July 14, 2020:
Newly installed president Lisa Van Bergen ran her first meeting and despite
being constrained to our Zoom format, it went off without a hitch. An informative talk by Barbara Melvin of SC Ports highlighted the meeting, as well as the induction of three new members. We’re off and running for our 101st year!
Barbara Melvin, COO of South Carolina Ports Authority joined us at our July 14th zoom meeting to give us an update on the Ports Authority’s recent accomplishments and future plans. Prior to joining the Ports Authority in 1998, Ms. Melvin served as Director of Government Relations for the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Melvin has held the positions of Senior Vice President, Operations and Terminals, Senior Vice President, External Affairs, and Vice President, Government Relations before becoming COO of the Ports Authority.
Ms. Melvin opened with the six strategic priorities of the SC Ports Authority.
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- Excellence in Operations
- Timely Infrastructure and Capacity
- Cargo Base Expansion
- Intermodal Rail Development
- Talented Human Capital
- Thought Leadership
The vision of the Ports Authority, as defined by the employees, is “to be the preferred port of the top 10 U.S. Ports.”
Of the top ten U.S. ports, Charleston ranked No 1 in container volume growth from 2009-2019 with container volume of 2.4 Million TEU CY2019.
Metrics contributing to the exceptional performance of the port include dual mission truck turn lanes with queuing less than 1 hour, crane productivity at 35 moves per hour, berth productivity at 150 moves per hour, the port can handle 3000 move count ships in 24 hours, modern chassis yards, state of the art refrigeration (reefer) service area and reasonably balanced imports/exports also contribute to the success of the port.
By the end of 2021 the Wando Terminal will have 4 Neo Panamax berths, 15 STS cranes, 100 rubber tire gantry cranes, 26 full container handlers, 38 empty container handlers, 46 inbound and 25 outbound truck gates.
The completed Leatherman terminal in 2021 will have a capacity of 700,000 TEUs and will grow to 2.4M TEUs at completion of phase 3 in 2033 and is the only new container terminal in the U.S. since 2009.
The harbor deepening project will make Charleston Harbor the deepest harbor on the East Coast at 52 feet. Additionally, the near terminal rail at the intermodal container transfer facility will increase port capacity but lower truck volume on 526 as a barge operation will be offered from Wando Terminal.
Ms. Melvin concluded that even in this climate of a pandemic, the good news is that the population of the south continues to grow (+35MM 2010-2040), ample port dependent land and a retail distribution capable port helps give the SC Port it’s significant impact in South Carolina, responsible directly and indirectly for 9,300 jobs, $63 Billion in economic output and the most Global Trade dependent state in the U.S.
To access the Zom recording of this meeting go here.
Password: 1A%0dcR1
Submitted by Don Baus, Chairman Keyway Committee
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
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- Robert Sullivan gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- President Lisa welcomed all visiting Rotarians & guests.
- President Lisa presented Health and Happiness.
- Tom Leonard welcomed and introduced our keynote speaker, Barbara Melvin, who is COO of SC Ports.
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
July 21, 2020 | Issue 4970| President: Lisa Van Bergen
COMING EVENTS
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- July 21 – Officer Matt Tulla, CPD’s Response to Critical Incidents
- July 28 – Claire Ansell, Getting Your Business Through COVID
- Aug. 4 – Anita Zucker, Life, Family, Resilience
- Aug. 11 – David Ginn, CRDA
- Aug. 18 – TBD
NEWS BRIEFS
Important COVID-19 Message from the District
We wanted to share the below from outgoing District Governor, Johnny Moore. This will be part of our club’s COVID procedures going forward. We do not have any scheduled in-person Rotary gatherings until August, but please keep this in mind when we begin in-person meetings.
It has come to my attention that we need to set some ground rules for dealing with Rotarians who contract COVID-19 and how we deal with this in our clubs. First, for the Rotarians themselves. We MUST maintain absolute confidentiality for ANYONE who tests positive for COVID-19 unless they give us permission to share their information. That said, we MUST also ask, even require, that any Rotarian who has been to an in-person Rotary meeting or other function and later suspects they have COVID-19 report this to their Club President as soon as possible. This could be due to being in close contact with a person who tests positive or that they show symptoms. And, they absolutely must let the Club President know immediately if they test positive. Then, keeping confidentiality, the Club President MUST let all who attended that event know that there was someone at the event or meeting who came down with symptoms or tested positive. This will, at least, give all those notified the option of being tested immediately. And, it gives them warning that maybe they should limit their contact with others until it is proven that they are not infected.
With the increased number of cases being reported, this becomes even more critical to the health and welfare of our fellow Rotarians and their families. Please, join me in helping stop the spread of this nasty bug. If we are all vigilant and responsible, it can and will make a difference.
