Zeynep Aytekin

Interact: Rotary Sponsored Club

Interact is an international organization of service that fosters leadership and responsible citizenship, and promotes international understanding and peace. Interact is a club for youth ages 12-18 who want to connect with others in their community or school. Interact club members have fun while carrying out service projects and learning about the world. The name "Interact" was created by combining the words "international" and "action." Interact clubs are sponsored by Rotary clubs and Interact clubs organize at least two service projects a year: one that benefits their community and one that encourages international understanding. While Interact clubs receive guidance from individual Rotary clubs, they govern and support themselves and are included in Rotary International's "Youth Services" Avenue of Service. Interact has over 250, 000 youth in more than 11,000 clubs in over 120 countries and geographical areas . Brazil, India, the Philippines, and the United States have the highest number of interact clubs. The first interact club was at Melbourne High School in 1962. It had 23 members to begin with and was created by Harold T. Thomas.