Rotary Interact Club Reflects On Past Year
The outgoing Hamilton Rotary Interact Club President has provided the club’s end of year report, taking note of the goals that the club accomplished.
Hamilton Rotary Interact Club President Sari Smith said, “When I started my presidency last year in 2020, I was filled with contrasting emotions. I experienced both excitement and nervousness. I didn’t know what to expect as incoming President of Hamilton Rotary Interact Club. I was ready to take the position and fulfill my role to the best of my abilities.
“The original goal we had in place before Covid hit was to phase out our community-based Interact Club and expand the Interact Clubs into schools so it would be accessible for all students who had interest. We had outgrown our meeting place at the Department of Youth and Sports.
“Our membership had grown to 30 students. Secondary schools were calling for Rotary Interact to join their schools.
“Covid put a damper on these plans, and we all as a club had to learn to adapt and change. Our new goal was to serve our community to our best ability in this time of distress, and to move our meetings to remote. This would enable us to continue to serve our community while being socially distanced.
“We decided to focus on seniors as our first project. We came up with the Intergenerational Calling Program.
“This program was headed by Past President Nadhiri Simons, who continued to mentor me as incoming President and our executive board members. We were assigned to different seniors, and the goal was to call them up, and to check on them. It was to reassure them that we all still cared for them even though we couldn’t see them, and just be a companion to them in this time of distress.
“We met on Zoom to discuss the importance of sensitivity and service and developed the program. We, along with some of the exchange students, took part in this endeavour and called and emailed seniors during our first Shelter In Place. This was rewarding to us all.
“During my Presidency, we also completed other projects, such as the following:
“The 2020 KBB clean up initiative. Hamilton Rotary Interact Club, along with the Interact Club from Somersfield, helped to clean up the trails and beaches along Baileys Bay/Coney Island. This was organized by former Executive Director of KBB, Mrs. Anne Hyde.
“Another program which is still up and running with great success is the Busy Bee Book Club and Eager Beaver Book Club, which are Zoom Tutorial sessions for students in need of reading assistance. The Interacters raised and donated $383 to purchase books and materials for this programme, which started with Northlands Primary Students to enhance student learning.
“Over 20 students have benefitted from this online program, funded by our Interact Club with classes taught by our Adviser, Hamilton Rotary Youth Director, Rotarian Cathy Bassett. Initial books were purchased by the Interacters and supplemented by funding from Adviser Cathy, veteran teacher in Bermuda public schools.
“The number of referrals have doubled. Several students have met and exceeded expected levels of proficiency and have exited the two book clubs, while several new students have been referred. Kind donors from two very special ‘Women In Action’ local clubs have now taken over the funding and students engaged in online learning have been outfitted with kindles and an array of books and learning aids to supplement materials. We now service St. George’s Prep students, West Pembroke, Harrington Sound, Northlands and Success Academy.
“They are currently engaged in local author studies under the direction of Mrs. Joan Aspinall. They have incorporated reading with writing in their book club sessions and all will publish their first book by the end of the summer. Mrs. Aspinall will work with the book clubs on a volunteer basis to introduce the art of writing, illustrating and publishing books. -We hosted the awards and Pinning Ceremony, which was held in the mall for new students and advisers.
“We were able to host it there with the help of Rotarian Kit Kitson as our generous mentor who started the Interact Club 46 years ago. The original club came to an end and was reawakened by Youth Development Director Cathy after she visited a UN Rotary Convention.
“Interact Clubs were then introduced at Somersfield, CedarBridge Academy and Mount St. Agnes. Talks are currently in process for starting Interact Clubs in three additional private schools.
“We also hosted exchange students at Flannagans as part of our farewell.
“We participated in the donation of food vouchers to patients in the Beresford Swan Dialysis Department and coordinated the sending of letters and cards to our Rotary Mentor, Past President, Rotarian Kirk Kitsin while he was receiving medical attention abroad.
“I, on behalf of the Rotary Interact Club, was able to donate $200 in funds to the LCCA, with proceeds from my violin performances on the streets of Hamilton during my spare time.
“We donated $250 to SCARS and PALS charities.
“Under the Direction of Adviser Kae Thomas Palacio, we held Leadership seminars with leaders both locally and globally. We were mentored by Rotaracter Abit Ragbeer of NYC, Rhodes Scholar Ryan Perinchief, Youth Leader Koa Goodchild, Justice Nicole Stoneham, and Toastmasters Ebony Fray. As a result, this year’s students are keen, committed leaders ready to climb the Rotary ladder.
“For fun, we attended a movie night, hosted by Adviser Denoris Armstrong at the Specialty Cinema.
“She and Adviser Shammara hosted a Beach Fest Graduation Awards Picnic. Rotarians Past Presidents Dr. Raphael Loutoby and Gwen Creary distributed graduation pins and gave remarks to graduates.
“We volunteered at the Arts Exhibit Competition of the Ag show 2020/2021. Most Interacters helped organize the coordination of placement of pictures under the school names, hand out prizes, observe judges, and return pictures to the right schools. Although we were on Zoom for the entire year, we were productive and served above self.
“We had many bouts of anxiety as our extracurricular activities and social life disappeared. We received counseling as a group from Benedict Associates, facilitated by Rotarians Cathy and Executive Director of Benedict, Rotarian Vaugn Mosher. This was funded by Hamilton Rotary Club.
“We benefited from the opportunity to express ourselves and share our feelings. Our year was rough and our plates were full, but we persevered and overcame numerous obstacles to become the strong leaders that we are.
“I would like to thank all of our caring Advisers, Hamilton Rotary Club, my able Vice President, Emma Roberts, and all other Executive members, as well as current and new members for making my year as President in Rotary a successful and most rewarding one.”
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