PROGRAM 16 members, including 4 on Zoom, heard former club president Dave Newman (now of Arden Hills/Shoreview and Stillwater Sunrise Rotaries) describe Fast For Hope (FFH), the District 5960 “poverty project” in the Nicaraguan community of El Corozo. FFH focuses primarily on the “social innovation” concept: building the capacity of a community to solve the problems that sustain poverty. The community’s challenges and needs are identified and (as necessary) suitable partner organizations are identified. FFH has spurred the Stillwater Sunrise Club’s current Rotary Global Grant water project, to provide well water to El Corozo and pipe it to residences. The meeting afterwards voted to contribute $500.00 to Fast For Hope.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Bob Tholkes announced that Social Committee Scott Lund has tentatively scheduled the spring Mystery Nite Out for Wednesday, May 11.

 

Gordon Backlund conducted an informative induction program for new member Michael Oakley of Andover. Welcome Michael!

 

President Don Archibeque provided details of the club’s summer membership drive. The normal weekly breakfast meetings will be replaced by lunch meetings at the Refuge Golf Club, 21250 Yellow Pine St NW, Oak Grove, MN, the site of the July Golf Classic fundraiser. Complementary lunches and golf will be provided for invited prospective members. Members who choose to golf after the meeting can do so at a discounted rate of $45.00. The lunches will begin at 11:30. Meetings are scheduled for May 25, June 29, and July 27, with an additional date in August to be chosen. Members are requested to help identify prospective members to invite.

 

REMINDERS

 

Brad Gudim (in Steve Klaers’ absence) announced that a STRIVE field trip to North Hennepin Community College will take place on Thursday, April 21. Rotarians are invited to accompany the group.  Rotarians are also invited to accompany STRIVE students as they participate in the Kids in Need school supplies distribution event on May 7. 

 

The next Zoom meeting of the Operation Pollination group will be held Tuesday morning, May 3, at 7:30 a.m. Contact organizer Stuenkel with any questions at stuenkek@colheights.k12.mn.us. The link to join the next is https://colheights-k12-mn-us.zoom.us/j/86961226644.  

 

Fridley High School’s scholarship assembly, at which STRIVE awards are presented, is scheduled for May 19; members are invited to attend.

 

Volunteers will be needed for the planned 49er Days Fun Run, which Bob Olsen will organize in May upon his return from Florida.