Interact Club: A Complete Guide

If you’re a student looking for ways to make a difference or build your leadership skills, you might feel overwhelmed by the options you have. Maybe you’ve seen classmates volunteering or leading fundraisers and wondered how you could also get involved. One opportunity worth considering is joining the Interact Club.

The Interact Club opens you up to an international network of peers who are also passionate about service to other people. In this article, we’ll explain what Interact Club is, what it offers, and how you can become a part of it.

• What Is Interact Club?
• Interact Club Activities and Programs
• Interact Club Application Deadline
• Interact Club Requirements
• How to Get into the Interact Club
• Why Join the Interact Club?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Is Interact Club?

Interact Club is a youth service club for students ages 12 to 18 that’s affiliated with Rotary International. The name “Interact” comes from a combination of “international” and “action,” reflecting its mission to bring young people together for action on local and global issues.

Each Interact Club is sponsored by a local Rotary club, which provides mentorship and guidance to the student members (called Interactors) as they plan community service activities and develop leadership skills.

Founded in 1962, the Interact Club has grown a lot over the decades. Today, there are over 15,000 Interact Clubs worldwide.

As an Interactor, you can expect to meet regularly and collaborate with fellow students on projects that benefit your school or community and promote international understanding. Interact Clubs are also expected to do at least two projects (one community, one international) each year

Interact Clubs emphasize “Service Above Self,” the Rotary motto, encouraging members to put helping others at the forefront. That means, as a member, you’ll engage in volunteering, learn to lead by doing, and become part of a global network of young people making a positive impact.

Interact Club Activities and Programs

Interact Club members participate in many activities and programs that build community and promote global awareness. Here are some specific activities you can expect to get involved in:

World Interact Week

Interact Clubs around the world celebrate World Interact Week every year around the first week of November (coinciding with Interact’s founding anniversary on November 5). During this week, clubs showcase their service activities, usually coordinating special projects or events. It’s a chance to share your club’s achievements and connect with the global Interact community.

Interact Video Awards

Interactors can participate in an annual Interact Video Awards contest. For this event, clubs create short videos highlighting a service project or showing how they live out “Service Above Self.”

These videos are submitted to Rotary International for judging, typically with an entry deadline of December 1 each year. It’s a fun opportunity to get creative, share your impact, and possibly gain recognition from Rotary.

Rotary Youth Day at the United Nations

Each year, Rotary International hosts a Youth Day at the United Nations, and Interact Club members often take part. This event recognizes the service work of young people and gives selected Interactors a chance to attend seminars at the United Nations. Participation in Rotary UN Day can be a great way to see how youth service connects to global efforts.

Global Youth Service Day

Many Interact Clubs also join Global Youth Service Day, a yearly worldwide event that mobilizes youth to serve their communities. It typically takes place in April. During this time, you and your club members might undertake special volunteer projects and share your stories along with thousands of other young people globally.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

Many Interact members participate in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), a leadership training program organized by Rotary. It includes workshops, team-building activities, and seminars led by community leaders. Participants improve their communication and problem-solving skills while learning about ethical leadership and civic engagement.

Rotary Youth Exchange

Interact members can also apply for the Rotary Youth Exchange program, which offers short-term (summer) or long-term (academic year) study-abroad opportunities. Students live with host families in another country and attend school there, experiencing cultural exchange firsthand. This program reinforces Interact’s goal of promoting global understanding and peace.

Interact Club Application Deadline

The timeline for joining or starting a club can vary depending on your school and region. However, the month of August is Membership and New Club Development Month. Aside from that, here are other important dates for the Interact Club:

Interact Club Requirements

Before you apply or sign up for Interact Club, make sure you meet the basic requirements and have the necessary paperwork.

Eligibility

To be eligible to join Interact Club, you generally must:

• Be 12 to 18 years old
• Have access to an Interact Club either at your school or in your local community
• Be ready to attend club meetings and take part in projects regularly
• Maintain a satisfactory behavior and academic record (This isn’t a formal Rotary requirement, but some schools might have their own eligibility rules for extracurricular activities)

Required documents

In general, these are the documents you’ll need to submit:

• Club Membership Form. Many Interact Clubs have a simple membership application or sign-up form. This is often provided by the club adviser or can be a school extracurricular sign-up sheet.
• Parent/Guardian permission slip. If you’re under 18, you might need a signed permission slip or consent form from a parent or guardian. This gives the school and club permission to involve you in club activities, especially any off-campus volunteer projects).
• Club Charter Application (for new clubs). If you’re starting a new Interact Club, you’ll need to complete and send an application to Rotary International.

Club fees

Rotary International doesn’t charge any fees to either start or be a member of an Interact Club. Chartering a new club is free, and there are no national dues required from student members.

Individual Interact Clubs may have minimal local dues or costs (around $5–$20 for the whole year) to help cover their activities and merchandise like club t-shirts and pins or events.

How to Get into the Interact Club

To get into the Interact Club, you can either join an existing one or start one. We’ll walk you through both processes below.

