THE OSE ADVENTURE HANDBOOKS Handbook 1  •  The Art of Making the Right Choices
SHEET 5

MAKING THE RIGHT DECISION

“

A good decision is one that allows everyone to grow.

”

Why This Sheet?

Having chosen:

  • the club;
  • the OSE mentor;
  • the host family;
  • the ambassador;

the moment to decide has come.

This decision matters.

  • It commits the young person.
  • Their family.
  • The host family.
  • The club.
  • The OSE mentor.
  • The OSE Country.

And, beyond that, OSE's very image.

At OSE, a decision is never made in haste.

It is the result of shared discernment.

It reflects the conviction that the quality of an adventure always depends on the quality of the choices that precede it.

The Five OSE Keys

1
ARE ALL THE CONDITIONS IN PLACE? Question to ask
  • Have the four unknowns of the equation found their rightful place around the young person?
  • Do the hosting arrangement, family, club and culture form a coherent whole?
2
DOES EVERYONE FREELY EMBRACE THE PROJECT? Question to ask

Are the young person, their family, the host family, the club, the OSE mentor and the OSE Country's representatives moving forward with confidence and enthusiasm?

3
HAVE THE RISKS BEEN PROPERLY ASSESSED? Question to ask
  • Is there still a significant difficulty?
  • A major doubt?
  • A vulnerability not sufficiently taken into account?

If so, have we sought the most suitable solutions?

4
WILL THIS ADVENTURE HELP EVERYONE GROW? Question to ask

Beyond the young person, will this adventure benefit:

  • the host family?
  • the club?
  • both countries?
  • the OSE network?

Will it genuinely help build a more fraternal humanity?

5 Mutual trust icon - Handbook 1, Sheet 5: Making the Right Decision
CAN WE SAY “YES” WITH CONFIDENCE? Question to ask

Is our decision made:

  • with clarity,
  • with serenity
  • and with responsibility?

If this ambassador were our own child, would we make exactly the same decision?

MISTAKES TO AVOID

  • Deciding under the pressure of a deadline.
  • Insisting on sending a young person no matter what.
  • Confusing enthusiasm with haste.
  • Ignoring a significant doubt.
  • Assuming it will always be possible to fix things later.

GOOD PRACTICES

Before any decision:
  • re-read the first four sheets in this handbook;
  • consult the key people involved;
  • take time to reflect;
  • be willing to postpone a departure if not all the conditions are met;
  • always favour quality over quantity.
At OSE, a postponed departure is always preferable to a poorly prepared adventure.

The OSE Checklist

Before making the final decision, can we answer YES to the following statements?
The four unknowns of the equation are harmoniously resolved.
Any potential difficulties have been anticipated.
The young person is ready to experience this adventure.
This adventure will allow the young person to reveal the best of themselves.
Everyone involved fully embraces the project.
We would make exactly the same decision today if this ambassador were our own child.

If the answer to an essential question is « NO », the decision must be postponed.
Time spent on discernment is always an investment in the success of the adventure.

THE FOUNDER'S PERSPECTIVE

« At OSE, a good decision is not one that allows a young person to depart.

It is one that gives them the best chance of revealing the best of themselves.

When a significant doubt remains, waiting is often the best decision.

The quality of an adventure is built long before the day of departure. »

Luis Fernandez Founder of OSE
AND NOW...
→
THE ADVENTURE CAN BEGIN.
→
OPEN OSE ADVENTURE HANDBOOK 2: WELCOMING AN AMBASSADOR.