Meetings on ZOOM Thru July
With the recent spike in COVID cases in our area, the Board decided this past week to cancel our in-person meetings through the end of July. We will continue to meet on ZOOM during this time with plans of returning to in-person meetings at Hall’s Signature Events on Tuesday, August 4th.
We hope members will continue to log in to ZOOM and enjoy meetings from the comfort of their home or office. No yummy lunch by Hall’s or the in-person camaraderie of your fellow Rotarians, but it is the next best thing to stay engaged and be connected to your Rotary family. And as we know, the impact of Rotary is felt through our volunteerism and support of one another and the community, especially during trying times.
Rotary Happy Hour Hop
The last two of our Tuesday Rotary Happy Hour Hops in support of small businesses on King Street have been postponed until later this summer.
Shout out from Rotary Club of New Kent (Virginia)
Each week the Rotary Club of New Kent (D7600 VA) salutes another club for the great service they provide their community with a toast at the beginning of the club meeting. This new year, we have elected to salute the clubs from where our members were born/raised. This week, we salute you the Rotary Club of Charleston in honor of Chandra McPherson who is from Charleston, SC. Chandra is the head Librarian at the Heritage Library system which serves two counties in Virginia . Thank you for all that you do to make your community a better place.
In Rotary Service,
Colleen Bonadonna, Immediate Past President, Rotary Club of New Kent
Official Rotary Club of Charleston Statement on Racial Inequity and Business Support
The Rotary Club of Charleston Board of Directors met prior to our meeting this past Tuesday and adopted an official statement on Racial Inequity and Business Support in light of the recent unrest in our community and across the nation and the world. Rotary International had adopted an official statement on June 1, and we felt it was important for our Rotary Club to take a stand to condemn racial injustice and also show support for our small businesses who were affected during the recent rioting. While this has been a very challenging year for our community and our members with this pandemic and the resulting economic effects, we feel hopeful that a shift is occurring for the pandemic that has plagued our country for 400 years. In both our words and our actions, we have a chance to be a part of changing our future to one that allows all of our citizens to have a chance to live up to their fullest potential. With all the amazing and transformative impact the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston has had on our community and milestones that we have celebrated throughout this 100th anniversary year, you can be proud to be a part of an organization that lives up to our vision of uniting to create lasting change in our world, our communities and in ourselves.
The statement in its entirety can be found on the lead page of our club’s website.
July Dues Statements/Payment Options Expanded/Meal Fee Increase
In your Inbox this week will be your July-December dues statement, please be sure to make payment promptly. To assist you, we have expanded our payment options and you now will be able to also pay via ACH and PayPal. Please note that there will also be a 3% convenience fee added to all credit card dues payments.
Another IMPORTANT change: Starting in July 1, meal fees will increase to $30 for both excused members and guests. We will also ask that meal fees (Excused & guests) be paid at the door. We will no longer bill.
Global Grant Scholar – Madison Davis
Our Club is sponsoring Madison Davis, a junior at the College of Charleston, for this year’s Ambassadorial Global Grant Scholarship.
Rotary Foundation Global Grants are used to fund scholarships with sustainable, high impact outcomes in one of Rotary’s six areas of focus: peace and conflict resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development. Madison is planning to attend the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine pursuing an MSc in Nutrition for Global Health. Madison will be in competition with a number of other candidates within District 7770 vying for a cash grant of up to $50,000 to attend graduate study for one academic year abroad. Good luck Madison!!!
Volunteer Opportunities
If you are looking for a way to help out in the community, Rotarian volunteers are needed on Saturday, July 25 from 8am-3pm to assist with a FREE COVID-19 Testing Drive –Thru at Burke High School, 244 President Street. Volunteer shifts are 2 hours. Please click on the link below to sign up.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0d45aba72ba7fa7-mega
As a reminder, we ask that you use discretion when volunteering – if you have been sick, or have had exposure to anyone who might have been exposed to Coronavirus, we ask that you please refrain from volunteering.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Virginia Lee at [email protected].
- Volunteers Needed for Club Committees
Interact Club – This club meets at Charleston Charter for Math and Science, and helps promote Rotary values and volunteering with high school students. We co-sponsor the club with the Charleston Breakfast Club. The club meets Wednesdays from 11-11:30 am, and will continue to meet in the coming year, though as sponsors we might Zoom in depending on CCSD guidelines. The volunteer usually attends meetings once or twice a month. There is a Teacher sponsor who does the bulk of the work. I personally have volunteered with this group, and truly enjoyed the young people. Jack Mitchell was doing this but has moved to Atlanta. One to two volunteers needed. Contact Lisa Van Bergen at [email protected]
Social Committee – This group coordinates social events for the club. We need 1-2 people to chair the committee, and more volunteers are always welcome. Contact Lisa Van Bergen at [email protected]
Zoom Committee – Past President David Burt has done an outstanding job serving as our Zoom host and bringing you our meetings via Zoom each week. We will continue to offer meetings on Zoom for the foreseeable future. In order to do this, we need a few additional “Zoom-savvy” Rotarians to assist David with this task as there will be meetings that he will be unable to attend. If you are interested, please reach out to David at [email protected].
