HOST FAMILIES NEEDED FOR ENGLISH-SPEAKING, EURASIAN VISITORS

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED FOR ENGLISH-SPEAKING, EURASIAN VISITORS

RUMSFELD FELLOWS

OCTOBER 22-26, 2011

You probably already know about the World Affairs Council’s many community activities, and I know a lot of you have been home hospitality hosts for the International Visitor Leadership Program. Now we could also use your help with another program that you might not be aware of, the Open World program.  We’re making an effort to expand this program, and so we need more volunteers.  That’s where you come in!

We’re looking for host families for a group of Rumsfeld Fellows.  The Rumsfeld Fellows participate in a six-week program sponsored by the Rumsfeld Foundation.  The Foundation has partnered with the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) to establish the Central Asia-Caucasus Young Leaders fellowship program.  This program brings individuals from Central Asia, the Caucasus and Afghanistan to pursue research projects and establish ties with their counterparts in the United States.  Over six weeks, each group of fellows meet with American policy makers, public officials, analysts, business leaders, journalists, academics and regional experts in their area of interest.  The Rumsfeld Foundation has requested that this upcoming group of five Fellows visit St. Louis to meet with government leaders and live with local host families.  The WAC is currently looking for host families for these Fellows:

So, here’s what your job as a host would entail:

• Attend a host family mentor orientation that we’ll put together once the group is confirmed and the program is planned.  We’ll give you specific information on the program and a brief bio on each participant.  Then we’ll go over what our expectations are for you, and you’ll have the chance to ask any questions.
• Meet the delegates after their orientation.  The WAC staff will hold an orientation session for them the day they arrive in St. Louis.  Afterward, they’ll go home with you evening. 
• Provide room and board to a delegate, including breakfast and dinner (lunch is provided) during the weekday and all three meals on the weekend.  This program will last from Saturday, October 22 through Wednesday, October 26. 
• Assist your delegate with cultural opportunities, sightseeing, and shopping in his/her spare time. 

We often plan at least one group activity while they are in St. Louis, but host families are always welcome to join together to do an activity like take participants to visit the arch or any activity of their choice.  The delegates will have professional appointments during the week; the WAC will provide transportation for the delegates to and from these appointments. 

If you are interested in volunteering as a host family, or if you have any questions, please contact Rudo Gray, Coordinator, at 314-727-9988 or rgray@wac-stl.org, or Autumn Harris, Program Director at wacstlcc@cs.com.