Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation

On Monday of Thanksgiving Week 2016, we gathered to enjoy Tres Amigos, aka The God Squad.    It was a gorgeous day, bright and crisp.  Buddha knows we needed some inspirational words as we prepare to gather with folks we love who may have dissenting opinions.
President Stan is freezing somewhere east of the Mississippi, so we were graced with pro tem President Mark Johnson who called the meeting to order at the strike of 12:15. No, I’m serious. The pledge of allegiance was led by Bill Tiedeman, followed by an inspirational invocation by Rosalie McCloud, shared here:  We have been shattered into pieces, Divisive patter has demeaned us, Let’s commit to redeem peace around us. In this room in this city let our faith bloom in the gritty places, among all creeds and races. Let our Rotary service shine to all who observe us. Thanks, Google:  Rotary Invocation for Thanksgiving!!!!  Shout out to Shawn L. Bird.
 

Announcements

Feeling thankful, Jerry Kuehn joined  Stan’s President’s Club.  Stan makes money even while AWOL.  We still miss our leader!
Mark shared that he, Bob Doerr, and others have  been visiting Jay Plank who is in a care home on Capuchino.  Mostly he sleeps, but he lets the guys know he’s aware of their visits.  Cards, maybe?  
Jay Doker received his square badge.  Congratulations!  Mike Heffernan reminded us of a significant event that recently occurred.  No, not that one;  the Cubbies winning the World Series.  Time to split the spoils.  Receiving $65.00 each were Maki Kobayashi, Bob Doerr, Chuck Voltz, and Mark Johnson.  Bigger winner was Cheri Carr at $185.00 and Biggest Winner was Rotary Club of Burlingame.  Congratulations all!!! Serra High alums Mark Johnson and Jim Shypertt shouted out to San Mateo hometown guy Tom Brady for the win yesterday at Levi Stadium.  No need to go into details.  It wasn’t pretty.  Tom Brady was pretty, that’s about it.

Guests and Visiting Rotarians

Visiting Rotarians - Nary a one.
 
Guests of the Club - Joe Galligan introduced his guests Helen Galligan and daughter Erin, home for the holiday.  In the absence of Barry Parker,  his guest Mariya Shklovskaya of Keller Williams Burlingame was introduced. Joe La Mariana introduced his guest Hilary Gans of Rethink Waste.  Charles Voltz introduced his partner Mary Hunt.  Guest of Cheri Carr was Norma Walter.
 
Joe Galligan shared photos and shared details of his rewarding experience wit his family and Rotary, helping out after Hurricane Matthew.
Frances Boscacci introduced International Chairman Bill Tiedeman who ran a short video illustrating the work of the Rotary Foundation, founded in 1917 during the Presidential year of Arch Klumph.  From a few, a hundred years later members count millions,  and are on the verge of eradicating polio in the world. Rotary has raised $3 Billion for International Foundation. Let’s continue the good work for another hundred years!
Happy Birthday, Lage Andersen, tomorrow, November 22!  Profound words:  “It goes awful fast.”  There is truth in the statement that life picks up speed once you’re over the hill.  The originator of this truth was not  credited…for good reason.
It is world “hello” day!  We had noooooo idea.
President of the Day Mark announced our holiday luncheon to be held December 12 at Sapore Italian on Burlingame Avenue.  Cost will be $40.00.  Emily Matthew and Cheryl Fama are doing the planning, so should be fun.
 

 

Program

Pastor Paul Watermulder took the podium.  We’re dealing with a barbell;  there are opposite and unbalancing opinions on two sides.  Hold in mind that God has joined all people as one, together.  A message from Nepal:  You are the U.S.A.—you will start again.

Father Mike Mahoney followed.   Democracy is always in flux and changing.   Keys to remember:  We must be people who LISTEN. Focus on relationship.  We can’t wait for the “radicals” in our life to complete their thoughts; we can’t wait to TELL THEM. Reagan and Gorbachev opened themselves up and took time to know each other. They became a relationship, began to see how things could work and be different We have pride, pain, hopes, and fears.  Listening is key to a new America.Knowing how to argue well is important.  Nobody can predict results; there are always multiple interpretations.  As an example, our Constitution is open to multiple interpretations. Rabbi Jay concluded.   Americans are straight and strong.  Speaking of straight and strong,  Rabbi Jay’s parents spent their honeymoon in 1945 watching the 1945 Cubbies win the Series, last time for long time.  Straight and strong in the end; so is America. Why us?  There is a pervasive divisiveness: people, politics, families.  The Divisiveness of People.
Rotary Club of Burlingame, founded in 1925 was organized by inclusive design.  There was a need, a design was created to end polio.  Today, we are this close. We are thankful to Rotary:  Rotary steps up.
 
THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS TO ALL!
Dates to Remember
November   28    Rabbi Dan Feder and a Holocaust Survivor
December    5    San Mateo Police Chief Susan Mannheimer
December   12   Holiday Cheer at Sapore Ristorante Italiano 1447 Burlingame Avenue