Ambassador Toolkit

Congratulations on being selected as a HOBY Ambassador!

We look forward to seeing you at the 2023 Nebraska HOBY Leadership Seminar from June 2 – 4, 2023.  To prepare for the seminar, please review and/or complete the following information:

  • Register for the Leadership Seminar here.
  • Download the final Leadership Seminar schedule, reminders, FAQ overview here.
  • Complete the mandatory pre-seminar confirmation forms by May 15 here.

We will see you at Ambassador check-in on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm outside of Janzow Campus Center on the Concordia University campus.  Please contact us with questions regarding the Leadership Seminar at seminar@hobynebraska.org

LEADERSHIP SEMINAR RULES & EXPECTATIONS

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 these rules and regulations will be dismissed from further participation. Your parents will be notified immediately of any violation of the Rules and Regulations, and they will be instructed to have you removed from the facility. Your school will also be notified of your dismissal from the program. *Click here to download a printable version of the Rules & Regulation document, and here to download a printable version of the FAQ document.

  1. YOU MUST MAKE A COMMITMENT TO STAY FOR THE ENTIRE SEMINAR, INCLUDING OVERNIGHT. If you have a scheduling problem, we strongly suggest offering the weekend to your school’s alternate.
  2. You must follow any COVID-19 and public health and safety protocols as instructed.
  3. You are expected to be on time for all seminar functions and attend all scheduled activities, including meals.
  4. You must wear your HOBY nametag at all seminar functions.
  5. No outside guests are allowed in or around the seminar facility except for closing ceremonies.
  6. You must stay within your assigned group during sessions. If you must leave a session, gain permission from your group facilitator and wait for an adult staff member to escort you. No ambassador is to leave the facility except for scheduled seminar events.
  7. Room visitation by members of the opposite sex is not permitted.
  8. No smoking, no drinking of alcoholic beverages and no unauthorized drug use is permitted.
  9. No weapons, including but not limited to guns, knives (including pocket knives), pepper spray, mace, and similar items.
  10. Any ambassador who has a medical problem that requires special care, treatment or medication must inform his or her group facilitator.
  11. 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.
  12. Lock your room door at all times, whether you are in it or not. Notify the security staff on-duty immediately if you need assistance.
  13. Use the “Buddy System” when moving throughout the facility without your facilitator.
  14. Payment for any extra charges billed to a room (i.e., lost keys, lost towels, movies, room service, etc.) will be the responsibility of all ambassadors assigned to that room.
  15. Ambassadors are not allowed to make room changes. You must be in your assigned room at the announced curfew and must remain in such until the start of activities the next morning.
  16. You must observe the morning wake up call, which will be one hour prior to the first scheduled activity each day.
  17. Respect the rights of other facility guests and enter only those rooms and floors in which seminar-related activities are being held. Keep noise to a minimum.
  18. Refrain from entering the Operations Room, except in case of an emergency.
  19. Personal electronic/communication devices (iPods, MP3 players, Cell phones, handheld video games, etc.) are not allowed to be used during scheduled seminar functions. HOBY strongly discourages participants from bringing these devices to the seminar, if you do bring these items to the seminar; they are your sole responsibility.
  20. The following attire is not permitted at any time: strapless/tube tops, tops with spaghetti straps, tank tops, bare midriffs, exposure of undergarments, short shorts, miniskirts, excessively tight clothing, clothing with profane or offensive language or graphics, torn clothing, and clothing with holes.
  21. Conduct yourself with the highest level of decorum, morals, ethics, and conduct appropriate for a chosen representative of your school.

