Cary noted that the sign up for performing at BGT is up and running, and Marilyn chimed in that the site is also ready for ticket purchases:
March 21-30 our Japanese exchange students will be here. We still need housing for 1 or 2 of the students. Hosts should provide breakfast and dinner, but there is budget for that.
Jerry Winges updated us on the India school project:
- Raising funds for tech and infrastructure
- Have raised $46,000 of $50,000 goal from 14 clubs DDF
- Plus 40% from Rotary Foundation = total $90,000
- $32,000 from individual and other club donations
- $100,000 grant from large pharma company in India
- Applying for an additional grant
- Total potential $ for project = $225,000
- Project due to be complete December 1st of this year
- Bobba inviting all members to come to the dedication December 5 – 12
Newscast
Jerry stayed at the podium for a breaking news alert: the newscast is adding a new segment, to augment 2 Truths and a Lie, Topical Trivia, Mark Lucchesi’s birthday & anniversary recognitions. It is called My Rotary Story.
Jerry called on Jennifer Pence to share her rotary story. Jennifer related that she had heard from a friend in another state that Rotary clubs do a lot of outdoor activities and are a bastion of liberal activism. She looked up Burlingame Rotary, since her business is located there, and showed up at a meeting. She was greeted quizzically by those at the check-in desk since she wasn’t a guest of a member, but fortunately for all of us, the members were gracious enough that Jennifer became the invaluable member that we cherish today.
Dennis Zell was called upon to share his Rotary story. In 2002, Dennis was running as the Republican candidate for State Senate vs. Jackie Speier (I think we know the results of that race). Joe Galligan advised Dennis to network via Rotary. As Dennis told us, “Politics came and went, but Rotary was here to stay!”
Jerry Winges originally came to a meeting in 1991 to spur business for his fledgling architectural business. Carol Hatch invited him, and Lage Anderson was President. Jerry related that, “it was the funniest most wonderful meeting that I’d ever been to.” Jerry joined our club because it was fun and there were ”good people doing good work.” Cary opined that Jerry should be a future Club President.
Speaker
Jennifer Pence introduced Dr. Inge Hansen, clinical psychologist, who was Director of Well Being at Stanford from 2008 – 2022. She is the co-author of The Ethical Sellout, “which addresses the ways in which we all face situations that touch our values and ideals and offers new ways to think about marginalization, privilege and self-interest,” in other words, “how to maintain your integrity in a messy world.”
After sharing some stories of real-life ethical dilemmas, the pillars of Dr. Hansen’s talk were centered around:
- Compassion
- Honesty
- Accountability
- Nuance
- Growth
- Exploration
As usual, members asked insightful questions during Q&A. Our talented Cary Koh shared his concerns about “selling out” when he made the difficult career decisions to transition from classical music, playing in the great concert halls around the world, to show music, playing for Broadway SF, to his current career in finance. Jeff Krolik relayed an amusing story about a real-life ethical dilemma he faced in business.
Thank you, Jennifer, for bringing another interesting speaker to us.
Respectfully submitted,
Christine Krolik
Our very own Burlingame Rotarian, Mark Lucchesi has started a podcast for the Burlingame Historical Society called "Burlingame is a Small Town." He has interviewed a number of Burlingame Rotarians as well as other prominent folks in our community. You can check out his YouTube podcasts 