Rotary Club of Rossmoor - Walnut Creek, 3400 Golden Rain Road, Walnut Creek, CA (2026)

05/27/2026

One if our active members.

05/04/2026

2026-04-29 Club Meeting
Call to Order: President Peter V.S., Pledge-Peter S., Patriotic Song- “You’re A Grand Old Flag” 4-Way Test “Is It the Truth?” “Is it Fair to All Concerned?” “Will It Build Good Will and Better Friendship?” “Will It Be Beneficial to All Concerned?”
Guests and Visiting Rotarians: Val (friend of Janet C.), applied for membership. Barbara R. (Nace’ wife); Therese W., here to hear guest speaker Ann P.
Thought for the Day: Alison L.- By Wynton Marsalis-“Don't wish for someone else to do later what you can do now.”
Happy Dollars: Jim O.-the pleasure of having excellent speakers; Bill B., re: his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren; Eddie F., also for our excellent guest speaker; Peter S., Anne H., off for a month in Belgium
Raffle: $46 money available. Winners: Anne H.-yogurt; Mieko W., wine. Sunshine Report: Jean D. asked that we olease tell her if there is anyone you want her to send a condolence or get-well card.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Membership-Janet C. talked about today’s meeting and plans in place to attract new members. It’s important that all members of the membership committee attend each meeting the 4th Wednesday of the month at 10:30 prior to the general meeting. Please tell Janet or Jim O. your thoughts on attracting new members. Plans are in effect to publicize articles in the RN about what our club accomplishes, profiles of Club members about what Rotary has meant to them, and features about local organizations that have received Foundation grants.
District 5160 Update-Joy A., District Governor, reported on the upcoming District Conference in Santa Rosa, May 1-3. 186 have registered including a few of our Club members.
LBGTQ Assembly-Carolyn H. reported on her attendance at this worthwhile event. On the program for the event, our Rotary Club was featured as a sponsor.
President -Elect SurveyJohn S. handed out individual member survey forms to be completed showing what Club members have done during their memberships, and what future activities they are interested in engaging. It is a first step for the President-Elect to learn about us as he makes plans for his future leadership. PROGRAM - Ann Peterson., Director of Communications, RWC (Rossmoor Walnut Creek). Ann is a career journalist, recipient of numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize while at the East Bay Times. It is notable that Ann has taken the Rossmoor News from $640,000 in revenue in 2018, to $1 million in the past 2 years.
She is principally active in creating 2 new websites for residents of Rossmoor. The “My Rossmoor Portal,” where residents can get all kinds of helpful information, manage guest lists, obtain security gate passes, reserve event tickets, make golf reservations, learn what mutuals we live in, what clubs are available to join, etc. She showed videos of how to access the website and how “user friendly” it is. At the same time, she showed us “for the first time,” the new Rossmoor.com website to be launched Friday, May 1, 2026. This website will be the new “marketing” tool for RWC. People who logon to this website will learn that RWC is not a “just a place where people come to die.” Smart, colorful, and informative, this website shows what the audience of prospective homebuyers will learn about amenities, homesites, and costs that “separate us from the competition.” The website also includes video testimonies, and personal histories of our residents.
Close partnerships with real companies have been established. Rossmoor.com is also now on social media, both Instagram and Facebook. All club members enjoyed this exciting and informative talk.
UPCOMING EVENTS May 6 Kevin Wilk – Walnut Creek Update
May 13 10:30 Club Board of Directors Meeting
May 13 Angela Plummer and Julie Pamer – Teen Esteem +
May 20 10:30 RRF Trustee Meeting
May 20 Club Foundation Board Annual Meeting

