TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
02
Interact ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
04
Your Team …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 05
7 Steps ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
07
Service ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
08
Checklist ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
09
Contact ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
10
INTERACT STARTER KIT | PAGE 1
INTRODUCTION
Message from our Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Welcome! Congratulations! Hey!
We’re Marco and Victoria, the District Governor and Lt. Governor, but also your biggest supporters and buddies
throughout the entire process of starting your own Interact Club!
Thank you for being brave and taking that next step in pursuit of Interact, the youthbase outlet for
manifesting actual change in our everyday lives and for this world. 8,000 exceptionally different young people
come together to form Interact District 5170, home to the believers, dreamers, and action-takers of the 21st
generation.
And together, is where we begin to construct hope out of the pain that may exist today in our world.
Who is
1.
2.
3.
4.
here to help you start?
Your District Outreach Coordinators, Jessy Liu and Swan Ye Htut
Us. Always!
Interact5170.org (you can find very useful information here!)
Every single Interactor in our District–don’t be afraid to reach out!
Starting will be hard, but we know you will always have the courage to continue. It is the very people like
yourselves who prove that even as young people, we have the power to build beauty out of nothing– so start!
Seize the world with your hands, and then run with it! You can do absolutely anything you believe in.
We will be here, for anything you need!
Always believing in you,
Marco Siu & Victoria Huynh
Your Gov & LTG, Supporters & Friends
[email protected] // [email protected]
INTERACT STARTER KIT | PAGE 2
INTERACT STARTER KIT | PAGE 3
INTERACT
What is Interact?
Interact​ is ​the teen branch of Rotary International, open to students aged 12-18. Interactors focus on
promoting international understanding as well as gaining leadership skills and personal integrity. While doing
this, they also collaborate with Rotarians, Rotaractors, Junior Interactors, and other Interactors in order to
make a positive impact on the world.
What is district 5170? ​Interact District 5170 is the largest and most prolific Interact District in
the world. With over six thousand members from over 100 clubs spanning 4 counties (Santa
Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Alameda), District 5170 has been able to raise over $600,000
towards international causes (Wheelchair Foundation, End Polio Now, Hydraid, Shelterbox, and
Free The Children) as well as contribute over 500,000 hours of service in our local communities.
We are a group of youth, united to “Celebrate Diversity” (2015-2016 Interact 5170 Theme) with
our families, schools, communities, and ultimately the world.
Why should I start an interact club?
There are many benefits to having an Interact club:
★ Interactors will learn the importance of serving their local and global communities and developing strong leadership
qualities and time management skills.
★ Interactors will learn how to be diligent and dedicated and will realize the merit of teamwork and self-confidence.
★ Interactors will make lifelong friendships and aspire to inspire those around them.
★ Interactors will have opportunities to hone their leadership skills, develop a passion for community service, and
partake in a wide range of memorable experiences such as Fall Leadership Conference (FLC).
ONE FAMILY
FORTIFY OUR FOUNDATION
BREED HOPE
Interact is a growing family, but not
everyone knows what’s going on in the
Interact world. Our goal is to give
Interactors the opportunity to create
long-lasting friendships with people
who may not be in their area and to
produce an eventual sense of comfort
that allows them to ask any Interactor
for help at any time. We want to have
unity at every Interact level because
people are stronger when they are
together. We want to strengthen our
relationship with each other, Rotarians,
Rotaractors, schools, and prospective
members. Although Interact consists
of many outstanding individuals,
unison will allow us to accomplish
success efficiently and effectively. We
want to bring together Interactors so
that we stay strong throughout the
year.
One thing a successful club must have
is a strong foundation. Everything
starts from something, and in this
upcoming year we want to look back
at our Interact roots, learn from what
kind of experiences we’ve had, and
push forward with all the knowledge of
our past. Our goal is to accurately
document what we are doing,
rediscover what we have already done,
and honor our past by telling our story
and promoting our enduring legacy.
