MV Rotary Learns About Interact From The Voice Of Experience

Dracut Rotary Club member Frank Atifonario spoke to the Merrimack Valley Rotary on his experiences with Interact. Frank, who has started and managed a number of Interact groups in his area, told the group that if you want to start a group you need to go right to the principal of the school and get his or her support. Then, you need to decided where the meetings are going to be held and how often.

Elect A Chair That Can Relate

The Club should elect a Chairperson for the project, Frank said. That person should be the individual who can best relate to the youth. This individual will be there to supervise but not dictate.

Challenges

He explained that some of the challenges of starting such a group are: students have very many things going on; every four years the member rotates and the members need to be kept active with projects and activities.

Accomplishments

Some of the accomplishments of the Dracut Interact group were fundraisers (yard sales, raffles, car washes; nursing home visits; help building a bridge in Honduras, sending books oversees; attending district conferences; selling meatball subs at the Rotary Trade Show; and creating a Memorial Day Float. Other events included raking leaves at people's home, tutoring in grammar school, candy bar sales, working on the Habitat for Humanity, Carolling for Project Santa, Carnation sales on St Pats Day and Rose sales on Valentine's Day.

Learn More!

Frank said that if you wanted to learn more, that you should get in touch with the District Chair: Douglas Lard, Weston Rotary Club, at dougleard@relatour4u.com