Events

The Board of Directors will meet with District Governor Geeta Kadambi prior to the Lunch Meeting.  All members are invited to attend.

Geeta Kadambi, District Governor of Rotary District 5170 will share her vision for the 2026-2027 Rotary year and highlight Rotary International's theme,"Creating Lasting Impact." Her presentation will focus on strengthening our clubs, growing membership, engaging and developing leaders, supporting youth, enhancing Rotary's public image, and expanding our service efforts so that the work we do today will continue to benefit our communities for generations to come. These priorities align with District 5170's ongoing commitment to membership growth, service, leadership development, and increased impact both locally and globally.

Speaker Bio: 

Governor Geeta is a dedicated Rotary leader whose passion for service, leadership, and community impact exemplifies Rotary's motto, Service Above Self. Throughout her Rotary journey, she has inspired others through her commitment to strengthening clubs, developing leaders, supporting youth programs, and expanding Rotary's reach and impact. As District Governor, Geeta provides leadership to Rotary and Rotaract clubs across District 5170, helping members work together to create meaningful change in our communities and around the world. District 5170 is recognized as one of Rotary's most dynamic districts, known for its strong membership growth, outstanding support of The Rotary Foundation, and commitment to service projects that address local and global needs.

Stephen Baiter, Executive Director of East Bay EDA

Presentation Summary:

The East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA) is a cross-sector, regional economic development organization that has led multiple initiatives, projects, and other activities to support strategic economic opportunities and priorities across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. From helping the Port of Oakland expand capacity to accommodate larger container ships to helping suppliers and workers navigate the closure of the NUMMI plant to supporting small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, East Bay EDA has worked on a variety of issues over its 35-year history. Learn more about some of the work that the organization is currently leading and supporting to better position the East Bay’s $280B+ economy for continued prosperity and success.

Bio:

Stephen is the Executive Director of the East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA), a regional cross-sector economic development

organization that supports strategic economic development across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. East Bay EDA has more than 150 members from business, education, labor, local governments, nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, research institutions, and other entities who work together to make the East Bay one of the most diverse, globally competitive and innovative business environments in the world.

Stephen has more than two decades of experience leading and supporting successful multi-stakeholder public/private partnerships and projects and has an extensive track record with building and connecting regional networks to help businesses and organizations have greater impact.

Stephen currently serves as a Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for the California Association of Local Economic Development (CALED). He is also a Past Chair of the California Workforce Association (CWA) and currently serves on a few local and regional nonprofit boards. He has a BA in Political Science from Boston College and a Master’s in Public Administration from California State University – East Bay.

Robert Wolff, M.D. – The Impact of AI on Medical Science:  The Revolution is Here

Presentation Summary:

Dr. Wolff will explore the impact that AI is having on every facet of medical science. From clinical work to drug discovery to personalized medicine to the therapeutics of the future. What you thought was  Science Fiction—is here today.

Bio:

Dr. Robert Wolff is an internationally recognized speaker. He took his medical training at Stanford University and later was an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Hawaii. He has been interested in Longevity for many years, ever since his mother died at age 54, and all other family members died in their 60s. Dr Wolff’s personal Journey of Longevity has focused recently, because it is his mission to have  an extended “health-span.” He is the Founder of the Longevity Futurist Institute. In addition, he is known as “The Longevity Futurist.”

Members are invited to celebrate as the Castro Valley Rotary Club will welcome Area 2 Interact students for an evening of fellowship, appreciation, and fun at the Area 2 Interact Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, September 15, at 5:30 p.m. at Golden Tee Golfland, 2533 Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley.

The event reflects the Club's 2026-2027 theme,"Be a Part of It," bringing together Rotary members and young leaders from local Interact clubs to celebrate service, leadership, and community connections.

As special guests of the Castro Valley Rotary Club, participating Interactors will be treated to ice cream and a complimentary round of miniature golf in recognition of their volunteer service. The free round of golf is being provided to Interactors who helped make the annual Taste of Castro Valley a success through their volunteer efforts.

"The students in our Interact clubs represent the future of service leadership in our communities," said Meera Parikh, Chair of Castro Valley Rotary's Youth Services Committee. "We are thrilled to welcome them as guests of the club and thank those who volunteered at Taste of Castro Valley. This event is our way of showing appreciation while creating opportunities for Interactors and Rotarians to build relationships and share the spirit of service. Our theme this year is'Be a Part of It,' and we invite Rotarians from throughout Area 2 to join us in celebrating these outstanding young leaders."

Rotarians, family members, and guests are invited to join us for the evening. Rotarians and their guests pay $20.00 per person, which includes ice cream and a round of miniature golf.

Interact, Rotary International's service organization for young people ages 12 to 18, empowers students to develop leadership skills, engage in community service, and create lasting friendships while making a positive difference in their communities.

Join the Castro Valley Rotary Club Community Foundation for an unforgettable evening at the Foundation's Gala, a premier celebration of community, generosity, and local impact.

Set for Friday, September 18, 2026, the cocktail reception and silent auction starts at 6:00 PM, with dinner served at 7:00 PM, followed by a live auction, and the unveiling of the “Light Up the Adobe” project.

This elegant and intimate event will bring together community leaders, supporters, and friends for a night filled with purpose and inspiration. With only 150 tickets available, guests will enjoy a truly exclusive experience.

