MINNESOTA ROTARIANS STRIVE TO HELP STUDENTS
Using Successful ROTARY Program
By PDG Jim Green - RC of Sun City
 
Dick and Evie Teegen are Minnesota Rotary Snowbirds who land at the Rotary Club of Sun City every winter. 
They have instituted a Rotary program for disenfranchised high school seniors that has become very successful. 
We have asked Dick to provide a summary of the STRIVE activities so that you can create a similar program in your local communities.
 
 
 
Rotary STRIVE Minnesota
Students Taking a Renewed Interest in the Value of Education
 
What is STRIVE?                             
STRIVE is a Rotary Club program where volunteer mentors & speakers work with High School Seniors for the purpose of motivating students to improve their school performance during their Senior Year  as well as to establish attainable goals of career & further education  for after High School graduation in May 2016.
 
What Does STRIVE Stand for?
STRIVE stands for ‘Students Taking Renewed Interest in the Value of Education’
 
What students participate in this program?
Selected senior students who desire to focus more clearly on graduation and career/education after High School graduation. 
 
What support is offered?
Rotarians and community leaders volunteer their time to encourage and work with students on an individual or small group basis providing mentoring and assistance as needed.  Meetings are generally conducted for one hour twice/month at a time convenient for the student day schedule.
 
STRIVE PROGRAM School Year  AGENDA
Speakers, Mentors, and students examine subjects including Survive vs. Thrive, Perseverance/Self Worth,  The Power of Positive Thinking/Attitude,  Opportunity-Goal Setting,  Money Management,  Four Pillars of Health,  Communications/ Relationships,  Discrimination in hiring/mock Interview,  and the completion of a personal growth plan for personal life,  Career, and potential post high school education.
 
What incentives are given?
Students who successfully complete the program will receive scholarships for improvement of grades, attendance, and participation.   Upon completion the senior Strive students are awarded college/community college of choice scholarships ranging from $200 to $1,000.
 
When did the STRIVE Rotary program begin?
STRIVE was establish 25 years ago by a Rotarian of a Twin Cities Rotary Club and today the STRIVE program is successfully being applied in 25 high schools in the Twin Cities and rural Minnesota.
 
WANT MORE INFORMATION
If your Rotary Club would be interested in further informational detail please free to Contact Richard Teegen a member of Central Lakes Rotary Pequot Lakes, MN. And A Snowbird of Sun Lakes Rotary Club.   Dick Teegen is the Rotary Director of STRIVE Pine River-Backus, MN High School program.  This STRIVE program is now in the 4th year and for the first three classes starting in 2013-14 Forty-Five student scholarships have been earned and award for $400 for a total of $18,000.
 
 RichardTeegen
 Rotary District 5580, Central Lake Rotary, Pequot Lakes, MN 
  Teegen@aol.com   cell   218-232-4191