Here is some helpful information for families from the HOBY WA Seminar Handbook. This information will be further updated for 2012 as we get closer to the seminar.
Payment Deadline
Total payment is due with the original registration with HOBY National. If fees are not paid in full, HOBY WA may not be able to contact the student, send further forms, or allow the student to attend the seminar.
Cancellations and Refunds
Our refund policy is as follows: Cancellations made 30 days prior to the seminar start date will be entitled to a full refund minus a $25 processing fee. No refunds will be issued within 30 days of the seminar date.
Illness/Injury while at HOBY
In the event of minor injury or illness, students will be taken to the infirmary. Should any serious accident or injury occur, the parent or guardian on the Health History form will be notified immediately. In case of emergency, students will be transported to Harborview Emergency facility.
Homesickness
Yes, even high school students sometimes experience homesickness. While most students bond quickly to their small groups, there are some students that find the high energy atmosphere of a HOBY seminar overwhelming. In those situations, our group facilitators are trained to work with students to make them feel comfortable and welcome. However, in the unfortunate event that a student shows severe anxiety, rest assured that we will place a phone call to ask you how you would like us to proceed.
Parent Visits to HOBY
During the seminar we urge parents not to visit. The HOBY program is fully packed with panels, speakers and activities. If an emergency arises, a visit may be arranged with the one of the HOBY directors. All parents are invited and encouraged to attend the parent orientation and closing banquet on Sunday.
HOBY Staff Selection
All Washington HOBY staffers are volunteers chosen based on their values, personal goals, desire to serve, and past experience. Many staff members are former HOBY ambassadors and active HOBY alumni. All directors and facilitators are over the age of 21 and come from diverse backgrounds including business, education and medical fields. All volunteers over the age of 21 complete a National Background check for your student’s safety.
HOBY WA Rules and Regulations
So that this seminar may be conducted as smoothly and efficiently as possible, we ask that you observe the following rules. Any participant who does not abide by the rules and regulations will be dismissed from further participation. Your parents will be notified immediately of this action, and they will be instructed to have you removed from the facility. Your school will also be notified of your dismissal from the program.
- YOU MUST MAKE A COMMITMENT TO STAY FOR THE ENTIRE SEMINAR.
If you have a scheduling problem, we strongly suggest offering the weekend to your school’s alternate. - You are expected to be on time for all seminar functions and attend all scheduled activities, including meals.
- You must wear your HOBY name-tag and HOBY T-Shirt at all designated seminar functions.
- No outside guests are allowed in or around the seminar facility except for closing ceremonies on Sunday.
- Stay within your assigned group during panel sessions. Gain permission from your group facilitator if you must leave a session and wait for an adult staff member to escort you. No ambassador is to leave the facility except for scheduled seminar events.
- Room visitation by members of the opposite sex is not permitted.
- No smoking, no drinking of alcoholic beverages and no unauthorized drug use is permitted.
- Any ambassador who has a medical problem that requires special care, treatment, or medication is asked to inform his or her group facilitator.
- In case of emergency, contact your group facilitator or come directly to the Operations Room. There are chaperones and facilitators available 24 hours a day and they can be contacted at any time.
- Lock your dorm room doors at all times, whether you are in it or not. Notify the security staff on duty immediately if you need assistance.
- Ambassadors are not allowed to make room changes. You must be in your assigned room at the announced bed check and remain there until the wake-up call the following morning.
HOBY Dress Code
Modest dress is expected at HOBY. DO NOT pack/wear: low hanging or sagging pants, “short” shorts, halter tops, low cut, see through or strapless shirts. Underwear/bra straps may not show. Clothing may not advocate immoral conduct, disrespect of others, use of weapons, tobacco, alcohol or drugs. Participants not meeting standards will be
1. Spoken to by group facilitator.
2. Spoken to by directors.
Directors have the final say with regard to the appropriateness of any clothing worn at HOBY.
Expectations
The HOBY seminar expects the following from its participants:
- Take responsibility for your actions
- Follow the direction of facilitators and other leaders
- Show respect for yourself, others and all property
- Refrain from exclusive relationships
- Listen with your heart, speak and act honestly
- Consider each person’s spirituality
- Follow all seminar rules
Seminar Check In
Check-in to the HOBY seminar will occur between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 31st. You are strongly encouraged to arrive as early as possible to get settled in your dorm room and meet your group prior to the beginning of our program at 11:30 a.m.
Seminar Check Out
Check out for all HOBY Ambassadors is at 2:30 p.m. following the closing ceremonies. All Ambassadors must check out at the Residence Hall’s front desk and turn in their dorm room key prior to departing the seminar.
HOBY Store
The HOBY store is open each evening for students to purchase beverages, snacks, and basic toiletries they may have forgotten at home. They may also purchase t-shirts, sweatshirts and HOBY souvenirs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the seminar be held?
The seminar will take place at Cornish College of the Arts, 1000 Lenora Street, Seattle, Washington
When will the seminar be held?
Seminar participants may register any time after 8:00 a.m. but before 11:00 a.m. on May 31, 2012. The seminar will begin with group introductions on May 31 at 11:30 a.m. and conclude with Closing Ceremonies on June 3 at 12:00 p.m. You must be present for the entire seminar, including overnight.
Where should I go when I arrive?
Follow the campus map to the dormitory check-in on the Cornish Campus:
7th Avenue Residence Hall | 2205 Seventh Ave | Seattle, WA 98121
HOBY volunteers will be waiting to greet you!
What kind of program is planned?