04/19/2026

2026-04-15 Club Meeting - Embracing the Aging Process
Speaker Profile: Steve Zolno
Steve Zolno is an accomplished educator and author with over 50 years of experience in group leadership. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences from Shimer College and a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from Sonoma State University. Steve has authored eight books, including his most recent work, How to Die: Embracing the Aging Process.
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Presentation Summary: Reclaiming Your Original Spark
As we journey through the natural stages of life—from childhood and adolescence into adulthood and old age, there is often a perceived decline in joy and a tendency to become "set in our ways." However, Steve Zolno argues that this decline is not inevitable.
In this discussion, we will explore how to reclaim the enthusiasm of our youth and integrate it into our daily lives. Key themes include:
• Breaking Cycles: Identifying and moving past the rigid thought patterns that keep us stuck.
• Fresh Perspectives: Learning to see the world and the people around us through a renewed lens.
• Active Engagement: Practical ways to bring an "original spark" and deeper understanding into every encounter and activity.
By shifting our internal narrative, we can rediscover our natural vitality and approach the aging process with a sense of wonder rather than resignation.

04/19/2026

2026-04-08 Club Meeting - Save Mt. Diablo

# # Staff Spotlight: Juan Pablo, Land Use Planner
**Juan Pablo** joined the **Save Mount Diablo (SMD)** team as a Land Use Planner in 2013. A Benicia native, Juan Pablo’s career has taken him from California to Costa Rica, Mexico, and Washington, D.C. His lifelong passion for wildlife—famously sparked in kindergarten when he brought an octopus for "show and tell"—led him to pursue a B.S. in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution from UC San Diego and an M.S. in Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology from the University of Maryland.

With a professional background spanning marine mammal research, environmental education, and NCCP/HCP consulting, Juan Pablo now leverages his expertise to protect the very landscapes that fueled his love for hiking and birding.

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# # About Save Mount Diablo
Founded in 1971 by Mary Bowerman and Art Bonwell, **Save Mount Diablo** is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to preserving, defending, and restoring the natural lands of Mount Diablo and its foothills.

# # # Core Mission & Strategic Focus
Through advocacy, stewardship, and education, the organization ensures these lands remain a legacy for wildlife and people. Key focus areas include:
* **Acquisition & Easements:** Preserving property through perpetual conservation agreements.
* **Stewardship:** Restoring and caring for lands before transferring them to public park systems.
* **Advocacy:** Defending habitats through rigorous land-use planning to mitigate development impacts.
* **Public Education:** Sharing the unique wildlife and cultural history of the Diablo area.
* **Recreation:** Hosting events that encourage sustainable public enjoyment of natural resources.

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# # Protecting a Biodiversity Hotspot
Juan Pablo highlighted the remarkable success of SMD, noting that protected land in the region has grown from **6,000 acres in 1971 to over 110,000 acres today.** The Diablo Range is a critical "biodiversity hotspot" under threat from overdevelopment. This area serves as a sanctuary for iconic species, including:
* **Golden Eagles and California Condors:** The condor, North America’s largest flying bird, is a primary focus of conservation efforts.
* **Apex Predators & Large Mammals:** Mountain lions and elk roam these unspoiled corridors.
* **Species Recovery:** SMD utilizes satellite trackers to monitor species—some of which have been absent from the area for a century.

# # # Advocacy and the "30x30" Goal
A major component of Juan Pablo’s work involves containing housing developments and road expansions that threaten "connectivity"—the ability of wildlife to move freely between habitats. These efforts are vital in blocking oil and gas leasing and unnecessary reservoir projects.

Furthermore, protecting the Diablo Range is essential for California to meet its **30x30 goals** (the state’s initiative to protect 30% of its land and coastal waters by 2030). The 30x30 framework focuses on:
1. Prioritizing biodiversity-rich areas for conservation.
2. Engaging local stakeholders and communities.
3. Enhancing and restoring degraded habitats.
4. Promoting sustainable land-use practices.

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**Get Involved:**
To view the event calendar or learn more about conservation efforts, visit [SaveMountDiablo.org](https://savemountdiablo.org).

04/19/2026

2026-04-01 Club Meeting - When movements become delusional.
# # Presentation Summary: "When Do Mass Movements Become Delusional?"

**Speaker:** Joel E. Dimsdale, M.D.

Dr. Joel Dimsdale—a psychiatrist renowned for his research on the physiology of stress, sleep, and the history of medicine—presented a compelling examination of the **Heaven’s Gate** mass su***des. Dr. Dimsdale is the prolific author of over 500 publications, including *The Anatomy of Malice: The Enigma of the N**i War Criminals* and *Dark Persuasion: The History of Brainwashing from Pavlov to Social Media*.

