Doing it Right! Mike's Picnic Retirement Party

On Saturday May 25th, our community came together to honor fellow Rotarian and retired Fire Chief Mike Pond and his lovely family. Not long ago, while Mike was still Chief, I remember his first meeting in July of 2010. Mike had a bagpipe player and a formal entrance featuring his sponsor Jeff Jones (who incidentally was Club President when I joined back in 2001).

 

While Mike was Club President, he was a great support to me and to all the members of our club. During Mike’s year he completed a comprehensive 5 year strategic plan. By his side during Mike's year was his wife Andrea. When Mike was Club President, it was like we got two for one with his wife.  Actually, it was like four for one in some cases. When we cleaned the Round About, his entire family would often come and pull weeds.

 

During Mike's year as Club President, he supported the chartering of the Interact Club at Morro Bay High School and the Eco club. Mike worked closely with Los Osos Club President Dick Pacaoan on co-chartering these clubs. It seems he had a hand in starting the Fish Fry which continues today. 

 

I believe that our District Governor Deepa Willingham thought of him as as the best Club President. Mike even dressed her in a fire-fighter’s suit which was precious. Mike’s support for Eco-Rotary included working at Dairy Creek on the Zero Waste Golf Course. It included recruiting students at Club Rush.

 

Rotary has the 4 way test which we all know by heart: Is it the truth, is it fair to all concerned, will it build goodwill and better friendships, and will it be beneficial to all concerned. Of course, Mike had to one-up that with his 3 way test which went something like is it fun, will we get caught, etc... Mike and Andrea found our Rotary flags and took the time to hang them up for our club meetings.

 

Mike’s leadership meant making the club stretch. If we added 10 members, 10 Paul Harris Fellows, and 10 somethings, Mike would jump out of a plane (with a parachute). Well, we added the new members and Paul Harris fellows, don’t recall that we got the other 10. Of course, I don’t think Andrea was too keen on Mike jumping anyway...!

 

During Mike’s year, our club had an exchange with his daughter and a gal from France. Today Mike continues to support Rotary Youth Exchanges. All in all, it was a good year!

 

Thanks Mike for your Service Above Self!  And thank to your family for supporting you and our club efforts!