Welcome

 
 
This information is for Rotary or Rotaract Clubs that sponsor, or want to sponsor, an Interact Club.
 
Interact is an international organization of service that fosters leadership and responsible citizenship, and promotes international understanding and peace. The name “Interact” was created by combining the words “international” and “action.”
 
Sponsored by Rotary Clubs, Interact clubs are for youth ages 12-18, and can be associated with a school or a community.   Interact club members have fun while carrying out service projects and learning about the world. Every Interact club organizes at least two service projects a year: one that benefits their community and one that encourages international understanding.
 
Interact is a terrific way to introduce young people to service and to Rotary. Members of Rotary model community service and team building.  As sponsors, Rotary and Rotaract clubs empower Interactors to begin a lifelong habit of service. By sponsoring an Interact club, you invest in the young people of your community and get an opportunity to share ideas across generations.
 

 

REQUIREMENTS

Sponsor clubs commit to protecting youth safety, appointing and supporting an adviser, and overseeing the finances of the Interact club. 

Protecting Youth Safety

  • Make sure Rotary policies are followed whenever young people in contact with adults. (Find details and resources in chapter 6 and the Rotary Youth Protection Guide.)
  • Ensure that the club is welcoming to all.
  • Develop a risk management plan and know how to contact your district youth protection officer.

Appointing and supporting an adviser

  • Find, screen, and vet at least one Interact Adviser.
  • Train the Interact adviser in how to uphold Rotary’s youth protection policies.
  • Use the Report Your Interact Club Adviser Information Form to report current information about your Interact adviser to Rotary International by 1 July every year. If the Interact club has more than one adviser, report the primary adviser. If an adviser serves for more than one year, you still need to submit the form annually. Reporting the adviser’s name and contact information notifies Rotary that an Interact club remains active.
IMPORTANT: Interact Advisors must be registered with Rotary International annually on July 1 to maintain Interact Club active status.  Register Your Interact Advisor 
 

INTERACT ADVISERS

Interact advisers are adults who support the day-to-day operations of Interact clubs. They serve as a liaison to Rotary and make sure that everyone who is involved in Interact follows Rotary policies for safeguarding young people. They also serve as advocates for Interactors in schools and communities.

Each Interact club must have at least one adviser to guide its members in service and to help in developing young leaders’ skills. Although only one adviser is required, Interact clubs may benefit from having several advisers to mentor and support them. Advisers can be Rotarians, Rotaractors, teachers, parents, or community volunteers.

School-based Interact clubs must have a faculty adviser who ensures that club members meet the school’s extracurricular and academic requirements.

Anyone who works with young people must be properly vetted. Summary Youth Protection information is below.  Detailed Rotary and District Youth Protection requirements are found on our Youth Protection webpage.

Interact Specific Youth Protection Summary Information

School-based Interact clubs must have a faculty adviser who ensures that club members meet the school’s extracurricular and academic requirements.  The faculty advisor may be the primary advisor or an assistant advisor.
 
Where the Interact club is school-based, control and supervision by the sponsor clubs shall be exercised in full cooperation with the school authorities, with the understanding that such clubs are subject to the same regulations and policies established by the school authorities for all student organizations and extracurricular activities of the school.
 
  • Interact Advisers of school-based programs require Level 1 Youth Counselor Advanced Certification if the Advisor is not a vetted staff member of the school where the school-based program is conducted. 
  • Interact Advisers of school-based programs who are a vetted staff member of the school where the club meets require Level 2 Group Leader Basic Certification.
  • Interact Advisers of community-based programs require Level 1 Youth Counselor Advanced Certification.
 
Resources
 
From the adjacent Interact Files and Interact Operational Links sections you can find and download the following information.
 
How to update Interact Club Information: How to update club status, reactivate a Suspended club, certify an unlisted club or clubs listed as Terminated.  Also change sponsorship or club name.
Interact Handbook for Sponsors and Advisors: Detailed information for Rotarians and volunteers covering all Interact topics.  This is a must-read for Advisors.
Interact Handbook for Interactors: Detailed information for the student members of Interact clubs.
Standard Interact Club Constitution: Link to the form
Recommended Interact Club Bylaws: Link to the form
Register Your Interact Advisor: Link to the Rotary International form to register Interact Club Advisors.  This action is required annually on July 1.
Certify an Interact Club: Link to Rotary International form to complete the actions detailed in the How to update Interact Club information form.