Interact Club of Appleton North is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Appleton.
Motto: “Take action, build international understanding, and make new friends around the world. Develop your leadership skills while you discover the power of Service Above Self, and find out how serious leadership can be seriously fun!”
Origin: The founding of the club was initiated by Eeshani Buddi in January 2018 with the support of her rotary and school advisors. The first official School meeting with 6 motivated and committed interact team was on April 26, 2018. This is the first Interact club in the Fox Valley and is currently 56 Interactors strong.
Executive team: From May 2018-current
President- Eeshani Buddi
Vice President- Clara Weed
Secretary- Isabel Hestres
Treasurer- To be filled
Class Representatives:
Freshmen: To be filled
Sophomores: Eliza Weed
Juniors: Brendan Lemery
Seniors: Emma Hermansen
School Advisor: Mr Steve Sugrue
Rotary Advisors: Ms. Sridevi Buddi, Dr. Sridhar Balakuntalam
Activities:
Served 1200 meals at the Appleton Salvation Army since our club’s inception. It’s incredible to put a smile on others’ faces, and serving meals gives the interactors an opportunity to do so. Having that exposure helped us to see the world in a different light, and allowed us to get outside of our own bubbles.
Planted Trees in 2018 alongside rotarians at Riverview Gardens with Rotarians in the name of fellowship, friendship, and community service.
Volunteered in September 2018 and 2019 at Rhythms of the world, a multicultural event organized by IndUS of Fox Valley in collaboration with Rotary Club of Appleton, the City of Appleton, Appleton Downtown Inc., Building for Kids, Appleton Public Library, CDFC and Thrivent at the Houdini Plaza in Downtown Appleton. This event celebrated inclusion of all ages, cultures and backgrounds via dance and music from various cultures and a ‘Dignity & Respect’ campaign by the Appleton city.
Painted the walls at Boys and Girls Brigade, a youth leadership development organization with facilities in Neenah and Waupaca
Volunteered at Houdini 10K Run in 2018 and 2019 alongside rotarians. Interactors registered participants, handed out race material, and refreshments.
In the world, there are very few viruses that have been eradicated so far, such as smallpox. Our team felt that Rotary’s work in trying to eradicate Polio is inspirational, especially when we are living through a global pandemic. In 2020, we donated proceeds from our fundraiser to end Polio.
Upcoming activities:
We are planning a virtual presentation at the school in September 2020, which will focus on Interact and the Rotary club’s policy on acceptance, dignity and respect.
Rhythms of the world 2020 reimagined, a virtual presentation.
The team is currently planning a CoVid fundraiser by offering car washes.
We are also making mentorship plans with the boys and girls brigade to help with kids with homework in various stem courses like maths and science.
In the news:
President Eeshani Buddi and Vice President Clara Weed holding the award with platinum distinction, the highest citation that can be conferred on an Interact Club by the Rotary International. The club accomplished this award in August 2020 for achieving the community service, leadership, global service, and strategic goals established by the Rotary International.
