Mission Statement

The Santa Rosa Sunrise Rotary Club is proud to sponsor the Interact Club at Elsie Allen High School. It is our belief that, by demonstrating Rotarian leadership, values and commitment to "service above self", we will produce outstanding community leaders and the Rotarians of the future.

Goat Rock Beach Clean Up Project

What Is Interact?

Interact is a Rotary sponsored leadership/service club for young people ages 14-18. All Interact clubs carry out at least two service projects yearly - one that serves the school or community and another that furthers international understanding. Every Interact club is sponsored by a Rotary club, which provides guidance on a continuing basis. In addition, Interactors often form a service partnership with the sponsoring Rotarians, lending their enthusiastic support to a variety of Rotary projects.

Interact benefits its young members, the sponsoring Rotary club, and the community that Interactors serve. Through Interact, young people develop initiative, leadership skills, and lasting friendships. The Rotary club gains a service partner, as well as an opportunity to prepare its community's youth for future leadership.

Founded in 1962, Interact stands for International Action. The first club was established in Melbourne, Florida, USA. The movement quickly spread to many other parts of the world. Today, there are 2,400 clubs in 69 countries worldwide, with a membership of 53,000.

Interact is part of the Partners-in-Service section of Rotary International's Community Development Programs. That's because a successful Interact program depends on a close working relationship between the Interactors and their sponsoring Rotary club. Another important element in this partnership is the district Interact committee, which promotes and administers the program districtwide.

Steele Lane Garden Clean Up

The Interact Leadership Conference... Wow!!!

Each year in March, I'm always amazed at the energy and fellowship that takes place at the Rotary District 5130 Interact Leadership Conference. If anyone wonders where our future leaders will come from, or have any doubts about what our future world will be like... attend this event. You will see how 200-plus students and advisors from 18-plus Northern California schools enjoy three days of interactivity and friendship. They share ideas, compare projects, smile a lot, listen to inspirational speakers, laugh a lot, make speeches, perform skits, dance with each other, accept awards, and plan future cooperative projects together with other Interact clubs.

Friday afternoon check-ins, friendship renewals, and camp exploring - followed by an excellent dinner at 6PM. Friday evening, everyone participates in games and mixers.

Saturday morning begins with the 'breakfast bell' at 8AM. The conference ceremonies start at 9 with an official welcome by the District Interact Chairperson. This is followed by a presentation of past year's projects by each Interact club in attendance. These two hours of sharing ideas with each other is one of the highlights of every conference. It tells the story of Interact activity in our district and is of particular interest to guests.

After lunch, inspirational speakers present programs on topics of interest to these young leaders of tomorrow.

Dinner is followed by skit presentations and a Saturday night dance party rocks us to midnight.

On Sunday at 7AM, a voluntary church service is provided for anyone who wishes to attend. After breakfast, we all get together in the main meeting hall for the closing ceremonies. Awards are presented for 'Most Successful Project(s)', 'Conference Leader' and 'Most Inspirational'.

As the closing ceremonies conclude, a microphone is passed around and students express heartfelt thank yous and good-byes to their friends, peers, teachers and Rotarian advisors. Each year, it seems we are always in agreement - this was the best year yet!

Bayer Cummunity Garden Project

Service Above Self

The concept of combining the efforts of high school Interact Club members and Rotarians, young and old working together on both community and international projects, provides a forum for communication and mutual respect. This process, by demonstrating 'service above self', produces a long-lasting, positive impression on the lives of these young leaders of tomorrow.

Holiday Skate Party of Kidstreet Up

Colgan Creek Re-hab

Join Interact!