Upcoming events

    • 11/06/2025
    • 12:00 PM
    • Santa Rosa Country Club
    • 61
    Register


    Thursday, November 6, 2025 at Noon
    Santa Rosa Country Club

    Register HERE

    Afghanistan:
    A Land Unconquered,
    A Crossroads
    of War and Conflict

    with Toby Marion

    teacher and author of
    "Afghanistan: Crossroads and Kingdoms:
    My 1970s Peace Corps Service
    and Recent Afghan History"

    Toby Marion's sponsor is Gabriel Campbell,
    WACSC Program Committee

    About the Program         

                 Afghanistan was the scene of America's longest war which ended in defeat with the badly executed withdrawal in 2021.  It was also where the USSR suffered defeat in 1989.  How did these seismic events fit into the larger framework of this ancient nation?  What is its broader history that we must know, and America’s current stance regarding it?   Then there's the ruling Taliban -- are they irrevocably entrenched? 

              Author Toby Marion's book, “Afghanistan: Crossroads and Kingdoms,” is both a personal memoir and a meticulously researched report on Afghanistan's history and travails.  He'll bring us the challenges, joys and discoveries of working as a Peace Corps volunteer in an ancient culture dominated by conservative Sunni Islam -- until internal conflict changed everything.  In his program, Toby will speak to what he saw, and the subsequent violent events, and offer a clear-eyed look forward to how the future might treat the Afghans.

              And, a special notice:   Toby will bring copies of his book, so those of us who want to can buy a signed copies.

     Date:  Thursday, November 6, 2025
     Time:  12:00 Noon
     Venue:  Santa Rosa Country Club
     333 Country Club Drive
     Santa Rosa, CA  95401 
     Menu:

     Meat and Vegetarian Options Available on the Buffet Table.

     Cost:  $45 for Members
     Bring up to 2 guests at the member price.
     $60 for Non-Members
     Health Note:

     We suggest that everyone
     be vaccinated and wear a mask

    Make Your Reservation Now!
    The Deadline is October 30th

    About the Author

              Toby Marion grew up in Whittier, California and Mamaroneck, New York. He has degrees from Cornell and MIT and a graduate diploma from Australia’s Sydney University.  Serving in Afghanistan as a Peace Corps Volunteer, he trained high school science teachers for two school years, followed by three semesters teaching at Kabul University.

                    Subsequently, he spent a quarter century in the international oil business in New York, Bahrain, Australia, Dallas, and elsewhere.   Retiring in 1999, he stayed abroad as a consultant before starting a wine distributorship to China and Hong Kong.  

              He then realized that he was in a unique position to view Afghanistan through a lens both personal and historic.  His resulting book chronicles fifty years of war and struggle triggered by Prince Daoud overthrowing his cousin, King Zaher, putting the country on a violent path. 

              Toby and his wife of 48 years, Eileen, have two children and four grandchildren and live in Tiburon.

              We are pleased to bring you a program of this relevance and quality.                                                                  

    Reserve now!


    • 11/12/2025
    • 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    • 3
    Register

    A CIA Officer's Journey
    From War to Peacebuilding

    With Janessa Gans Wilder
    Ex-CIA Officer and Peacebuilder

    Janessa's sponsors are
    Anne and Russ Peterson, WACSC members.

    About the Program

    Peace seems elusive in our war-torn world and many wonder what anyone can do about it. Enter Janessa Gans Wilder with A CIA Officer’s Journey from War to Peacebuilding. A California native, Wilder joined the CIA before 9/11, and in 2003 volunteered to serve in Iraq, where a 90-day tour turned into 21 months as a counterinsurgency analyst and political liaison. After a major battle between US Marines and insurgents in western Iraq, she had a personal awakening along the Euphrates River, which ultimately led to her forging a very different path as peacebuilder.

    Wilder will take us through her extraordinary journey culminating in her founding of the Euphrates Institute -- a non-profit peace-building organization currently active in over 40 countries.  Along the way she’ll share some lessons learned, including how each of us can play a role in bridging divides in our communities.

     Date:   Thursday, October 3, 2024
     Time:   12 Noon
     Venue:   Santa Rosa Country Club
      333 Country Club Drive,
      Santa Rosa, CA 95401
     Menu:    Herb Roasted Chicken Breast
       With Caesar Salad & Ciabatta Rolls
       or
       Cheese Ravioli
       with Tomato Basil Sauce
     Cost:    Members: $45.
       Want to bring a guest?
       Do so paying member’s price
        (limit of two per member)
     Otherwise:      $60 for Non-Members
     Health Note:     We suggest that everyone
        be vaccinated and wear a mask.

    Make Your Reservation Now!
    The Deadline to Register is September 25
    Register HERE

    About Our Speaker

    Janessa Gans Wilder grew up in Redding, CA. and earned degrees from Principia College and Stanford University, from which she was recruited to the CIA as an analyst. In Iraq she logged time in far-flung military outposts, interviewing insurgents in Abu Ghraib and High-Value Target prisons.

    After Iraq, Jessica founded the Euphrates Institute in 2006 and served as its CEO for 14 years. She is a frequent speaker in interfaith, community, government, international, and educational settings, and has written dozens of articles and been interviewed by major news outlets, including CBS, CNN, Los Angeles Times, Christian Science Monitor, and Democracy Now.

    Janessa lives in Redding with her husband and three children where they enjoy spending time in nature (when they’re not evading wildfires).

    Sign up now – this is a rare opportunity to hear such an experienced speaker on this all-important subject.


Contact:

Phone: (707) 573-6014

Email: wacscca@gmail.com

Address:

P.O. Box 1433

Santa Rosa, CA 95402


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