The meetings are recorded to assist in drafting minutes.
· At 12:15 on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, Kenneth Schaefer, the St Paul Rotary President, called the meeting to order at the Intercontinental Hotel Pool and Yacht Club. ______ led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and thanked the volunteers helping at the meeting:
· Deb Katzmark and Jeff DeKeuster - greeters,
· Joy McElroy- Inspirational Minute and the Four Way Test,
· Bo Aylin introducing visiting Rotarians and guests
· Our tech team of Andrew Vincelli and Matt Magers.
· District Governor Michael-jon Pease - the scribe and
· Our club administrator Lindsey Beringer.
The speakers were Richard Coffey and Zentavius Graham from Ujamaa Place. Ken Schaefer introduced the speakers.
· Ujamaa Place serves men seeking jobs, financial literacy, housing and personal development
· New High School program to connect Juniors and Seniors about opportunities outside of the traditional 4-year college path.
· Richard shared a story about a young man re-entering the work force after prison whose life was turned around by his experience at Ujamaa Place. After receiving clothes, training and connections to get a good union job. “For the first time in my life, I have something I’m not giving up for anything or anybody. I have a job that allows me to care for my two daughters. That means more than anything ever has.”
· Richard introduced Zentavius Graham, who came to Saint Paul to play football at Concordia University. He shared a bit of his story with Ujamaa Place where he has gone on to start a Brother’s Circle and Run Club. He has since graduated from Concordia and has started his own juice business.
· Ujamaa is Swahili and means “family, community, economics.” These pillars are the pillars of the organization’s theory of change.
· Ujamaa Place provides culturally responsive, wraparound support for young Black men in Saint Paul, integrating education, employment, housing, wellness/life skills, family connection and reentry support to build long-term stability and self-sufficiency. They serve 300 men annually ages 16-40 – anyone who comes through their doors. Richard is working to expand the age cohort and to start programs for women.
Happy Dollars led by Bo Aylin that raised funds for Saint Paul Rotary Club Foundation.
Announcements:
· A moment of silence for the passing of long-time member (55 years!) Darrell Butterwick.
· Micah Thompson, returning exchange student recounted his experience in Brazil.
· Incoming exchange student Claudia from Slovakia.
The meeting ended at 1:15 pm.
Michael-jon Pease, Scribe