North Star Rotary Youth Exchange

District 5950/5960 Rotary Youth Exchange Foundation, a part of Rotary International, is a service organization that encourages and facilitates a youth exchange with Rotary Districts in approximately 30 countries throughout the world.  Long term exchanges are with students between the ages of 15 and 19 years at the time of arrival in the hosting country (cannot have turned 19 before the beginning of the exchange).  The long term exchange normally consists of approximately 55-65 inbound students for a full academic school year. The District 5950/5960 Youth Exchange area of service includes most of the southern half of Minnesota and a section of northwestern Wisconsin.  

The Youth Exchange Program also participates in short term exchanges, which include family to family exchanges, camps and tours.  These short term exchanges are usually four to six weeks in duration and are coordinated with other Rotary Districts around the world.  Students ages 15 to 21 years of age may be eligible to participate in these exchanges. 

The chairperson of the Youth Exchange Program is appointed to a two-year term by a committee that includes the district governors and district governors-elect from Rotary Districts 5950 and 5960.  The Youth Exchange Committee consists of one full time, salaried executive administrator and approximately 40 volunteer Rotarians facilitating the various activities of the program.  Additionally, the program is supported by the participation of approximately 30 Rotex (former Rotary exchange students) who assist with the selection and orientation processes.  Rotary District 5950/5960 Youth Exchange Foundation is in compliance with the model program guide provided by Rotary International.  It was founded in 1969 as a Not-for-Profit organization.