# # # The Case of Heaven’s Gate
Dr. Dimsdale provided a unique perspective on the 1997 tragedy, as he lived in the same Rancho Santa Fe community where 39 members of the cult took their lives. The group believed that by shedding their earthly bodies, they would achieve immortality and board a spacecraft trailing the **Hale-Bopp Comet** to return to their "true home."

Key insights from the discussion included:

* **Origins and Evolution:** The group originally formed in Grand Junction, Colorado, before relocating to a mansion in Rancho Santa Fe. This move solidified their bond, transforming them into a highly connected group of "soul mates."
* **The "Graduation":** Unlike the massacre at Jonestown, the Heaven’s Gate members felt a deep sense of belonging and were not physically restrained from leaving. They viewed their movement as a "classroom" and their collective su***de as a formal "graduation."
* **Ritual and Routine:** The group practiced frequent meditations and confessions. In a final act of domestic normalcy, they shared a last meal of chicken pot pie at a local Marie Callender’s.

# # # Conclusion: The Nature of Delusion
Throughout the presentation, Dr. Dimsdale explored the mechanics of **coercive persuasion** and how mass movements transition into shared delusions. However, when asked to define the exact boundary between belief and delusion, or why this specific group took such an extreme path, Dr. Dimsdale concluded with academic humility: despite his extensive research, the "why" remains an enigma.

***

03/30/2026

2026-03-25 Club Meeting - Mark Burnham - Mini Houses
Project Update: Affordable Mini-Homes at Grace Presbyterian Church
Speaker: Mark B., Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church, Walnut Creek
Topic: Senior Housing Initiative
It was a pleasure to welcome back Mark B., a friend of the club and Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Walnut Creek, for an update on the "Mini-Homes" project. Mark last spoke to us about this initiative in 2021, and he returned to share the significant progress made since the concept was first originated by the Walnut Creek Homeless Task Force in 2020-21.
A Collaborative Effort
This mission to provide stable housing for seniors is supported by a robust network of partners, including:
• Hope Solutions
• HomeAid Northern California
• Presbytery of San Francisco
• Walnut Creek Homeless Task Force
Project Overview and Specifications
The core vision involves utilizing vacant church property—often underused parking lots—to create "deeply affordable" housing. At Grace Presbyterian, these new units sit adjacent to an existing complex of 106 apartment units designated for low-income seniors.
Key details of the new construction include:
• Custom Build: There are six units in total. Like many tiny-home projects, these are prefabricated; by Pulte Homes to full California Housing Code standards.
• Design: Each single-occupancy unit offers 264 square feet of living space.
• Amenities: The homes are fully equipped with a bedroom, dining area, air conditioning, and a kitchen featuring a stovetop and microwave.
• Accessibility: Every unit is designed for full wheelchair access.
Resident Support and Sustainability
This project is designed for long-term success rather than just temporary shelter. Residents have access to nearby bus service and receive annual supportive services and on-site social work.
Management Highlights:
• Tenant Selection: All residents undergo a thorough screening process managed by the property lead.
• Affordability: Lease agreements are structured on a sliding scale based on the individual's income.
• Stability: Occupants are welcome to stay as long as they wish, provided they follow regular community guidelines.
______________________

Congratulations;
Blue Badges-Presented by Jim O. to:
Janet C.
Mo R,
and Carol F.
Each are fully engaged in club activities.

03/25/2026

The District Governor Line
Our Joy A met with the rest of the DG line, Woody F. Beri K and Glen E to ensure ongoing continuity.

03/22/2026

2026-03-18 Club Meeting - Tom Debley - What made Henry Kaiser Tick
Retired journalist and historian Tom D. recently shared his unique perspective on the legacy of Henry Kaiser. Having served as Kaiser’s media relations director, Tom led the charge to refocus the organization’s public image during the healthcare upheavals of the 1990s. He highlighted how the company’s evolution remained deeply rooted in the core values established by Henry and his son, Edgar.

