OSE — Sheet 4: Hosting an Ambassador

Practical guide

OSE A MINIMA

— Sheet 4 —

Hosting an Ambassador

OSE a minima: the '30-day' process

Key point

A successful welcome is the first condition for a successful exchange.

Hosting an ambassador means enabling them to gradually find their place within a club, a host family, a school and a culture.

Why?

Hosting an ambassador is not simply a matter of finding them a bed.

It means offering them the best possible conditions to live a sporting, educational, human and personal experience that will contribute to their growth.

Every hosting experience is also an opportunity for the club, the host family and the wider OSE Country to grow.

The principle

Once the host country has been confirmed by OSE World, the OSE Country becomes responsible for organising the hosting arrangements. It selects the host club.

The club then becomes responsible for the ambassador's day-to-day care. It appoints:

  • the host family
  • a mentor
  • the individuals who will accompany the ambassador throughout their stay

Each stakeholder acts at the level where they are best placed to contribute.

Host country
confirmed
OSE Host
Country
Host
club
Host
family
Mentor
Companions
during the stay
Days1 to 5

Choosing the host club

The OSE Country looks for the most suitable club. The best club is not necessarily the highest-performing one — it is the one that offers the best conditions for sporting, human and educational integration.

Case 1

A club responds favourably

The process continues as planned.

Case 2

Several clubs wish to host

The OSE Country selects the club that best matches the ambassador's project. The others may host a future ambassador.

Case 3

No club is available

The OSE Country broadens its search to other clubs in the same sport.

Case 4
Handshake icon

No solution is yet in place

The OSE Country and OSE World work together to find the most suitable solution.

The priority always remains the same: ensuring a successful welcome for the ambassador.

Days5 to 10

Building the host team

Once the club has been confirmed:

  • it selects the host family
  • it appoints a mentor
  • it informs the coaches
  • it prepares for the ambassador's arrival
Case 1

A family is immediately available

The process continues.

Case 2

No family is available

The club looks for another family with the support of the OSE Country.

Case 3

The originally planned family withdraws

The club immediately activates a replacement family.

Case 4
Handshake icon

No solution is yet in place

The club and the OSE Country work together to find a new solution.

Days10 to 15

Preparing the welcome

The club makes contact with:

  • the ambassador
  • their family
  • their home club
  • the home OSE Country

It prepares:

  • the arrival
  • the first few days
  • training sessions
  • integration into the team
  • school-related matters, where necessary

A warm welcome
begins before
arrival.

Days15 to 25

Preparing the host family, the club and the mentor

The OSE Country organises a preparatory meeting based on content provided by OSE World. This meeting makes it possible:

To understand OSE's mission

  • OSE's philosophy
  • the role of the club
  • the role of the family
  • the role of the mentor

To prepare for support and guidance

  • cultural differences
  • the main stages of integration
  • attitudes that foster trust

To prepare communication channels

The club, the family and the mentor become familiar with:

Communication in

Supporting and showcasing the ambassador's experience within the OSE community.

Communication off

Being able to liaise, where necessary, with the OSE Country and OSE World to report a difficulty, seek advice or quickly find a solution.

Day30

Welcome!

  • •  The ambassador arrives.
  • •  The club welcomes them.
  • •  The family welcomes them.
  • •  The mentor supports them.
  • •  The adventure can begin.

Documents

Always keep to the strict essentials. One page is enough for each:

  • club form
  • family form
  • mentor form
  • statement of commitment
  • useful contact details

Every document should make hosting easier — never more complicated.

What can wait

  • Complex administration.
  • Unnecessary procedures.
  • A lengthy set of regulations.
  • A fully-fledged IT platform.
  • A national organisational chart.

Start by succeeding

Start by making a first hosting experience a success. The organisation will grow around this first achievement.

The motto
"A warmly welcomed ambassador is already halfway towards flourishing."