Interact
is a
Rotary-sponsored service club for young people age 14-18 or
secondary-school-aged students.
The program gives young people an opportunity to participate in
fun, meaningful service projects while developing leadership skills and meeting
new friends.
Through
service activities, Interactors learn the importance of:
...Developing leadership skills and personal integrity;
...Demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others;
...Advancing
international understanding and goodwill.
All Interact clubs
carry out at least two service projects yearly - one that serves the school or
the community and another that furthers international understanding.
Every Interact club
is sponsored by a Rotary club, which provides guidance on a continuing basis.
In addition,
Interactors often form a service partnership with the sponsoring Rotarians,
lending their enthusiastic support to a variety of Rotary projects.
Interact benefits its young members, the sponsoring Rotary club, and the
community that the Interactors serve. Through Interact, young people develop
initiative, leadership skills, and lasting friendships. The Rotary club gains a
service partner, as well as an opportunity to prepare its community's youth for
future leadership.
Founded in 1962, Interact stands for International Action. The first club was
established in Melbourne, Florida, USA, but the movement quickly spread to many
other parts of the world. Today, there are 2,400 clubs in 69 countries and
geographical areas worldwide, with a membership of 53,000.
Interact falls under the auspices of the Partners-in-Service section of RI's
Community Development Programs. That's because a successful Interact program
depends on a close working relationship between the Interactors and their
sponsoring Rotary club. Another important element in this partnership is the
district Interact committee, which promotes and administers the program district
wide.
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