A Legacy of Service and Ethics
The Kaiser family’s commitment to social good was a blend of personal faith and community involvement:

Rotary Influence: As a dedicated Rotarian, Edgar Kaiser integrated the Rotary principle of "Service Above Self" into the company’s mission, emphasizing the importance of doing good works.

The "Social Gospel": Henry Kaiser’s moral compass was shaped by the Social Gospel Movement and figures like Walter Rauschenbusch. This late 19th-century reform effort sought to apply Christian ethics to the era’s toughest industrial challenges, including poverty and inequality.

Progressive Inspiration: Henry was further influenced by the bold leadership of Teddy Roosevelt and a lifelong fascination with the "power of new ideas."

Building a Modern America
Kaiser’s career was defined by a passion for "great projects" and a surprisingly modern approach to social equity. During World War II, Kaiser shipyards were pioneers in inclusive hiring, opening doors for women, minorities, and disabled workers. His personal interests were equally diverse, ranging from large-scale industrialization to a refined love for photography inspired by Eastman Kodak’s early roll cameras.

In addition Anne H. received a Paul Harris Society award for her contribution to Rotary International.
Awards were also given to John R and Bill B for their contributions to keep the clubs running smooth.

03/21/2026

2026-03-16 St. Pats Party with the Iris American Club @ Rossmoor

What a great time many of our clubs members had at the Irish American/Rossmoor Rotary club joint party. Couple of pics to entice you for next years.

03/21/2026

2026-03-11 Club Meeting - Pels & District Governor's state of the union.
John S our president elect reported on the President-elect Learning Seminar.
Enjoyed the PELS session and looks forward to leading our club starting in July. John highlighted the inspirational speakers and learning. One key point he made is how we focus on how Rotary makes an impact to others and we also need to think about how Rotary makes an impact on us.
Assistant Governor Kathy S. added that the session was well organized with excellent videos and speakers.

Joy A a proud member of our club and our District 5160 Governor gave a state of union summary.

District Governor Joy A. recently concluded her official tour of District 5160, choosing her "home" club as the final stop of her 65-club journey. Embracing the International theme "Unite for Good" and her personal district theme "Building Bridges," Joy emphasized that every Rotarian serves as a bridge-builder, strengthening the connections within our communities.

Leadership & Support
Joy highlighted the extensive network of over 100 district leaders available to support local clubs. Key figures mentioned included Chief of Staff Leanne C., Treasurer and Tech Lead Claire R., Membership Chair Mary K., and Polio Plus Head Karen L. Our own Kathy S. was also recognized for her role as Assistant Governor for the "FAB 5" clubs (Moraga, Lamorinda Sunrise, Lafayette, Orinda, and Rossmoor).

A Powerful "Why"
In a moving personal moment, Joy shared her "why" for serving Rotary. Having been diagnosed with polio at age five, she spoke with deep passion about Rotary’s mission to eradicate the disease and provide hope in a divided world.

Foundations for the Future
Joy encouraged members to support The Rotary Foundation (TRF), noting its prestigious four-star Charity Navigator rating. She highlighted two primary ways to give:

Paul Harris Fellow: A commitment of $85 per month to the Annual Fund (47.5% of which returns directly to our district).

Bequest Society: Including a gift of $10,000 or more in a will or estate plan. Six Rotary-affiliated attorneys are available to provide pro bono assistance with the necessary paperwork.

Joy’s signature project this year is ShelterBox, which provides emergency aid and shelter to families in crisis. The CEO of ShelterBox is scheduled to speak at the upcoming District Conference.
Joy highlighted upcoming events;

Some upcoming district events include:
- District Assembly (South), March 21, 2026, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m Rodriguez High School, 5000 Red Top Road, Fairfield, CA
- District Assembly (North) at Shasta College in Redding
- District Conference, May 1-3, Santa Rosa, CA
- Rotary International Conference, Taipei, Taiwan
- Awards Banquet, July 11, Hotel Winters, Winters, CA

Rotary Club of Rossmoor - Walnut Creek

05/27/2026

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