January 4, 2022
Happy New Year Rotarians. We’re back and rolling into 2022. Lots of great programs and events planned. Our own Rotarian and Mayor of Charleston John Tecklenburg kicked things off this year with his annual State of the City presentation.
Welcome back, everyone!

We were joined Tuesday by Mayor John Tecklenburg who gave us a precursor to the State of the City.
His motto going forward is “back to basics” focusing on those issues that affect the quality of life and livability of the City. At top of the list is public safety. The budgets for police and fire services have increased in the last six years 3.7% every year and 6.98% every year respectively. However, the city property taxes just barely covers those budgets but this year we should be up to a full complement of police and fire personnel for the first time in 10 years. We will continue to work on building trust between the police and the public and continue to better equip and train fire personnel.
The second major focus is living with water, and addressing flooding issues in the City. We are spending this year over $100M in drainage improvements with the Fishburne tunnel becoming operational this year. The final phase will be to build a pump station that can pump a million gallons of water in under 3 minutes. Phase 2 of the lower battery is about to finish, phase 2 of the West Ashley project is about to begin, and design continues for the South Windermere neighborhoods. In addition, the City is cleaning out and fortifying the existing tunnels under the peninsula to also provide stormwater relief to the City.
Traffic and Transportation is the next focus. The City relies on partnering with the County and SCDOT for road projects. The widening of Glenn McConnell, the “pitchfork” on John’s Island and the extension of the Mark Clark are all currently active projects Other projects include adding a Bike Pedestrian bridge over the Ashley River as well as crosswalks throughout the peninsula to increase pedestrian safety.
Affordable housing is the next big topic. We need over 20,000 units by the end of the decade but there are numerous projects underway to start addressing the issue. Including the rehab of Archer school, the James Lewis apartments at Lee and Nassau street, partnering with 180 Place to build transitional housing, the new Navigation Center to help people experiencing homelessness in a sustainable facility. Over the next 10 years, our goal is to completely rebuild or rehab every low-income rental unit the City has and build between 1500 and 2000 units on property the City already has.
Another initiative is a keep Charleston Beautiful program to create new opportunities for “adoption” of areas by citizens to help keep the City Beautiful. A new park in West Ashley will be opening this year and property was purchased on John’s Island for a park, and the Mother Emmanuel memorial should break ground this year.
The City will also be focused on helping both existing and new minority businesses through an accelerator program and incubator program to be located in the James Lewis apartment facility.
Throughout the difficulty of the past couple years, the City has maintained its AAA credit rating which is important to moving forward and puts the City in a good position for the future.
To access a recording for this week’s meeting, click here.
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
- Robert Sullivan gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Travis Ronk introduced our visiting Rotarians & guests.
- President Rob presented Health and Happiness.
- Peter Shahid introduced our speaker – Past President of our club and current Mayor of Charleston, John Tecklenburg, who gave us a “State of the City”.
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
January 11, 2022 | Issue 5032 President: Rob Dewey
COMING EVENTS
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- Jan. 11 – Andrian Cane, Chas. Chamber / 11am Board
- Jan. 18 – Troy Evans at Teach for America (ZOOM only)
- Jan. 22 – Rise Against Hunger Food Packing Event w/Chas. Breakfast
- Jan. 25 – Tonya Matthew, IAAM
- Feb. 1 – Matt Martin, Federal Reserve
NEWS BRIEFS
Meeting Update – NO EVITES or RSVPs Required
As those of you who have attended recently are aware, we have returned to a buffet-style luncheon. Our attendance numbers have consistently returned to pre-COVID numbers, so as we move forward into 2022 there will be NO EVITE or need to RSVP to weekly luncheons. We have been printing nametags for guests, so if you are bringing a guest (especially a prospective member), please let Carroll know. Also, if you have a dietary restriction, please inform Carroll weekly, so a special meal is prepared for you.
International Grant Applications being accepted through March 1
The International Grant application process is officially open for organizations to apply to receive an International grant from our Club. Our Club focuses on projects for people in need in developing countries throughout the world. We have funded projects in the past few years that concentrate on creating infrastructure for basic needs such as potable water, nutrition, sanitation, children’s health, and many others. Our impact has expanded to places such as Liberia, Dominican Republic, Kenya, Paraguay, and Peru.
If you have any contacts with organizations that are doing this kind of important work in the world and could benefit from a grant from our Club, please send them our application form. The application was emailed out last week, but if you don’t have it, please contact Joseph Tecklenburg at [email protected]. Or access the grant application form here.
