Every year, Interact clubs from cities around the Bay Area convene at Independence High School for a conference with other members of District 5170—the largest in the world. The Fall Leadership Conference–or FLC as it is commonly known–hosts over 4,000 club members for a day geared at building leadership skills. It is here that the international and community projects for the year are announced.

Interact is sponsored by the Rotary Club, and aims to raise money for important causes by rallying volunteers and organizing community service events. Last year, the international project was focused on ending human trafficking, while the community project’s main goal was to aid the homeless in our local area.

In light of recent crises, this year’s international project hopes to benefit a a group that has seen exceptional hardship: Syrian refugees. By the end of the year, our district hopes to raise $120,000 to help this cause.

For the 2016 community project, our district’s main focus will be on ending the negative stigma associated with mental illness, and helping those who live with these conditions.

The district is comprised of numerous “areas” and every year, each area adopts a new mascot. This year, Lincoln students and those from other schools in Area 7 were called the Boba Bears. Other mascots included the Cosmic Corgis, Noble Narwhals, Kaleidoscope Koi Fish, and Dunkin’ Dinos.

“Definitely join [Interact],” said senior Jesus Ramirez. “It’s not just a way to get community service; you meet many people and you get many opportunities from there. I know people who have gone on to do great things just because they started with Interact.”

Anyone interested in joining can head to room C every Monday during lunch to find out more!