May 22, 2018 – This week our speaking brought us a unique message regarding a new technology he and his team have developed for measuring emotional states and responses.
Dr. Brian Sullivan is a clinical psychologist with over twenty years of practice under his belt and is a past president of the South Carolina Psychological Association. Over his years of practice, he has counselled over 2,500 people in individual, family, couples and small group settings and has consulted with many groups, business and otherwise.The largest areas of concern in psychology today are 1) depression (which Dr. Sullivan called the “common cold” of psychology), 2) substance abuse, 3) obesity, smoking and other lifestyle/behavior issues and 4) dementia. In order to determine what treatments truly lead to improvement in any of these areas, it is vital to be able to objectively measure progress, but as Dr. Sullivan pointed out, the ability to objectively measure emotion has traditionally been extremely difficult. Objective measurement of emotion will not only allow clinicians to determine which approaches or treatments work best over entire populations of patients, but will also allow individual care providers to measure the progress individual patients are making in individual treatment plans. Dr. Sullivan and his company, Vizbii Technologies, Inc., have taken the now familiar “emoji” of texting fame, and created a technology using face icons to symbolize various emotional states. These face icons can be manipulated by the patient through a sliding scale to visualize varying degrees of the emotion being experienced from weaker to stronger and vice versa. These emotional icons which can change from stronger to weaker displays he calls “morphiis” and his team has developed a platform which allows these morphiis to be imbedded in many applications.

Ultimately, as Dr. Sullivan pointed out, each action we take is motivated by emotion – either to increase good emotions or to decrease bad emotions. Thus, Dr. Sullivan’s morphii platform can have applications well beyond the clinic. The morphiis can be used to allow customers to express varying degrees of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with experiences in a business setting. He knows of a hospital which is interested in developing an application to allow it to measure patients’ experiences with provision of care. One clinician is working on an application which might allow care providers to predict when patients at risk for substance abuse are heading toward addiction. Dr. Sullivan personally hopes someone will come along to develop an application which would use the morphii platform to help clinicians identify patients at risk for suicide. He feels this platform could be imbedded in an application which gives care providers the ability to identify and quantify brain trauma, even when traditional symptoms of concussion and the like do not present themselves.
Dr. Sullivan closed by noting that there are literally dozens of uses for the morphii platform which are being already considered for this new technology. The technology allows developers to “gamify” their applications to better give “players,” i.e. patients or customers, positive reinforcement for communicating their emotional responses to treatment, care or the provision of consumer services. As he gets older, Dr. Sullivan envisions a day when the morphii platform might allow patients suffering from dementia or others who find themselves shut off from the world around them, an opportunity to express feelings, thoughts and responses when traditional means of expressing those emotions and thoughts are not available to them. Dr. Sullivan implored us to contact him of we have any additional input in how his platform might be used to better the lives of us all.
— Alex Dallis, Keyway Committee
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
• Chad Woodell gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
• Scott Wachter introduced our Visiting Rotarians and guests.
• President David Burt presented Health and Happiness.
• Program Chair, Jim Geffert introduced our speaker Dr. Brian Sullivan of Vizbii Technologies, Inv.
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
May 29, 2018 | Issue 4892 | President: David Burt
COMING EVENTS
• May 29 – No meeting Happy Memorial Day!
• June 5 – Helen Hill, Charleston Tourism
• June 12 – No meeting
• June 19 – Steve Dudash, Density vs. Sprawl
• June 26 – Chief Luther Reynolds, Charleston Police Chief
• July 3 – No meeting Happy 4th of July!
NEWS BRIEFS
Give your feedback on meeting venues

As most of you are aware, as much as we all love meeting at Riley Park, due to our budget constraints we are having to look for a new meeting venue starting July 1. We have experienced two wonderful venues – Trident Technical College/Palmer Campus and 5 Faber, which is an event venue in the Hall Hospitality Group. Both visits went well and members seemed to enjoy our off-site meetings over the past two weeks. The venues had their positive and negative aspects. We want your input as one of these venues will become our new “home”. Please send your thoughts to President David or Carroll. The Board wants to make the best decision for our club. We are open to your ideas!
