Orientation

From AFSWiki

PDF copies of all orientation Handbooks and Leader's Guides can be found in the section pertaining to each orientation in the tables below or via the Table of Orientation Publications which also details the latest version of the resource and next revision. If you would like to request a Word copy, please contact orientations@afs.org. Hard copies may be ordered from the Regional Service Center at 1-800-876-2377.

The WOW! (Wiki Orientation Workgroup), a group of volunteers and staff, are currently working on all sections related to orientations. If you would like join us, please contact Robin Weber. If you would like to provide feedback on orientation materials please see How to provide feedback on orientation materials.

Contents 1 AFS Orientation Framework 2 AFS Orientations Summary Table 2.1 Sending Orientations 2.2 Hosting Orientations 3 Country-Specific Resources 4 Volunteer Positions related to Orientations 5 How to Lead an Orientation 6 Best Practices 7 See also

AFS Orientation Framework

The AFS Orientation Framework provides the theoretical basis for all of our orientation handbooks and leader's guides.

AFS Orientations Summary Table

Types of orientations include the following:

Sending Orientations
Orientation Type	Required?*	Approximate Dates		Parent/Guardian Attendance	Participant Attendance
		Summer Departure	Winter Departure
Pre-Departure Orientation	yes	May - Jun	Dec - Jan	yes	yes
		Dates for Pre-Departure Orientations
Gateway Orientation	yes	Late Jun - Early Sept.	January - March	no	yes
Re-entry Orientation	no	Early Fall	Early Winter	no	yes
Hosting Orientations
Orientation Type	Required?*	Approximate Dates		Host Family Attendance	Participant Attendance
		Summer Arrival	Winter Arrival
Host Family Pre-Arrival Orientation	yes	Summer	Nov - Dec	yes	no
		Host Family Pre-Arrival Orientation Dates
Participant Arrival/Welcome Orientation	yes	August	January	no	yes
Participant Post-Arrival Orientation	yes	September	February	sometimes	yes
Host Family Post-Arrival Orientation	no	September	February	yes	sometimes
Participant Mid-Year Orientation	no	January	May	sometimes for part or all	yes
Participant Pre-Return Orientation	yes	May	December	sometimes for part or all	yes
Participant End-of-Stay Orientation	yes	June		no, except sometimes for social gathering beforehand	yes

* Required refers to both whether the orientation is required to take place and whether the target audience is required to attend. In the case of the Mid-Year orientation, although the vast majority of areas provide it, it is not required to take place. However, when it does take place, participants in the area are required to attend.

Country-Specific Resources

• Culture/Country Specific Information

Volunteer Positions related to Orientations

The AT Orientation Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that all hosting and sending orientations take place within his or her Area Team and that the Coordinator for each orientation or event is properly trained.

For a list of all orientation related positions, see the the links in the tables above under "Orientation Type."

How to Lead an Orientation

• Select orientation site
• Ask a leader of your area team before signing a contract, making a payment, or offering proof of liability insurance.
• Arrange food.
• Arrange meeting supplies.
• Arrange meeting transportation.
• Ensure that group leaders are trained and send them a link to the leader's guide well in advance of the event. See Table of Orientation Publications
• Ask your treasurer about budget, expense monitoring, receipt collection, and reimbursement.
• Determine and distribute contact number for questions/concerns on day of event.

Best Practices

(insert your ideas here)

See also

• Area Team Orientation Coordinator
• AFS International Icebreakers and Energizers
• orientation norms of conduct
• AT Signing Authority
• Orientation Materials Request Sheet
• Transatlantic Orientation Exchange Work Group
• AT Orientation Coordinator Training
• Orientation Advisory Group
• Orientation related materials from the March 2009 Hosting Conference
• Eastern Region-Support Department-Orientation Tracking Charts