9/15: Lt. Chris Hulbert, S.C. State Guard

September 15, 2020:

We’re back! After what seems like 100 years, we were finally able to meet in person at 5 Faber this week. great to see everyone who was able to attend. We’re still under strict social distancing and safety protocols so only a limited number of members can attend and we have many new precautions you should be aware of (read them in this week’s Keyway). Be sure to RSVP if you plan on joining the meeting in person. We will also continue to offer Zoom dial-ins as an option. Our first speaker back in our ‘live’ format was Lt. Chris Hulber of the SC State Guard who gave us an informative overview of the role that organization plays in our state.

Lt. Chris Hulbert of the SC State Guard joined us this past Tuesday to tell us more about the South Carolina State Guard, and their role in the community in this 350th year since their founding in 1670. The State Guard is different from the National Guard but has a powerful mission within the State of South Carolina. The SC State Guard helps the State of South Carolina and communities during natural and man-made disasters, and is and all-volunteer force activated by order of the Governor. They support and supplement local, state, and federal first responders and emergency operations during such events. 

The State Guard does not carry weapons but is here to help South Carolinians. The SC State Guard history is outlined in a book- Last Call, First to Respond. The State Guard started out in 1670 as The South Carolina State Militia, then became the South Carolina State Defense Force and then the South Carolina State Guard.  The movie, “The Patriot” is very loosely based on the story of Francis Marion and the early State Militia. 

The all-volunteer force wears the Army Uniform with some subtle differences. The flag of the State of South Carolina is on the sleeve instead of the United States Flag warn by the Army and National Guard.

It is made up of a number of detachments including the Engineering detachment, that assesses buildings during disasters, a Medical detachment comprised of Doctors, Nurses and EMTs, a Provost Marshall detachment made up of Police Officers, SARCOM which is Search and Rescue Command which is quite active, a JAG Corp for legal assistance, a Chaplain Corp and a Ceremonial Unit that provides and Honor Guard detachments for military funerals where the other branches of the service may not have the personnel. 

We have 3 Battalions, 1st Battalion in the Midlands, 2nd Battalion in the Upstate and 3rd Battalion along the Coast with 700 active troops in the State Guard. Roughly fifty percent of the State Guard are prior service but anyone from age 17 to 70 can join the State Guard. The State Guard is made up of many professionals as well as retirees.  Training includes two weekends of military etiquette and military protocol, rather than basic training associated with the Army.  

Recent deployments have included hurricane evacuation shelter set up as well as assistance after a tornado hit a high school in Kershaw County.  The State Guard also provides security for the Cooper River Bridge Run.  Last year the Governor asked the State Guard to help clean out culverts in flood-prone communities who didn’t have the resources to prepare for potential flooding. 

When serious natural or man-made disasters strike the State of South Carolina, the mission of the State Guard is to quickly respond to protect people and property and to help communities recover. Acting in coordination with the National Guard, law enforcement, and other state, county and municipal agencies during times of emergency, the State Guard is part of the South Carolina Military Department under the direction of the Adjutant General. Its Commander in Chief is the Governor of the State of South Carolina.

Submitted by Don Baus, Chairman,  Keyway Committee

IN OTHER MEETING NEWS 

• • • President-Elect Rob Dewey gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
    • Thomas Berry welcomed all visiting Rotarians & guests.
    • President Lisa presented Health and Happiness.
    • Karl Brady, introduced Lt. Chris Hulbert, SC State Guard.           

MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY

September 22, 2020 | Issue 4978| President: Lisa Van Bergen

UPCOMING EVENTS

• • 22 – Candidate Forum: SC Sen. Sandy Senn vs. Sam Skardon
  • 29 – Bishop R. Guglielmone
  • October 6 – Coach Earl Grant, College of Charleston Basketball
  • October 13 – (ZOOM MTG) TBD
  • October 15 – Social @ Bay Street Biergarten
  • October 20 – Jacob Mintzner, Roper, Alzheimer’s Research (Mary Peters)
  • October 27 – Candidate Forum US Rep Joe Cunningham vs. Nancy Mace

NEWS BRIEFS

 

IMPORTANT Meeting Update – In-Person Meetings Started Sept. 15

We are excited to announce that while we will continue to offer our Rotary Meetings by Zoom well into the foreseeable future, we began meeting IN PERSON September 15, but with a few alterations to the way we have met in the past (see below).  We hope that this will be welcome news for a majority of you.

Important Note: Attendance requirements for attending the Rotary Club of Charleston luncheon have been waived. Attending the Rotary Club of Charleston Luncheon is voluntary and members/guests are invited to join us in-person or virtually on ZOOM.  Anyone who is “at risk” for COVID-19 is encouraged to stay at home

A RSVP is required for those attending in person, as we have a cap of 70 people for our in-person meetings for the time being. The deadline for RSVPs was this past Thursday, Sept. 17.  Reservations for this meeting are now closed.  We will also offer the meeting on Zoom and that link will be included in the weekly Keyway email.

