INTERACTBest Practices

INTERACTBest Practices

Chuck FitzgeraldRotary Club of Peoria

April 22, 2006

Statement of Conduct forWorking with Youth

Statement of Conduct forWorking with Youth

Rotary International is committed to creating and maintaining thesafest possible environment for all participants in Rotary activities. Itis the duty of all Rotarians, Rotarians’ partners, and any volunteers tosafeguard to the best of their ability the welfare of and to prevent thephysical, sexual or emotional abuse of children and young peoplewith whom they come into contact through Rotary.

AgendaAgenda

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

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

OverviewOverview

• 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)

OverviewOverview

31 Clubs in 549031 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

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

Sample Service ProjectsSample 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

• 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.

Why Join a ClubWhy Join a Club

• To Help Others

• To Make Friends

• To Earn Credits

• To Have Fun

Why Join a ClubWhy Join a Club

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

Sample Service ProjectsSample 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

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

How to Start a ClubHow to Start a Club

• A Sponsor Rotary Club

• An Interested Student

• A Faculty Advisor

• A Service Project

How to Start a ClubHow to Start a Club

Interactors and Rotarians distribute clothing

Sample Service ProjectsSample 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

• 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!

How to Grow a ClubHow to Grow a Club

RYLA

#1 Best Practice for Interact#1 Best Practice for Interact

• 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

Why They Need UsWhy They Need Us

Interactors collect school supplies for needy children

Sample Service ProjectsSample 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

• Young people energize us

• Young people remind us

• Young people can do lots of things

• Young people are the future

Why We Need ThemWhy We Need Them

YouthactYouthact

• 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

• 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

Homework AssignmentHomework Assignment

www.rotary.org

www.rotary5490.org

www.interact5490.org

Chuck Fitzgerald

Rotary Club of Peoria

(623) 229-7674

chuck_f@cox.net