The deadline for the applications is March 1, 2022. If you should have any specific questions, please contact Joseph.
Rise Against Hunger
We are partnering with the Rotary Club of Charleston-Breakfast, Interact and Rotaract in a Rise Against Hunger (https://www.riseagainsthunger.org) event on Saturday, January 22. Volunteers are needed to help pack over 10,000 meals. The event starts at 10am at The Citadel Football Stadium: 68 Hagood Ave, Charleston, SC 29403. The meals we pack will be shipped all over the world to help feed those in need. Check your email for sign-up information.
Blue Bucket Collections
Blue Buckets will be on the tables this month in support of those in Kentucky affected by the recent tornados. Bring your Happy Bucks and consider making a cash donation at an upcoming meeting. $252 was collected this past Tuesday.
ZOOM Host Volunteers Needed
We are extremely thankful for Past President David Burt and PR Chair Mike Sottak who have been taking on the responsibility of ZOOM hosts and recording our meetings since the start of COVID, which is now going on two years. They do an excellent job and have kept our club meeting throughout the pandemic. In order to continue to offer our meetings on ZOOM, as well as the weekly meeting recordings, we need a couple of volunteers to step up and join their committee. If you are interested, please reach out to either David at [email protected] or Mike at [email protected].
District 7770 All Club Conference
Registration for The District 7770 All Club Conference is now open. All Rotarians are invited to attend. Our club will cover registration fees on a first come, first serve basis for those wanting to attend. Individuals are responsible for their own accommodations. The link for The All Club Conference may be found in DACdb under the calendar tab.
Our Family Reunion promises a weekend full of fun, service opportunities and fellowship for everyone. This will be a time to renew old acquaintances and make new friends. Celebrate all that District 7770 has achieved in 2021/22!
Join us at the beachfront Sonesta Hotel on Hilton Head Island March 11-13, 2022. Rooms may be secured at $179 per night by calling 1-843-842-2400 or 1-800-766-3782. Alternatively go on line at www.sonesta.com/hiltonheadisland using group booking code 0324Rotary. If you would like to explore Hilton Head further, the same room rate is available for March 9, 10 and March 14. This rate is only available until February 16, 2022. After that date, no rooms will be guaranteed to be available or at that rate. As this is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade weekend on Hilton Head Island, rooms will be at a premium!
The Opening Luncheon will kick off The Family Reunion Weekend on Friday, March 11, 2022.
District Governor Paul Walter, the Conference speakers and the entire All Club Conference Committee look forward to great weekend.
Important – Face Masks Optional
At its meeting this past Tuesday, your Board re-evaluated our current mask policy. Due to the decline in COVID cases, 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.
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. 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 [email protected].
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.
MEMBER NEWS
Our thoughts, prayers and well wishes continue to be with Luther Reynolds and Stefany Ceccato, who are both recovering from recent surgeries.
Proposed New Members
The following membership candidates have submitted an application and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
Jason Eckenstein – sponsor: Joseph Tecklenburg; classification: Telecommunications
Richard Parker – sponsor: Dan Ravenel; classification: Hotel/Mgmt.
Julianne Farnsworth – sponsor: Leslie Fellabom; classification: Law/Commercial Litigation
Amber Mufale – sponsor: Michael Smith; classification: Law/Commercial Real Estate
In the event you know Jason, Richard, Julianne, or Amber, please tell a member of the Board how she/he will serve the ideals of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Rotarian: Robbie Wachman
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- SPONSOR: Digit Matheny
- MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT: New Member
- CLASSIFICATION: Roofing/Construction
- PROFESSION: Operations Director, Southpaw Roofing
- SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF
In the past, Robbie served the following organizations: Little League as a Coach, the YMCA Miracle League, Habitat for Humanity, Augusta Urban Ministries, and the Ronald McDonald House. Something unique about Robbie is the fact he played baseball for the College of Charleston, and Middle Georgia College where he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds.
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Birthdays
- 1/12 – John Bleecker
- 1/14 – Karen Clark
- 1/15 – Tom Giovanniello & Karl Riner
WELLNESS TIP
Get Moving
Rather than the typical “make sure you get 10,000 steps a day” tip that is often hard to track and difficult to achieve when you need to be working/studying all day, try to take a short walk every hour or two. This will get your heart beating and blood flowing throughout the body, while also giving you some time to clear your head and take a short break.
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, Mt Pleasant Presbyterian Church. 302 Hibben St. 29464.
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: Rob Dewey
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