Interact
What is Interact?
Interact clubs, sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, are young peoples' service clubs for 12-18 year olds. Every year, Interactors complete at least two projects in their communities, one of which is overseas, helping them build friendships and a better understanding with young people in other countries.
Through their efforts, Interactors develop a network of friendships with local and overseas clubs and learn the importance of:
- Developing leadership skills
- Demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others
- Understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work
- Advancing international understanding and goodwill
There are more than 10,700 clubs in 109 countries and geographical areas. Interact has become a worldwide phenomenon. Almost 200,000 young people are now involved in Interact.
Princes Risborough Interact
The whole idea of Interact is to help the students gain leadership skills, develop self- confidence, extend friendships, widen their horizons about local, national and international matters, give service to needy people in these different communities and cultures and have fun.
Interact membership is centred on the Sixth Forms of Princes Risborough School. It is thought that Years 12 and 13 students are more likely, as maturing young adults, to develop independent initiative, adapt and continue to promote the ideal of "Service Above Self" in later life.
Supported by the Princes Risborough Rotary Club to provide support and guidance, the students are encouraged to run the Club themselves. In addition, a senior member of staff takes a keen interest in proceedings, providing advice where necessary. The number of Interactors in the Interact Club ranges between 15 and 25. Sustaining a healthy membership is achieved by recruiting students in Year 11 just as, or before they enter the Sixth Form and before the Year 13s leave school. In September new Interact recruits are invited as part of their induction to a Rotary evening meeting and meal where they learn a bit more about the Rotary Family and what it achieves.
Each year the Interactors organise and support a number of activities and raise money for a variety of good causes, including Save The Children, Air Ambulance, ShoeBoxes, Dream Flight, One Can Trust, Dementia Cafe, The Desborough Play Centre and many more chosen by each of the Clubs. Also, they support different Rotary projects such as the local community Firework Night and Young Carers special functions.
As a reward for all Interact efforts at the end of each year our Rotary Club organises a day out for the Interactors. This might include, for example, sailing, gliding, going Ape or even following up one of their own suggestions.
Both the Interactors and the Rotarians greatly benefit from our partnership of mutual support and fellowship.