This year, we want to reinspire and
motivate Interactors with Interact
Love. Over the years we have inspired
people with why and how Interact
does what it does, and this coming
year we want to celebrate our
inspiration and motivation. We want to
reach out to more people to
emphasize the pure dedication and
passion our members really have. We
will focus on everyone in the club,
including those who have not already
been moved by Interact, hence
“breeding” hope. Not only are we
providing an opportunity for people to
help out their communities, but we are
also breeding motivation and
inspiration to drive them to be the
best that they can be individually, as
well as in unison with their club.
INTERACT STARTER KIT | PAGE 4
YOUR TEAM
Picking Your Team
STEP 1: PLANNING
Consult your Rotary/faculty advisor(s) and District Council to help you create an officer application. Think about the qualities
you want in your future team.
STEP 2: APPLICATIONS
After finalizing your officer application, publicize and distribute these to the club. Set the submission date for roughly 1-2
weeks after distribution.
STEP 3: INTERVIEWS
Once you have received and read through all applications, form general interview questions as well as specific ones tailored
to each applicant. These questions should allow you to gain a more introspective view of each applicant. Review the
applications and screen out those you feel are not the correct match for the position or those you feel did not adequately
complete the application. Depending on the number of potential officers, interviews should be scheduled within a
reasonable amount of time, and can be conducted by either the new presidents or the previous officer team. When
selecting board and office, please make your best effort to be fair and unbiased.
Examples of Application/Interview Questions:
● What does service mean to you?
● Why do you want to be on the Interact board?
● What are 3 important qualities that you have that you think will help as an officer?
● What are you passionate about?
● What do you hope to get out of this experience?
● What does your schedule look like next year?
● If you were to become an officer, where would Interact be ranked among your other priorities? How
will you balance Interact and other priorities?
● What are some skills you would like to learn or improve upon? Why?
● What do you want to change about your community?
INTERACT STARTER KIT | PAGE 5
Officer Positions
When first starting your, your club may only be 10 people strong - in which case, having 8 officers would be silly! Therefore,
you should talk to your advisors and Area Director about which positions (create new ones if you wish) would be the most
beneficial to your club.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
PRESIDENT
Runs to weekly meetings at school. Communicates with officers, board members, the Area Director, and advisors to plan
big events. Attends area meetings and communicates area events and information to the club. Acts as a liaison between
school club and District Council, in terms of reporting community service hours, and reporting fundraised money. Ensures
the club is run in an upbeat, effective, and cooperative manner. Exemplifies what Interact Club stands for. Larger clubs may
have a President and Vice-Presidents or Co
SECRETARY
TREASURER
Keeps track of all hours completed by the members of the
club. Takes notes at all meetings and later sends them to
the President and other officers. Writes the general meeting
agendas in coordination with the President. Larger clubs
may have two or more secretaries, depending on the work
load.
Keeps track of all club funds. Knows what the running
balance of the club's account is. Collects, deposits,
reimburses, and withdraws money for club purposes. Helps
set S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Relevant,
Timely) goals for fundraising within the club.
OPTIONAL POSITIONS
PUBLICIST
HISTORIAN
Is tech savvy (especially with computers and graphic
design). Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
designing posters/flyers, daily morning announcements, club
website updates, designing awards/certificates, etc.
Attends most events in order to take pictures. If needed,
updates the school's club website by uploading pictures of
events. Sends photos and descriptions of events to the Area
Director for publications in district newsletter and on the
district site.
EVENTS
JUNIOR INTERACT
The duties of an Interact Events Coordinator include, but are
not limited to: looking for local community
service/fundraising events for the school to participate in,
assigning roles and responsibilities for event management,
working with the President and Area Director to plan future
events, and collaborating with the club in order to ensure
maximum attendance at district and area events.
Starts Junior Interact Clubs (Interact at middle schools) in
the area, serves as a liaison between the Junior Interact and
the high school club, gives guidance and helps Junior
Interact with any of their needs, and encourages the Junior
Interact members to join Interact when they are in high
school.
BOARD MEMBER
Mainly for larger clubs (for example a club of 300 members will need about 20+ board members and a club of 150+ will
need about 10+ board members). Responsibilities are not as heavy as an officer's duties, but they are still part of the
Interact leadership team and experience. A board member's duty is to find and lead volunteer events. Attends general
meetings, board meetings, and area meetings.
