This isn’t your normal community meeting.

Rochester business people, a representative from the state Department of Labor and some of Austin’s most prominent diversity supporters meet about once every two months to share tips and trade tricks to help out Hispanics.

On Thursday, Mary Goetz of the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys passed out pamphlets about girl scout clubs, written in Spanish. Kristi Beckman, integration coordinator for Austin Public Schools, told the group about the district’s after school programming and asked for volunteers who’d be willing to work with elementary school kids from 3 to 4 p.m. on a weekday, “even if it was one day a month.” Maria Guerrero, a medical case manager with the Rural AIDS Action Network, spoke on getting the word out to more Latinos on how to get tested and treated for AIDS.

These are but a few members and guest speakers at the United Service Network, a loose collection of professionals who meet regularly and focus on issues, events, problems and solutions for Hispanic residents in Austin and throughout Minnesota.

“It’s just connecting individuals with the right agencies for answers,” said Jose Duenes, a Hispanic Addiction Recovery Coordinator. “It’s great. You just feel empowered that you’re not working on the same thing that somebody else is starting to do, you’re working together, so we’re not overdoing services.”

The USN, which has seen its membership fluctuate, is one way Austin leaders find solutions for some of the problems its members face.

Although some Hispanic residents may face unique problems like immigration issues, many of the topics and issues the USN talks about are the same sort of issues that impact everyone. Linda Lares, of Semcac in Freeborn County, gave out information about emergency homeless shelters in Albert Lea, for those who’ve lost their jobs or are in dire straits. She also shared a new program Semcac has for people who need help paying their energy bill.

“It helps households with their winter heating and their energy bills,” Lares said. “It’s happening right now, it’s not too late. We are taking applications and it’s not a difficult application, folks. If you know families who are struggling … please get the word out.”

Immigration issues are of concern as well. In keeping with its unofficial mission to act as a resource for the Hispanic community, USN members pool advice to give to residents who are facing an immigration question or legal concern and show them where to go to seek help.

Riverland International Student Adviser Miguel Garate asked Nikki Sommers, incoming immigration lawyer at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Winona, if she would be available to help a woman whose husband who is trying to enter the country legally.

USN members have other pressing concerns, however. One of the major issues USN members and people in the community are talking about obesity among Latino kids and the benefits of cooking at home instead of eating out.

“There are other issues that are important too, for the everyday person that’s over here legally,” said Umbelina Cremer. Cremer holds bilingual seminars on buying and financing a home for Spanish-speaking residents and those new to the U.S.

While the USN has been around for quite some time, membership had fallen due to miscommunication and busy schedules. USN members now meet once every two months, slowly rebuilding and renewing their energy. Garate hopes to see the USN one day have an office of its own and grow to a prominent advocacy group in Austin.

“If we have a goal, then we meet our goal,” Garate said.