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EDEAR INTERACT PRESIDENT,We would like to personally thank you for your passion

and commitment to bringing Interact to your school community. If you are perusing this starter kit you likely

fit the very definition of “the first follower is also the leader.” District 5170 is the most prolific Interact District internationally and we attribute our success to one key reason, family. The bonds between the thirteen areas of our district transcend our geographical distance and keep us moving not as thirteen autonomous parts, but as one fluid machine with thirteen complementary, churning cogs. As you embark on this journey we encourage you to embrace the community of your adopting area and district. Not one of the hundred clubs in our district has never faltered, never wavered, because with the transition and growth of leadership there will be inevitable fluctuation and hard times. With the rebound of each club their leaders gain experience, a legacy to not only pass down vertically in their own club, but also share horizontally with their family in D5170. The exchange of ideas and support from other Interactors emphasizes how the problem of one is the problem of all, the success of one the success of all.” We are stronger together, and thus the small contributions each of us make are able to be put into the context of what the youth is truly capable of when they set forth to empower change. In short, we want you to know that you are not alone in this journey and there are many others willing to lend a helping hand. We look forward to the inspiration you will provide to your followers who in turn will follow full cycle and become leaders to carry on your legacy. With that being said, we’d like to leave you with one last guiding thought, our 2014-15 District Theme:

Break Barriers of Indifference, Build Bridges of Understanding,

Transcend the Status Quo, Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges.

Thank you and good luck on your endeavors!

WITH INTERACT LOVE,LILLIAN ZHAO | GOVERNOR

OLIVER BORG | LT. GOVERNOR

GOVERNOR@INTERACT5170.ORG LTGOVERNOR@INTERACT5170.ORG

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TABLE O

F CONTENTS

VISION & GOALSPAGE 4

JUNIOR INTERACT?PAGE 6

HOW TO START A JUNIOR INTERACT

PAGE 8

FREQUENTLYASKED QUESTIONS

PAGE 12

CHECKLISTFOR SUCCESS

PAGE 14

ADDITIONAL NOTESPAGE 17

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VIS

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In everything we do, we strive to do what has not been done before. In making friends we break barriers of unfamiliarity to build bridges of trust.

For centuries we have worked to break more and more barriers in the form of patriarchy, gender inequality, racism to build more and more bridges of equal rights. However, what Teddy Roosevelt dubbed our beautiful melting pot, is in fact a century later, still chunky soup. In our modern day society we pride ourselves in “celebrating diversity and individuality”, as opposed to approving of the want to conform. The history of us has always bred ignorance. Will we be the shot of empathy to vaccinate our generation from apathy?

Break Barriers Build Bridges

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Break Barriersof Indifference

Apathy is a sort of living oblivion. The opposite of love is not hate, but rather indifference; in order to hate you must acknowledge and process, but to be apathetic you spare no precious thoughts.

Build Bridges of UnderstandingBridges have no allegiance to one side. With understanding comes tolerance,

and with tolerance comes understanding. Thus, we must build bridges of understanding. We are not challenging our Interactors to go out and change

the world completely this minute, but rather to embody and promote the breaking of barriers and building of bridges to the Millennial generation. For several decades the politicians and lawyers of this generation may rewrite legislature, the doctors and scientists may find new cures of illness, the volunteers will support their causes, the priests will preach, the people will celebrate their culture, the CEOs will shape the corporate world... and in the midst of all this these people now wield the power to in their life’s work, Break Barriers and Build Bridges.

Transcend the Status Quo

Every Interact generation has the responsibility to take the wings built by those before them, build upon them, and soar to greater heights; in other words, to stand on the shoulders of those before them. Every human generation has

the same responsibility, to transcend the status quo, to not let the sacrifice and perseverance of social activists be for naught. This year, we challenge Interact District 5170 to, both mentality and physicality, strive towards the embracement and understanding of those different from thyself; to transcend diversity, socioeconomic status, religion, culture, gender inequality, and racism.

Break Barriers Build Bridges

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JUNI

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RACT

WHAT IS JUNIOR

INTERACT?Junior Interact is a service club that serves as the

middle school branch of Rotary International. Similar to an Interact Club, a Junior Interact Club

focuses on the core values of Rotary becoming instilled in the youth; granting social and leadership skills to be developed through a willingness and consciousness of service through community and international outreach. Junior Interact clubs work in coalition with full-fledged Interact clubs to reach annual goals of visions, themes, and monetary/community service hour goals that align the energy and passion of the youth to the lessons of Rotary.

