New Interact Club in Boone County

Local Students Establish New Rotary Club

An enthusiastic group of Northern Kentucky teens met September 18th at the Schebin branch of the Boone County Library for the inaugural meeting of the new Interact Club of Boone County.  It is a community-based organization which provides leadership opportunities to all youth ages 12 – 18 who live in any of the communities in Northern Kentucky, not only Boone County.   Rotary District Governor Kathryn Hardman joined with Florence Rotary President Bradley Shipe as well as local Rotarians for the official ceremony. 

Governor Hardman presented “Peace Through Service” pins to each of the new Interact members in turn as she challenged the members to continue to grow in service to the community. Brad Shipe presented Inga Almquist with the official Rotary bell and gavel to mark the beginning of her term as Interact Club President.

The Interact Club of Boone County is the first Interact Club to be sponsored by the Florence Rotary Club. Rotarians Barbara Rahn and Sharon Almquist worked diligently throughout the summer to prepare the students and consult with Rotary on the formation of the Interact Club. Both Barb and Sharon will continue to act as advisors and liaison between Florence Rotary and the Interact Club of Boone County.

Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but they are self-governing and self-supporting.

Club membership varies greatly. Clubs can be single gender or mixed, large or small. They can draw from the student body of a single school or from two or more schools in the same community.  
Each year, Interact clubs complete at least two community service projects, one of which furthers international understanding and goodwill. Through these efforts, Interactors develop a network of friendships with local and overseas clubs and learn the importance of

• Developing leadership skills and personal integrity
• Demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others
• Understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work
• Advancing international understanding and goodwill

As one of the most significant and fastest-growing programs of Rotary service, with more than 10,700 clubs in 109 countries and geographical areas, Interact has become a worldwide phenomenon. Almost 200,000 young people are involved in Interact.