During your HOBY Leadership Seminar, many dynamic leaders—all volunteers from the fields of business, education, government, and other professions—will address aspects of our changing world and the challenges future leaders will confront. The program will not promote any specific political party, religion, or way of thinking; but is designed to develop critical thinking skills by actively involving participants in discussions and informal debate. During the seminar, you will be asked to undertake a community service project(s) involving at least 100 hours during the year following your seminar, to make a difference in your school, community, place of worship, or other
environment where you see a need. The program also includes outstanding speakers, leadership activities, social events, and a special closing ceremony to which your parents are invited.
What are the accommodations like?
Participants will be assigned to dorm rooms with two to three participants per room on floors reserved exclusively for the seminar. Students will need to supply their own bed and bath linens. Many students bring sleeping bags to sleep in on their beds. Everyone will receive nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Lunch will be provided following registration on May 31st. On the Medical History Records Form, please indicate any special dietary considerations, including vegetarianism, and we will do our best to accommodate you
What if I need to take medication while I am at the seminar?
Please provide information about your medication on the Medical History Records Form and bring a doctor’s note with you to the seminar. Make sure to read and comply with HOBY’s Policy for Use of Medication During a HOBY Event. Both documents are included in the seminar packet.
How long do I have to get ready in the morning?
You will receive a wake up call 30 minutes before you must report to breakfast. If you require more time to get ready, please bring an alarm clock.
If necessary, how may I be contacted during the seminar?
Parents, friends, and family members are discouraged from calling students during the seminar due to the disruption caused to panels and activities. In case of emergency, your parent(s) or guardian may call Sean Tarasuk, Leadership Seminar Chair at 253-882-8541. The seminar will be chaperoned by qualified adults who will be staying at the facility 24 hours a day.
Who pays for the seminar?
Your school or parent has paid a Registration Fee and will provide transportation to and from the seminar. All costs for meals, lodging and training materials have been generously provided by sponsors throughout our state, including businesses, foundations, individuals, and service organizations wishing to support leadership education.
What about religious services?
There will also be provisions for a non-denominational service Sunday morning.
What transportation arrangements have been made?
You are responsible for your transportation to and from the seminar. Please include all details of your itinerary on the enclosed Participant Confirmation Form. If you have last minute transportation problems up to May 24th, please notify Melissa Larson at 206-920-3865. What if I am unable to attend the seminar? If circumstances arise that ! prevent you from attending
What if I am unable to attend the seminar?
If circumstances arise that ! prevent you from attending the entire seminar, including overnight, we would like to give another student the opportunity to attend. Please return these forms to the person at your school who selected you, and follow up with a call to Claire Bickel, 206-799-4857.
Who may I contact should I have additional questions?
Additional questions or concerns should be directed to Sean Tarasuk, Leadership Seminar Chair, 253-882-8541, lsc@hobywa.org.
What actions can I take now?
With your parent or guardian, carefully review, complete and sign the forms enclosed with this packet and return to HOBY Washington Registration PO Box 25121 Seattle, WA 98165 by April 15, 2012.
Packing List
What should I pack? The bare essentials, plus a few things.
Dress is casual throughout the weekend. Modest dress is expected at HOBY. DO
NOT pack/wear: low hanging or sagging pants, “short” shorts, halter tops, low cut, see through or strapless shirts.
Underwear/bra straps may not show. Clothing may not advocate immoral conduct, disrespect of others, and use of
weapons, tobacco, alcohol or drugs. You will be provided a HOBY t-shirt to wear throughout the weekend. Our Team
Alumni will wash these shirts each night. Please bring a shirt to change into in the evenings after your HOBY shirt has
been collected for laundry. The hosted reception and closing ceremonies on Sunday are “dress-up.”
HOBY reserves the right to ask you to change if we feel your dress in inappropriate.
Clothing
- Jeans, Khaki’s or conservative shorts
- Jacket, Sweatshirt, or Sweater
- Comfortable Walking Shoes
- Underwear and Socks
- Pajamas, Sleep-wear
- Dress clothes for the closing banquet – i.e. Dresses for girls and nice slacks and button up shirt for boys.
Toiletries
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Sunscreen
- Towels
- All personal items such as tooth brush, make-up, etc.
Bedding
- Sleeping bag or bedding for a twin bed
- Pillow
- Bath towel
- Face cloth(s) & towel(s)
Optional
- Flashlight
- Paper, Pens, Markers
- Dirty clothes collection sack
- Back Pack
- Water bottle
- Small fan (in case dorm rooms are warm)
Other OK Items
- Cameras, Memory Sticks
- Musical instruments
- Items from your school to share/trade
- Money for the HOBY store
- Props for the optional participation Talent Show
DO NOT PACK Items
- Shorts that are shorter than mid-thigh
- Skirts (we do too many physical activities)
- Shoes that you cannot comfortably walk up to one mile in over
- a variety of terrain at a moderate pace (high heels, flip flops, etc.)
- Cell Phones
(Exception: You may leave it in your dorm room and use before the day starts and at the end of the evenings activities.) - MP3, iPods, Portable Music Players
- Matches and Lighters
- Tobacco products
- Games, GameBoy, PSP, etc.
- Pocket Knives
- Squirt guns
Please Remember
- While packing, please keep in mind that HOBY cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items.
- Please when possible inscribe your items with something to identify you, such as your initials, name or phone number.
Student Drop Off @ Cornish
The HOBY WA Seminar is hosted at:
Cornish College of the Arts
http://www.cornish.edu/campus/
Student Drop off and Registration:
7th Avenue Residence Hall
2205 Seventh Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
http://www.cornish.edu/campus/
