District Governor Speaks

Born in Celaya, Mexico; attended Ohio State University majoring in Psychology; charter member of Celaya Nat-Tha-Hi, Mexico, Rotary and served as second president.  She has served in many different capacities in her home Club, Santa Barbara Sunrise and has held several positions in District 5240 including Community Avenue of Service Director and Assistant Governor.  She coordinates a program sending wheelchairs to people in need throughout the world.  She is a partner in the firm Smith and Ortiz Insurance Services.  She, and her husband of fourteen years, E. Russell Smith, are major benefactors and donors. 

           Ortiz-Smith first recognized our Honorary Member, Steve Curry, for his showing up wherever she appears.  She said, "It's nice to have a groupie following you around."  She also recognized Bruce Beaudoin and John Eichler for their work, saying that she could not do the job without them.  She said, looking at Steve Schumann and the audience, "I never cry; but your beautiful song made me cry.  This Club took the time to write and sing a song just for me.  I was deeply moved." 

           She said she was born in Mexico and learned the English language in her early thirties.  She said it's a crazy language: there's no egg in eggplant, no pie in pineapple, no canine in hot dog, you wind up your watch to start and wind down your speech when you stop. 

           She said that the future of Rotary is in our hands.  Rotary could be used as a verb; Rotarying is a word of action.  She believes that it is our duty to pave the way for those who come behind us and keep up our advocacy for peace in the world.  We do not have weapons of war; only ourselves to lay the foundation for peace.  She urged members to continue to increase membership and encourage the creation of new clubs. 

She would like to see our District wide contributions increase by 10% this year.  She relates that the RI Foundation will celebrate its 100 year anniversary in 2017 and we must prepare for this momentous event.  She said that the RI Foundation initiated the matching grant program in 1965 and it was not until 2000 when it gave its first $10,000 grant; it happened again only four years later.  In the next three years there will be considerable changes in the program and officers need to keep up in order to take advantage of this wonderful program. 

           She emphasized the importance of developing friendships through Rotary; not only at the Club level but also District and worldwide.  She said, "Friendships make Rotarians strong and we all have the same purpose in life: service to humanity."  All her life, she will remember how confusing the English language is and how Grover Beach Rotarians will continue their quest for peace through Rotary.

EPILOGUE

President Evans said she was touched by the District Governor's presentation.  She said being president is a lot of work but also a lot of fun and exciting.  She has developed many friendships attending District training programs; especially she has been touched with the close friendship she has developed with the Presidents of the PismoBeach, Arroyo Grande and Nipomo clubs.  She presented a $100 check from the Club to the District Governor to go towards the District's Annual Program Fund.