Let's "Interact"
One of the fastest growing segments of Rotary services is the “Interact” clubs. The Interact clubs are for young people ages 12-18 and are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs. Worldwide, there are more than 10,700 clubs in 109 countries and 200,000 youth involved. The 2012-2013 Rotary year marks the 50th anniversary of the first chartered Interact group.
One of the fastest growing segments of Rotary services is the “Interact” clubs. The Interact clubs are for young people ages 12-18 and are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs. Worldwide, there are more than 10,700 clubs in 109 countries and 200,000 youth involved. The 2012-2013 Rotary year marks the 50th anniversary of the first chartered Interact group.
Interact is a wonderful introduction to Rotary. The Interact groups complete two community service projects each year, one of which focuses on promoting international understanding and good will. For the youth of today, there is absolutely a need to understand the importance of acting both locally and globally.
As Rotary clubs have seen a decline in membership, Interact provides an opportunity to revitalize the organization by introducing the virtues and benefits of Rotary to our youth. Interact can ignite a lifelong passion for community and service to others. It is a vehicle to provide opportunities for local youth to experience and interact with youth from around the globe. Interact can help to shape our local youth and instill a civic and global minded values that will remain with them through adulthood. By sponsoring an Interact group, local Rotary clubs are planting the seeds to continue growing the Rotary membership for years to come.
As Rotary celebrates 50 years of Interact, it is time for local clubs to embrace this segment of Rotary. This year, each local club should challenge itself to establish and support a local Interact group. It is time for local clubs to reach out into their communities and begin sowing the seeds of our future.