President’s Message

Aloha TOC Membership,
 
As we wind down this year I have been thinking a lot about ghosts. Good ghosts, the ghosts of our Outdoor Circle foremothers. There have been many times during my service as president that I have wished for access to their knowledge, desired greater courage in the face of the constant assault on what we believe in, but mostly the support and deeper understanding of the journey we have traveled as the oldest environmental organization in arguably the most beautiful place on the planet.
 
I do not believe this desire to communicate with those connected with the TOC past is unique to me. The next board president(s) will no doubt encounter situations and have these same feelings and needs. For this reason, I have decided to start “The Presidents Club.” This will be an informal association of individuals who have served as President, Executive Director, or as an officer on the Board of Directors in the past. The core mission of this group would be to provide institutional knowledge and guidance on an “as needed” advisory level out of the limelight. This will give the current president something that I have coveted this year. It will grant access to past relationships and specific knowledge of events that have transpired in the past that they would not otherwise be privy to.
 
To all the “living ghosts” of TOC reading this, if this kind of service appeals to you, please contact me through the TOC office. It would be an honor to begin this process of pooling our shared experience and knowledge.
 
Last but certainly not least, I would like to take this opportunity to do something that all of us can never ever do enough of - to our entire office staff, Winston, Jackie, and Myles, you have been simply amazing this year. You were handed a very difficult task and performed beyond all expectations. It has been a pleasure working with you this year and I am honored to have had the experience.      
 
Mike McFarlane, President