Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

Where will the seminar be held?
The seminar will take place at the Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH. www.onu.edu

When will the seminar be held?
The Ohio West HOBY Leadership Seminar will begin June 9, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. and conclude on June 12, 2011 by 4:00 p.m. You must be present for the entire weekend seminar, including overnight. Seminar participants may check-in any time after 8:30 a.m. but before 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 9, 2011.

Where should I go when I arrive?
You should proceed to the main entrance to campus 525 S. Main St. There will be signs and HOBY volunteers to lead you to the check-in locations. More details and directions can be found on our website at www.hobyohio.org/w.

What kind of program is planned?
During your HOBY Leadership Seminar experience, many dynamic leaders—all volunteers from the fields of business, education, government, and other professions—will address numerous aspects of our changing world and the challenges future leaders will confront. The program will not promote any specific political party, business, religion, or way of thinking; but it is designed to develop thinking skills by actively involving seminar participants in discussions and informal debate. On Saturday of the seminar, you will be participating in service projects in the Ada community. During the check-in process on June 10th, you will sign up for certain pre-arranged projects so please bring older clothes and shoes in case your project involved outside work. The program also includes outstanding speakers, leadership building activities, social events, and a special closing ceremony to which your parents are invited.

What are the accommodations like?
Meetings will be held at Mcintosh Center (student union). Participants will be assigned to residence halls exclusively reserved for HOBY which will have two participants per room. You will need to bring your own linens (sheets and pillowcases), blankets, towels, etc. as these items will not be provided. Students may want to bring fans or thicker sleepwear as the temperature in June is unpredictable. Everyone will receive nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. The first meal of the seminar is lunch on June 9th which will be served at approximately noon. On the following Student Confirmation Form sent out in late March, please indicate any special dietary considerations 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 the Physician Medication Verification Form with you to the seminar (documents are included in the March packet). Make sure to read and comply with the ‘Policy for Use of Medication During a HOBY Event’.

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 confusion created when meetings are interrupted. In case of emergency, your parent(s) or guardian may call either the seminar chairperson, Matt Lambdin at (419) 772-2609 or the director of student recruitment, Heather Wegener at (419) 367-9947. The seminar will be chaperoned by qualified male and female adults who will be staying at the facilities 24 hours a day.

Who pays for the seminar?
Schools or Parents pay the Registration Fee and you will need to provide transportation to and from the seminar on your own. All costs for meals, lodging and training materials have been generously provided by sponsors throughout our state, including businesses, foundations, individuals, service organizations and HOBY volunteers wishing to support leadership education.

Are there any fees associated with the seminar?
The Ohio Northern University charges a dorm room key deposit in the amount of $60.00. Ohio West HOBY is requiring each student to submit a check made payable to Ohio West HOBY in the amount of $25.00 for a portion of the room key security deposit (please be sure to write the student’s name on memo line of the check). If you should lose your room key, please be aware that you shall be required to pay the remaining $35.00 at check-out. The $25.00 deposit will be returned to the student at check-out once the key is returned. Students/Parents will also be responsible for any fees incurred by lost keys or damage to the facility.

What should I wear at the seminar?
Dress is casual throughout the weekend. Dress for Sunday is “dress-up.” You will be provided a HOBY t-shirt and there will be an announcement as to when you will wear the t-shirt during the weekend. On Thursday, when you arrive at the seminar, we ask that you wear apparel showing which high school you attend. Please bring one pair of closed-toe shoes and “outside clothes” for the community service projects that will be held on Saturday.

What about religious services?
Organized religious services will not be provided. There will be time allocated for ambassadors who need private prayer time or groups may decide to congregate for prayer.

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 Travel Itinerary for Students form. If you have last minute transportation problems up to Tuesday, June 7, 2011 please notify Heather Wegener, Director of Student Recruitment, (419) 367-9947.

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 Heather Wegener, (419) 367-9947 so that we may adjust our records and obtain an alternate student from your school to attend the seminar.

Whom may I contact should I have additional questions?
Additional questions or concerns should be directed to the Ohio West HOBY Leadership Seminar Chairperson Matt Lambdin,(419) 772-2609.