INTERACT Best Practices

1. INTERACTBest Practices Chuck Fitzgerald Rotary Club of Peoria April 22, 2006

2. Statement of Conduct forWorking with Youth Rotary International is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all participants in Rotary activities. It is the duty of all Rotarians, Rotarians’ partners, and any volunteers to safeguard to the best of their ability the welfare of and to prevent the physical, sexual or emotional abuse of children and young people with whom they come into contact through Rotary.

3. Agenda Overview Why Join a Club How to Start a Club How to Grow a Club Why They Need Us Why We Need Them Youthact Homework Assignment

4. Overview Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young people 14 – 18 years of age Interact clubs are self-supporting and self- governing but receive guidance from a sponsoring Rotary club Interact Clubs are either school-based or community-based All Interact Clubs in 5490 are school-based

5. Overview • Ro Clubs, Yrator Clubs, Wheel Clubs • Melbourne HS, Florida on 11/05/62 • World Interact Week, November 5th • Clubs: 10,716 (31,000) • Countries: 109 (168) • Members: 246,468 (1.2M) • Avg. Size: 23 (39)

6. 31 Clubs in 5490 • Boulder Creek • Sandra Day O’Connor • Buckeye • Estrella Mountain • Mohave • Agua Fria • Tolleson • Glendale • Apollo • Cactus • Lake Havasu • Parker • Centennial • Barry Goldwater • Mountain Ridge • Millenium • North • Metro Tech • Cortez • Trevor Browne • Tri-City Prep • Prescott • Bradshaw Mountain • Sedona Red Rocks • Washington • Peoria • Northwest Christian • Sunrise Mountain • Willow Canyon • Camp Verde • Mingus Mountian

7. Interactors paint rocks with uplifting messages to be viewed by “labyrinth walkers” at a local hospital.

8. Sample Service Projects • Decorate a Pediatrics Ward • Stuff envelopes for Cancer Society • Serve meals to the homeless • School campus cleanup • Year-end locker cleanup • Read to the young/old • Tutor • Fund International Interact Projects • Teach water safety • Start new clubs

9. Why Join a Club • To recognize and develop constructive leadership and personal integrity. • To encourage and practice thoughtfulness of and helpfulness to others. • To create an awareness of the importance of home and family. • To build respect for the rights of others, based on recognition of the worth of each individual. • To emphasize acceptance of individual responsibility as the basis of personal success, community improvement, and group achievement. • To recognize the dignity and value of all useful occupations as opportunities to serve society. • To provide opportunities for gaining increased knowledge and understanding of community, national, and world affairs. • To open avenues of personal and group action leading to the advancement of international understanding and goodwill toward all peoples.

10. Why Join a Club • To Help Others • To Make Friends • To Earn Credits • To Have Fun

11. Interactors and Rotarians spend their Saturday morning painting a local historical building.

12. Sample Service Projects • Rock ‘n Roll Paint-a-thon • Health Fair • Pasta Sale • Serve Thanksgiving Dinner • Sell Christmas Trees • West Valley Child Crisis Center • Food Bank • Retirement Home (finger nail painting) • Habitat for Humanity

13. How to Start a Club According to Rotary International • Form an Interact subcommittee (of the community service committee) of at least five members. • Establish strong interest among club members to ensure the Interact club’s success. • Decide whether the Interact club will be school-based or community-based. • Identify and recruit prospective Interactors. • Arrange an informational meeting. • Hold organizational meetings to address issues such as club’s activities, elections, dues, meeting place and time, and Interact policies, constitution, and bylaws. • Charter the Interact club and hold inaugural and installation ceremonies. • …..etc, etc, etc

14. How to Start a Club • A Sponsor Rotary Club • An Interested Student • A Faculty Advisor • A Service Project

15. Interactors and Rotarians distribute clothing

16. Sample Service Projects • Run for the Hungry • Festival Volunteers • Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army • Malaria nets for Kenya • Creek Cleanup • Katrina relief • Haunted House • Adopt a Highway • Books for Fiji

17. How to Grow a Club • Involve Interactors in Rotary Club projects • Involve Rotarians in Interact Club projects • Invite Interactors to Rotary Club meetings • Regularly attend Interact Club meetings • Help find speakers for Interact meetings • Help Interactors with membership development • IYE students should hold office in Interact Club • Tax Credits!

18. #1 Best Practice for Interact RYLA

19. Why They Need Us • Our youth want to help but don’t always know how • Our youth are looking for role models • Our youth need leadership training • Our youth need transportation

20. Interactors collect school supplies for needy children

21. Sample Service Projects • Easter egg hunt • Church carnival • Adopt a Family • Food Drive • Toy collection • UNICEF support • Big Brother/Big Sisters • Andre House • Yard Cleanup • Walk for Diabetes

22. Why We Need Them • Young people energize us • Young people remind us • Young people can do lots of things • Young people are the future

23. Youthact • Youthact of District 5490 began in 1995 as “Rotary Life Club” • Youthact stands for Youth in Action • Youthact is a program developed by Rotarians, like Interact, but for youth ages 11 to 14 • School or community based • Leadership Development Project for Interact Students • District-level opportunity is available

24. Homework Assignment • Start an Interact Club…or a second, third or fourth one! • Schedule an Interact Club to speak at your Rotary Club…even if they are sponsored by another Rotary Club • Visit an Interact Club meeting • Start a Youthact Club • Ask for help

25. www.rotary.org www.rotary5490.org www.interact5490.org Chuck Fitzgerald Rotary Club of Peoria (623) 229-7674 chuck_f@cox.net