WHY START A JUNIOR

INTERACT CLUB?

Starting a Junior Interact Club is a great way to instill a spirit for early on in a student’s academic and extracurricular career, providing future Interactors

with the experience and insight they will need to better lead Interact clubs when they enter high school. Creating a Junior Interact Club also helps promote unity between the middle school and high school. It is a great way to mentor middle school students to adhere themselves to the values of Rotary, which exposes them to the process of organizing and participating in community service events and teaches them leadership skills.

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WHAT IS JUNIOR

WHAT DOESJUNIOR

INTERACT DO?Junior Interact members will be given opportunities to participate in community

service events with high school Interact members, as well as organize volunteer events of their own at local organizations with the help of the

Interact-Junior Interact liaison. Junior Interact members are also allowed unique opportunities to shadow Interactors in many of their endeavors as they seek to bring world change to their local and international communities.

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STEPONECONTACT YOUR DISTRICT OUTREACH COORDINATORS

Contact the 2014-2015 Outreach Coordinators through email (outreach @district5170) or Facebook (Pooja Nair and Ben Huang) to let us know you are interested. We will help guide and support you through this process.

Keeping a running conversation with us will help make the process much smoother. Also make sure to notify your Area Director of your plans to keep them updated.

STEPTWOFIND A WILLING STUDENT AND TEACHER ADVISOR*

The absolute best way to find a dedicated base to begin a Junior Interact Club is through physical confrontation. As we like to say, “one-on-one, gets it done!”. Contact your local middle school in advance, and make a trip down

to introduce the idea to interested individuals. Send emails through students and teachers to find interested individuals. When choosing a student, make sure to choose one that is hard-working and passionate, as he/she will be an integral part to the club’s longevity and success. When selecting a teacher advisor, make sure the teacher understands all of his/her responsibilities as an advisor of the Junior Interact Club. Take the time to meet, encourage, teach, and inspire your student as it will make a world of difference.

*While administration approval is the deal breaker as to whether or not the club can go forward, it is easier to get approval when you have established student and teacher back-ing, as that shows the Administration that their only responsibility is to give permission and that the student and teacher are capable enough to see the club through.

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STEPTHREEGET ADMINISTRATION APPROVAL

Set up a meeting with the school’s administration, principal, or activities director. Make an effort to meet them in person as it makes a huge difference. It is important to have your proposal prepared and practiced to ensure

the administration that you are professional. Assure them that after they have given permission, there will be no more effort on their part and that it will not become a huge responsibility for them. Let them know that you will personally be taking responsibility for the club. If they state any requirements, prerequisites, or conditions, make sure to work through these and reply back quickly.

STEPFOURFIND A SPONSORING

ROTARY CLUB*

If you’ve made it this far, you’re practically set! As Outreach Coordinators, our job is to make sure your experience starting a Junior Interact Club is as smooth and successful as possible, and this can be strengthened with the support of a

Rotary Club behind you. Our responsibility is to find your sponsoring Rotary Club. Just shoot us another email letting us know you have been approved and we will handle it for you.

*While this step will be necessary to maintain your club, it is not immediate to proceed!

STEPFIVEHOLD A PARENT MEETING

Whether or not Step 4 has been completed, your newly established club now needs to find its roots. Present the image of Interact to parents in a positive way to encourage parent support. Make sure to spread the

goals of Rotary as well as Interact, and be sure to emphasize your passion and dedication towards the organization. Having parent support creates opportunities for more collaborative events and helps to make the club run smoothly.

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STEPSIXADVERTISE AND HOLDYOUR FIRST MEETING

In order to ensure that your newly begun Junior Interact Club can begin successfully, you must help advertise and plan its first meeting. Work hand in hand with the teacher advisor to walk through the components of a successful

meeting and a successful club. Make sure to publicize your first meeting to the fullest extent possible by advertising with fliers, school announcements, email, and even social networking websites.

STEPSEVENELECT OFFICERS

Your club’s first meeting has drawn a crowd of inspired Junior Interactors, ready to begin their journey early. To further involve new members, you need a group of responsible, dedicated, passionate students willing to work

as officers for this newly established club. These officers can be elected through method of voting or be established by the teacher him/herself. This board will serve as the backbone for carrying out all of the club’s responsibilities, meetings, and service events!

STEPEIGHTCHECK IN ON YOURCLUB REGULARLY

Once the club is established, it can be easy for the club to decrease in activity soon after. However, the club’s activity can likewise be increased greatly with your active participation in its success! Make sure your

Junior Interact Club is thriving by checking in on meetings periodically throughout the year and give them more reasons to love Interact by inviting the entire club to major Area (Charity Dinners, Benefit Shows) or even District events (FLC, International Project Workshops)!

