Pledge: Donna Colson did a wonderful job pledging allegiance to the flag while driving…. quite a skill!
Visiting Rotarians: Ann Ritzman (also known as Town of Hillsborough Manager) joined us from the Foster City Club.
Guests of the Club: Our very own Burlingame Mayor, Ann O’Brien joined the meeting to assist with the Guest Speaker.
Invocation: Doug Person shared with us the Poem “Pray” by Mary Oliver:
“Praying
It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.”
Sunshine Report: Cheri Delacy-Carr is recovering well at her home. We wish you all the best Cheri!
Also…. our furry friends—Lady Gaga Delaney and Annie Bush are also on the mend.
Breakout Rooms: Always fun! But we didn’t get to hear the best part of Bobba’s awesome visit to Kauai!!
Announcements: President Joe’s lovely daughter recently got engaged on the shores of Positano! Congrats to the whole family.
Congrats also goes to the SF Giants with the earliest to clinch the playoffs!
Rotary’s Golf Tournament is coming up in 4 short weeks! It is the club’s major fundraiser and we still need…. Golfers, Hole Sponsors, and Raffle Prizes!
Speaking of raffle prizes…. don’t miss out on a day on the water paddle boarding with Ex-Pres Emily. Sure to be a top seller!
Board Meeting next Wednesday 9/22 at 4:30pm.
Newscast: Your Editor today also got to do a “Man on the Street” interview with our very own Charles Voltz. Chuck was a great sport and participated reminding us of his days as an Employment Attorney and tantalizing us with a Death Row story that will be saved for another day. Charles has been a member of the Rotary club for over 25 years and often brings his Life Partner Mary Hunt to meetings. Thanks for playing along Chuck and we appreciate your service to the community and the club!
Guest Speaker: Roy Earnest-Associate Director at Center for Age Friendly ExcellenceAge Friendly Cities
Mayor Ann O’Brien who is leading an initiative regarding policies around older adults in Burlingame introduced Roy Earnest who is working with the Burlingame City Council to make Burlingame more livable and walkable for older adults. This initiative is also part of the World Health Organization’s focus on Age Friendly Cities.
Extra money has been set aside to assist Burlingame, Half Moon Bay and San Carlos in the process to become an Age Friendly City joining Pacifica, Redwood City, Daly City, Foster City, San Mateo and Colma that have already achieved that status. We hope Burlingame to be certified within the next 3-4 weeks.
Roy educated us on the Process Café (Center For Age Friendly Excellence) focusing on:
· Promoting active aging
· Becoming more inclusive and accessible
· Supporting aging in place
· Fostering a greater sense of community
We watched an AARP video showing more livable communities that focus on transportation, parks, shopping, and volunteerism for older adults ensuring they can stay in the lifelong home.
Burlingame has had 7 focus group sessions with 44 residents from all parts of the Burlingame community including Asian, Latinx and the economically vulnerable. Data indicates the Communication and Information was the most needed in Burlingame. Our City already produces a Senior Newsletter, but more effort needs to be done to connect with local groups, churches and service organizations to get the word out. The possibilities for Age Friendly Projects are limitless. Our very own Mark Lucchesi and Cheryl Fama were participants in these focus groups.
If you would like more information, you can go to AARP.org/Livable communities. Also, any suggestions can be directed to Ann O’Brien or Donna Colson.
Many thanks to Ann, Donna and Roy for all their great work making Burlingame an even more vibrant, livable community!
Meeting Recording Found Here:
Link!
