High Gear August 22, 2016
We were happy dudes and dudesses as we returned to the lovely and fabulous Poplar Creek Golf Club for our Monday lunch. It really feels like we’re getting away from it all, rather than just jumping off the freeway on Peninsula Avenue to the Hilton SFO for an hour.
Pledge and Invocation
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Lots of interesting guests and visiting Rotarians. Joe Galligan was manning the registration table. President Stan called the meeting to order promptly at 12:15. Pierre Bouquet led the pledge. Invocateur Frances Boscacci says we are all one family: There are 7,500 generations of homo sapiens, 500 of the most recent generations civilized. We are all related. Her invocation spoke to the gratitude we owe for the lives we lead…and all the new relatives!
Visitors included Marsha Eddleman and Mitch Williams from the San Mateo Club. Mitchell is Owner and CEO of Home Helpers. Marsha Eddleman is part of the group of Mission Hospice angels, our speakers for the day. Pierre Bouquet introduced his guest, Larry Wigby, CPA.
Our guests today were more angels from Mission Hospice including Mary Chigos, Christine Ritzo introduced by fellow Rotarian, Victoria Haket.
John Delaney thanked the volunteers who manned and womanned the booths at Burlingame on the Avenue over the weekend...some $550 was collected, with $250 from President Stan's table alone!
President Stan received a cheeky missive via electronic transmission from the erudite Professor Mike Kimball. Something about being mawkish and self-referential. Stan got back at the Professor, identifying him as singularly loquacious.
President Stan requested a vote by a show of hands on whether the membership was agreeable to meeting on Wednesdays at Poplar Creek Golf Club beginning January 9th, 2017. Yes, absolutely and positively!!! 33 members were in favor, 2 members opposed.
We sang Happy Birthday to Mark Johnson when he finally arrived. And Happy Birthday to Emily Matthews, too, who is off kayaking or baking something yummy.President Stan acknowledged Dr. Paul Nieberding who has been a member since 1966. His sponsor was Dr. Irv Gardiner who delivered the last Nieberding baby.
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Charlie Rosebrook reminded that it’s just 5.5 weeks until our annual dinner (A mandatory club event) at the Peninsula Golf and Country Club, October 3. It is completely allowable to pay in advance; Marilyn Orr is always ready to put your cash in her little pouch.
Speaker - Mary Chigos & Chris Ritzo
Mary Chigos and Chris Ritzo exposed us to the compassionate work of Mission Hospice. Mission Hospice was incorporated in March of 1979. Its founders were Helen Lagen and Mac Nash. Helen was the wife of a physician, described as gracious, compassionate, and tenacious. Mac Nash, known as compassionate and energetic, was told she had 22 months to live. During the last months of Mac’s life, she and Helen Lagen founded Mission Hospice. Attentive, loving care extended her life beyond the original 22 months. She passed April 1978 at 47 years old, and was the first patient of Mission Hospice. Take time to look at their website at www.missionhospice.org. You will come to know the continuing inspiration for this work. Mission Hospice provides compassionate care and comfort when needed most. Hospice is about life! Hospice care has been in the United States since the 70s with volunteers joining the work in 1981. Hospice is a benefit, not a duty, not an obligation. With a patient’s own physician overseeing individual care, the hospice team includes a nurse, a social worker, a home health aide, and a volunteer. There is a spiritual component, but it is not religious.
More about Hospice...
Home care started with palliative home care, offering back-up for caregivers and symptom management. "Palliative" is defined as relieving pain and solving problems, while not treating underlying end-of-life causes. The Board of Directors is all-volunteer; the Board assists in preparing paperwork that will formalize patient’s health directives. Clients are made known of their options. Six months is a normal term of hospice care, but hospice care has been provided for up to three years in some cases. Through incredible work, Mission Hospice now operates Hospice House, located at 16th and Palm Avenues in San Mateo. There are ten rooms in two buildings. Patients and families both are served and supported. Hospice House is the only such facility in San Mateo County.The subject of “Right to Die” was brought up. The ladies promised to return for a thorough discussion. It’s all new. Joe Galligan’s son is a hematology and oncology fellow at UCSF. Even at UCSF, there is no protocol yet. Mission Hospice operates independently and, as such, is funded by community donors. Patients pay what they can; nothing is required. Several Rotarians had personal experiences with Mission Hospice to share. Proud to know our own Joe Galligan was one of the original Board members. We can’t repay these people for the work they do. We can just be eternally grateful and help where and when we can.