President Jerry Winges opened the meeting and Jay Miller led our group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
We had two guests. One of our newest members, Mia Compin, brought her friend and local resident Courtney Jamieson. We also welcomed our old friend and longtime member JoeDiMaio.
Invocation
Rev Paul Watermulder’s invocation focused on the dangers of loneliness and how this need for connection drives Rotary now and was also at the center of our organization’s founding, in 1905. He encouraged us to meditate on the various aspects of loneliness and told a story about his time in the Merchant Marines and how loneliness led to him proposing to his wife, fifty-five years ago. He reminded us that loneliness is not pleasant, but the avoidance of it drives people to make friends, get married, have kids and contribute to their communities.
Announcements
Saturday Nov 7th is the Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) event. This is an important fundraising opportunity for our Foundation. It’s going to be a fun event, and every Rotarian is encouraged to participate!
Jeff Krolik reminded us of our upcoming fall fundraiser. TopGolf will be held on Sunday, November 15. This event is how we are able to support our scholarship programs for Burlingame students. So please participate by 1) a sponsorship, 2) buying tickets and 3) donating wine and funds.
Jennifer Pence said we have nine signups for the AVID BHS Career Day on Nov 17th. We need more! So let Jennifer know if you can help.
This year, Veterans Day, November 11, will be a Wednesday. Doug Person would like to create a program honoring those who served. He is asking members who had family members who were involved in any of our past wars and conflicts, from WWII to the Gulf Wars to submit photos and a bit of narrative.
Unfortunately, our own Jonnie Dukes is recovering from a rotator cuff injury and was not in attendance. (Get well soon, Jonnie!). But his World Series pool lives on. Squares are $20 and the score of the last game determines the big winner. It’s too late to sign up for this year since the first game was on Friday, October 23rd, but we’ll report back on who wins the pool so they can buy us all drinks at some future date.
Sadly, long-time San Mateo Rotarian Dick DeLuna recently passed away. There will be a Mass at St. Barts next Tuesday at Noon, and a viewing is available that day at 11AM. Dick was a great guy and we will all miss him.
Fritz Brauner led us in one of his humorous fellowship moments, recognizing various members in attendance who had birthdays or anniversaries in the months of September or October. See the sidebar in this newsletter each week to identify those individuals. But members must come to our meetings in person to be celebrated by Fritz (and lightly grilled, of course).
Bobba Venkatadri led a quick Happy Dollars moment for our Club and contributed $20 as a celebration of our group securing Congressman Mullen to address us on this day. MiaCompin gave $30 as a tribute to her and her mother’s thirty years in business in Burlingame as owners/manager of Marlinda’s Mod Skincare.
Program:
Christine Krolik introduced our esteemed guest speaker, Congressman Kevin Mullin. He discussed how our democracy is under threat as a result of actions by the Trump Administration. He outlined why the various executive orders, legal challenges and highly irregular federal law enforcement activities should alarm all Americans, regardless of political allegiance. Although he believes our electoral system faces acute threats, he has faith that the rule of law will ultimately prevail. Congressman Mullin also discussed how politics in America feels broken right now. He believes we must rebuild a “politics of common good” in order for us to get along and also for our country to have the best chance of addressing the many important issues facing us.
President Jerry thanked Congressman Mullin for his visit and presented him with a certificate noting that, in support of Rotary's effort to rid the world of polio, we would donate ten doses of the vaccine.
Saddle up and mosey on into the Elm Room as we celebrate another outstanding year of service, fellowship, and accomplishments by the Rotary Club of Burlingame & Hillsborough!
We'll round up the highlights, recognize our successes, and tip our hats to the members who made it all happen.
A special Oktoberfest menu and celebratory drinks will add a little Western flair to the festivities.
Y'all come! It's going to be a rootin' tootin' good time!
