President Doug called the meeting to order and asked Scott Campbell to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Carol Tanzi was then asked to deliver the invocation. She had a number of thought-provoking sayings.
Carol then gave us a brief update on Mike Kimball, whom we have missed. A card was passed around so we could all send our greetings to him.
Visiting the club was San Mateo Rotarian, Michelle Privitera. Doug briefly introduced our District Governor, Mitone Griffiths.
There were a few announcements. Marilyn Orr made a plea for High Gear writers. She noted that we have a new AI tool in that Zoom now produces a summary recap that she will share with the HG writers. Susan Baker informed us that there were still shifts available in the beer and wine booths for Burlingame on the Avenue. Sign up and have fun while helping to raise money for our Scholarship fund.
Christine Krolik put in a plug for our meeting on August 6. We will be hosting the BHS students who went to Japan as part of our Rotary Youth Exchange activities. As a treat, lunch will be provided by Burlingame restaurant, Tomokazu.
Yea! Birthdays and anniversaries brought to us by Fritz Brauner. There were a couple of milestone membership anniversaries. Lage Andersen joined the Club 40 years ago followed by Fritz Brauner at 39.
Mitone Griffiths, the District Governor, shared her 20-year journey with Rotary, highlighting how it transformed her life and fostered a sense of family. She described her first introduction to Rotary, which led to a lifelong commitment to the organization. Mitone also recounted a significant experience during a family trip to the Philippines, where she witnessed the impact of Rotary's work through ShelterBox after a devastating typhoon. Her story emphasized the power of Rotary in making a difference globally and locally.
She discussed the importance of every member's contribution to Rotary, emphasizing that "every piece matters" and shared her vision as District Governor. She highlighted Rotary International's global impact, noting that their Foundation is a 4-star charity navigator-rated organization with 93% of contributions returning to projects. Mitone also mentioned the district's success in global and district grants, with 38 approved projects and 11 in development, reflecting the Rotary’s significant impact.
Mitone discussed the importance of sharing community projects and stories to generate interest and support, emphasizing the value of communication through various platforms. She highlighted upcoming district events, including a Foundation event during Fleet Week at Treasure Island and a district celebration in 2026, encouraging club members to participate and network. She also introduced professional development opportunities, such as the Servant Leadership Program and Toastmasters, and expressed enthusiasm for the district's future initiatives.
"Why is the District ALWAYS Asking for Money for The Rotary
Immediate Past District Governor Steve Wright will share an inspiring update on the mission and impact od The Rotary Foundation. This powerful organization turns our contributions into meaningful service projects that create lasting change—both in our local communities and across the globe. Through initiatives that promote health, support quality education, protect the environment, and fight poverty, The Rotary Foundation empowers Rotarians to advance global understanding, goodwill, and peace.
