v>Past+Meetings+1-11-10

What to bring:
Ambassadors: 1. completed Health Form (DOES NOT require doctor visit) 2. completed Success Contract 3.Prepare and bring: 2 business sized self addressed envelopes with proper postage stamp(preferably Forever stamps) . (Parents should address the envelope to themselves)
 * bring a folder, pen or pencil

As soon as available, please provide: --Three copies of your passport, two passport pictures

Meeting Notes
See Docs & Forms for all the handouts from our first meeting. Our first meeting was well attended by ambassadors and parents. We covered a lot of material, and had fun with activities. We learned about each other as we completed the people search. Ambassadors were asked to write down something they learned about each of the delegates.

Ambassadors and parents broke out into teams and designed and drew their interpretation of an ambassador. Each group identified important things and qualities of an ambassador. Each ambassador was different, but all the important qualities were identified in each. It was fun learning about the each groups view of ambassadorial qualities were discussed. Dress and important items such as lanyards, watches and clothing finished off the groups design of an Ambassador.

The Ambassadors participated in CoCo River, a team building activity. Each ambassador showed a variety of great qualities while they helped each other cross the river.

Parents discussion covered committee sheets, checking their email addresses, adding ambassador emails if they have one. We covered the health form and how important it was for us to know about all health conditions of the ambassador even if they did not take medication for it. For example, if they have headaches or stomach aches or if they take over the counter medications, so that we can help make each ambassador comfortable on the trip.

Passports - 3 copies. We give one to the ambassador should they need to provide their passport for making a purchase with the credit card.

Contacting parents: We will make sure that each ambassador contacts home during the trip. You will have a day by day schedule and where we will be staying. People to People provides a 24 hour operation center should an emergency arise.

Safety - Our number one concern is safety. We make sure that ambassadors travel in a group, in addition we count off each time we get together, each time we get on the bus, each time we arrive at a destination. Leaders are always with the ambassadors at all activities, even during free time. Room checks are conducted and ambassadors are expected to stay in their rooms once room checks are done.

Phone tree - used to contact parents when we land at our destination, and provides us a contact point. Success contract - signed by both parent and ambassador

Homestay gift and small gifts for people who help us while we travel. For the homestay, a book about Chicago, or picture frame or other gift ( about $15-20) for the family that will host our ambassadors in their homes. A thank you card, with handwritten note should accompany the gift that is left behind when the ambassador leaves. We will be collecting $5 toward the purchase of small gifts and trinkets to be given out to those who help us such as the tour guides, our bus driver and the delegation manager, just to name a few.

Laundry: Bring easy to dry clothing to wear. More information will be provided later. Hotels may not have laundry facilities, so we wash and hang our clothes to dry in the bathrooms. Laundry detergent will be needed, and you can find small boxes at a laundermat vending machine.

Calling cards: This is the best inexpensive way to call home. We will be able to purchase a calling card once we get to our destination. If you purchase a card here, make sure it is one that makes calls from British Isles to the US.

Credit Cards: Prepaid Credit cards and debit cards may not work. It is recommended that you provide a credit card by Visa or MasterCard. More information will be provided.

1. Check email and OnBoard Website, and wikispaces for additional details.

Feb 8, 2010 Meeting
For Next meeting on February 8, 2010 at the same location in Park Ridge, Il, be prepared with the following: 2. Take OnLine Curriculum assignments(click on: 4a_British&Irish_Heritage Online Course) History and Geography of Ireland or England (Choose at least one, but feel free to learn about both countries)
 * Learning Center-->Certifications tab-->Chapters 1-5
 * Learning Center-->Explore Before You Go--> England or Ireland