What is Interact?

Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but they are self-governing and self-supporting.

Club membership varies greatly. Clubs can be single gender or mixed, large or small. They can draw from the student body of a single school or from two or more schools in the same community.

Each year, Interact clubs complete at least two community service projects, one of which furthers international understanding and goodwill. Through these efforts, Interactors develop a network of friendships with local and overseas clubs and learn the importance of:

 

  • Developing leadership skills and personal integrity
  • Demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others
  • Understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work
  • Advancing international understanding and goodwill

As one of the most significant and fastest-growing programs of Rotary service, with more than 13,500 clubs in over 100 countries and geographical areas, Interact has become a worldwide phenomenon. Over 310,000 young people are involved in Interact.

Why Join Interact?

District 5180 students share their experiences:

"In Interact, students really do organize every aspect of a club. We plan our own events, decide which organizations to partner with, and worked together to solve issues. I learned responsibility and got to use that responsibility to positively affect the world around me. I will continue to seek out such opportunities in the future and use teamwork to aid others while enjoying 'Service Above Self'."     -Ashley, Class of 2014

 

"My leadership capacity, interest in the experiences of others, and understanding of organizational change grew exponentially during my time in Interact. There is thus an inherent connection between Rotary’s ethic of 'Service Above Self' and my personal and professional development. Interact provided me with a friendship base, a place to explore my creativity and test the waters of group management, several personal and professional mentors, networking opportunities, and of course an unmatched sense of fulfillment and purpose as a human being through service."     -Ian, Class of 2012

 

"Being a part of Interact instilled in me the desire to volunteer as often as possible and the confidence
to lead my own club centered around volunteerism. 'Service above Self' has been integrated
into my daily life, and I have my time in Interact to thank."     -Ayesha,  Class of 2011

Middle School Interact:
RI has lowered the age of qualifying Interactors to 12, thus many 7th and 8th graders can join Interact. 

Additional Information:

For more information about Interact in your area, contact your local Rotary club, or ask RI staff. Read the Interact Handbook and the Interact Brochure .

You can contact the Rotary District 5180 Interact District Chairman, Kathleen Gallagher.  Click here to email her.