July 20, 2021
We had an insightful talk from the Investigate Journalism team from the Post & Courier, who discussed the importance of independent local journalism, the crisis of increasing news deserts, and the challenges media companies face today in rooting out the truth. Don’t forget our next social event on August 26 at Saltwater Cowboys.

On Tuesday we had an inspiring presentation on Investigative Reporting by the Post and Courier and the importance of the local community newspaper. Studies have shown that communities that have local newspapers have increased voter turnout, less corruption and are more likely to engage in local government. Important issues addressed by the Post and Courier include such titles as “Til Death Do Us Part” making SC safer for woman, “Rising Waters” brought the sea rise crisis into focus and “Uncovered”, a statewide project exposing how rampant corruption and cronyism is across the state.

Local newspapers however are facing tighter budgets as 8 out of 10 dollars go to tech giants like Google and Facebook for advertising. Local papers have had to change their business model and now rely on subscriptions to fund the quality local news which is expensive but the need for investigative journalism is not waning. A project can take up to 8 months and require legal fees, FOIA fees, testing and just the cost of time invested.

The presentation focused then on the piece “Uncovered”. It began about 3 years ago with an email from a source about documents posted online from a nonprofit showing exotic trips, dental visits and high dollar receipts for a trip to the artist Prince’s house in Minneapolis. This prompted a deeper look and a statewide report on corruption and cronyism, partnering with other local papers to uncover these issues. Rural communities don’t have the resources or ability to dig deeper so it is the job of the Post and Courier to help find the truth.
The presentation really inspired with the responsibility these journalists feel to be a voice for the community through investigative journalism.
To access the recording from this week’s meeting, go here.
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
- Paul Stoney gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Tom Giovanniellointroduced our visiting Rotarians & guests.
- President Rob Dewey presented Health and Happiness with Patterson, Joe T, Denise, Virginia, Hugh Lane and others pitching in to honor their happy moments.
- Robie Scotty introduced our speakers from Post & Courier
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
June 27, 2021 | Issue 5012 President: Rob Dewey
COMING EVENTS
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- July 27 – Dave Echols, Charleston Riverdogs
- August 3 – Scott Stephens, SC Historical Society
- August 10 – Whit Smith
- August 26 – Club Social at Saltwater Cowboys
NEWS BRIEFS
Important – COVID Meeting Protocols Updated
In alignment with the new CDC guidelines, the Rotary Board has determined that the club needs to make adjustments to our Rotary meeting procedures. Effective immediately, we will no longer take temperatures upon arrival or be required to sign a waiver at the door. Face masks are now optional for all Rotarians and visitors, who are fully vaccinated. Those Rotarians and visitors, who are not yet vaccinated, are encouraged to continue to wear masks. Name badges will again be worn at meetings.
The staff and servers at Hall’s will continue to wear masks.
For the safety of our members and guests, we ask all members to please comply with the CDC guidelines and our protocols.
No cash? No problem. We now take Venmo!
Thanks to overwhelming demand by our younger, cash-fee members, the club will now accept Venmo payments. Venmo can be used to pay dues, meals for guests, contribute happy dollars and conduct other transactions which previously required cash, check or credit cards. Simplly add @rotaryclubofcharleston as a payee on your Venmo account. Thanks Joseph Tecklenburg for helping us reach this incredible technology milestone!
Rob Dewey is now looking into how we can use Bitcoin to pay our dues.
Charleston 50: Year Two
Charleston50, a fundraising campaign launched by the Rotary Club of Charleston to fund community grants, has already reached 58% of its 2021-22 goal during the first 24 days of our fiscal year!
Begun last year when traditional events were canceled due to COVID, the project is continuing thanks to the overwhelming response by members who donate $500 annually to support deserving non-profits in our club’s service area.
The Rev. Rob Dewey, club president, said, “Charleston50 was a surprise success for us. After decades of supporting projects by selling tickets and sponsorships, we quickly learned that our members value the impact our club has in the community and the easy way they can give through Charleston50.”
Charleston50 members receive several visibility benefits including being listed on the club’s website and on a slide deck visible for 20 minutes before each meeting; a pin; a sticker; and an opportunity to briefly greet club members. Donations to Charleston50 are made through the non-profit arm of our club and are 100% tax-deductible.
Please download and complete the Pledge Form here, and return it via email to Phoenicia Miracle at [email protected].
Next Rotary Social: Saltwater Cowboys: August 26
Our next Rotary Social will be on Thursday, August 26 at Saltwater Cowboys on Shem Creek. Look for more info and E-vite from our social committee chairs Michael Smith and Leah Donaldson. Come out and join your fellow Rotarians in some waterside fellowship
PR Committee Seeking Volunteers
Our club’s PR Team is looking for additional members to join their committee. Specifically, volunteer photographers are needed to take photos at our meetings. If you are interested in serving on the PR committee and helping in this role, please email Mike Sottak at [email protected]. Fancy cameras are not required, an iPhone will do! It would be wonderful to have a couple of volunteers alternating the weekly duty.
Support The CART Fund
It is easy for club members to make individual contributions and support The CART Fund electronically. The CART Fund has 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.
Become a PHF & Support the Rotary Foundation
Do not forget your opportunity to be recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. Eighty-five dollars a month gets you there. Please reach out to Karl Riner, Club Foundation Chair, to sign up or ask questions.
You can also donate to Rotary’s efforts to end polio now: https://endpolio.org/donate.
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 pictures 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
Congratulations to Travis Ronk who was inducted into the club. Travis was originally sponsored by past member Silva Goxaj and Steve Morse became his official sponsors when Silva changed clubs. Welcome Travis.
Condolences go out to member Samuel Steinberg and his family on the death of his sister Paula Farbmand.
Proposed New Members
The following membership candidates have submitted an application and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
James Yanney – sponsor: Sandy Morckel, classification: Surgeon
In the event you know James, please tell a member of the Board how he will serve the ideas of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Rotarian: Stephanie Dasher
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- SPONSOR: Skip Fink
- MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT: New Member
- CLASSIFICATION: Eleemosynary/Executive
- PROFESSION: Executive Director, Warrior Surf Foundation
- SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF: Though I graduated college with a Nuclear Engineering & Science degree, I actually dropped out of Algebra II in high school because I said it was too hard and I wasn’t good in math. I truly believe this and I hated math, but loved science. To me, this is proof that all of our brains mature at different rates and given enough time we can learn to do anything.
Birthdays
- 7/20 – Peter Shahid
WELLNESS TIP
SLEEP IS ESSENTIAL
Knowing how much sleep your body needs and getting the required amount is key to self-care. Sleep patterns can change during the summer. Melatonin, a hormone produced by the body and released in the dark, helps us feel tired. Melatonin signals to the brain that it is time to sleep. Extended light hours during the summer means that release of melatonin is delayed, so our body doesn’t feel like sleeping until later when it is dark. Our normal sleep pattern, called the circadian rhythm, can be delayed as the day is longer during the summer months.
Think back on the last time you didn’t get enough sleep—it likely affected your entire day. A lack of sleep can impact our mental health, relationships, productivity, and overall well-being. Remember the importance of a good night’s sleep and get plenty of rest during the summer.
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: 7:30AM Hall’s Signature Events, 5 Faber, 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: 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