Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to Commonly Asked Questions - Print this page for future reference.

Q. Where will the seminar be held?
A. The seminar will take place at Central College in Pella, Iowa. For more information about Central, please visit: http://www.central.edu/aboutCentral/campusMap.pdf

Q. When will the seminar be held?
A. Seminar will be held June 10- 12 2011. The seminar will begin with Ambassador Orientation on Friday at 9:15 a.m. and conclude with checkout by 3:30 p.m. on Sunday following the Closing Ceremonies. All ambassadors must be present for the entire seminar, including overnight.

Q. Where should I go when I arrive?
A. Registration will be in the basement lounge of Scholte Hall (on the NE side of University Street and Broadway Street) at Central College . Seminar participants may register any time between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. on Friday, June 10th. There will be signs as well as a HOBY volunteer committee to greet you and check you in.

Q. What kind of program is planned?
A. 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.

Q. What are the accommodations like?
A. Participants will be assigned to residence hall rooms with two participants per room on floors reserved exclusively for the seminar. Please note that you are expected to provide your own linens, pillows, blankets, toiletries, and if you’d like, a fan. The residence halls will be air conditioned. Everyone will receive nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. The first meal of the seminar will be lunch, so please eat breakfast prior to check-in on Friday morning. On the Medical History Records Form, please indicate any special dietary considerations, including vegetarianism, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Q. What if I need to take medication while I am at the seminar?
A. 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.

Q. If necessary, how may I be contacted during the seminar?
A. 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 the Central College Security at 641-780-2847 and ask for the Iowa HOBY staff. The seminar will be chaperoned by qualified adults who will be staying at the facility 24 hours a day.

Q. Who pays for the seminar?
A. Your school 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.

Q. Will I need money?
A. There is a $20 room deposit due at the time of check-in that will be fully refunded to you at check-out. We will also be taking group pictures and you may purchase one for $5 if you want. Iowa HOBY also offers a Seminar Yearbook CD for purchase at the end of the seminar for $20 and HOBY merchandise will be available in the HOBY Store throughout the weekend. With the exception of the room deposit, everything else is optional for purchase.

Q. What should I wear at the seminar?
A. Dress is casual throughout the weekend. Sunday is “dress-up.” You will be provided a HOBY t-shirt and there will be an announcement as to when you will wear the t-shirt during the weekend. There is a community service project scheduled, so please bring work appropriate pants and close toed shoes that are appropriate for outdoors, dirt, and possibly paint, you will be provided with a seminar tshirt to wear for the service projects.

Q. What about religious services?
A. There are optional religious services provided at Iowa HOBY on Sunday morning before scheduled events begin. A Catholic Mass and a non denominational church service will be offered on campus, no students will be allowed off campus for religious services.

Q. What transportation arrangements have been made?
A. You are responsible for your transportation to and from the seminar. Please include all details of your itinerary on the enclosed Participant Confirmation Form.

Q. What if I need to arrive on Thursday night?
A. We are pleased to offer an early arrival program for those students traveling from long distances. Check in for early arrival is on Thursday June 9th, 2011 from 6:00-8:00pm at Scholte Hall on the Central College Campus. There is a $40 fee to defray the cost of housing for Thursday night, activities and staff supervision on Thursday night and breakfast for Friday morning. Please contact Kevin Down at earlyarrival@iahoby.org or (712) 830-2070 for questions regarding the early arrival program.

Q. What if I am unable to attend the seminar?
A. 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 return any forms to the person at your school who selected you, and follow up with a call to Rachel Anderson at (563) 605-0198.

Q. Who may I contact should I have additional questions?
A. Additional questions or concerns should be directed to Rachel Anderson at registration@iahoby.org, (563) 605-0198, or Sarah Burke at lsc@iahoby.org, (515) 570-8619.

Q. What action should I take now?
A. If an ambassador from your school has not been nominated contact registration@iahoby.org to get registered. If you are registered please fill out the confirmation packet you received via email and return it to Rachel Anderson before May 13th, 2011.

Q. When can I tell my parent or guardian to pick me up?
A. There will be a parent orientation at 11:30am in Douwstra Auditorium in Central Hall on Sunday June 12th, 2010. The Parent Banquet will be held in the Graham Conference Center at 12:30pm, tickets may be purchased before the seminar for $15/adults and $10/children under 12 years. Closing Ceremonies will be held in Douwstra Hall beginning between 1:30 and 1:45pm (free of charge) followed by an opportunity to meet staff members of Iowa HOBY and Check Out by 3:30pm.