Purchase tickets here.

District 5170 is sponsoring the Rotary Collaborative Impact Summit 2026 on September 19 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.  The summit will feature inspirational speakers, multicultural entertainment, and more than 200 Rotary and community projects, all in one unforgettable day. 

The cost is $70 prior to September 8 and then $90.  The Club will pay the cost.

Click here to register for this outstanding District 5170 event.

Mariellen Faria, Director, Eden Township Health District

Presentation Summary:

Director Faria will introduce Club members and guests to the Eden Township Healthcare District and provide an update on past and current services provided by the District.

Bio:

Director Faria is a Registered Nurse with over 30 years of healthcare experience both as a caregiver and an administrator. She has been the Director of Nursing at St. Rose Hospital, San Leandro Hospital, and Kaiser Permanente San Leandro. Her degrees are in Nursing and Sociology. She possesses a Masters Degree in Nursing Administration. She was instrumental in establishing the Silva Pediatric Clinic and the Chabot Student Clinic. As a lifelong resident of Hayward, she is active in the community.

She is currently a Planning Commissioner for the City of Hayward, a former Human Services Commissioner and is a Board Member for the Hayward Area Historical Society. She is a member of the Hayward Chamber of Commerce. She volunteers with the New Start Tattoo Removal Program and South Hayward Parish food giveaway program.

Legislatuive Updae from State Senator Tim Grayson

Presentation Summary:

Senator Grayson will describe highlights of the past Legislative Session, share his thoughts looking forward to the 2027 session, and describe some of his work related to the Green Empowerment Zone in Contra Costa County, or economic development more generally.

Bio:

Senator Tim Grayson represents us in the California Senate. He previously served the public in the California Assembly, and as the Mayor of Concord.   He is the son of a Teamster father and his mother was a public transit worker. He is the first in his family to earn a college degree. Senator Grayson has been the Concord Police Department’s Critical Response Chaplain since 2007, providing emotional support and counseling to first responders, victims, and their families during and after traumatic events. He has also maintained a license as a general building contractor since 1997. Tim lives in Concord where he raised his two kids with his wife of more than 35 years, Tammy.

As a co-founder of the Contra Costa Family Justice Center, Grayson has a long and proven history of advocating for victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and child and elder abuse. He has authored laws that help that higher education is both accessible and affordable.  He was at the forefront of creating a new budget reserve to complement the constitutionally-capped Rainy Day Fund, and helped secure an initial deposit of $1.75 billion, in the hope that we will be able to avoid devastating and debilitating cuts to education and social and government services should a recession strike again. Since being elected to the Legislature, forty of the bills Grayson authored have been signed into law.

Water, Conflict, and Peace

Presentation Summary:

Violence over freshwater resources is on the rise, with water and water systems as triggers, casualties, and weapons of conflict. This talk will address the long history of water from ancient Mesopotamia to the time of Leonardo da Vinci and Machiavelli to the present violence in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as how we might move from water conflicts to peace and cooperation over our most precious natural resource.

Bio:

Dr. Peter Gleick is a leading scientist and communicator on water, climate, and environmental security issues. He co-founded the Pacific Institute in Oakland, California in 1987, an independent research center creating and advancing solutions to the world’s most pressing water challenges. His work has focused on the human right to water, the consequences of climate change for the hydrologic cycle, and water, peace, and security issues, including defining, categorizing, and developing solutions for water-related violence and conflict. Gleick is a MacArthur Fellow and an elected member of both the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2018 he was awarded the Carl Sagan Prize for Science Popularization. Gleick is the author or editor of many scientific papers and fourteen books, including the Bottled and Sold: The Story Behind Our Obsession with Bottled Water; The Three Ages of Water; and his newest book, When the Well is Dry: How Water Fuels Violence and Shapes Peace (The New Press, New York).

Presentation Summary:

Jaime Orfanos, Assistant Director of the Civic and Economic Development Departmentn for Alameda County, will discuss What the Department and Doesn't Do as well as curent efforts .

Bio:

Jaimie Orfanos is a UC Davis graduate with five years of private‑sector experience in facility, project, and construction management, followed by 24 years of dedicated public service with Alameda County. Her work has centered on advancing economic development, supporting small businesses, and delivering capital and infrastructure improvements that strengthen local communities in the unincorporated areas of Alameda County. She also leads and coordinates public events that foster civic engagement and promote regional growth.

Share an evening of friendship and pizza with Castro Valley Rotarians, family, friends, colleagues and community members.  More specific details will be posted closer to the event. 

Presentation Summary:

"Do the Machines Need Us? How AI Changes the Way We Work and Learn

This talk briefly traces how we got to AI and highlights its main challenge via a true story that once baffled observers. We’ll get into the likely impact on businesses, innovation, and humans - and what employers should be looking for from an education today.

Bio:

Professor Roessler is an economist at Cal State East Bay, with previous appointments at the National University of Singapore, the University of Queensland (Australia), Erasmus University (Netherlands), the University of Vienna, as well as Rice University (TX) and Brown University (RI). A competitive chess player in his youth, Professor Roessler specializes in game theory, the study of strategic interactions. His research has been published in the “top five” economics journals, a distinction won only by a small fraction of professors in the field. His PhD is from the University of Melbourne (Australia); his recent interests include the economics of AI and decentralized networks.