Our fearless leader, President Fritz, was back in town and therefore able to call our meeting to order.

 

Pledge of Allegiance: Marc Friedman led the pledge while we viewed an array of  American flags on the screen.

 

Invocation: Honorary member Pete Wanger provided some thoughtful words on setting personal goals. “Have no expectations, set no limitations”

 

Guests of the Club: Fr. Michael introduced Raul Pulido and his wife Karina Vargas. This is their first visit to the Club. And, by coincidence, they are also parishioners of Our Lady of Angels. Small world. We hope to see them for additional visits as they are considering membership in Burlingame Rotary.

 

Visiting Rotarians: It was nice to actually have some as this is a rare event these days. Marc Friedman introduced Tekwane Mwendwa who is a member of a club in Nairobi, Kenya. Visiting us from Belmont-Redwood Shores Rotary were former Burlingame Rotarian Rachel Ni and Club President Adele della Santina. Adele reported on some of the activities that her Club has been engaged in.

 

 

Announcements: Fritz welcomed members who were joining us via Zoom. Pierre Bouquet and John Delaney who was tuning in from his new home in Manhattan Beach in Southern California. We’re gonna miss ya, John.

 

Marilyn Orr reminded everyone about the Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 14. She also announced that we will be collecting toys (new, unwrapped) for the Central County Fire Department Toy Drive. So, bring them to the luncheon next week.

 

 

President Fritz then informed us that we could virtually attend the opening of the newly constructed school in Unguturu, India. This was our international project that transformed this 75-year-old rural school into a model of modern digital learning.

 

 

Mark Lucchesi then came to the mike to announce the December birthdays. Bobba Venkatadri and Christine Krolik were congratulated in absentia. Phil Siegle and Cary Koh were present so birthday wishes were extended to them. Donna Colson and Ricardo Ortiz share a birthdate…..Christmas Eve. Paul Watermulder took exception to Mark’s comment that there were no more December birthdays. He reminded us that December 25 was the birth of a rather notable person, Jesus.

 

Fritz reminded us of our “dark days”. There will be no meeting on December 21, December 28 and January 4. We will resume on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. Our program will be our Three Amigos.

 

Program: Bob Doerr introduced our speaker, Rob Fenn. Rob is a paramedic with AMR working in Santa Clara County. When he’s not responding to 911 calls, he’s jumping out of airplanes. He has been the Team Coordinator for Parachute Mobile for 13 years. Rob is also Vice President for Palo Alto Amateur Radio Association, which is one of many ham radio clubs in the area.

 

Rob first reviewed skydiving and what it takes to become certified as a sport skydiver. There are a number of airfields or drop zones in the Bay Area, making it convenient for those in the sport. He then segued to ham radio operations, explaining the requirements to become a ham operator.

 

Rob then told us how he combines these two passions. He showed us all the equipment he carries on his jumps, referring to the vest he brought along.

 

 

Every jump is unique as different ham operators make contact while Rob is descending. And each of those will receive a QSL card for that day’s jump sent to them through their ham call sign. The goal is to make as many contacts as possible on each jump.

 

We were treated to a GoPro video of one of Rob’s jumps. At the conclusion of his talk he took questions from those in attendance.