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FAQ

SWHAT IF THE ADMINISTRATION IS NOT RESPONDING TO MY EMAILS?

If the administration is unresponsive, you should try meeting the Principal one-on-one, face-to-face. If you talk to the school secretary, he/she may notify you

of the Principal’s schedule and then mark you down for an appointment. If you still have problems with the administration, you should immediately contact your sponsoring Rotary Club, the District Outreach Coordinator, or your Area Director.

HOW SHOULD MEETINGS TAKE PLACE?

Preferably, meetings should take place after school so that the Interact-Junior Interact liaison from the Interact club can attend. The location should be

discussed with the faculty adviser, seeing as how he/she must also be present, and it is common courtesy to hold meetings at a location on campus (such as a classroom) where it is easiest for him/her. Occasionally, the District Outreach Coordinator may also attend these meetings to check in on the club’s progress. Meetings should be held at a minimum of once a month and should not last for more than 30 minutes.

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HOW SHOULD I APPROACH THE OFFICER SELECTION PROCESS?

The selection process may vary with each school, but an application is recommended. If the administration advises you to select the officers before the first club meeting, you should set up a booth at the middle school (coordinate

with the school for an appropriate time such as Back to School Night) and look for prospective candidates/officers. Once you release the application, give members about 1-2 weeks to submit them. You should be able to pick your team following this step, but if you feel you need to further assess your candidates upon reviewing applications, an interview process is recommended. If you receive a large number of applications and end up turning applicants down, it is of utmost importance that you explain to them that they should not be deterred from becoming involved in Junior Interact despite the decision because there are many other opportunities to gain leadership skills.

I'M HAVING TROUBLE FINDING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR MY JUNIOR INTERACT CLUB! WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Don’t worry, there are always opportunities out there! Work with your teacher advisor to find local projects to complete or even create opportunities by hosting campus beautification sessions at the school itself! On top of this,

you can invite the club to your own club’s events, or even your own area’s events! Under your wing, this new club is a part of the family, and inviting them to as many events as possible helps include them.

SAMPLE APPLICATION QUESTIONS

Why is service important for our communities?how do you define a leader?What motivated you to join Junior Interact?What can you bring to the club?

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CONTACT THE DISTRICT OUTREACH COORDINATOR SO

THAT YOU MAY RECEIVE ASSISTANCE THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. MAKE SURE YOUR CLUB IS ON RECORD IN THE DISTRICT DIRECTORY.

CONTACT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL’S ADMINISTRATION TO ASK FOR

PERMISSION TO START UP YOUR INTERACT CLUB AND COMMUNICATE THE VISION AND GOALS OF INTERACT TO THE ADMINISTRATION FOR THE CLUB AND ITS PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS.

SEEK OUT AN ADVISER FOR YOUR CLUB, PREFERABLY A

FACULTY MEMBER WHO IS BOTH ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT INTERACT AND HAS A SCHEDULE THAT ENABLES YOU TO USE HIS/HER CLASSROOM FOR MEETINGS.

FIND A SPONSORING/LOCAL ROTARY CLUB (CONTACT

THE DISTRICT OUTREACH COORDINATORS BEFOREHAND)

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APPOINT THE OFFICER POSITION OF ’OUTREACH COORDINATOR’

TO ONE OF YOUR OWN SCHOOL’S MEMBERS. THIS PERSON WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING THE JUNIOR INTERACT CLUB.

PUBLICIZE THE CLUB AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL THROUGH

ANNOUNCEMENTS, FLYERS, SOCIAL MEDIA, ETC.

ADVERTISE YOUR CLUB TO PARENTS AND STAFF THROUGH

LARGE SCHOOL EVENTS SUCH AS BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT.

RECRUIT A TEAM OF RELIABLE AND PASSIONATE JUNIOR

INTERACT OFFICERS TO HELP YOUR CLUB FLOURISH. AN APPLICATION PROCESS IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS STEP.

INVITE JUNIOR INTERACT MEMBERS TO INTERACT EVENTS, RANGING

FROM VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES TO FLC TO AREA CHARITY DINNERS.

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ADDITIO

NAL N

OTES

ROTARY CLUB NAME

ROTARY CLUB PRESIDENT

PHONE NUMBER

EMAIL ADDRESS

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NOTES

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NOTES