1. What is Interact?
Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young people aged 14-18.
Its name is derived from the words "international" and "action" reflecting the nature of the organization, which has some 9000 clubs in over 110 countries and a total membership exceeding 200,000. All Interact Clubs are self-governing and self-supporting and promote service in local communities and abroad.
"Interact benefits its young members, the sponsoring Rotary club, and the community that the Interactors serve. Through Interact, young people develop initiative, leadership skills, and lasting friendships."
"Interact is a worldwide Rotary-sponsored organization of young men and women dedicated to peace and international understanding"
"Interact is a happy medium between a social club and service club. It gives the best of both worlds."
"Interact is not an exclusive club. The most important credential is that a person wants to join and become a part of a lively group involved in promoting international understanding and serving the community."
A typical Interactor "is friendly, is caring and is interested in things".
2. What is Rotary International (RI)?
Rotary International, the world's oldest service club organization, comprises some 30,000 clubs in more than 165 countries. Its members form a global network of business and professional leaders who volunteer their time and talents to serve the communities and the world. Rotary's motto, Service Above Self, exemplifies the humanitarian spirit of the organization's more than 1.2 million members.
What does an Interact Club do?
Interact gives young people an opportunity to participate in fun, meaningful service projects and Interact Clubs organize a variety of activities and programs depending on the interests of club members. All Interact clubs carry out at least two service projects yearly -- one that serves the school or community and another that furthers international understanding. Service Above Self is Rotary's foremost guiding principle and an Interact Club's service projects are designed to improve the quality of life at home and abroad. In the process, club members develop their leadership skills and initiative while meeting new friends.
The Interact Club commits itself to 3 main aspects of service:
o Regular Service
o International Understanding
o One-off Service Projects
3. What's so special about VJC Interact Club?
The Interact Club is the club with the largest membership in VJC, consisting of 80 Yr1s and 99 Yr2s. VJC Interact Club operates by a home group system and prides itself by providing members with 4 different avenues of regular service (each called a home group). Members are grouped into each of the 4 home groups when they join the club based on their interest.
4. What is a Home Group?
Each home group is committed to a regular/ongoing service. It is a way of classification of our large membership of Interactors to facilitate communications within the club. Each home group is led by a home group leader (EXCO member).
5. What is the difference between Interact Club and the Community Involvement Council (CIC) in VJC?
Both the Interact Club and the Community Involvement Council strongly believes in service without rewards. The CIC is a planning and liaising committee, made up of 20 odd members dedicated to organizing projects to benefit the community. The CIC liaises with external organizations to provide avenues of service for the whole college. In Interact Club, Interactors dedicate themselves to at least 1 regular service (known as home groups) every year. The CIC is in a way similar to the Executive Committee of Interact Club, which plans and organizes projects. What is different is that the CIC gets volunteers from the whole college to participate in their events but the Interact Club has permanent members who are actively involved in all the projects of the club.