The following guidelines have been established for our in-person meetings that comply with state and local regulations for events:

ENTERING MEETING/REGISTRATION

• Attendance is at your own risk and only those who are healthy are encouraged to attend
• Wearing masks upon entering is optional
• Entrance doors will be open
• Marks on floor every 6 feet to registration table
• Registration table located inside room past “lounge area”
• Rotarians/Visitors/Guests wait in line to be signed in by Sergeant-At-Arms Committee
  • Temperature will be taken at door and anyone with a 100.4 or higher will not be permitted in the meeting.
  • Anyone entering the meeting (members/guests/speakers/venue staff) will be expected to sign a COVID waiver. The COVID waiver will be emailed to club members and venue prior to our first several in-person meetings for review. Members can certainly share with guests.
• Sergeant-At-Arms committee will be wearing masks & gloves
• No badges
• No raffle
• Hand sanitizer located at registration and in various locations in the room

SEATING

• Lunch will be plated and served as Rotarians arrive at their tables – no buffet or drink station
• Rotarians/Visitors/Guests will be encouraged to find a seat after being registered. Try to fill tables from the far wall (near the kitchen) outward to eliminate some of the brushing up against others while finding a seat
• Tables & seats will be appropriately spaced to allow for social distancing
• Hand sanitizer will be at each table

HEAD TABLE

• 1 Head table with 2 seats – speaker and speaker introducer
• Podium with table mic (wipes available on podium)

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS/VISITORS

• No passing of handheld mic/members will stand-up and introduce guests without use of mic

RSVP REQUIRED TO ATTEND MEETINGS

• Members/Visitors/Guests planning to attend weekly meetings will be required to RSVP through Evite to let us know if you are planning to attend as we are limited to 70 people at this time
• Any dietary restrictions need to be noted on the RSVP

ZOOM / RECORDINGS

• Meetings will continue to be available on Zoom and a recording will also be emailed out after the meeting for those not comfortable attending in person

We will continue to monitor the situation and any changing state and local ordinances to assure we are keeping the safety of all as our highest priority.  Because we are continuing to Zoom the meetings, we hope that those who are not yet comfortable attending in person will continue to log in by Zoom from the comfort of your home. 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.

 

Important COVID-19 Message from the District 

As we go back to attending meetings in person, we wanted to again share the below from the District. Members are asked to keep this in mind.

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.

 

Social at Bay Street Biergarten in October

Mark your calendars now to attend a club social on Thursday, October 15^th from 5pm-6:30pm at the Bay Street Biergarten.  This will be a fun outdoor event and a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with your Rotary friends.

 

Volunteer for Day of Caring

Please consider volunteering for this year’s “Virtual Day of Caring” for Trident United Way on Friday, November 20, 2020.  Our focus this year will be  Virtual Student Career Conferences  for middle and high school students.  They’re asking for your help with these students to share information on your company, your career, and your unique career journey. If you’d like to volunteer or would like more information, please contact our Community Service Director, Virginia Lee at [email protected]

 

District Grant Awarded

 Assistant District Governor Robb Rosol joined us this past Tuesday and presented our club with a $2500 District Grant.  This grant along with a match of $2500 from the RCCF will be used to support our efforts with the Y-Achievers program at the YMCA.  Rotarian volunteers are always needed and encouraged to assist with this program.

Y Achievers, a national YMCA program, serves students from varying academic levels in pursuit of high educational and career goals. Y Achievers helps teens improve academic performance, develop a positive sense of self, build character, explore diverse college and career options plus interact with professionals who serve as role models. With the help of certified teachers, we deliver an evidence based curriculum called 6 to 16. This curriculum helps young students to create pathways and build a plan to achieve their goals after high school.

 

Rotary Recognizes United States Air Force 73^rd BIRTHDAY

Skip Fink, our Veteran’s Committee Chair, joined us on Tuesday and recognized the 73th Birthday of the United States Air Force.

The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the now SIX branches of the United States Armed Forces, and one of the eight American uniformed services. Initially formed as a part of the United States Army on 1 August 1907, the USAF was established as a separate branch of the U.S. Armed Forces on 18 September 1947 with the passing of the National Security Act of 1947. It is the second youngest branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, (the youngest being the US SPACE FORCE- which was organized in December 2019 within the Department of the Air Force) and is the fourth in order of precedence. The USAF is the largest and most technologically advanced air force in the world. The US Air Force articulates its core missions as:

• • air and space superiority,
  • global integrated intelligence,
  • surveillance and reconnaissance,
  • rapid global mobility,
  • global strike, and
  • command and control.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE WORLDS PREMIER AVIATION FORCE!

 

July Dues Now Past Due  

If you haven’t already, please be sure to pay your July-December 2020 dues.  Statements were distributed via email the last of June and are now considered past due.  As a reminder to those with an outstanding balance, a statement was emailed this past week. Please note that we have expanded our payment options and you now have the ability to pay via ACH and PayPal. Also of note, a 3% convenience fee is added to all credit card dues payments. 

