Club President Jason Bradshaw called the meeting to order at 12:17 pm. President Jason stated that next week, Todd Nicholson will take over as president at the Tuesday meeting. President Jason also asked for thoughts and prayers for Jerry Meigs on the loss of his son. President Jason thanked those who came to the inspiration lounge, the first back at the University Club. President Jason announced that Bryan Donaldson would be the scribe for the meeting and Carla Hauge was the greeter.
Joy McElroy gave the inspirational minute and spoke about Juneteenth becoming a national holiday. She presented quotes on the subject from a resident of St. Paul and the Rotary Magazine. Joy lead the meeting in the Four-Way Test.
Sarah Koehler introduced the following visiting Rotarians and guests:
- Mary Margaret Will
- Dr. Delores Henderson
- Jessie Stremka
David Dominick spoke about the membership structure and the task force that recently took the matter up. The task force was comprised of club members Ken Crabb, Heidi Fisher, Jason Bradshaw, Todd Nicholson and Dana Bruce. The Task Force recommended reducing to three membership levels: Corporate/duo, Individual, and Rotary Flex. Rotary Flex is a new membership level that would cover members under 40, those not attending in person due to COVID and senior active members. The new rates would go into effect on July 1. The Corporate/duo new rates would go into effect on January 1.
Michael-Jon Pease introduced two new club members: Linda Boss and Christopher Taykalo.
President Jason Bradshaw introduced the guest speaker, club member Steve Young from the Caux Roundtable. Steve spoke about a new smart phone app for personal individual accounts that he has helped to create. He believes this new app, called Newday will close the wealth gap for people of color. The app allows people to invest in cause-related companies and earn dividends and profits in their sales. Steve has engaged a community outreach advisory group, led by Dr. Delores Henderson, to think of ways the app could help the “unbanked” in our community.
During the Steve’s Q& A session, there was a comment that kids need inspiration and personal finance classes in school. A question was asked has to how people could take money out of the app and would there be tax liability. Steve said they were looking into ATM access and there would be capital gains taxes like any investment. Dr. Henderson spoke about the need to help youth to enter this program and that a financial match from donors would be an incentive for youth to participate.
President Jason thanked Steve for his presentation and stated a donation would be made to Cherish All Children in his name. President Jason said we would bump Happy Dollars to next week because the meeting had ran long. President Jason invited everyone to attend next week’s Tuesday luncheon to take part in the passing of the Club Presidency from him to Todd.
President Jason adjourned the meeting at 1:15 p.m.
Bryan Donaldson
Scribe