Spring RCCF Grant Recipients recognized
On behalf of our club and the RCCF Committee, Past President and RCCF Advisory Committee Chair Mark Smith recognized two organizations with RCCF Grants. Erin Marie Ulmer attended on behalf of Camp Rise Above, which provides life-changing camp programs to children with serious illnesses, disabilities and life challenges. Our club’s donation will allow 6 children to attend camp.
Anne Reid attend on behalf of the Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, which empowers individuals with blindness and visual impairment to lead safe, dignified, independent and rewarding lives. Our club’s donation will be used to purchase Tel-A-Ride tickets for blind and visually impaired clients who participate in the Own Your Life program. These tickets will help their clients get to and from their office so they can attend classes to learn independent living skills and/or the skills they need to get a job.
We were pleased to have both Erin and Anne at our meeting this week and are delighted to support their efforts in our community.
Educator and Student of the Month Recognized
On behalf of the Education Committee and our club, Ruthie Ravenel recognized the March, April and May Educator and Student of the Month from our partner school, James Simons Elementary.
March – Henry Clark (student), Ms. Souther (educator)
April – Nyla Jenkins (student), Ms. Ellis (educator)
May – Fenya Conner (student), Ms. Mcbee (educator)
We enjoyed having these outstanding educators and students at our meeting. Congratulations to all honorees on their awards and achievements!
Operation Home – Ramp Building Day on June 1
Due to rain, the ramp building day for Operation Home has been rescheduled to Friday, June 1st from 9:00am-3:00pm. For those of you who expressed interest and could not make it on the original date due to conflicts on your schedule, we hope that this new date will work better for you. President David emailed detailed information, as well as a liability form to all members last week. If you are interested in volunteering, you must complete this form and return to David.
Program Committee to meet on June 5th
The next Program Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, June 5th after our lunch. We will meet for 30 min. All current committee members, and anyone who wants to be a part, are welcome to attend.
Club Member Survey
A club survey was emailed out to all members by Sandy Morckel this past Tuesday. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey as club leaders want to know what is important to you, what you expect from Rotary and what you value most as a Rotarian. The information will be used to help with future planning.
Rotary District Alzheimer’s Gala
Rotary District Alzheimer’s Gala to raise money for Alzheimer’s research is scheduled for Saturday, July 28, 2018 at the Charleston Marriott in Charleston, South Carolina. It is a black tie optional event and designed to provide you with a great experience, as well as an opportunity to contribute to the funding of research to find a cure for Alzheimer’s. Save the date – more information to come.
MEMBER NEWS
Proposed New Members
The following membership candidates have submitted an application and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
- Nicholas “Nick” Galizia – sponsor: Sandy Morckel, classification: Architecture/General
- Meredith Mixson – sponsor: Tom Leonard, classification: Relationship Mgr/Community Banking
In the event you know Nick or Meredith, please tell a member of the Board how he/she will serve the ideas of Rotary.
Membership Status Changes Needed by June 15
If you plan a change in your club member status by July 1, 2018 to Excused, Leave of Absence or if you are planning to resign, please notify Carroll in writing NO LATER than June 15, 2018. This change will affect July billing. All current members who officially resign after June 15 will be billed $52 to cover Rotary International dues, which are paid the first of each billing cycle. If you have any questions, contact Carroll.
Get involved
Your 2018/2019 Board has starting their planning for the upcoming Rotary year, which starts on July 1. They would like to see everyone get involved with our club and participate on a committee. If you would like to find out how you can serve the club or have service project ideas for the coming year, please contact a Board Member – Alex Dallis, Sandy Morckel, Trey Lucy, Peter Shahid, Lisa Van Bergen, Rob Dewey, Karl Riner, Heidi Finniff, or Kerby Teller.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Rotarian: J. Chad Woodell
• Joined: 2018
• Sponsor: Past President Brian Johnson
• Membership Involvement: New Member
• Classification: Construction/Concrete
• Profession: Technical Director, Van Smith Concrete
• Something Unique About Yourself: I was an exchange student in high school and spent 10 months in Hamburg, Germany on a vocational exchange with Mercedes Benz. My wife and I love to travel, anywhere tropical is usually first on the list but our favorite place on earth is Maui, HI. When we aren’t working or travelling we love spending time with our 3 kids, daughter-in-law, granddaughter Adalyn and the rest of our family either by our pool, on the boat or at the Sand Dunes club on Sullivan’s.