Joining an existing Interact Club

Joining an existing Interact Club is usually straightforward. Here’s how you can go about it:

1. Find a club at your school or nearby. Start by checking if your school already has an Interact Club. If you’re not sure, ask a teacher or the school’s activity coordinator. If your school doesn’t have one, you can contact a local Rotary Club to ask if there are any community-based clubs in your area.
2. Contact the club adviser or members. Once you locate an Interact Club, reach out to them. There’s usually a faculty adviser (for school-based clubs) or a Rotary adviser. You can send an email, visit the adviser’s classroom, or simply show up at an advertised meeting.
3. Attend a meeting. Try attending one of the club’s meetings to get a feel for it. This is your chance to see if the club’s culture and schedule fit with your interests.
4. Fill out membership forms. After deciding that you want to push through, talk to the adviser. They’ll have you fill out a membership form. After you’ve joined, you can start participating in activities right away.

Starting an Interact Club

If your school doesn’t have an Interact Club yet, starting one would be a great leadership experience. Here’s what you can expect to do as a founder:

1. Find a Rotary sponsor. Look for a local Rotary Club willing to sponsor your club. Contact Rotary clubs in your city or town (there may be more than one) and explain that you’re a student interested in starting an Interact Club. Once a club agrees to sponsor you, it will appoint a Rotary adviser to guide your new club. This adviser will attend meetings and be your liaison with Rotary.
2. Gather interested students. Talk to your friends and classmates about the idea, make announcements (with school permission), or host an interest meeting. Look for a faculty adviser as well.
3. Organize and plan. Work with your interested members to decide on some basics: When and where will you meet? What causes or projects are you interested in? Elect club officers among the students.
4. Adopt the Interact constitution and bylaws. Rotary International has a standard club constitution and recommended bylaws for Interact Clubs that you should review with your group and formally agree to adopt them.
5. Submit the Interact Club certification form. Rotary International needs you to submit the Interact Club Certification Form to charter your club. Once everything is filled out, you (or the Rotary sponsor) will email or mail the form to Rotary International’s office.
6. Wait for certification. After submission, Rotary International will review your application. The certificate will be sent to your sponsor Rotary Club’s president. Even before the official certificate arrives, your new Interact Club can start meeting, organizing projects, and taking action as long as you’re under the guidance of your Rotary sponsor.

Why Join the Interact Club?

Being an Interactor can be one of the most meaningful parts of your high school years. Here are the benefits of joining the Interact Club:

1. Community service and impact

As an Interactor, you’ll have a direct hand in improving your school and community. Interact Clubs empower you to take action and make a difference locally.

Whether it’s organizing a neighborhood cleanup, running a charity fundraiser, or starting a tutoring program at school, you get to address issues you care about. The experience of seeing a project go from an idea to real-world impact can be very rewarding.

2. Leadership skills development

There are many ways you can develop your leadership skills in Interact Club: you can become a club officer, lead a committee, or spearhead a project. These roles help you develop real leadership skills like planning, public speaking, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Even if you’re not the club president, just being an active member will teach you responsibility, initiative, and how to work with others effectively.

3. Global perspective and cultural exchange

There are Interact Clubs everywhere in the world. You might collaborate with one overseas or learn about global issues like polio eradication and find ways your club can help. Some Interactors establish pen-pal relationships or virtual meetings with students abroad. Rotary also sometimes offers exchange programs and international conferences that Interact members can join.

All these experiences broaden your worldview, helping you discover and engage with new cultures and promote international understanding. You start seeing yourself as a global citizen, and you gain appreciation for people from different backgrounds.

4. Friendship and fun

Interact Clubs are meant to be fun and social spaces as much as they are service organizations. When you join, you’ll meet other students who care about similar things, and you’ll quickly form friendships through your shared activities.

Working on a volunteer project or attending a conference together is a great bonding experience. You’ll connect with Rotary members and other community leaders, expanding your network beyond your school. The club often hosts socials, team-building events, or even celebrations after big projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the purpose of an Interact Club?

The purpose of an Interact Club is to bring together students to develop leadership skills and serve their communities. As a member, you’ll work on local and international volunteer projects and learn the value of “Service Above Self” by helping others, which encourages personal growth and civic responsibility.

2. What is the motto of the Interact Club?

The motto of Interact Club is “Service Above Self.” It reflects the club’s commitment to putting community and helping people first, encouraging Interact members to always act in service to their school, community, and world.

3. Is Interact Club worth it?

Yes, Interact Club is worth it if you’re interested in volunteering and leadership. That’s because it offers hands-on service experience, opportunities to build leadership skills, and a chance to make new friends while making a positive impact. It also strengthens college applications by highlighting meaningful community involvement.

Takeaways

• Interact Club is a Rotary-sponsored service club for youth. It’s open to students ages 12–18 and focuses on leadership development and community service. By joining, you become part of an international network of young people committed to making a difference.
• To join Interact Club, you’ll need to either just look for an existing one in your school/community or start a new one.
• When you join Interact Club, you’ll experience community service and see its impact, develop leadership skills, gain a global perspective and cultural exchange, and make friends while having fun.
• Wondering what other activities can help you grow while boosting your college applications? We can help you plan your extracurriculars to choose the right ones that align with your goals.