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Published On: Wed, Nov 29th, 2017

World Interact Week 2017

Rotaract President Anjali of Mid Isle with the Interact Board of SDHS

PHILIPSBURG — World Interact Week is celebrated every year during the week of 5th November to commemorate the founding of the first Interact club in 1962.

To mark this occasion with Interactors and Rotarians around the world, Interact clubs, in partnership with their sponsor Rotary clubs, are encouraged to participate in joint projects during World Interact Week. This year the Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle invited the Interact Club of St. Dominic’s High School to chair part of their weekly meeting. Accepting the invitation were President Naisha along with her board Secretary Lavisha, Treasurer Mahima, VP Vanesca and their Sargent at Arms Vemlash. They gave us an update on their plans for Christmas and the rest of the Rotary year 2017-2018; to finish their Sargent at Arms Vemlash fined all the Mid Isle Rotarians for some minor misdemeanors.

Interact is an international organization of service and social clubs for young people of secondary school age (12-18) that fosters leadership and responsible citizenship and promotes international understanding and peace. The name “Interact” was created by combining the words “international” and “action.” Interact clubs are sponsored by Rotary clubs as a program of Rotary International. Rotary clubs provide guidance and inspiration, but the Interact clubs are self-governing and self-supporting. Clubs vary greatly, with both single-gender and mixed as well as large and small. The membership base of a club can be drawn from the student body of a single school or from two or more schools from the same community.

Each year, Interact clubs complete at least one community service project and at least one project that furthers international understanding and goodwill. Interact’s five primary avenues of service include the following: community, international, school, environmental, and fundraising. Interactors develop a worldwide network of friendships through exchanges with local and overseas clubs. Along the way, Interactors develop their leadership skills and initiative while meeting new friends.

Interactors also often spearhead the formation of Rotaract clubs and participate in Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). Interactors also often go on to become Rotary Youth Exchange students or Ambassadorial Scholars.

The first Interact club was initiated in 1962 by the Rotary Club of Melbourne, Florida, USA. Two months later, the first Interact club outside the United States was established in Tanjore, India. Today, with almost 200,000 members worldwide participating in more than 8,600 Interact clubs in 110 countries and geographical areas, Interact is truly a worldwide phenomenon.

Through service activities, Interactors learn the importance of

  • Developing leadership skills and personal integrity
  • Demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others
  • Advancing international understanding and goodwill

The Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle presently meets Tuesday at 7pm at Pineapple Pete in Simpson Bay. For more information please contact rotarysxm.mi@gmail.com or visit our face book page Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle.