Interact is the combination of International Action which means the action taken internationally by rotary as a milestone for the youth that impact long term on socio-economical improvement of the world. In 1960 RI President Harold T. Thomas initiate to encourage service among youth by offering opportunity for them to develop as leaders. Two years later in 1962, 23 students at Melbourne High School in Melbourne, Florida, USA, came together to form the first Interact club of the history.
Since inception, interactors have discovered many projects that offers meaningful service activities while providing a chance to develop leadership skills and meet new friends. As Rotary’s thinking, today’s Interactor is tomorrow’s leader. The main theme of this club is leadership and self development. It focuses on Community and International Understanding. Every club must complete at least one project on Community and International Understanding. As the member age group is too young that they can’t participate or organize big project directly, they can seek help from their Rotary Clubs.
Interact club is Rotary’s service club for youth ages 12-18. Its can be community-based or school-based. Every Interact club is self-governing and self-supporting but in the guidance of sponsored Rotary club which officially related as partner in service. The goals of Interact include developing leadership skills and personal integrity, demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others, understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work, and advancing international understanding and goodwill.
Because Interact covers a wide age range, multiple clubs can be formed in the same area to suit specific age groups. The Rotary Club of Lakeway/Lake Travis, Texas, USA, sponsors three Interact clubs. One serves 14- to 18-year-olds at Lake Travis High School, and the other two serve 12- to 14-year-olds at Hudson Bend Middle School and Lake Travis Middle School.
Here are some firsts and facts of Interact Club’s worldwide –
• On 28th October 1962, 23 students form interact club at Melbourne High School. They got charter on 5th November 1962
• On 14 January 1963, the Interact Club of St. Peter’s High School became the first Interact club outside the United States. It was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.
• The first club in Africa was chartered 20 September 1963 at H.H. Aga Khan High School, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Mombasa, Kenya.
• In 1967, the club was finally open to females and to anyone in their last four years of secondary school.
• The Interact program grew to 290 clubs in 25 countries and geographical areas within its first year.
• The first (school based) Interact club of Bangladesh history formed by Rotary club of Dhaka named Interact Club St, Joseph School at 1982.
• The first community based Interact club of Bangladesh formed by Rotary club of Khulna named Interact Club of Khulna at 1983.
• In January 2010, the RI Board of Directors lowered the minimum age from 14 to 12.
• As of November 5, 2020 there are 342953 interactors and 14911 interact clubs in 145 countries.
This year Interact celebrate 58 years of service. Clubs around the world in celebrating this event by organizing activities jointly with their sponsoring interact club. Rotary’s vision for the future, now more than ever, is the difference between success and failure. The New Generations are our investment in the future. Let’s open the door of opportunities to shape our future today.