Frequently Asked Questions

For Students, Parents, and Schools

 

  1. When and where will the 2024 seminar be held?
      • This year’s seminar will be held Thursday, May 30th – Sunday, June 2nd, 2024 at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma.

     

  2. The student who registered can’t be there on time/has to leave early or has an event in the middle of the seminar, what should I do?
      • We generally try to avoid having a student arrive late or leave early except for a specific, unavoidable reason – i.e. AP Exams, family obligations, etc. Reasons like a sports event, prom, etc. are not good reasons. If something like that pops up, please ask the school to send the registered alternate student.  If a student needs to leave and return in the middle of the seminar for a reason that cannot be avoided, please inform the Leadership Seminar Chair in advance. A parent/guardian will have to complete paperwork with details of the student’s plan to leave and return.

     

  3. How does the school register?
      • The school representative will log into HOBY online registration here.
      • Please reach out to a Director of Recruitment (contact information in #22) if you need help finding your school ID or password!

     

  4. My school has filled up their registration spots or I want to register directly, how do I do that?
      • Parents and community members can register students directly. More information about the Community Nomination process can be found here.
      • Please Contact our Leadership Seminar Chair or Director of Recruitment (contact information in #22) with additional questions or if you run into any issues with registration by community nomination.

     

  5. How should a school select a student?
      • There is no one right answer to this question. Some schools choose a student they think would be a good fit; some ask students to write essays, and some select a person who does a lot of volunteering. Additionally, the people who get the most out of HOBY are the people who WANT to be there.

     

  6. How much does it cost to attend HOBY Oklahoma?
      • Primary student – $420; Alternate student – no fee – but each registered student (primary or additional) should have a unique alternate student registered. For example, a school registers a primary student and an additional (2nd) student. The primary student gets sick and the school decides they will just send the 2nd student. Doing so does not result in a refund of the funds paid for the primary student who cannot attend; Additional student – $420 (this student should not be the same as the alternate student – and cannot take the primary student’s place if the primary student cannot attend). 
      • Early Bird registration is available until December 8th, 2023 at a discounted cost of $395 per student!

     

  7. Where is the seminar? 
      • The seminar will take place at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK. Click here for a link to a campus map.

     

  8. I’m an ambassador attending the seminar- where should I go when I arrive? 
      • Registered ambassadors will receive information about seminar arrival time and location from the Recruitment Team prior to the seminar. Please be on the lookout for this information, and direct any questions to the Director of Recruitment (contact information in #22).

     

  9. What kind of program is planned? 
      • During your HOBY 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 debates. At HOBY, we help teach Ambassadors how to think, not what to think. 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 another 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.

     

  10. What are the accommodations like? 
      • Participants will be assigned to dorm rooms with a minimum of two ambassadors in each room on floors reserved exclusively for the seminar. Registered ambassadors will receive a packing list from the Recruitment Team prior to the seminar. Everyone will receive nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. The first meal served will be lunch on Thursday afternoon. On the Medical History Records Form, please indicate any special dietary considerations or restrictions, whether due to allergy or choice, and we will do our best to ensure that all meals and snacks will accommodate you.

     

  11. What should I pack to attend the seminar?
      • Seminar accommodations will be in a college residence hall setting, and items such as towels, twin-size bedding, pillows, shower shoes, and toiletries will not be provided.
      • Click here to view the HOBY Oklahoma Suggested Seminar Packing List for an idea of what to bring.
      • If any other items are required or recommended, Ambassadors will receive additional information from the Recruitment Team before the seminar.
      • Ambassadors will be provided shirt(s) to be worn on specific days of the seminar. Sunday closing service attire is snappy casual.

     

  12. 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.  This form will be available when the required Pre-Seminar Materials are sent out in the spring. If you need another copy or have any questions about this form, please contact a Leadership Seminar Chair (contact information in #22). Make sure to read and comply with the Policy for Use of Medication During a HOBY Event.

     

  13. Why should I consider bringing spending money?
      • There will likely be opportunities to use vending machines on campus, or opportunities to use spending money for similar items. However, all meals and some snacks will be provided.
      • HOBY-branded merchandise will be available for purchase during the seminar, and payment methods include Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, cash, or check.

     

  14. I have specific dietary restrictions or food allergies- will there be food available to meet my needs?
      • Yes, when the Pre-Seminar materials are sent out in the spring, please indicate any food accommodations or restrictions you have.  We will alert your senior staff member and SWOSU to ensure that there are available options for everyone. Contact a Leadership Seminar Chair (contact information in #22) with any questions or additional information.  We will work with you, your parent/guardian, HOBY Staff, and SWOSU staff to make sure you have been accommodated accordingly.

