Answers to Frequently Asked Questions From Ambassadors
• Where will the seminar be held? The seminar will take place at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC.
• When will the seminar be held? Seminar participants may register any time after 8:00 a.m. but before 9:00am on Friday, June 14, 2019. The seminar will begin with Ambassador Orientation on Friday, June 14 at 9:30am and conclude with Closing Ceremonies on Sunday, June 16 at 11:30am. You must be present for the entire seminar, including overnight.
• Where should I go when I arrive? Upon arrival to NC State, proceed to Tucker Residence Hall. The physical address is 2800 Cates Avenue, Raleigh NC 27607. Parking is available along Cates Avenue or in the Dan Allen Parking Garage. There will be signs and volunteers on campus to direct you to the facility, and committee members will greet you and check you in upon arrival.
• Is there a closing ceremony my friends and family can attend? Yes! Our closing ceremony to celebrate and reflect on our weekend will be held in Witherspoon Student Center at North Carolina State University on Sunday at 11:30am. The ceremony lasts approximately one hour and check out at the residence hall directly follows. You may find specific locations on campus pinpointed here.
• 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 residence hall rooms with two participants per room on floors reserved exclusively for the seminar. Tucker Residence Hall is a traditional hall-style building, meaning that approximately 30 participants will share a bathroom. A suggested packing list is available later in this packet. We do suggest bringing a sleeping bag or heavy blanket as the residence halls are well air-conditioned and are usually extremely cold at night. This building does not have elevators, so please note in this form if you need a first-floor accommodation. On the Medical History Records Form, please indicate any special dietary considerations, including vegetarianism, and we will do our best to accommodate you. The first meal served will be lunch on Friday, please plan accordingly.
• Do you offer family accommodations? We understand that eastern North Carolina covers a lot of ground, and some families will choose to stay in the Raleigh area for the weekend to save travel time or expenses. While we cannot offer housing or meal accommodations on campus, we do encourage those interested to check out VisitRaleigh, Raleigh’s official tourism site, for information about hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
• What are the meals like? Everyone will receive nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. The first meal will be lunch on Friday, so plan to eat breakfast before you arrive to the seminar. 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 the online form set). 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 to panels and activities. In case of emergency, your parent(s) or guardian may call Stacy Hanna at 919-432-HOBY (4629). 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 should I wear at the seminar? Dress is casual throughout the weekend. We will be performing community service projects in the Raleigh area, which require participants to have closed-toed shoes and an outfit you do not mind getting dirty. You will be provided with a HOBY t-shirt and there will be an announcement as to when you will wear the t-shirt during the weekend.
• 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 Participant Confirmation Forms. If you have last minute transportation problems up to June 14th, please notify us at 919-432-HOBY (4629).
• 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 notify the person at your school who selected you and follow up via phone or email to Stacy Hanna at 919-432-HOBY (4629) or email ambassadors@hobynceast.org
• What should I bring? Recommended packing list is here.
• Who may I contact should I have additional questions? Additional questions or concerns should be directed to our Leadership Seminar Chairs at HOBYDirector@hobynceast.org