Birthdays
• May 30 – Lisa Van Bergen
• June 1 – Andrew Dymek
• June 2 – John Strickland
• June 3 – Peter Wertimer
• June 6 – John Jordan
• June 8 – Sam Applegate
• June 11 – Vito Scarafile
• June 11 – Trent Drafts
By the numbers
Attendance on May 22, 2018: 76
Not in attendance: Baggs, Barry, Beam, Berlin, Bickley, Bishop, Bodkin, Brack, Bullard, Buzon, Byko, Carico, Christian, Clary, Coe, Coghill, Cole, Cooper, E., Cooper, M., Crouch, Davies, Deavenport, DeGraff, Diminich, Drafts, Dymek, Gill, Giovanniello, Hart, Holmes, Hudnall, Husser, Jenkins, Jones, Kaynard, Kerrigan, Krumwiede, LaMotte, Leonard, Livingston, Lucy, Marty, McGhee, McVicker, Morckel, Pate, Peters, Riner, Rust, Savage, Schmidt, Seguer, Sottak, Strickland, Stuckey, Stuhr, Sullivan, Taylor, E., Tecklenburg, John, Youngs
Out of Town Make-ups: None
WELLNESS TIP
Get Outside to Exercise
Pick one outdoor activity — going on a hike, taking a nature walk, playing games such as tag with your kids, cycling, roller blading, or swimming — to shed that cooped-up feeling of gym workouts.
And remember, the family that plays together not only gets fit together — it’s also a great way to create bonding time.
AREA CLUB MEETINGS
Mondays
- Summerville – Oakbrook: 7:30 a.m., Monday, Westcott County Club, 5000 Wescott Club Drive, North Charleston
- North Charleston: 12:30 a.m., Monday, Hilton Garden Inn, 5265 International Blvd, North Charleston.
- Summerville Evening: 5:30 p.m., Monday, Montreux Bar and Grill, 127 W. Richardson Ave., Summerville
Tuesdays
- East Cooper Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Cooper River Room at Waterfront Park, Mount Pleasant
- Charleston: 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, The Riley Park Club, Charleston
- Goose Creek: 12:45 m. Tuesday, Gilligan’s, 219 St. James Ave., Goose Creek
Wednesdays
- Daniel Island: 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Daniel Island Club, 600 Island Park Dr., Daniel Island
- St. John’s Parish (John’s Island): 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, 2817 Maybank Highway, Unit 1, John’s Island
- Mount Pleasant: 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Harbor Breeze Restaurant, 176 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant
- Summerville: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sticky Fingers, Summerville
Thursdays
- North Charleston Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Embassy Suites, 5055 International Blvd., North Charleston
- Moncks Corner: 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Gilligan’s Restaurant, Moncks Corner
- St. Andrews (West Ashley): 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Bessinger’s BBQ, 1602 Savannah Highway, Charleston.
Fridays
- Charleston Breakfast: 7:30 a.m., Friday, Harbour Club, 35 Prioleau St., Charleston
SOCIAL MEDIA
Our Rotary club actively uses social media — and we encourage you to interact with us through social media.
- We’re on Facebook. Take a look at our page and be sure to “like us”.
- We’re on Twitter. You can follow us @chasrotaryclub.
ABOUT THE KEYWAY
The Keyway has been published weekly as a newsletter for the Rotary Club of Charleston for more than 90 years.
- President: David Burt
- Keyway editor: Don Baus [email protected]
- Executive secretary: Carroll Schweers, [email protected]
- Mailing address: Rotary Club of Charleston, P.O. Box 21029 ,Charleston, SC 29413-1029
- Copyright 2018, Rotary Club of Charleston. All rights reserved.