Charter Ceremony: Interact Club of Shanghai American School Puxi

On Thursday May 10th 2018, at 15:15, our 8th Interact Club had its Charter Ceremony in the auditorium of SAS Puxi campus. All but two members of the Interact Club attended. The school was represented by Interact Club Adviser Ms. Tanya Hawkes and High School Principal Mr. Muldoon. Rotary China was represented by Interact Chair Roy (Lohas) Chu and Membership Chair Harry Wong. RCS was represented by President Motohiro, IPP Andrew, who is our special liaison to the school and Youth Service Committee Chair Ludovic.

In his welcome speech, Mr. Muldoon explained how Interact grows important skills in the students and helps them pursue their own interests. Mr. Muldoon noted the unusual strength of RCS network of 7 Interact Clubs that SAS is joining. Lastly, Mr. Muldoon shared his personal experiences as President of his own Interact Club back in high school, then later helping students rekindle the Interact Club of another school, he learnt that once adults put the students on track, they have to quickly get out of the way because motivated Interactors don’t stop on the way to their goals.

President Motohiro talked about the Rotary family, history and strength in the US then focused his speech on both the achievements of opening a club and the difficulty to ensure a healthy club ‘Creating a club is not an easy thing, but making a club sustainable is more difficult and important’.  Motohiro stressed that through engagement and struggling, the club members will gain valuable experience and skills to survive in the real world. President Motohiro closed his speech with good wishes for Interact Club of SAS Puxi to become a shining club in China and worldwide.

Following the two speeches, members of the Interact Club were called one by one to receive their pins from Lohas and Ludovic. The club banner was presented to them. Then President Motohiro pinned CP Leo Wong and presented him with the Club Charter Certificate and the Bell and Gavel.

CP Leo Wong rang the bell for the very firsts time and added he liked its sound. CP Leo had a shorter speech than Principal Muldoon and President Motohiro. His words went to thank the school and Ms. Tanya Hawkes for her support as well as Rotarians for their help. He explained the genesis of their club starting with only two members, himself and now PE William Fang. CP Leo thanked his members for their hard work too.

CP Leo Wong rang the bell a second time to close the meeting. The meeting ended with group photos and many parent-student photos.