High Gear - May 10, 2017

Posted by Rosalie McCloud on May 16, 2017

Truth be told, it was a tad windy today. Still, we had a huge turnout, all seats occupied, and a kids’ ta

ble required, probably due to Mary Murphy’s reminder email last evening. We saw folks we hadn’t seen in months. The food was great, and the guest speaker was outstanding. Another great day at Rotary Club of Burlingame! Good to see Tom Mohr.

Thanks, Tom, for introducing us to the Chancellor.

(Our stalwart editor Rosalie McCloud)

Pledge and Invocation

President Stan invited Tom Mohr to lead us in the Pledge. Suzanne Juptner delighted all with a beautiful invocation this Mother’s Day week:

As most of you know, Sunday is Mother’s Day, so let us take a moment to remember our mothers.

Most of us grew up on the insight, advice, and wisdom of our moms – and some of that advice remains with us.

My mother is no longer here, but she is still with me as is her vision. So, in honor of my mom, let me share one of her insights, which went along the lines of:

You can make any choice you want if you are willing to accept the consequences that come with it.

So, on Mother’s Day, remember your mom, and also remember:

To the world you might just be one person, but to one person you might just be the world. That person was your mom. Thanks, Suzanne. Happy Mother’s Day to you!!!

Guests and Visiting Rotarians

Guests included Burlingame High School Career Center Assistant and Service Learning Liaison Carrie Hermann and the four students who will be going to Japan to visit our sister club in Edogawa. The lucky students are Carmen Lavilla, Jason Shevach, Eoghan Treanor, and Kaili Shan. Congratulations, all.

(2015 JES)

Guest of Peter Comaroto today was his mother Rosemary Rayburn. Guests included former Burlingame Rotarian Tom Mohr and our speaker today, Ron Galatolo, Chancellor of the San Mateo County Community College District.

Announcements

Proud mom Cheryl Fama reported that daughter Vicky Fama Daniel defended her thesis and has been awarded her Ph.D. in science and medicine from the University of Wisconsin. Cheryl was so excited, she readily joined Stan’s Presidents Club. Thank you, Cheryl. Shout out to the Peninsula, Vicky is the product of local Millbrae public schools. Congratulations Vicky, Cheryl, and Denis.

President Stan tried to sweet-talk Teddy the K into joining the Presidents Club after his long absence in Palm Desert. Ted’s response was a bit ambiguous. Stan then told Ted he should “do what he thinks is best.” We will have to wait and see how Ted interprets that advice.

Cheri Delacy Carr pointed out how easy it is to sign up and pay online for the Burlingame Bistro event at the Doubletree on Sunday, May 21. This is our last fundraiser of Stan’s year. It’s a Sunday night from 4:30 to 7:30. Just a fun, social event with live music, lots of restaurants offering good food, where the program is fellowship. Check out burlingamerotary.org. Great opportunity to introduce Rotary to your friends, family, in-laws, outlaws.

Cheri and Fritz attempted to increase their share value by touting iPhones. They asked how many of us had iPhones. Check. Then, what is the most valuable feature of your iPhone. The Japanese exchange kids were amazed that we actually functioned at all prior to January 9, 2007 when the first iPhone was introduced. If you tell a kid you’re going to “hang up,” they call 911. There is much to learn, young Jedi.

Mark your calendars: June 28 is the Debunking where President Stan will be relieved of his duties and honored in the Burlingame Rotary Way! Expect silly string…

Peter Comaroto introduced the Edogawa Exchange Students. Nineteen students were interviewed and each of the 19 was an excellent candidate. The four deserving winners with us today were accompanied by their school liaison Carrie Hermann.

Program

Marilyn Orr introduced Tom Mohr, who then introduced speaker Ron Galatolo, Chancellor of the San Mateo County Community College District. It was good to see Tom, a former Burlingame Rotarian. Looking good, Tom. Marilyn mentioned that Tom worked for 53 years in education. Tom served as Superintendent of San Mateo Union High School District, then retired. He was hired out of retirement to the position of President of Canada College, then retired once again. He now serves on the Board of the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD). Tom introduced Ron Galatolo, Chancellor SMCCCD.

As Chancellor, Ron manages the three campuses of the Community College District: Canada College in Redwood City, College of San Mateo in San Mateo, and Skyline College in San Bruno. There are over 40,000 students and some 7,000 employees in the District. Ron Galatolo has served as Chancellor of SMCCCD since 1999, after eleven years at Foothill-DeAnza College. He was lured to San Mateo because he was raised and schooled in San Carlos. SMCCCD is one of the premier college districts In the State of California. It serves some 45,000 of the 112,000 community college students in the State.

Ron detailed the history of funding challenges and acknowledged our own Ted Kruttschnitt for his continued support. Ron started his career as a CPA working for KPMG Peat Marwick. He was asked to assist the Foothill-DeAnza Community College as an accommodation, worked with them three months, and came to the realization that work with the college would satisfy something missing in his work as a public accountant: the satisfaction of giving back to the community that raised him and the opportunity to make a difference. He never looked back. When he moved to the San Mateo District, he realized that his schools were in need of repair/updating, having been built in the 60s. He put his finance and accountancy background to work; three bonds were put forth, totaling one billion dollars. As a result, our District has first-class facilities including state-of-the art science buildings.

These projects were completed on time and under budget, with zero litigation.

Students are not completing their baccalaureate degrees. We are half a million degreed individuals short of current needs. In a county – the heart of Silicon Valley – with 800,000 residents, we have no public four-year colleges. The goal is to somehow integrate community colleges with four-year institutions, to the benefit of both. Middle College allows students to complete college-level classes while completing high school, making it possible to cut a four-year degree to three years. The cost savings for families is impressive. Ron says there are creative ways to utilize the community colleges to prepare the students for a smooth transition into four-year institutions. Even the transition from high school to college can be daunting. Students are “guided” through twelve years of school. They receive daily instruction on what to do and where to be in order to graduate. Next thing they get a Catalog and a Schedule of Classes to figure out for themselves. They’re on their own and easily discouraged.

The transfer rate from the two-year school to the four-year is only 20%. The 20% that transfer are good, well-educated students, and the CSUs are happy to have them.

The core mission focuses on preparing students for transfer to four-year universities, developing workforce and occupational skills, and delivering remedial instruction to enhance post-secondarylearning.

Thanks, Chancellor Galatolo, for all you do. We will look forward to hearing how you follow through with your exciting ideas! Come back soon.

NEXT WEEK- MAY 17 - Paul Belzer, Principal, Burlingame High School

MAY BIRTHDAYS: May 17 – Father Mike Mahoney