Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation
Searching for 'the flag' and unable to find it we said the pledge of allegiance with enthusiasm and then listened to a rousing invocation from the Reverand Paul Watermulder. Rev. Watermulder reminded us of the recent heartache of hurricanes Irma and Harvey and of the many Americans suffering in their aftermath. Native Americans call storms like this Hurakons, after 'a great spirit who commanded the east wind." Spanish explorers adopted the word and then began giving hurricanes the names of patron saints on whose feast days the storms occurred. Later, hurricanes were identified by their longitude and latitude. Thank you, Rev. Paul, for reminding us of the dire situation that many of our fellow Americans find themselves. Visiting Rotarians and Guests of the Club
There were no visiting Rotarians at the meeting today. Charles Voltz introduces Femarie 'Fay" Tapper, Vice President of Total Care Services and VP of Marketing, Shayna Salvo who were both guests of President Mike Horwitz. Nancy Bush was delighted to introduce NAMI Executive Director, Helene Zimmerman and Julisa Voincher.
Announcements
President Mike was delighted to ask the new member of our Club, Doug Person. Doug has just returned from his honeymoon and is excited to be a member of Burlingame Rotary. Doug works for the Salvation Army and is an amazing fund raiser. President Mike reminded all members to pay their club dues. Please bring your checks or credit cards to the meeting next week or contact Marilyn Orr or John Delaney.
Past President Stan Moore is still collecting wine for the Golf event and reminded us to bring in a bottle. Currently, Stan has 40 bottles of $30 wine which means we are half way to the 80 bottles we need. Thanks for your work with the bottles, Stan.
As Cory Koh was MIA, President Mike gave the Golf event report letting us know about the exciting live auction items collected for the event.
Charlie Rosebrook reminded the club that the BBQ following the Golf is a mandatory event and members can sign up and pay online by going to the Burlingamerotary.org website. If anyone has a challenge signing up online just call Mary Murphy for help with that...no worries.
Mark Freidman came to the Podium to deliver a tongue-in-cheek Newscast consisting of high praise for President Mike Horwitz and what an honor it is to serve and whose Board of Directors adore him and hang on his every word. Mark also let the Rotary members who weren't born here that President Mike has rescinded their resident status but not to worry he has given us (your editor was born across the pond) six months reprieve for the BOD to make a final decision. Scary stuff.
Program
Nancy Bush introduced us to Helene Zimmerman, Executive Director of NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness). NAMI is 'dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with mental illness and their families through support, education, and advocacy.' Helene is a child of a Holocaust survivor and leads the San Mateo County chapter of NAMI. NAMI is a non-profit, self-help organization of families of persons with brain disorders, consumers of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, professionals and supportive members of the community. These mental illnesses include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic depression); major depression; anxiety and panic disorders; borderline personality; obsessive-compulsive, post traumatic stress disorders and eating disorders. Ms. Zimmerman introduced us to Julisa Voincher who told us her harrowing story as the child of an abusive mother and alcoholic father. She became a gold medal ice-skater and then developed ongoing pain and depression. She painted a picture of despair and anxiety and took us through her 'acceptance' to recovery with the help of NAMI. There was not a sound from the audience as she told her story. Ms. Zimmerman surprised many of us by telling us that 1 in 5 Americans suffers from some kind of mental illness. NAMI has outreach programs, support groups, Education programs, and does research and advocacy. NAMI is funded by memberships and gifts. Thank you both for bringing your organization to our group today, it was truly a moving presentation. NUMI San Mateo County is located at 1650 Borel Place, Suite 130 San Mateo, CA. 94402