September 30, 2020
16 members and prospective member Halimo Ismail, including 7 attending via Zoom, heard Dave Newman of Arden Hills - Shoreview Rotary and leader of District 5960's Fast For Hope effort, speak about FFH's past, present, and future. From 2007-2018 the group worked steadily with the community of El Corozo, Nicaragua, to combat its poverty, learning along the way that a sustainable effort involves first fostering the residents' ability to take the lead in community and then guiding their efforts to accomplish improvements in transport and agriculture and in provision of basic necessities such as water. Chronic civil unrest in 2019 and the coronavirus in 2020 halted the normal functioning of the program, and tasks in other countries were substituted. A new partnership with Opportunities International, which "serves hardworking, inspiring entrepreneurs in 27 countries around the world", according to its website, is now providing a vehicle for moving forward.
The club board at its meeting of October 7 will act on HHF's requested donation of $10 per Rotarian.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Steve Klaers announced that the club's annual golf championship will ensue ay Oak Glen Golf Course in Stillwater on Thursday, October 8. Contact Steve at 612-599-8103 if you have not yet informed him that you will participate.
Scott Lund announced that 21 members and guests have signed up for the Charter Dinner on Wednesday, November 4, about half the attendance anticipated when Banquets of Minnesota reserved for the event. Please contact Scott as soon as possible if you are able to attend.
Speakers October 7: Members Kristen Stuenkel of Columbia Heights and Kim Heil of Fridley describe the perils and opportunities of re-opening public schools during the pandemic.