Interact

Interact is a community service club that is sponsored by Rotary International for high school students. The first Interact club was authorized at Melbourne High School, Florida, USA on November 5, 1962. The name “Interact” came from combining the words “international” and “action”. Interact was Rotary’s approach to a program that enabled the youth to serve both in their communities and internationally. Instead of the Rotarians serving the youth, high school students were now able to take part in the process of improving the community. Within a year there were 177 Interact clubs in 24 countries. By October 1964, the number of clubs grew to 450 in 32 different countries. In 1967, Rotary International opened Interact to all high school students at any age and of either gender.

Throughout the years, Rotary has encouraged Interact Clubs to be involved in projects that advanced international understanding and goodwill. Today, Interact clubs are still continuing to thrive and grow with the United States, Brazil, India, and Japan having the highest number of Interact clubs. Interact is one of Rotary’s fastest-growing programs, with more than 9,600 clubs in 117 different countries.

History of Interact

Although each Interact club is sponsored by an individual Rotary club, Interact clubs are self-sufficient and should require little or no financial support from Rotary. Many sponsor clubs include Interact members in their activities to provide exposure to and participation in service projects, Youth Exchange, RYLA and Scholarships to provide support. Through projects, Interactors learn the importance of leadership, personal integrity, helpfulness and respect for others, and advancement in international understanding and goodwill. In the process, members are also able to have fun and to meet new friends.

District 5230 currently has 52 Interact Clubs.  If you have any questions about your club or are interested in starting a new club, please contact us.