Rotary Club of Batesville, Indiana, USA

BHS students learn about the new Interact Club from Mrs. Gausman.

About the Batesville High School Interact Club

At their first informational meeting in 2013, 46 service-minded students met with Mrs. Lisa Gausman and expressed interest in forming an Interact Club at BHS.  We are excited about this new service group in our community and have enjoyed supporting and working with the BHS Interact Club!

The high school club has raised money for ShelterBox USA, as well as for local and other global charities.  At the Batesville Rotary Sawdust Days festival, they organize a Chairs For Charity event, with chairs decorated by the community and a silent auction held with all the money raised going to the charity of the artist’s choice.

BHS Interact Club members put up a ShelterBox tent in a fundraiser at Batesville’s 2014 Holiday Parade event.

About the Batesville Middle School Interact Club

The Interact Club of Batesville Middle School is open to students in the 7th and 8th grades. Mrs. Shelly Prickel serves as the club’s Faculty Adviser.  The club takes part in at least two service projects: one to serve the school and/or local community; and one that promotes international understanding.

The club’s first meeting was held on October 12, 2011.

The club’s charter officers have been elected, including three Board Directors who chair the following committees: Service, Fund-Raising, and Public Relations.

Completed and planned projects include:

• A trash clean-up day to celebrate World Interact Week
• Participation in the 2011 Batesville Holiday Parade
• Singing Christmas carols for the residents at the Chateau of Batesville
• Ringing the bell for the Salvation Army with Batesville Rotarians at Batesville Kroger
• Providing refreshments following the RAA’s Classical Guitar Ensemble concert at BMS, January, 2012
• Participation in the 2012 Earth Day / Arbor Day Celebration with the Batesville Rotary Club
• Participation in the 2013 Arbor Day Event where the City of Batesville attained Tree City USA status
• Helping at the 2013 Kids’ Health & Safety Fun Day at Batesville Memorial Public Library

Interact Club President accepting the club charter from Rotary Club President (2/8/12)

Rotary Club presented a banner to the Interact Club (2/8/12)

Rotarians distributed Interact pins to the club members (2/8/12)

Batesville Rotary Club members welcomed the new BMS Interact Club (2/8/12)

About Interact

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.

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 New Generations 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.