HOBY 2014
Louisiana HOBY
Leadership Seminar
Frequently Asked
Questions
Where will the seminar be held? The seminar will take place at the West Baton Rouge
Conference Center; 2750 North Westport Drive; Port Allen, LA 70767 (225) 344-2920,
just off I-10 and LA-415/Lobdell Hwy (Exit 151). The conference center is about a ten
minute (4 mile) drive across the Mississippi River Bridge from downtown Baton Rouge.
Overnight accommodations are within walking distance at the adjacent hotel, The
Hampton Inn & Suites 2755 Commercial Drive, Port Allen, LA 70767 (225) 389-6655
For those parents who plan to stay in Baton Rouge for the weekend, you may contact
the Holiday Inn Select at Holiday Inn Select - 2860 N. Westport Drive Port Allen, LA
(225) 343-9967 - Office
When will the seminar be held? Seminar participants may check in any time after 9:00
a.m. but no later than 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 26, 2015. The seminar will begin with
Ambassador Orientation on Friday, June 26th at 10:30 a.m. and conclude with a Parent’s
Orientation (optional) at 10:45am and Closing Ceremonies on Sunday, June 28, 2015
from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You must be present for the entire seminar, including
overnight. No exceptions.
What if I am unable to attend the seminar? If circumstances arise that prevent you
from attending the entire seminar, including overnight, please be considerate enough to
give another deserving student the opportunity to attend with as much advance
preparation as possible. Please return these forms to the person at your school who
selected you, and follow up with a call to Chastity Swinburn at (337) 377-7930.
Where should I go when I arrive? Please proceed to the West Baton Rouge Conference
Center to the HOBY Registration Table:
West Baton Rouge Conference Center
2750 N Westport Drive
Port Allen, LA 70767
(225) 344-2920 – Office
Please clearly label your luggage and belongings for storage
A HOBY volunteer committee member will greet you upon your arrival
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 hotel rooms with
four participants per room on floors reserved exclusively for the seminar. Halls will be
monitored by adult chaperones. Check-in to the hotel will not be until Friday afternoon.
Due to the nature of the program, we are unable to take requests for roommates.
What arrangements have been made for meals? Everyone will receive nutritious
breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. 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 this packet). 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. In case of emergency, your parent(s) or guardian may call Chastity
Swinburn at (337) 377-7930 chastity.swinburn@gmail.com or Cindy Bishop at (225) 9335435 destiny362@aol.com. The seminar will be chaperoned by qualified adults who will
stay at the facility 24 hours a day.
Who pays for the seminar? Your school, sponsor, or parent has paid a $150 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? The key word here is CASUAL but conservative. The
majority of the time we will be inside, but it may get cool in the meeting room. On
Friday, we ask all participants to arrive wearing a school t-shirt or displaying their school
pride. If you don’t have a school t-shirt, be creative and wear your school colors and
some indication of your school name on a pep rally ribbon, hat, or something you can
wear. On Saturday, Ambassadors will wear HOBY t-shirts, which we will provide. Bring a
pair of tennis shoes or closed-toe shoes in case this is required on our community
service projects. On Saturday night whatever you would wear to a school dance is fine.
On Sunday, we ask that everyone “dress-up”. This means dresses, skirts, or nice pants
outfits for the girls – no shorts, please. Guys, a coat and tie are not required. However,
no shorts or jeans are allowed at the Sunday closing ceremonies. A nice polo-style shirt
and khakis would be fine.
Will there be adult supervision? The seminar will be chaperoned by approximately 25
male and female adults who will be staying at the facility 24 hours a day. All adults are
over the age of 18 and have submitted to a criminal background check. A group leader
(facilitator) will be assigned to small groups of 8 – 10 students and will take attendance
at all sessions. A team of same-sex volunteers will conduct bed checks in the evenings.
Do I need to bring any money? We will be providing all meals. Spending money is not
necessary, although some HOBY apparel and small items may be for sale periodically
and you can purchase a CD of the pictures taken throughout the conference.
Can I bring my cell phone to the leadership seminar? Cell phones can be brought to
the leadership seminar. However, they must be left in your hotel room during the
leadership seminar.
What items should I bring? You can bring cameras, snacks, extra bath towels, and a
refillable water bottle. On Friday or Saturday night there will be a talent show
(participation is optional), so bring any items you may need to showcase your talent
(musical CD, instrument).
Should my parents and siblings attend the Closing Ceremony? Yes, we invite and
encourage parents to attend the closing ceremony. Parents may arrive by 10:45 a.m. if
they wish to attend a brief Parent’s Orientation or to the Closing Ceremonies at 11:00
a.m. on Sunday, June 28th at the West Baton Rouge Conference Center.
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 enclosed Participant Confirmation Form. If you have last minute transportation
problems up to Sunday, May 31st, please notify Chastity Swinburn at (337) 377-7930.
Who may I contact should I have additional questions? Additional questions or
concerns should be directed to
Director of Registration: Chastity Swinburn at (337) 377-7930,
chastity.swinburn@gmail.com
Conference Chairperson: Cindy Bishop at (225) 933-5435, destiny362@aol.com