Club/District Emails
As a Rotarian and a member in District 7770, you are receiving emails from our club and the District. Both the club and the District try to minimize the number of emails being sent, but in today’s world of staying at home and no contact, emails are the main way to get information out and keep Rotarians connected. Please do not unsubscribe from District emails as this also effects your ability to receive club emails. If you unsubscribe from the District emails, then you are also unsubscribing from receiving club emails.
Contribute to The CART Fund On-Line
It is now easy to contribute and support The CART Fund electronically. The CART Fund has just rolled out a new portal www.mycartfund.org, which you can easily access. As a Rotarian and a DACdb user, you automatically have an account already set-up in your name. Your user name and password are the same as it is for the DACdb.
Our Club is on Social Media
Members are encouraged to follow all of our social media channels and share posts with their followers too! We also need members to send us picture of anything they do that relates to Rotary – service projects, meetings, events, etc. We would love to keep our accounts full of smiling Rotarians! Photos can be send to Mike Sottak, [email protected], or Rob Byko, [email protected].
MEMBER NEWS
Welcome to our newest Rotarians – Kim Crain and Sarah Imam! And, a BIG welcome back to former member, Megan Fink! These 3 members were inducted virtually during last week’s ZOOM meeting. Kim was sponsored and introduced by Ruthie Ravenel and she will hold the classification of Real Estate. Sarah, who many of you know from volunteering during the 3D mask making project at the Citadel, was introduced and sponsored by Past President Sandy. Sarah joins us under the classification of Education/Military/College. Megan’s father-in-law and long-time Rotarian, Skip Fink, introduced her to the club. She will hold the classification of Marketing/Non-Profit.
Our President-Elect Rob Dewey and his wife, Kathy, recently announced their intention to provide funding to create a center for chaplaincy at Charleston Southern University. This new Dewey Center for Chaplaincy will develop academic programs to train chaplains for any of the over 60 forms of chaplaincy identified by the North American Mission Board. The center will also develop noncredit, certificate courses to train volunteer chaplains in first responder, corporate, and community chaplaincy, as well as conferences to support professional chaplains serving in the Lowcountry. Read more here.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary Peters as she recovers at home from cataract surgery.
With much regret, the Board accepted the resignations of Peter Tecklenburg, Mark Smith and Lorraine Perry. We will truly miss these Rotarians and wish them all the best!
Best wishes for all of us to stay safe and continue to stay connected as we help those who are most vulnerable in our community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to fellow Rotarians if we can help you in any way in the days and weeks to come!
Proposed New Members
The following membership candidates have submitted an application and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
Ted Fason – sponsor: Charlie Palmer; classification: Liquor – Distillery/Distribution
Jacob Humiston – sponsor: Heidi Finniff; classification: Business Staffing/Contracting
In the event you know Ted or Jacob, please tell a member of the Board how he/she will serve the ideas of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Megan Fink
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- JOINED: 7/14/2020 (previous member of our club 2015-2017)
- SPONSOR: Father-In-Law Skip Fink
- MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT: New Member
- CLASSIFICATION: Marketing/Non-Profit
- PROFESSION: Palmetto Goodwill, VP of Marketing
- SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF: Has a twin sister
Birthdays
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- 7/21 – Robert Sullivan
- 7/22 – Leah Donaldson
- 7/24 – Stefany Ceccato
- 7/26 – Andy Brack
By the numbers
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- Attendance on July 14, 2020: 62
- Not in attendance: Allen, Altman, Beam, Berry, Brack, Clark, Cook, Coxe, DeGraff, Dopp, Drafts, Echols, Finniff, Frume, Gill, Giovanniello, Goxhaj, Husser, Jones, Kaynard, Lietzow, Loredo, Lucy, Miracle, Moring, Oswalt, Palmer, Peters, Rust, Savage, Seguer, Shahid, Sidebottom, Smith, Michael, Smith, P., Strickland, Tecklenburg, John, Teller, Walters, Webb, Weston
- Out of Town Make-ups: None
WELLNESS TIP
Leave Stress-Inducing Foods in Not-So-Convenient Places
Though you may be inclined to indulge in treats or your favorite cocktail, know that this may be counterproductive. Foods that exacerbate or mess with stress in a less-than-savory way include caffeine, alcohol, and refined sugars. You don’t have to cut them out completely, but do limit your intake and enjoy them in moderation.
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, Hall’s Signature Events, 5 Faber, 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.
- We’re on Instagram. 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: Sandy Morckel
- 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