     

  15. I have specific medical needs that require special accommodations- who should I contact?
      • When the Pre-Seminar materials are sent out in the spring, please indicate that on the form and follow up with a Leadership Seminar Chair (contact information in #22).  We will work with you, your parent/guardian, HOBY Staff, and SWOSU staff to make sure you have been accommodated accordingly.

     

  16. 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 to panels and activities. Ambassadors will have access to phones during free time and in the evenings. In case of emergency, your parent(s) or guardian may call Leadership Seminar Chair Brooke Burnett, brooke.hobyok@gmail.com, 580-548-7221. The seminar will be chaperoned by qualified adults who will be staying at the facility 24 hours a day.

     

  17. Who pays for the seminar? 
      • Your school, a local organization, or a parent has paid a 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.

     

  18. What should I wear at the seminar? 
      • Ambassadors will be provided t-shirt(s) to be worn on specific days of the seminar. Please bring school-appropriate clothing to be worn with the seminar t-shirts.
      • Bringing at least one pair of closed-toe shoes is recommended. All other shoes should be comfortable to walk in!
      • Sunday closing service attire is snappy casual.
      • A rain jacket or umbrella is recommended.

     

  19. Can I use my cell phone or other electronic devices during the seminar?
      • Yes, you can bring these devices to the seminar.  We will ask that you put it away during all speakers and activities.  If it becomes a distraction, you may be asked to surrender your device during these times.
      • A cell phone or other wifi-enabled device will be used during certain points of the seminar to complete surveys, join groups, engage with content on the presentation screen, and more.

     

  20. 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, please notify a Leadership Seminar Chair (contact information in #22).

     

  21. What if I am unable to attend the seminar? 
      • If circumstances prevent you from attending the entire seminar, including overnight, we would like to give another student the opportunity to attend. Please return these forms to the person at your school who selected you, and follow up with an email detailing the situation to a Leadership Seminar Chair (contact information in #22).

     

  22. Who may I contact should I have additional questions? 
      • Leadership Seminar Chair – Brooke Burnett, brooke.hobyok@gmail.com
      • Leadership Seminar Chair  – Jenifer Lopez,  jenifer.hobyok@gmail.com
      • Director of Recruitment – Jeana Wilson, oklahobyrecruitment@gmail.com
      • Director of Recruitment – Glenda Parker, glenda.hobyok@gmail.com
      • Director of Senior Staff – Gunner Putman, okhoby.srstaff@gmail.com
      • Director of Junior Staff – Brooke Burnett, okhobyjrstaff@gmail.com
      • Alumni Advisor – Morgan McClellan, okhobyalumni@gmail.com
      • Corporate Board – bryan.hobyok@gmail.com

     

Frequently Asked Questions

For Alumni and Volunteers

 

  1. What can I do to be involved with HOBY Oklahoma?
      • HOBY Oklahoma is always looking for new volunteers and donors! Reach out to the Corporate Board President and/or Leadership Seminar Chair to see what you can do. (Contact information above in #22)

     

  2. I can’t attend the seminar, but I want to still help. What can I do?
      • Seminars take many hours to pull off even before the seminar even begins.  Contact a Leadership Seminar Chair to see what you can do to help plan or support the seminar.

     

  3. I’m looking for a non-profit to contribute to financially. How do I contribute to HOBY Oklahoma?
      • See the Donate page on this site!
      • Reach out to our Corporate Board for details and availability of advertisement opportunities (contact information above in #22). Opportunities include: Program Book Ads, Branded Merchandise, Social Media Ads/Shout-Outs, and Seminar Sponsorships.
      • View our 2024 Ad Sale Sheet for available Program Book advertisement space and rates. Program Books are full-color, bound booklets filled with information about the Seminar and distributed to each Ambassador, volunteer, visiting speaker, and service project coordinator. In total, they are distributed to approximately 200 people. Visibility and advertising reach further extend to the families and friends of HOBY attendees who look through the keepsake book after the Seminar ends.

     

  4. How do I become a staff member for the seminar?
      • Please visit www.hoby.org and apply for the position that you want with HOBY Oklahoma. Follow up with an email to the appropriate Planning Team Member to learn more, as there may be an additional application to complete to be part of our staff! If you will be under 21 years old at the time of the next seminar, please get in touch with the Director of Junior Staff at okhobyjrstaff@gmail.com. If you will be 21+ at the time of the next seminar, please get in touch with the Director of Facilitators at okhoby.srstaff@gmail.com

     

  5. How do I get involved with alumni events?
      • Please reach out to us by sending a Contact Form with your information, such as alumni year, email address, and cell phone number!