HOBY 2013
Louisiana HOBY Leadership Seminar
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the seminar be held? The seminar will take place at the West Baton Rouge Conference Center; 2750 North Westport Drive; Port Allen, LA 70767 (225) 344-2920, just off I-10 and LA-415/Lobdell Hwy (Exit 151) The conference center is about a ten minute (4 mile) drive across the Mississippi River Bridge from downtown Baton Rouge. Overnight accommodations are within walking distance at the adjacent hotel, The Hampton Inn & Suites 2755 Commercial Drive, Port Allen, LA 70767 (225) 389-6655 For those parents who plan to stay in Baton Rouge for the weekend, you may contact the Holiday Inn Select at Holiday Inn Select - 2860 N. Westport Drive Port Allen, LA (225) 343-9967 - Office
When will the seminar be held? Seminar participants may register between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 14, 2013. The seminar will begin promptly at 10:30 a..m. on Friday, June 14th and conclude with a Parent’s Orientation (optional) at 10:45am and Closing Ceremonies on Sunday, June 16, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You must be present for the entire seminar, including overnight. No exceptions.
What if I am unable to attend the seminar? If circumstances arise that prevent you from attending the entire seminar, including overnight, please be considerate enough to give another deserving student the opportunity to attend with as much advance preparation as possible. Please return these forms to the person at your school who selected you, and follow up with a call to Joy Stoneham at (225) 572-5248.
Where should I go when I arrive? First stop by the main entrance of the Hampton Suites Hotel to drop off your luggage: Please clearly label your luggage and belongings for storage
A HOBY volunteer committee member will greet you upon your arrival
Hampton Suites & Inn
2755 Commercial Drive
Port Allen, LA 70767
(225) 389-6655 - Office
Then proceed to the West Baton Rouge Conference Center one block away to the HOBY Registration Table West Baton Rouge Conference Center 2750 N Westport Drive
Port Allen, LA 70767
(225) 344-2920 - Office
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 hotel rooms with four participants per room on floors reserved exclusively for the seminar. Halls will be monitored by adult chaperones. Check-in to the hotel will not be until Friday afternoon. Due to the nature of the program, we are unable to take requests for roommates.
What arrangements have been made for meals? Everyone will receive nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. 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 the Physician Medication Verification Form with you to the seminar (documents are included in this 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 disruption caused. In case of emergency, your parent(s) or guardian may call Chastity Swinburn at (337) 377-7930 or Cindy Bishop at (225) 933-5435 The seminar will be chaperoned by qualified adults who will stay at the facility 24 hours a day.
Who pays for the seminar? Your school, sponsor, or parent has paid a $150 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 should I wear at the seminar? The key word here is CASUAL but conservative. The majority of the time we will be inside, but it may get cool in the meeting room. On Friday, we ask all participants to arrive wearing a school t-shirt or displaying their school pride. If you don’t have a school t-shirt, be creative and wear your school colors and some indication of your school name on a pep rally ribbon, hat, or something you can wear. On Saturday, Ambassadors will wear HOBY t-shirts, which we will provide. Bring a pair of tennis shoes or closed-toe shoes in case this is required on our community service projects. On Saturday night whatever you would wear to a school dance is fine. On Sunday, we ask that everyone “dress-up”. This means dresses, skirts, or nice pants outfits for the girls – no shorts, please. Guys, a coat and tie are not required. However, no shorts or jeans are allowed at the Sunday closing ceremonies. A nice polo-style shirt and khakis would be fine.
Will there be adult supervision? The seminar will be chaperoned by approximately 25 male and female adults who will be staying at the facility 24 hours a day. All adults are over the age of 18 and have submitted to a criminal background check. A group leader (facilitator) will be assigned to small groups of 8 – 10 students and will take attendance at all sessions. A team of same-sex volunteers will conduct bed checks in the evenings.
Do I need to bring any money? We will be providing all meals. Spending money is not necessary. Some HOBY apparel and small items may be for sale periodically and you can purchase a CD of the pictures taken throughout the conference.
Can I bring my cell phone to the leadership seminar? Cell phones can be brought to the leadership seminar. However, they must be left in your hotel room during the leadership seminar.
What items should I bring? Camera, snacks, extra bath towel, and a refillable water bottle. On Friday or Saturday night there will be a talent show (participation is optional), so bring any items you may need to showcase your talent (musical CD, instrument). A
Barter Bar is one of the scheduled events for the HOBY weekend. Students are encouraged to bring items to exchange with each other during the "barter" session and a bag to collect the loot. Hometown pins, pens, stickers, key chains, posters, magnets, t-shirts, party store trinkets, small unique items, are common examples of items. Use your imagination! Local chambers of commerce, banks and governmental agencies often donate these items. This is just a fun, meet and greet occasion – a good time to exchange contact information and get to know your fellow ambassadors. Be creative, but don’t break the bank on these mostly disposable items.
Should my parents and siblings attend the Closing Ceremony? Yes, we invite and encourage parents to attend the closing ceremony. Parents may arrive by 10:45 a.m. if they wish to attend a brief Parent’s Orientation or to the Closing Ceremonies at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday June 16th at the West Baton Rouge Conference Center.
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 Wednesday, May 31st, please notify Joy Stoneham at 225-572-5248.
Who may I contact should I have additional questions? Additional questions or concerns should be directed to
Joy Stoneham at (225) 572-5248,
Chastity Swinburn at (337) 377-7930,
Cindy Bishop at (225) 933-5435,