High Gear Bulletin

 

Wednesday, may 7, 2025

High Gear Editor: Lisa Goldman

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President Phil Siegle called the meeting to order.
 
Mark Johnson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
 
Invocation: Mark Johnson did double duty by giving the invocation, sharing with the group some meaningful words of wisdom:
 
  • “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” (Mahatma Gandhi)
  • “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” (Steve Jobs)
  • “Teddy Roosevelt: Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” (Teddy Roosevelt)
  • Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts. (Winston Churchill)
  • “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” (Nelson Mandela)
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests: President Phil introduced Assistant District Governor Liz Schuck and her friend Terry. Jennifer Pence introduced her parents, Cliff and Alice Pence. President-elect Doug Person introduced April, who had attended the Chamber/Rotary Mixer.
 
Announcements:
 
Bobba Venkatadri announced that last night, the Board approved the request to become the international club working on HPV vaccination in India. This is the Club’s fourth global grant in five years. Bobba gave some impressive statistics about the good work that Burlingame Rotary has been doing in India. The new global grant will help with immunization of 10,000 girls against HPV, a virus that can lead to cervical cancer.
 
 
Jay Miller said we should all read the article that starts on page 47 of this month’s Rotary Magazine. Check it out.
 
 
 
 
Fritz announced that there’s a fundraising committee meeting on Wednesday, May 21, right after lunch. The fall golf fundraiser will be at Topgolf this year! Everyone can participate. You don’t need to be a good golfer to have fun. Please join the committee to help raise funds for scholarships!
 
Jennifer announced that April was National Poetry Month. Jennifer read the poem “Empty Glasses” from the anthology The Lost Chronicles of Love. The author is Burlingame & Hillsborough Rotary’s own Jonnie Dukes. Apparently, the author photo is pretty smoldering. But don’t get any ideas. Jonnie is engaged!
 
Program: Since the scheduled speaker had to cancel due to illness, Past President Fritz and Jennifer announced the April and May birthdays of those in attendance and asked them to tell the group a little about their backgrounds—where they were born, where they grew up, their parents and siblings, etc. Happy birthday to Jerry Winges, Past President Fritz, Past President Marc Friedman, and Nimisha Melag!
 
Did you know that Past President Fritz saw the Beatles at their first live performance on the Ed Sullivan Show? Amazing!
 
Next, they moved on to anniversaries. Happy anniversary to Bobba, Marc Friedman, and Jennifer’s parents!
 
And happy Rotary anniversary to Maki Kobayashi and Jeff Krolik!
 
And thank you Past President Fritz and Jennifer for entertaining the crowd!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Speakers
May 21, 2025 12:15 PM
The Case of the Blind Venetians: Silicon Valley and the Perilous Road to 2035.
The Case of the Blind Venetians: Silicon Valley and the Perilous Road to 2035.

The secret to Silicon Valley's longevity is its culture of deep entrepreneurial adaptability. However, events unfolding far from Silicon Valley are creating challenges like nothing the Valley has ever faced. How the Valley responds will determine the shape of the Bay Area's future-and quite possibly determine whether the United States still exists as a nation a few decades from now.

 

May 28, 2025 12:15 PM
Regenerative Agriculture for Climate Adaptation & Economic Resilience
Jun 04, 2025 12:15 PM
Presentation of the Burlingame Citizen of the Year Award
Jun 18, 2025 12:15 PM
Creating the Silicon in Silicon Valley
Jun 25, 2025 12:15 PM
Outgoing President Phil Siegle
Jul 02, 2025
Dark for July 4th
View entire list
Member Birthdays
Greg Mendell
May 5
 
Scott Williams
May 5
 
Marla Silversmith
May 6
 
Charlene Hsu-Winges
May 12
 
Michael Mahoney
May 17
 
Mike Matteucci
May 17
 
Nimisha Melag
May 24
 
Anniversaries
Bobba Venkatadri
Annapurna
May 9
 
Marc Friedman
Madalyn Friedman
May 26