Transcript Document
When Tragedy Strikes Preparing Your District to Respond
Presenters Kate Hoeppel Senior Supervisor, Rotary International Youth Exchange Tel: 1.847.866.3422
Jean Hannig Chairperson, Rotary District 5580 Youth Exchange Tel: 1.218.329.1989
Ed True Country Correspondent Asia Pacific South, Central States Rotary Youth Exchange Tel: 1.618.632.6111
The Role of The Rotary District
RYE at the Rotary District Level • • • • Host the inbound Rotary Exchange Student Place the students in good communities and good host families Hold meetings with the inbound students for training and education Keep the students safe during the exchangne
Emergency Situations • • • • • The Exchange Student becomes seriously ill Emergency in the Student’s home country Natural disaster in the host country Accident that injures the student Accident that causes the student’s death
The Story of Dutch • • • • • Pakin (Dutch) was a student from Thailand assigned to District 5580 Excited about the exchange Arrived in August and hosted in the small town of Long Prairie, Minnesota Attended the orientation weekend held in September Looking forward to the next weekend in Canada
District 5580 0rientation Weekend
The Accident • • • • • Car accident on October 24, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
Ford Tauras sedan with an American Driver (age 17) and three exchange students, one was Dutch. Ford was stopped waiting to turn Hit from behind by a Chevy Silverado Pickup travelling at a high speed (driver was 16) Caused substantial head injuries to Dutch Dutch died at 12:30 a.m.
Notifying the Sponsor District and Parents • • • • Call to Correspondent at 10:30 p.m.
Correspondent tried to contact Sponsor District Chairperson District Governors in host district and sponsor district Parents must be notified at 12:30 a.m.
Making Medical Decisions • • • • • • The parental consent form Role of the District Chairperson for the host district Communication with medical providers Role of the host family Role of the YEO in the host community Role of the host Rotary Club in the host community
Crisis Management • • • Availability to take a call Rotary Communication Channels – The District RYE Chairperson – The Correspondent – The District Governor Handling the media – One spokesperson – Should NOT be the district RYE chairperson
Making Arrangements for Family • • • • • • • Emergency Visa Travel Expenses Cultural aspects of illness or death Hosting the family in the host community Hosting the family in another community Funeral home after death Hospital during Illness
Transportation for Illness • • • • Transportation to another medical facility Transportation back to the home country – Ability to travel – Public or private transportation Family transportation Insurance benefit for transportation
Repatriation after Death • • • Returning a body to the home country Legal requirements that need to be satisfied – Death certificate translation – Containers for transport by airline – Other requirements vary – Authorization to accept the body Insurance benefit for repatriation
Understanding the Insurance Claims • • • • Rotary Youth Exchange Insurance Medical expense claims Accident Claims – Auto insurance – “No fault” medical payment – Commercial carriers RI Coverage
Understanding Legal Claims • • • • • Claims against Rotary Claims against another person Cultural Differences Differences in legal systems Hiring the Legal Professional
The Grieving Process • • • • • Student’s Family in the host community Host Family Host Community and school Rotary Volunteers Importance of a memorial service in the host community
Grieving After the Family Leaves • • • • • • Continuing Information Grieving in the host community Grieving in the home country Cultural Differences Bereavement support Rotary support
Pakin (Dutch)
Dinner with the other students in the car
Flowers from the Host Club
Flowers and the YE Jacket
High School Cross Country Team
Family with Cross Country Team
Funeral in Thailand
RYE Students in Thailand
The Role of the Country Correspondent
RYE at the Multi District Level • • Role of Multi Districts for Youth Exchange Facilitating Communication – Notifying RI – Contact Partner Districts – Contacts with natural parents
Cultural Differences • • • • • • Translating crisis events to another culture Rights and customs of natural parents Customs associated with illness Customs associated with treatment of body after death Differences in medical delivery systems Differences in legal systems
Working with Governments • • • • • • U.S. Department of State Visa requirements Emergency Visas Emergency travel Medical travel Repatriation
The Role of Rotary International
A Global Perspective • • • Between 7000-8000 students go on Rotary Youth Exchange annually But just one serious accident or death can devastate a family, its community, and its district Sound risk management practices can help reduce, but not remove, these risks while also assisting in managing crises when they arise
The RI Role in a Crisis • • • Assist with partner district/club communications Assist with insurance mediations, if necessary Assist with partner communications • • Are current/future students at risk to similar situations?
Are there any concerns about Rotary’s handling of the situation?
• • Was student safety the highest priority?
Do you need to notify your general liability insurance?
Media Relations • • • Never the first priority but something to consider in advance RI can help connect you to RI Media Relations staff to: – Discuss who DG should appoint as spokesperson – Craft media message points – Monitor coverage Refer to Effective Public Relations: A Guide for
Rotary Clubs
Student Travel Insurance • • Review the minimum coverage amounts in RCOP 41.060.10
Ensure your students have the necessary coverage • Contact the Insurance Working Group or RI with any concerns
Resources • • • • [email protected]
RCOP: https://www.rotary.org/en/document/622
Effective Public Relations Guide:
https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/document/ effective-public-relations-guide-rotary-clubs Insurance Working Group (found on page 9 of the YEO Directory)
Questions?