. Be Accurate-Keep in mind the Whole
nds Picture
d i ng
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Un
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al 5. Be Culturally Sensitive
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6. Follow Policies and Procedure
7. Do Paperwork
8. Document, Document, Document—Contact
Reports
1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

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Confidentiality
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Global Family Confidentiality is a cornerstone of our organization because we
a ge y value the privacy of our students and host families.
n gu ienc
La ofic • YFU works on a “need to know” basis. Information is shared
Pr appropriately with others in order to carry out their responsibilities
New
Frie as volunteers and staff.
nds • YFU prohibits any release of information to non-YFU persons
d i ng about host families and/or students without their permission.
n
rsta
n de • We expect host families and their students to show each other
ra lU
ltu mutual respect.
Cu
-YFU considers it unethical to examine a student’s personal
belongings.
-The student must respect the same rights regarding host family
belongings as well as the private life of a host family.
1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

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Using my.yfu.org
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Global Family Youth for Understanding has created a website to better serve
a ge y you as a volunteer and a critical part of our YFU team.
gu ienc
my.yfu.org provides valuable resources (paperwork,
n documentation, publications, etc.) that will assist you in
La ofic accomplishing your goals.
Pr
New
Frie How to get started:
nds
in g • Acquire a username and password
a nd • Sign in and verify that you have received New Volunteer Training
e rst
U nd • What’s available to volunteers at my.yfu.org?
ral – Volunteer Lounge
ltu
Cu – Inquiry System
– Student Profile System
– Monthly Contact Reporting System
– Expense Reports
1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

20. St
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t ay Volunteer Expense Reports
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Global Family
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All volunteer expenses should be
a submitted for reimbursement
n gu ienc
La ofic monthly.
Pr
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• Volunteer mileage will be reimbursed at the
i ng
sta
n d rate of $.20 per mile.
r
n de • Postage and telephone expenses will be
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ltu reimbursed for reasonable expenditures.
- Please attach the original telephone bill with YFU USA
business calls highlighted/noted. Please note business
purpose and/or contact where available.
• Call Sam for help completing first expense
report and/or contact report
1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

21. St
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Liability Insurance
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Global Family
YFU volunteers are covered by the same
a ge y general liability insurance coverage that
n gu ienc
La ofic protects Youth for Understanding USA as a
Pr non-profit corporation. This coverage is in
New
Frie effect while volunteers are acting at the
nds
d i ng
direction of staff and within the scope of their
rs tan duties for YFU USA.
e
U nd
al
l tur
Cu QUOVADIS
SKINNER
Customer Service
Representative
Rust Insurance
Agency, LLC
Est. 1889
910 17th St. NW
Washington, DC 20006
202.776.5010 Direct
202.776.5035 Fax
www.rustinsurance.com
1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org

22. St
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Conclusion
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Global Family
Thank you for participating in this YFU USA volunteer orientation
a ge y workshop. We are pleased to welcome you as a vital part of
n gu ienc YFU USA, and we are looking forward to working with you!
La ofic
Pr
New “If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of
Frie those you meet; how important you can be to the people you
nds
may never even dream of. There is something of yourself
d i ng
tan that you leave at every meeting with another person.”
e rs
U nd ~Fred Rogers, The World According to Mister Rogers
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Cu
1-800-TEENAGE
www.yfu-usa.org