ON BEING A GOOD HOST

Thank you for volunteering to work on this exchange in whatever capacity you can.  You do make a difference!
As a Friendship Force host your visitor's opinion of FFLA will be based on you.  Your mission is to make friends for us and for you.
Get to know your fellow home hosts, day hosts, and committee members.  Learn their names and something about each one.  Give them a chance to know what an interesting person you are.  Be on time and be dependable.  Listen and learn.  Don't be in a hurry to tell your guests how we do things; wait for them to ask.  Be open to different ways of thinking, living, and eating.  Always assume the best intentions.
Be flexible.  Expect the unexpected; you won't be disappointed.  Changes in plans may have to be made; be open to change.  Have a positive, open mind.  Put negative thoughts aside.  Don't criticize or "put down" the area where your guests live; they're proud of it just as you are of your home territory.
Most problems work themselves out with time and tact.  The visit will end in seven days.  If you really need help resolving a problem, call on your leaders, but do keep your sense of humor.
It is our custom to give our guests a small remembrance, but that's up to you.  FFLA sells our own attractive pins and our very own cookbook.  Or you can take photos all week, make two sets of prints, put one set in a small album and present it to your guests before they leave.  You might Include picture postcards of this area.
COMPANY'S COMING: Your homework for tonight is to sleep in the bed you're assigning to your guest.  Is it comfortable?  Did you find yourself groping in the dark for a clock, a radio, or a box of tissues, which weren't where you thought they'd be?  Was there enough light to help you find the bathroom?  Were there fresh towels in the bathroom, soap and shampoo?  Do the closets have hangers for your guest to use?  Are all the surfaces in the bedroom, the tops of dressers or tables or chests, free of your personal effects or photos?
Give them space for their own things.  An empty drawer would be helpful.  Flowers or a small plant would be nice; maybe a few picture postcards and stamps to go with them, a pad and pen, a glass of water nearby.  Consider a map of the area, which you can mark to show them where you're going or where they've been.
MONEY, YOURS AND THEIRS: When you suggest an activity that costs money, explain, "We can do such and such, which will cost us each X dollars or we can do something else that will cost Y dollars or is free".  Give them a choice where money is concerned.  No surprises!
HOST OBLIGATIONS: Your obligation as a Friendship Force host is to provide a room, usually two meals a day -- lunch out is negotiable -- and transportation to official functions.  If you can't be with them, you are to see that there is a day host who will take your place.  Meals can be simple, eaten in or out, McDonalds, picnics, whatever.  If you're a late riser and your guests get up early, show them the night before how to make their own breakfast.  You aren't expected to pay admissions or other costs but let your guests know what costs they're likely to run into so they can decide whether they're interested.  Your guests may or may not offer to take you out for a meal.  If they do, choose a restaurant you know won't strain their resources.
DAY HOSTS: Do include day hosts in your plans; you enrich your guest experience in that way and help fellow members participate in the exchange.  Your guests can spend a day or part of a day with the day host or you may include the day host in your activities.  The day host coordinator will help you make these arrangements.  Go someplace you've never been and share the new experience with your guest rather than going to a place which by now bores you.  Visiting an Open House might be very interesting.  Ask!
Be yourself.  You are a caring person interested in the world around you, a wonderful example of the best of The Friendship Force.  You're going to a "Host to Remember”.  We hope it proves to be fun for you and that when it's over you'll have another name to add to your list of friends.  ENJOY!