INTERACT STARTER KIT | PAGE 6
7 STEPS
Steps to Starting an Interact Club
STEP 1: CHECK WITH YOUR SCHOOL
Make sure your school administration is fine with starting a community service club, and that there isn’t an inactive Interact
club already in your school that needs to be revived.
STEP 2: FIND A FACULTY ADVISOR
Look for a faculty member that is willing to offer their classroom for general meetings once a week during lunch and
board/officer meetings after school (the faculty adviser must be present at the meetings). Meeting times and dates may
be flexible relative to your advisor’s schedule but at least two general member and two officer meetings must be held
each month.
STEP 3: GATHER YOUR TEAM
Search for students in your school that strive to make a difference in their community as well as internationally. Forms of
recruitment can be through fundraisers, flyers, booths at club day, school announcements, freshman orientation, etc. (use
your imagination!) Officers should be members who are willing and eager to go above and beyond in the club, and are
searching for more responsibility and leadership. Officers and members should serve with the same passion and dedication
to the club.
STEP 4: FIND A ROTARY ADVISOR
Rotary International requires that every Interact club has a sponsoring Rotary club to help guide and support the Interact
club along its journey. Contact the Outreach Coordinators to help find Rotary clubs near your school to sponsor your club
STEP 5: DO THE PAPERWORK
Complete the Rotary International paperwork required to certify a club. Have your school advisor sign the paperwork, and
give the paperwork to your Rotary advisor who will sign and send it to the Rotary 5170 governor to sign and send it to
International Rotary Interact for certification.”.
STEP 6: CONTACT YOUR AREA DIRECT0R
Your Area Director is a resource of vast Interact knowledge and experience for your club to use! Develop a relationship
with your Area Director, and keep up the communication so he/she can help you with your year and keep you up to date
on Area and District happenings while you in turn should update your Director on the happenings of your club so he/she
can keep District Council updated!
STEP 7: PLAN YOUR YEAR
Plan accordingly with your officers/board members, faculty advisor, Rotary advisor, and Area Director to put together a
general plan for the projects (and time frames for completion) your club wants to take on this Interact year. Planning and
laying out a road.
*Form URL: http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/654_cert_form_en.pdf
INTERACT STARTER KIT | PAGE 7
SERVICE IDEAS
EASY
● Trash Pick Up​; 3-4 people in groups; Interactors will be split up into groups with an Officer
in each group. They will then walk around a part of their neighborhood searching for litter
and picking it up as they go.
● Blankets for Kids;​ 5-10 people; Blankets for kids is where Interactors get a soft cloth and
create blankets to donate to kids in local foster homes/orphanages who cannot afford their
own.
● Light The Night/Aids Walk​; 10-20+ people; Inspirational walks that fundraises towards the
research against terminal illness like AIDS and leukemia. Interactors usually form a team
online and walk as a group.
MODERATE
● Capes for Kids​; 5-10+ people; Interactors purchase felt like material and begin cutting out
capes. You are free to design the capes however way you want. The purpose of this event
is to create capes with inspirational messages in order to donate to hospitals with children
that have terminal illnesses to let them know that they are our true heroes.
● Book Drives​; 10+ people; Books of all kinds, there’s a use for them all. Hold a drive to
collect gently used books in your school district’s elementary, middle, and/or high schools.
Distribute the books to libraries or orphanages. Allowing literature to be available to the
children in your area will open new opportunities!
● Random Acts of Kindness;​ 5+ people; Bring all your Officers together and gather materials
like post-its, posters, and clothespins. On these materials, write genuine compliments on
one side and “Pass It On” on another. This will create a ripple of smiles in your community
and positive influence throughout this event.
DIFFICULT
● Holiday of Hope​; 30+ people; Holiday of Hope: a 3-part event where students assemble care
packages from a necessities/money drive that are given directly to the homeless in your
area.
1. Drive
■ Collect money, donations from school. (Food, clothing, etc)
2. Care Package Assembly
■ Using the donations from the drive, purchase supplies and necessities.
Create hand-made cards. Put everything together into care packages.
3. Distribution
■ Try to target the safer locations, and make sure you are being alert and
thinking everything through carefully. Make sure you know where you are
going and your way around your location.
