President Miss Lisa was the program for today and because she is the president she is entitled to delegate anyone to be the program.  Because her husband snored most of the way home from the Conference over the weekend and then woke up at some point and talked for 20 minutes about "I think this and I think that" about Rotary, President Miss Lisa asked Mr. Evans to be our guest speaker today and give his views of the District Conference as seen through the eyes of a new member.

 

Mr. Evans:    "I want to share my thoughts.  You aren't going to get an original idea when you go to the Conference but when you are there you realize when you walk away, you walk away with so much more.  There were incredible performances.  One was a fourteen year old playing the violin.  I had only seen someone playing a violin on television so to see it live, that's really something.  There was a 7th grader playing the piano who is a Black Belt and an Honor Student and a sport's team player and that really made me think about what was going on with him and his family and how he's raised.  I found this to be really something especially since I am just getting my kids to make their beds. 

"The Chinese Acrobats made me wonder:  do they have American Acrobats in China?  Do they have tattoos in China?  (Are they) in English?  Our District Governor Luz Maria Ortiz-Smith, while she can't spell out everything about all the clubs she did say that President Lisa Evans of the Rotary Club of Grover Beach and President Martha Murphy of the Rotary Club of Pismo Beach show exactly how clubs and members work together and make Rotary work.  

"After leaving the bar there were two instances I have on Lisa and Sandy.  We three were walking back to our rooms.  Yes, I said 'rooms.'  We had to walk thru the lobby and the court yard.  Lisa is talking and completely face-plants into the plate-glass door.  It's probably on YouTube.  Just type in 'Lisa Face Plants into Door' and it should come up.  Sandy.you know Sandy.always looking spectacular.  I'll have to switch a little here and (just) say my Dad used to call it (when he was faced with it) 'a barking spider.' 

"The whole time I am there I am thinking 'We could rock these people if we showed up en masse.'  And after hearing the introduction of the District Governor's husband as 'E. Russell Smith' from this point on because my name is 'Bradford Lee Evans' I want to be known as 'B. Lee Evans.' 

"With all the giving it's different for all of us.  We each champion something and we each have emotions.  It is a moral compass.   Take Lisa's stealing of the PismoBeach  banner and then posing as a Pismo Beach Rotarian to steal their bell.  What does she do but returns with the bell to their meeting with a bag over her face. What did she do this past weekend?  She steals the banner of the District Governor.  No, not the District Governor's banner but the banner from the District Governor's club!  And that club's president is a nun so Lisa stole from a nun!  The nun will just say it was all in fun or we are going to go straight to hell! 

"Business is a by-product of Rotary.  I don't go to Office Max.  I go to SLOCO Data.  We may meet someone with the attributes this club is looking for.  Rotary is the best networking and marketing.  Rotary can't be challenged.  We are all one.  We compete for 'Service Above Self.'  Money can't buy it.  In my short time here I've provided food for AmpSurf, a jacket for Ricardo and with a 'Stacked Sandwiches' logo on the back and I am going to feel pretty good.  Rotary is a company you are going to be with.  This is it.  It is provided for a one, comfortable life.  We choose to be here.  We have pro-choice.  There is so much.  It is common sense.  We do not force others to give entitlements.  We give of our heart because we want to be 'Service Above Self.'  There is Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, faith-based organizations.  This covered pie should be for those who take or for those less fortunate. 

"There's a Chinese proverb about the fish.  With regards to that, take Honduras.  Rotary comes to Honduras and provides a service, educates, and gives them something so they have worth and a life time of fishing.  It will be empowerment.  All of the programs of Rotary are so numerous.  Are you a 'WO' - a Wednesday Only Rotarian?  Are you an obligator?  You should feel thankful.  The best product you choose for life you freely choose.  Sincerity is the receipt and the giver is empowered.  You can be empowering to others."