Trenton Henspeter, Right Track Director, City of Saint Paul started his work in Saint Paul as a volunteer at Palace Recreation Center on the West End helping coordinate youth sports and athletics at the center. Little did he know that his volunteering would turn into a job and eventually a career. During his time with the City of Saint Paul, Trenton has worked at recreation centers, coordinated senior citizen programs and for the last 5 years he has worked with the City of Saint Paul's Right Track youth employment program. Trenton is passionate about public service and considers the work of Right Track to be the ultimate public service.

The president made several announcements:

• The Rotary night at the Wild game is tonight. There are still 18 tickets left.
• Thursday’s Fellowship Breakfast will be Brianna Vujovich, “Dignity Memorial.”
• Mark Henneman, Mairs and Powers, was mentioned in a Wall Street Journal article.

Shelly Rucks led the Red Stripers’ graduation for: Pam Chandler, Jason Stern, David Dominick, Debbie Lee, Tom Marek, and Sophie Rupp. She also announced that there will be 3 Red Striper events: March 8, Happy Hour at Wild Tymes; at a Thursday morning meeting; and after a Tuesday noon meeting. More information will be coming. Members are encouraged to invite perspective members.

We celebrated February birthdays by singing “Happy Birthday Rotarians.”

Mindee Kastelic announced next Tuesday’s meeting on Right Track and the SPACC Foundation.  

Mary Britts collected Happy Dollars from a number of members.

Valdi Stefanson introduced the speaker, Dave Newman, Fast for Hope. He is a member of the Stillwater Sunrise Rotary Club and a leader for Rotary’s Fast for Hope project. Dave thanked us for forgoing our regular meal for a soup luncheon to help support Fast for Hope. He then told us about the various ways Rotarians are striving to eliminate extreme poverty in the developing world. Some things have worked and others have not, but they have learned valuable lessons about how to create a sustainable, replicable model. There have been a number of challenges due to the fact that the people in developing countries like Nicaragua are organized around the family, not the community. Residents are not used to meeting and making decisions together.

Rotarians are working with El Corozo, a small, poor, rural community in Nicaragua to create a model. It includes Pioneer Capital (learning, inspiring, and replicating), Growth Capital (Leadership, Project Planning, and Relationships), and Project Capital (Improved Health, Economics, Housing, and Education.) They are currently in the 3^rd stage of this model. Community leaders have organized committees to address issues such as literacy, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. They are also working on getting the “Infamous Road” that they use to go to school, work, and medical care paved. In addition, the community is exploring new international opportunities to market their products and develop the tourism industry. For example, a new 4-star hotel employs students and the profits go back to the schools.

Mr. Newman answered questions from Rotary members. President Hauge thanked the speaker for her presentation. Rotary members recited the Four Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 1:15 pm. 

Lynne Beck
Scribe