■ With leftover care packages, find a nearby homeless shelter you can give
everything to. They will gladly accept everything on the spot.
● Service Core​; As many as possible; Service Cores is not just one project, it is a series of
projects developed by the minds of passionate individuals. Interact Officers & members
work together to spread service and better connect the club with the community. Members
who end up being selected work as a team with the area director or officers to plan service
events throughout the year. In joining a committee that allows them to create and lead
events, members are inspired to be better leaders in the world.
● Marathon Events​; 10+ people; There are many marathons happening around your area right
now! All you have to do is search for it. These events may be difficult to organize, but when
the ball gets rolling, so does the fun! This is a very interactive event for members to
communicating with adults, children, and peers.
INTERACT STARTER KIT | PAGE 8
CHECKLIST
❏ Talk with school administrators to ask for permission to start up your Interact club.
❏ Look for teachers who are willing to advise the club.
❏ Select the best-fitting teacher — one that is both enthusiastic about Interact and has a
schedule that enables you to use their classroom for meetings.
❏ Recruit a team of reliable and passionate officers to help your club flourish.
❏ Publicize the positions that need to be filled.
❏ Make and distribute officer applications, and set a deadline for 1-2 weeks after distribution.
❏ Review all applications to make a list of questions for interviews, and screen out those who
don’t fit the position’s qualifications.
❏ Schedule and hold interviews with the remaining applicants. Make your final decision in a fair,
unbiased manner. Keep the success of your club in mind!
❏ Contact the Outreach Coordinators ([email protected]) to find a Rotary club to sponsor your
Interact club.
❏ Fill out the paperwork found here: ​http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/654_cert_form_en.pdf
❏ Have your school advisor sign the paperwork.
❏ Have your Rotary advisor sign and send the paperwork.
❏ Contact your Area Director through email to arrange a meeting with them. (Your area director’s email
is area#@interact5170.org. For example, the Area 1 Director’s email is: ​[email protected].​ )
❏ Create a calendar with events that you would like to hold throughout the year. Consult your officer
team and faculty advisor.
❏ Have a meeting with your officer team, faculty advisor, and Rotary advisor to solidify these plans and
start your club off on the right foot! Good luck!
INTERACT STARTER KIT | PAGE 9
CONTACT
Closing Statement
Thank you again for your interest in making a change to this world; we look forward to being in contact with you soon! Please
remember that Interact is here to provide sincere service to those who need it, but don’t forget to have fun as well. This year’s
District Council members are here to support and work for you and your club, so please don’t hesitate to ask us for help and
advice! For assistance with starting a new club or fostering your current one, contact your Area Director and then the Outreach
Coordinators. For more details about any of the contents on this booklet, such as how to start a Junior Interact, please
contact the Outreach Coordinators at [email protected].
Contact
POSITION
NAME
SCHOOL
NUMBER
EMAIL
Area 1
Lea Akima
Saint Joseph Notre Dame
510-499-5870
[email protected]
Area 2
Katherine Ha
Arroyo
510-331-7561
[email protected]
Area 3
Mikayla Tran
Foothill
925-755-6658
[email protected]
Area 4
Julie Tran
American
510-408-8648
[email protected]
Area 5
Rachel Chu
Washington
510-371-1862
[email protected]
Area 6
Annie Dang
Independence
408-616-0953
[email protected]
Area 7
Harry Haessner
University Preparatory Academy
408-387-3941
[email protected]
Area 8
Amanda Doan
Yerba Buena
Request Via Email
[email protected]
Area 9
Lim Deng
Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early
College Academy
408-607-8601
[email protected]
Area 10
Elana Weingord
Scotts Valley
831-430-6616
[email protected]
Area 11
Lily Solomon
Wilcox
408-373-2703
[email protected]
Area 12
June Moon
Homestead
408-966-0917
[email protected]
Area 13
Derek Nguyen
Saint Francis
408-807-1202
[email protected]
Co-Outreach
Swan Ye Htut
Arroyo
510-710-6780
[email protected]
Co-Outreach
Jessy Liu
Saratoga
408-981-4650
outreach@interact5170.
INTERACT STARTER KIT | PAGE 10