Interact Update District 5040

Posted by Christopher Loat 
 

Not only is September the start of the new School year, it's also the start of the Rotary year for school-based Interact Clubs. This year is particularly special as it marks the 50th Anniversary of the the chartering of the very first Interact club, in St. Petersburg Florida in November 1962. We currently have 20 active Interact clubs within District 5040, with a goal of chartering at least 5 new Interact clubs this Rotary year.
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Rotary Youth programs are the future of Rotary. Instilling the spirit of “Service above Self” in our students today is helping to develop the Rotarians of tomorrow. RYLA, Youth Exchange, STEP, and the Adventure programs are great programs and are designed to create leadership and self confidence in our students but the next step is even more important.  Encouraging the students who have participated in these programs and who are alumni of these programs to join the Rotary Family as Interactors and Rotaractors. Within the Rotary Family they will have the opportunity to put into practice what they have learnt and help many in their community and communities around the world. To this end it is very important for Rotary Clubs to keep records of those they have sponsored and who have participated in these programs and continue to encourage and mentor them. As Interactors graduate from high school and pass on to University let the Interactors know the contact details of Rotaract Clubs in the University to which they have been accepted and where they will have the opportunity to continue their Rotary journey.

It is important that Interactors are made to feel part of the Rotary Family and for them to be aware of the opportunities that Rotary provides. Rotarians are encouraged to involve Interactors in the activities of their Rotary Club and recognize Interactors with outstanding service awards. Inviting the executive of a sponsored Interact Club to the District Governor’s meeting with the club’s board of directors and the District Governor’s Club visit is another great way for Interactors to learn more and become excited about Rotary. Remember that Interact is the one program which Rotarians ask a non-Rotarian to help run. Recognize and stay in contact with the Interact Faculty Advisor who is integral part of the smooth running of the Interact Club. They may also be potential Rotarians. 

Sustainability of Interact Clubs is paramount to the success of the program. It often take a lot of work to get a new Interact Club chartered so it is very important to ensure it has longevity and will continue for many years. To achieve this, the executive of each club are asked to reach out to students in grade Eight and grade Nine in their school, welcome them into the Interact Club and get them involved. This way you have Interactors from all grades and new potential Interactors every year. Another good idea is for the President to be a grade 11 student so in grade 12 as Past President they can continue to mentor the club and contribute to the sustainability and longevity of the club.

District 5040 goals for Interact are:

It is important for Interact Clubs to achieve the following:

  • Make sure that your club is considered active with Rotary International by making sure that you club details are up to date. Click here to update Interact Club information
  • Celebrate World Interact Week 1st - 7th of November 
  • Send at least 5 Interactors from each club to the District 5040 Interact Leadership Seminar in October 2012
  • Send at least 5 Interactors from each club to the District 5040 New Generations in Action Conference in April 2013
  • Sign up each Interact Club to  receive the Rotary International New Generations Monthly Newsletter   click here to subscribe
  • Send at least two Interactors from each club to District Conference
  • Send at least two Interactors to the District 5040 Global Peace Forum

Celebrate Interact’s 50th birthday

During the 2012-13 Rotary year, RI will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first chartered Interact club. During this year, Presidential Citations for Interact and new Interact Certificates of Organization will feature a special 50th anniversary logo shown at the top of the page.

  • Organize a project during World Interact Week involving 50 positive actions in one of Rotary’s areas of focus, like donating 50 books to support literacy initiatives or holding a forum with 50 youth about a community challenge like economic development.
  • Challenge each Interactor to raise US$50 for polio eradication through community fundraising or to support Rotary’s first project partnership with ShelterBox
  • Interview past Interactors in your area to learn how Interact can fuel a lifetime of service

What is New This Year?

Interact Clubs can now hold e-meetings

Recent changes to RI policy give Interact clubs more flexibility in how to hold their biweekly meetings. The Standard Interact Club Constitution and Bylaws were amended to permit Interact clubs to meet in person, online, or a combination of both types of meetings with the approval of their sponsor Rotary club.

These board decisions offer all Interact clubs greater flexibility to connect with their members. Whether a club holds most of its meetings face-to-face with an occasional e-meeting, or meets most of the time online, it’s following Interact policy.

Choose your theme for the Interact video contest

The Interact video contest is a great way to recognize the service and creativity of Interactors by inviting them to tell their stories. In the 2012 contest, Interactors will be able to choose from three themes for their video entry:

  • Five ways my Interact club makes the world a better place
  • The unbelievable history of my Interact club (Bonus points for interviews with past Interactors!)
  • Interact 2062: How will Interact change the world in the next 50 years?

Check Interact's YouTube channel for contest details in fall 2012.

Interact Peace through Service postcard contest

Interactors can promote Peace through Service in 2012 by designing a postcard to show and tell how Interact contributes to peace and international understanding. One winning Interactor and his/her parent or guardian will receive airfare to attend one of the three upcoming Global Peace Forums. Details about the contest will be announced on www.rotary.org in August 2012.

There are so many opportunities available. As Interactors reach out, grasp the opportunities and do good things in the world. But above all else have fun. Make this a memorable 50th Anniversary.