August 17, 2021
Ann Warner, head of SC WREN (Women’s Rights & Empowerment Network)
spoke to the club about her group’s efforts to build a movement to advance the health, economic well-being and rights of South Carolina’s women, girls and their families. A reminder that applications for this round of RCCF grants are due September 1. Don’t forget some upcoming events to enjoy fellowship with your members – an August social on the 26th at Saltwater Cowboys, and a cocktail networking event at Five Faber on September 21 at 5 PM.
Ann Warner, CEO of WREN – the Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network – spoke to us this week. WREN was launched in 2016 with a mission “To build a movement to advance the health, economic well-being and rights of South Carolina’s women, girls, and their families.”
WREN recognizes the challenges that women face in South Carolina. SC ranks 44th in a nation ranking of gender equity. Women represent 56% of the electorate but have one of the lowest rates of representation in the country. WREN seeks to improve gender equity and believes that in areas where this is more equity; children are healthier and more educated, families have more economic stability, businesses are more profitable, governments are more representative, and there is more opportunity and prosperity for all.
WREN advocates the SC General Assembly, US Congress and public agencies
for policies and laws that will improve the status of women, girls, and their families. They have had several legislative wins in SC with the adoption of the SC Pregnancy Accommodations Act (2018) and the SC Lactation Support Act (2020). WREN educates the public using Advocacy 101 Trainings, Annual Statewide Summit, Social Media Campaigns, Research Projects, and Webinars. WREN builds coalitions with organizations, businesses, and individuals who are committed to improving opportunities for South Carolinians. Some of these coalitions are with the Southeastern Alliance for Reproductive Equality (SEARE), the SC Coalition for Health Families (SCCHF), and the Workforce Advisory Group for Equity (WAGE).
Ann showed a slide spotlighting the gender wage gap in SC and talked about solutions to close the gap. This starts with raising awareness and advocating for change. WREN has some tools and guidance for employers on what they can do to improve pay equity and why it is good for their business. WREN has proposed public policy solutions and priorities for the SC legislature to improve the pay gap. There are also new projects WREN is engaging to pursue their mission. These are the SC Gender Justice Advocacy Fellowship, the Forum on Women in the Workforce, and their Fifth Anniversary Celebrations. In closing, Ann invited anyone who wants to get involved with WREN to join the network, make a financial contribution, and follow them on social media.
To learn more about SCWREN, go here.
To access the recording from this week’s meeting, go here.
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
- Tiffany Vanek gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- President Rob Dewey introduced our visiting Rotarians & guests.
- President Rob Dewey presented Health and Happiness
- Lisa Van Bergen introduced our guest speaker
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
August 24, 2021 | Issue 5016 President: Rob Dewey
COMING EVENTS
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- August 24 – Pat Kelsey, CoC Basketball Coach
- August 26 – Club Social at Saltwater Cowboys
- August 31 – Tom Leonard on Leadership
- September 1 – RCCF grant applications due
- September 7 – Diane Hamilton, Town of Maryville (Zoom only)
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.
Grant Deadline Approaching: September 1!
The Rotary Club of Charleston Fund grant deadline for the fall is fast approaching. If you know of any nonprofit organizations in our community that would benefit from a grant from our club, please let them know. The grant process is explained on our website, and the link is: https://www.charleston-rotary.org/guidelines-for-grant-applicants/.
This is an important part of our club’s efforts to support those making our community a better place for all. The deadline is September 1, 2021.
Run with Bernie Polio Challenge
Many years ago Rotarians made a promise to the children of the world that they would not have to suffer from Polio. We are getting SO close to keeping that promise.
Fellow Rotarian Don Oswalt is inviting you to be a part of the “Run with Bernie” Polio Challenge.
If you walk, run, swim, bike, row, count your steps via your watch then YOU QUALIFY! Or if you want to start doing any of those activities YOU QUALIFY!
This is open to Rotarians and non-Rotarians.
Starting date is July 1st and runs through October.
The goal is to raise money and awareness for the Fight Against Polio, have fun and maybe just get a little healthier.
If you are interested in joining Don and other fellow Rotarians from our club, please email Don Oswalt don.oswalt@proforma.com
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. Simply 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 PMiracle@MiracleStrategies.com.
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.
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.
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, mikesottak@gmail.com, or Rob Byko, rob@bykorealty.com.
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:
Elizabeth Hills – Sponsor: Virginia Lee. Classifcation: maritime services
Beth Meyer Bernstein – sponsor: Sandy Sue Sommer-Kresse, classification: College Professor/Dean
Daniel West – sponsor: Cleave Ham, classification: Financial services
Sam Skardon – Sponsor: Rob Dewey, classification: nonprofit development
In the event you know Elizabeth, Beth, Daniel or Sam please tell a member of the Board how they will serve the ideas of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Rotarian: Travis Ronk
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- JOINED: 7/19/2021
- SPONSOR: Steve Morse
- MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT: New Member
- CLASSIFICATION: Banking/Business Development
- PROFESSION: Business Development Officer/Beacon Bank
- SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF: I enjoy being in the outdoors with my wife, Lauren, and our Boykin Spaniel, Ruby. I like to get out on the water fishing and once in a great while catch something!
- JOINED: 7/19/2021
Birthdays
- 8/19 – Mary Ann Kohli
- 8/26 – Rudy Gill
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 don@sgaarchitecture.com
Executive secretary: Carroll Schweers, carrollschweers@gmail.com
Mailing address: Rotary Club of Charleston, P.O. Box 21029, Charleston, SC 29413-1029
Copyright 2018, Rotary Club of Charleston. All rights reserved