The below policy was approved by the Board this past Spring and went into effect on July 1, 2020.  Our club’s operating budget depends on members paying their dues as we incur various expenses based on our membership count and we cannot continue to pay for Rotarians, who do not fulfill their commitment of paying semi-annual dues.

Failure to Pay Dues Policy (effective 7/1/20)
“Any Rotary member with dues past 90 days must either pay in full or develop a payment plan, which includes making a minimal payment. If this is not in place by 120 days, then membership in Rotary will be terminated. If a member wishes to return, they must pay all outstanding dues prior to resubmitting an application.”

Another IMPORTANT change …. When we start meeting in-person in September, 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.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s

This year, the Charleston Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, on November 7th, is everywhere — on every sidewalk and bridge, the beach, downtown, in parks and anywhere your team chooses to walk. Your team can be one person or 200 and you can walk together or separate. Although the world may look a little different right now, one thing hasn’t changed: our commitment to the fight against Alzheimer’s.

The 2020 Charleston Walk to End Alzheimer’s won’t be a large in-person gathering this year — instead, we invite you to walk wherever you like in small teams of friends and family while others in your community do the same. We want the Greater Charleston area to be covered in purple on November 7th!

There are a couple of ways we invite you to participate. Create a team and walk with us to support the cause or be a Sponsor.

How to participate:
1. Register for the Charleston Walk. 
Sign up as a Team Captain, team member or individual. It doesn’t matter where you live you can sign up for the Charleston walk and walk where you are that day.

http://act.alz.org/charlestonwalk 
2. Start fundraising and spread the word.
We’ll provide tips and coaching every step of the way, including easy ways to raise funds online and at home.
3. Join us on Walk day which is November 7th – everywhere.
Take part in an interactive online experience, walk in your community and visit the planted Promise Garden, which is view only.

Alzheimer’s isn’t waiting. Neither are you.
No matter where you are, you can walk.

http://act.alz.org/charlestonwalk

 

Official Rotary Club of Charleston Statement on Racial Inequity and Business Support

The Rotary Club of Charleston Board of Directors has 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.

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 sent to Mike Sottak, [email protected], or Rob Byko, [email protected].

 

MEMBER NEWS

We welcomed two new members into our club this past Tuesday – Karla Combs and Nick Wackym.  Karla has been a Rotarian for over 12 years.  She is a former member of the Lake Norman-Huntersville Rotary and North Mecklenburg Rotary.  Past President Sandy introduced and sponsored Karla, who join us under the classification of Insurance.  Nick was introduced and sponsored by Past President Alex and will hold the classification of Investigative Agency/Mgmt.  Congratulations to both Karla and Nick!

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!

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

• • Rotarian:  Nick Wackym
    • JOINED: September 15, 2020
    • SPONSOR: Past President Alex Dallis
    • MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT: New Member
    • CLASSIFICATION: Investigative Agency/Mgmt.
    • PROFESSION: Defense Contractor – overseas / whilst home – Private Investigator
    • SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF: When not doing my thing as a “Contractor” overseas, my real passion is doing special ops advisor work in Africa. I’m part of a non-profit that teaches/advises game rangers in Africa how to combat animal poachers in Africa. I’ve worked the past 5 years in Mozambique and we’ve been able to really turn the tables on the poachers.

Birthdays

• • 22 – David Burt
  • 24 – John Tecklenburg
  • 26 – Paul Stoney, Charlton Wieters
  • 27 – Dan Ravenel
  • 28 – Amy Riley

By the numbers

• • Attendance on September 15, 2020 (In Person and Zoom):  50
  • Not in attendance: Allen, Bickley, Brack, Byko, Chico, Coe, Coghill, Cole, Cook, Coxe, Crain, Crouch, DeGraff, Diminch, Drafts, Echols, Fellabom, Galizia, Gill, Giovanniello, Ham, Hanger, Holmes, Husser, Imam, Jones, C., Jones, Z., Kaynard, Lucy, Matheny, Moring, Oswalt, Palmer, Patrick, Plotner, Ravenel, Riner, Rust, Savage, Seguer, Shahid, Smith, H., Smith, P., Staley, Strickland, Taylor, Tecklenburg, John, Tonney, Vanek, Walters, Webb, Weston
  • Out of Town Make-ups: None

WELLNESS TIP

Eat a Healthy Diet

Eat a combination of different foods, including fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains. Adults should eat at least five portions (400g) of fruit and vegetables per day. You can improve your intake of fruits and vegetables by always including veggies in your meal; eating fresh fruit and vegetables as snacks; eating a variety of fruits and vegetables; and eating them in season. By eating healthy, you will reduce your risk of malnutrition and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer.

ARE 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: Currently meeting by Zoom. Contact [email protected] for log in information

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: Lisa Van Bergen
• 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