Dear members,

We are pleased to share with you our June CISV Switzerland Newsletter! This is an opportunity to share with you the latest developments in our Chapter. Please reach out with any contributions and suggestions!

Recent Updates

Meeting in Basel March 2024

First of all, the meeting in Basel organized by Charlotte and Annelise was a great success and we met many new families there who expressed their interest in the CISV. To all of you reading us: Welcome!

Our president Marine presented the organization to parents and answered questions while the youngest participated in mini games typical of the Swiss CISV. Thanks to Emilie and Juliette for helping with the entertainment!

A great event to do again!

Day Camp March 24th, 2024

The Day Camp launched the delegation preparation phase. Almost all of the young people leaving this summer were able to be present and begin to meet their delegation and their leader.

RTF March-April 2024

During the Easter weekend, a CISV Switzerland delegation took the road to Cesenatico, Italy to join hundreds of other CISVer, mainly from EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) but also representatives from other regions. Three major events were grouped there: a meeting of the Junior branch (15+), an RTF (Regional Training Forum) and BEAM (Big EMEA Annual Meeting).

The first is an opportunity for the Junior Branches from all the countries present to meet and have fun but also to collaborate on projects which bring together several countries and to learn more about the functioning of the CISV and the work of the different working groups that seek to integrate new practices into our organization.

The RTF is one of the training options for the different programs for leaders and staff. The majority of leaders of the Swiss delegations for the summer of 2024 participated and were able to enjoy sharing their training with other leaders/staff from other countries and discussing our respective practices.

BEAM is the annual meeting of EMEA national representatives. This is an opportunity to discuss changes within the organization in person with other countries but also the members of the Governing Board present.

Minicamp May 3rd-5th, 2024

The May mini camp was an opportunity for delegations to get together for a taste of a CISV camp, but also for new young people to discover the CISV. The Junior branch (15+) met on Friday to organize the rest of the mini camp and the youngest joined them on Saturday. There were separate activities and time for each delegation (delegation time). The highlight activity of the weekend was one on minorities.

Tiphaine and Bianca provided training for Seminar participants and the Step Up leader and staff on Sunday.

A camp shop was organized at the end of the mini camp by Sophia and Alice with brand new CISV goodies, which will also be available during Family Day on September 22.

A big thank you to Stéphane our volunteer chef and the volunteers, the mini camp would not be possible without them! Big shout out to our super JB as well!

Reminder of the family commitment

For the majority of you, you know us as those who help your children go to another country to live their CISV experiences. However, CISV Switzerland organizes its own camp every year to welcome all participants from other countries (and also the Swiss).

This year, we are organizing a Step Up in Geneva from July 13 to August 4, 2024 for children aged 14-15 and as is customary, we are counting on CISV families to welcome two children (or more) on the weekend of 13- June 14 and make themselves available as volunteers for the duration of the camp. You recently received communication on this subject with a form to complete before 15 June, here it is if it is not already done: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxzE4ZVmZLU4ORAlGYhN8aa1hP8Rlrh5nfxLib8b2HQ4bfYw/viewform?usp=sf_link

In view of our Step Up, we are also calling for donations of sheets (150×200) and pillowcases (50×60). Indeed, we would like to provide some to our participants and establish a stock of sheets that can be used by CISV Switzerland for all future camps. Please contact Charlotte by WhatsApp: +41 79 195 30 54. if you have sheets to donate by June 24 at the latest. It’s also an opportunity for your children to participate and win a CISV Switzerland goodie. Each participant in the collection will receive a CISV Suisse bracelet that they can change at camp and the child who manages to bring us the most duvet cover/pillowcase combos in good condition will win a special prize!

As you know, one of the values of the CISV is volunteering and commitment within the association. As such, the involvement of families as volunteers is essential.

Focus on...national secretary

The role of National Secretary is of vital importance for the proper functioning of CISV Switzerland and it is currently vacant! We would like to present it to you in a few words.

The responsibility of the National Secretary is to provide essential support to the administration and daily operations of CISV Switzerland. His/her work ensures the proper functioning of the organization and compliance with both local laws and CISV policies, in close collaboration with the President and the Risk Managers. The National Secretary is the main administrative contact and the main contact within CISV Switzerland and between CISV Switzerland and CISV International. He/She takes care of, among other things, maintaining SharePoint, sending communications and invitations to members, Committee meeting minutes, etc.

Other roles to be filled on the Committee: Local Camp Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator. Do not hesitate to contact the committee members if you are interested!

SAVE THE DATE - Family day - September 22, 2024

A joint farewell party for all delegations will ultimately not take place in June. Namely, given the busy period at the end of the school year, it was considered more reasonable for each delegation to organize itself according to the needs and availability of families.

On the other hand, we look forward to seeing you on September 22 for our traditional Family Day. This will be an opportunity to get together, hear the return of participants in the 2024 camps and introduce new families to the CISV. Please mark the date, more information will follow!

Follow us on Facebook/Instagram

Do not hesitate to follow CISV Switzerland and share our news on social networks to help us spread the news and widen our membership:

Instagram: cisv_switzerland

Facebook: CISV Switzerland

Thanks

Last but not least, a special word to thank our 2024 super leaders Etienne, Fabrice, Floriane, Linda and Sima and our exceptional Step-Up local staff Carole and Marie (and international staff Madi, Madison and Parth) without whom our programs could not not take place!

For a Different Experience with AFS, a Like Minded Organisation

An intercultural experience as an AFS host family

On 16 August 2024, more than 70 young people from all over the world will begin their exchange adventure in Switzerland with AFS. Would you like to enjoy a unique intercultural experience with your family? As a host family, you have the opportunity to meet a young person and another culture within your own four walls. It will also allow you to see your own culture and traditions in a new light.
Through day-to-day exchanges, your own children develop valuable social and communication skills, as well as a global understanding. What’s more, they can make and develop international friendships.
Almost anyone can become a host family. The most important thing is to be interested in another culture and to be ready to welcome a young person.
With more than 70 years of experience in intercultural exchange, AFS provides competent support before and during the exchange programme.

A current host family says: “Without our exchange student… we wouldn’t have gone to the Jungfraujoch in the fog and had so much fun… we wouldn’t have run down the Bachtel in a spiked hat on Christmas morning! we wouldn’t have learned how to cook a real tortilla de patatas… we wouldn’t have been able to experience so many beautiful, enriching and fun things! Thank you AFS”.