FAQs

HOBY FAQ

The seminar will take place on the Concordia University campus at 800 N Columbia Ave, Seward, NE 68434. An interactive Concordia University map is available at: http://www.cune.edu/about/maps/. Please eat lunch before you arrive, as the first meal served will be dinner.
The Seminar will begin on Friday, June 2, 2023 with registration from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. Please eat lunch before you arrive, as the first meal served will be dinner. The seminar will begin with Ambassador Orientation on Friday at 12:00 pm and conclude with Closing Ceremonies on Sunday at 12:30 pm. You must be present for the entire seminar, including overnight.
Ambassadors should check in outside of Janzow Campus Center at Concordia University (800 N Columbia Ave, Seward, NE 68434). A HOBY volunteer committee member will greet you, direct you to parking and check you in.
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.
Please review the Policy for Use of Medication During a HOBY Event. All prescription medication must be submitted to HOBY in its original container as labeled by the pharmacy, except as provided below. HOBY will store required medications in a locked facility. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a participant may be allowed to keep in their possession the following medications: any asthma medications (inhalers, oral steroids, etc.), birth control pills, acne medication, any topical medications, allergy medications, medications for treatment of diabetes (insulin, etc.) and EpiPens, as well as any other prescription medication required by the doctor to be in their possession at all times.
Participants will be assigned to air-conditioned dorm rooms with two participants per room on floors reserved exclusively for the seminar. The rooms contain twin beds with protective linen provided. Please ensure you bring your own twin sheets, pillow, blanket, towel and toiletries to the seminar. Everyone will receive nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Please eat lunch before you arrive, as the first meal served will be dinner. On the Medical History Records Form, please indicate any special dietary considerations, including vegetarianism, and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Parents, friends, and family members are discouraged from calling students during the seminar due to the disruption caused to panels and activities. The seminar will be chaperoned by qualified adults who will be staying at the facility 24 hours a day. In case of emergency, your parent(s) or guardian may call
  • Makinzie Sketch, Leadership Seminar Chair: (402) 750-9311
  • Jordon Rapp, Director of Operations: (308) 212-0596
  • Bo Gebbie, Corporate Board President: (402) 968-5005
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.
  • Friday & Saturday:  You will receive two HOBY t-shirts upon arrival. You will wear one on Friday, and one on Saturday. Jeans, shorts, capris, and khakis are appropriate to wear with the t-shirt.
  • Shoes: Comfortable shoes are a must, as we will be walking frequently on campus.
  • Saturday service project: You will want to bring an older pair of jeans/shorts that can be worn on Saturday during the service project. Comfortable closed-toe shoes are a must.
  • Saturday dance:  The theme will be Construction. Feel free to bring fun, but appropriate, attire and any “swag” that you can carry with you on Saturday for the dance.
  • Sunday: “Sunday Best” but not “Formal Dress.” Think dress shirt / dress pants / tie / blazer / dress / skirt / pantsuit.
There will be options for Catholic and Protestant services on Saturday evening, or a meditation/silent time on campus.
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 on June 2, please notify seminar@hobynebraska.org.
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 email to seminar@hobynebraska.org.
Additional questions or concerns should be directed to seminar@hobynebraska.org.
With your parent or guardian, carefully review, complete and electronically sign the mandatory pre-seminar confirmation forms by May 15, 2023.
All HOBY ambassadors become a HOBY alumnus. You will be invited to attend alumni events, volunteer for HOBY, and participate in other activities. You are also eligible to attend the HOBY World Leadership Congress, being held from July 22-29, 2023, at Loyola University Lakeshore Campus in Chicago, IL. To learn more about the WLC, view the WLC FAQ overview here.

FYI Seminar Checklist – Don’t forget to bring!

  • Bed linens – twin sheets, pillow, pillowcase, and blanket or sleeping bag
  • Bath towels; Toiletries – shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, personal care products
  • Construction attire and/or “swag” for the dance on Saturday
  • “Sunday best” attire for the closing ceremony on Sunday
  • Comfortable closed-toe shoes for service projects on Saturday
  • Umbrella and/or raincoat
  • Water bottle; Backpack/personal bag
  • OTC medication as needed; Prescription Medication (if applicable)
  • Health Insurance Card
  • Optional – money for seminar picture, seminar movie, HOBY Store items or vending machines
  • A positive attitude and the willingness to have FUN!
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