After President Cheri called the meeting to order we all made the Pledge of Allegiance. President Cheri asked for a moment of silence for all those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, and our police, fire, and military.

 

Visiting Rotarians were introduced including Gary Chow, District TRF Annual Fund Chair, Michelle Privitera and Rosemary Azem from the San Mateo Club. Rob Chatfield was visiting from the Portland, ME Rotary Club.

 

Guest of the Club included former member Jordana Peil, Jane Carr, Sheldon Lampier, Rich Alger, guest of Pete Wanger, and Minor Racone Burlingame Rotary friend from Hilton Hotel. Today's speaker Burlingame Police Capt. Mike Matteucci. 

 

Fellowship - During this time Gary Chow talked about the Rotary Foundation and asked for our help. Burlingame Rotarian Joe Galligan reminded us that 100% of the money we give goes to make a difference in the lives of millions of people around the world, by promoting peace, preventing disease, bolstering economic development, and providing clean water and sanitation. 

 

Paul Harris Society - Gary Chow was delighted to recognize Burlingame Rotary members, Joe Galligan, and Mike Heffernan into the Paul HarrisSociety. 

 

Presentation of the 2019 Wade Macomber Award - Past Presidents; Marilyn Orr and Marc Freeman explained the significance of the Wade Macomber Award and announced that this year's recipient is John Delaney. John has been a member of the Burlingame Rotary since 2010 and CEO at San Francisco-based Beacon Business Bank. His long-suffering (kidding) partner Sheldon Lampier was present. Congratulations John, a well-deserved award for an amazingly dedicated member of our Club. 

 

New Member Induction - As the sponsor of the newest member of Burlingame Rotary, Mark Johnson stepped up to the podium to officially induct Phil Siegel into the Club. Welcome, Phil we are so excited to have you as a new member of our club. 

 

Guest Speaker - Mike Matteucci; Burlingame’s Chief Of Police was welcomed as a past member of the club and today presentation of How 9/11 Changed Law Enforcement. Mike shared a minute by minute account of what happened from the first hit on the North Tower at 5:46 AM to the North Tower collapse, 7:28 AM. 2996 people were killed including the Pentagon and United Flight 93. 6,000 injured and damage was estimated at $10 billion. Mike had just finished a graveyard shift. He outlined what happened over the next days, weeks, months and years since including the closing of SFO at 7:42 AM that morning. Member Joe Galligan was Mayor of Burlingame at the time and he remembers all the phone calls made to house the people who were visiting our area and could not leave. Capt. Mike described the effect the event had on policing, the 'suspicious person' calls all of which had to be checked out. Private schools in the area were closed and later public schools. A grieving center was set up at the DoubleTree Hotel. Sewage treatment centers had to be checked. Our local fire department sent 3 of their own to New York to help at ground zero. Gradually changes in policing were made; protective equipment for chemical attacks, a Counter Assault Team was set up, masses of training in terrorism for the police departments. Captain Mike explained that one of the biggest impacts was seen in the loss of police personnel, down 37% but now is at 40 officers. Two events since 9/11 have had a big impact on how we police today - the shooting at Columbine High School in 1999 and the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, MO in 2014. This last incident made body cameras the norm for law enforcement officers and Mike feels that cameras are the best thing to happen to the police department. Burlingame Police have been using body cameras since March of 2017. Capt. Mike fielded some questions.

 

President Cheri Presented Captain Mike with a certificate representing 5 polio shots to be made in his name to thank him for his presentation.

 

 

Reflections - President Cheri finished the meeting with a request to us all to make an effort to extend a hand in fellowship to someone in need. She added, 'today we are united in memory to those whose lives were lost and to show gratitude to the brave men and women who protect us forward…they are living examples of fellowship and service to our country and its citizen’s.'