First, I would like to introduce myself. I am the new Youth Service Chair for District 5050. I have been involved with youth programs for about 20 years, starting in Arizona (District 5495), and for the last eight years here in District 5050. I have worked with Interact, RYLA (what our district calls YAIL), and Rotary Youth Exchange.
All of our youth programs are important to the future of Rotary. Student involvement in our youth programs exposes students to Rotary and service. Every Rotary Club should have some involvement with one or more of these programs.
I intend to write about one of our youth service programs each month. This month I want to talk about Interact. Interact is a high school version of Rotary. The students meet regularly during the school year to plan and execute service projects, including fundraising if necessary. Interact also gives us the widest opportunity to tell students about the other youth programs we have available.
What does it take to support an Interact Club? First you need one Rotarian who is willing and able to attend Interact Club meetings as an Advisor. Next you need a teacher at your local high school who will sponsor the club at the school. There is no charge to the club for sponsorship. That’s all you need.
In my previous District, we organized an Interact District Council. They elected an Interact District Governor, and appointed a few Assistant Governors. That group organized a service project that all the Interact Clubs participated in. It was called “Crutches for Africa." The students collected crutches, wheelchairs, walkers, and canes for months. Then they packed them in a shipping container which they sent to Kenya. A few Interact members then went to Kenya to distribute those mobility devices. This really helped to increase the interest in Interact throughout the district.
One of my goals is to help organize an Interact District Council for District 5050, so that we can consider doing something on that scale. The first thing I need to do is to connect with each of the Interact Clubs in the district. If your club sponsors an Interact Club, please let me know, so that I can make a list. If your Club does not yet sponsor an Interact Club, PLEASE consider starting one.
I met a young man from Brazil years ago who was in Interact where he heard about Rotary Youth Exchange. He did a short term exchange, then did a long term exchange, then did NGSE (New Generation Service Exchange. He joined Rotaract and later joined Rotary. These programs help build Rotary and help young people develop.
Please contact me about any of our Youth Programs.