The Definitive Understanding Of Interact Club

When I first took charge as the chartered President of the Interact Club of Elite High School, Entebbe, I found that 6 in 10 people whom I tried to persuade to join the club had little to no knowledge of what exactly Interact Club entailed. The club’s image in the school was often painted as merely organizing dances and ‘dankes,’ with little more to offer. This misconception was widespread among many.

This challenge isn’t unique to my school alone; it’s a common issue faced by many chartered Interact Club Presidents across different schools in Uganda. However, it’s important to note that while fun is indeed a part of being an Interactor, Rotary, as our founding mother club, values fun alongside service.

So what is the Interact Club if not what it is often perceived to be?

Interact Clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs within a specific area. For instance, the Interact Club of Elite High School, Entebbe, is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bwebejja, to which our Head Teacher belongs. These Rotary Clubs provide support and guidance, but Interact Clubs are self-governing and self-supporting.

Interact is a club for youths aged 12-18 who wish to connect with others in their community or school. Members engage in service projects and learn about the world while having fun—a point that many overlook. Interact Clubs typically organize at least two service projects annually: one benefiting their community and another promoting international understanding. While they receive guidance from Rotary clubs, they govern and support themselves.

The purpose of Interact is to provide young people with the opportunity to work together in a global fellowship dedicated to service and international understanding.

The goals of Interact are manifold:

1. To recognize and develop constructive leadership and personal integrity.
2. To encourage thoughtfulness and helpfulness towards others.
3. To create awareness of the importance of home and family.
4. To foster respect for the rights of others, recognizing the worth of each individual.
5. To emphasize individual responsibility as the foundation of personal success, community improvement, and group achievement.
6. To develop life skills including self-development, time management, and personal finances.
7. To acknowledge the dignity and value of all useful occupations as opportunities to serve society.
8. To provide opportunities for gaining increased knowledge and understanding of community, national, and world affairs.
9. To facilitate personal and group action leading to the advancement of international understanding and goodwill towards all peoples.

In our school, the Interact Club has tasked itself with collaborating with all willing clubs to work towards common goals. These goals include nurturing students into responsible citizens through charity activities, contributing to school policy-making (such as the abolition of plastic bags), organizing cleaning programs, and, of course, hosting parties—a source of excitement cherished by students.

The presence of an Interact Club in schools yields numerous benefits for the school, its students, and individuals, including:

• Connecting with leaders in the community and around the world to make a difference.
• Discovering new cultures and promoting international understanding.
• Becoming a leader in both school and community.
• Having fun and forging friendships globally.

Just as one questions the existence of a song when its lyrics are not fully understood, so too is the case with the Interact Club. We are dedicated to educating our students about the true essence of Interact Club, and I urge all chartered Presidents in their respective high schools to engage with their patrons and ensure that their students grasp the significance of the program fully.

Ahuriire Gilbert

President Interact Club

Elite High School, Entebbe