Rotary Interact Clubs - Chris Labarge

 Sep 26 - Chris Labarge, District 5510 Interact Chair, gave us a review of the steps involved in creating and supporting an Interact Club at a local high school. An Interact Club is a self governing, self supporting, Rotary Club in a high school for kids age 12-18. Chris outlined the following six steps fo follow in getting an Interact Club started: getting a club with "member champion"; locating a school willing to support the club; finding a faculty advisor; getting students interested and actively involved; selecting a student president; and, finally, completely the necssary paperwork. Chris emphasized the need to provide on-going support to assist with the maintenance of the Interact Club. She has developed a 2 page check list which is distilled from the Rotary 37 page manual to help clubs get started.  Our club supports the Interact Club concept enthusiastically but we also realize the importance of finding a champion within our club before we consider moving this project forward. This was a valuable information meeting that will prompt much discussion in the coming weeks.