The February 3, 2015 the Saint Paul Club 10 meeting was called to order by President John Guthmann at 12:15 after a lively pre-meeting jazz piano performance by Bob Jones. Kristin Montpetin and Carol Bufton were thanked for serving as meeting Greeters. Carol Bufton also shared the invocation.

 

President Guthmann accepted a club flag from visiting Rotarian Magnus Wallin and his wife Margaret Karlsson from Strangnas, Sweden.

President Guthmann shared six words for quickly telling others about Rotary..."Joins leaders, exchanges ideas, and takes action."

Donovan Schwichtenberg promoted next week's meeting speaker for February10th, Bob Hoffman who will speak on Greater MN workforce and why it matters to the Metro region. Board is a member of the MNSCU Board of Trustees.

Steve Gerber kicked off Camp RYLA planning by inviting all members to get involved.  The first meeting is Tuesday, February 10. Email Steve at mnryla@gmail.com to find out how you can help with this signature program.

Thursday breakfast speaker is Pete Zellmer of Saint Paul Hotel.

Happy Dollars included Roger Nelson and Dr Ken Crabb sharing flags from their visits to Rotary clubs during recent trips. Ken strongly encouraged members to do the same on their next trip, especially when traveling abroad.

Paul DeGeest introduced Margaret Anderson Kelliher, President of the MN High Tech Association, former Speaker of the MN House and former gubernatorial candidate to talk about Minnesota's technology industry and efforts to combat the talent shortage. MHTA's goal is to be in the top five states in the country for STEM workforce, innovation and public policy.  Member companies cut across many industries including technology, medical, manufacturing, research and financial services

There is a reason for significant concern over the growing STEM talent shortage which could be as high as 180,000 vacancies by 2020.  Minnesota STEM talent shortage is the second highest in the county.

The talent shortage is the biggest restraint to the industries growth. A number of workforce strategies must be employed to combat this.  There are not enough native born residents - even with full educational preparation -  so we must attract nationally and internationally.

Retirements from STEM occupations will outpace overall aging in workforce.  Without both short term and long term strategies, business will have to look for solutions elsewhere.

MHTA started a program providing college level research interns to entrepreneurs and small businesses in science and technology. They also worked with Greater Twin Cities United Way to create an IT Action Alliance.  It is linked to their Pathways out of poverty strategy and targeted healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, technology.  It's looking at how to create high school to college pathways for low income first generation students. This has been picked up in Earn to Learn strategies at the state.

The key is keeping real time information imbedded in technology training.  Prime Digital Academy at the Nerdery example of real time training getting people into STEM careers.

It takes the entire education to college and university system to address this issue.  Visit the Get STEM MN website to connect to programs for youth.

President Guthmann thanked the speaker and presented a certificate of appreciation and donation to the Saint Paul Library’s Read Imagewith me program.  President Guthmann led members through the Four Way Test and thanked everyone for their attendance.

See you at the Wild February 24 and at Sherry's celebration March 5.

Meeting adjourned.

Trixie Golberg, Scribe