Tim Olivas, shown here with his wife Sue, is the new president of Rotary Club of Morro Bay.
Rotary Club of Morro Bay members are celebrating their designation as a Gold Club and Peace Builder Club by District 5240 for the 2020-21 year led by President Jeff Jones. After a successful year of supporting local businesses and citywide projects that provided help during shutdown; giving funds and delivering locally-caught fish to the Food Bank and homeless shelters; and awarding grants to local non-profits that serve our community, Jones is turning over the club leadership to 2021-22 Club President Tim Olivas.
Tim is well known in Morro Bay, first serving as a police officer and then becoming police chief in 2009.
“It was a very proud moment for me” Olivas said. “I have always held Morro Bay near and dear. I was not looking at leaving and saw my career remaining as police chief until retirement, when Sheriff Ian Parkinson took me to coffee one day.” So, in 2011 Chief Olivas joined the Sheriff’s Office team serving as Undersheriff until his 2018 retirement.
The Club will continue their “Help Us Help Others” campaign started by Jones to provide continued support for community well-being projects. Activities and fundraisers planned by Olivas include a Top Tracer Golf Tournament at Dairy Creek. This event gives golfers the opportunity to virtually play the famous Pebble Beach course using the Top Tracer technology that tracks real time and scores as the ball is hit onto a live range. The 2nd Annual Ducky Derby will be held on the Bay in October and the Lighted Boat Parade will be held December 4 along with the opening of Santa’s House on the Embarcadero. The next Drive-Through Tri-Tip BBQ is September 15 at Carla’s Country Kitchen.
In-person meetings are starting Tuesday, July 20 from Noon to 1 p.m. Upcoming speakers include Chendra Lor of the SLO Botanical Garden, Sheriff Ian Parkinson, City Councilman Jeff Heller, Morro Bay Police Chief Jody Cox and a series on economic development co-hosted by the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce.
Rotary meets every Tuesday with each 3rd Tuesday being a Social Night with Rotarians supporting a different local eatery each month. If you are interested in Rotary, go to morrobayrotary.org and contact the membership chair.