Submitted by: Eric Northard, Interact Chair In Rotary District 5580 we are fortunate to have several outstanding youth programs. RYLA, Youth Exchange, and Interact Clubs all are classic examples of youth programs and partnerships that work.
As the District Interact Chair, I am pleased to report that we have active Interact Clubs scattered across our District. In fact, a recent Club survey indicates that 14 Clubs are involved in supporting active Interact Clubs at the present time. Each one of these Interact Clubs helps foster a sense of service above self among high school aged students and introduces our youth to the mission and purpose of Rotary. Interact is an excellent way to help young people develop as leaders, to perform value service in the community, to develop global awareness and service, to make new friends, and to learn about Rotary and Rotarians.
I have been asked to describe Interact and to give ideas and suggestions for starting and supporting Interact Clubs throughout our District. So, I will try to give some basics to help develop a deeper understanding of Interact and to encourage Rotarian across the District to reflect on ways we can work together to inspire collaboration between Rotarians and the youngest members of the Rotary family.
For starters there are over 20,0000 Interact Clubs in over 159 countries around the World. Interacters are between the ages of 12-18, although in our District the majority of our members are in high schools so they range from 15-18. All Interact Clubs complete at least two projects each year – one in the community and one international project – In all honesty most do quite a few more. Each Club is sponsored by one or more Rotary Clubs (up to three Rotary Clubs can co-sponsor an Interact Club) and Interact Clubs can be either school based or community based.
Sponsoring Rotary Clubs should be committed to supporting and mentoring the Interact Club leaders and members. Rotary Clubs should also designate at least one Rotarian adviser to help keep strong the relationship between the Interact Club and the sponsoring Rotary Club(s). At its best, Interacters have a clear understanding of Rotary and known Rotarians from the sponsoring Club and may work together on service projects or may participate, as appropriate, in other 
Rotary Club activities. Another function of the sponsoring Rotary Club is to make sure that Rotary international is kept up on activities and changes in the Club and an annual report should be filed each year listing Club officers. Rotarians should also connect Interact Clubs with new opportunities for service, leadership development and fellowship.
Rotary Club activities. Another function of the sponsoring Rotary Club is to make sure that Rotary international is kept up on activities and changes in the Club and an annual report should be filed each year listing Club officers. Rotarians should also connect Interact Clubs with new opportunities for service, leadership development and fellowship.If the Club is a school based Club, a faculty adviser who relates well with young people and who is a service minded person should be recruited to advise the Club. This person also acts as a crucial bridge between the Interact Club, the school, and the sponsoring Rotary Club(s). The school administration should also be on board.
In some communities a community based Interact Club might be a better fit. You can either partner with a community organization like the Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA, etc. to locate a space and support for the Club. They may have a staff member who can advise the Club or Rotarians can be the chief advisers and can fill that role.
As far as meetings go, some clubs meet weekly, some bi weekly and some monthly. There is not set pattern. The needs of each Club are unique. For example here at Grand Rapids High School we initially had weekly meetings, and switched to bi-weekly this past year with one additional social event and one service event scheduled each month. But it’s really a decision for each Club and its’ members to decide what works for them.
There are several challenges to starting and sustaining an Interact Club. For starters not all schools welcome additional Clubs. We had to convince our administration to go along with it since we have several other service clubs in our school. The argument that eventually sold our administration was that Interact 
is a particularly internationally focused Club and that preparing globally literate and connected citizens is essential to preparing students for success in the 21st century. No other service Club could offer that sort of global reach.
is a particularly internationally focused Club and that preparing globally literate and connected citizens is essential to preparing students for success in the 21st century. No other service Club could offer that sort of global reach.Another challenge is finding a critical mass of interested students. A dynamic faculty advisor and engaging Rotary advisers help. We also have been extremely fortunate to attract many students through our international service learning opportunities. In recent years our Club has taken service learning trips to Ecuador, Nicaragua, Morocco, and this summer we are traveling to India and Nepal. These trips have been transformational for the students and they have brought us dozens of highly engaged and motivated members.
Finding meaningful service and community activities has been another challenge, but we generally offer quite a few each year. This year we raised over $1000 for Polio Plus by having a purple pinkie day and through a pennies for Polio collection in our school. We also have been heavily involved with a very hands-on program called Days for Girls which is dedicated to promoting sanitary 
health for girls in developing countries. This has provided both leadership and hands on opportunities for our students and it has bonded our club members toward a common goal. We’re often asked to provide help at community and Rotary events and this year started a biweekly mentoring program based on peace education with our local Boys and Girls Club. The bottom line is, in every community there are many, many opportunities to be of service, and a flexible Club structure allows for many students to be of service.
health for girls in developing countries. This has provided both leadership and hands on opportunities for our students and it has bonded our club members toward a common goal. We’re often asked to provide help at community and Rotary events and this year started a biweekly mentoring program based on peace education with our local Boys and Girls Club. The bottom line is, in every community there are many, many opportunities to be of service, and a flexible Club structure allows for many students to be of service.The bottom line is, starting an Interact Club takes commitment and dedication. But, there are so many benefits to the participants, to the school, to the Rotary Club(s) and to those who are served that it is so worth it.
If you would like more information, the following link gives a good overview. https://www.rotary.org/en/get-involved/interact-clubs. Please feel free to contact me at ryeeric@live.com with any questions.
I will also be at District Conference in Thunder Bay this April with several Interacters from Grand Rapids. It will be great for you to talk with them to hear about their experiences in our Club and our Club activities. I hope Interacters and advisers from many other Clubs will also be present to share their experiences. I am sure you will find some inspiring young people who have been turned on to Rotary through Interact.
Eric Northard
Rotary Club of Grand Rapids (Evening)
(218) 301 6738