February 8, 2022
The folks from VerdeSol, an industrial solar power company, stopped by to enlighten us on how solar energy is transforming businesses and agriculture with new lower-cost alternatives to traditional energy options. Don’t forget Thursday’s club social at the Container Bar (5PM start – look for an E-vite this week) and tickets are now on sale for the March 3 Oyster Roast we’ll be hosting as a major fundraising event.

Our guest speakers this week were from local solar power company VerdeSol. The company provides solar power generation systems to businesses, industrial facilities, and agriculture operations.
The team from VerdeSol, including founder Dean Freeman and chief business development manager Will Shirey, gave us an insightful overview of the technical aspects of solar generation, storage, and use. They pointed to the obvious environmental benefits of this energy alternative, but also the increasing cost advantages of going solar, both through technical improvements in the systems and government subsidies.
SolarVerde, named after the famous ‘green flash’ that occurs at certain sunsets over water, operates across the southeast and has a growing footprint in the Caribbean. It designs and sells its systems to industrial operations, hotels and even farms who benefit from this very appealing method to power their operations.
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
- Jon Ply gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Marion Platt introduced our visiting Rotarians & guests.
- President Rob presented Health and Happiness.
- President-Elect Virginia Lee introduced our speakers, Will Shirey and Keith Freeman of VerdeSol.
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
February 15, 2022 | Issue 5037 President: Rob Dewey
COMING EVENTS
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- Feb. 15 – Steve Palmer, Indigo Road (ZOOM ONLY)
- Feb. 17 – Club Social: The Container Bar (5PM)
- Feb. 22 – Colonel Art Athens
- March 1 – NO MEETING
- March 3 – Oyster Roast Fundraiser
- March 8 – Marion Platt, Affordable House / 11 am Board Meeting
NEWS BRIEFS
Meeting this Tuesday – ZOOM ONLY
Our meeting this Tuesday, 2/15 will be held only on ZOOM. Please do not go to 5 Faber as we will not be there.
Here is the Zoom link to attend.
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].
The deadline for the applications are March 1, 2022. If you should have any specific questions, please contact Joseph.
Spring Oyster Roast Fundraiser
Join us for an Oyster Roast Fundraiser on Thursday, March 3 from 6-9 pm at the Swain Boating Center at The Citadel. Individual tickets are $35 and can be purchased on-line. Tickets include oysters, hot dogs, chili, beer, wine and soft drinks. There will be entertainment by the Bluestone Ramblers. Sponsorship opportunities are also available and can be purchased on-line. Proceeds will benefit the Rotary Club of Charleston Fund. All members should have email notification of this event.
Tickets on sale here.
Ambassadorial Global Grant Scholars
Please help us identify potential candidates for the Ambassadorial Global Grant Scholarship through the International Rotary Foundation!
This is an ideal opportunity to build global leadership opportunities for our impressive students pursuing graduate work abroad from our local colleges and universities. Our undergraduate, graduate and honors programs of our four-year colleges and universities often provide excellent outreach/access to students who may be eligible.
Eligible candidates previous work or volunteer experience, academic program, and career plans should be strongly aligned with one of the six areas of focus:
- Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution
- Disease Prevention and Treatment
- Water and Sanitation
- Maternal and Child Health
- Basic Education and Literacy
- Economic and Community Development
For more information, please contact Chloe Tonney at [email protected].
RCCF Grant Applications Being Accepted
The Rotary Club of Charleston Fund (RCCF) is accepting requests for grants. Interested organizations are required to submit a Letter of Inquiry and complete a grant application prior to March 1 to be considered. The application and other details regarding the grant process can be found on our club’s website — www.charleston-rotary.org. For more information, please contact RCCF Chair, Alex Dallis at [email protected].
Meeting Update – RSVP Required for all Guests by Monday at 5 p.m.
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 we do ask that if you are bringing a guest (especially a prospective member), please let Carroll know by 5:00pm on Monday. Also, if you have a dietary restriction, please inform Carroll weekly, so a special meal is prepared for you.
Youth Exchange Host Families Needed
The Rotary Club of Charleston needs local families to host an exchange student (that our club will sponsor), age 15-18 1/2, for a period of 3-5 months in 2022/2023. The families are grouped together and organized through the Rotary Club. This great opportunity to volunteer and change the life of a young person and expose your family to a different culture!
The exchange student will attend the same high school locally for the entire year so it is important that the host families are in the same school area (and it is convenient to travel to and from). Our inbound student will attend the Charleston Charter School for Math & Science which is located at: 1002 King Street, Charleston SC 29403.
A host family needs to have the desire to provide the following:
- Love as a family member. The student will be a part of the family not a guest.
- Transportation– The student will not be allowed to drive while in the US.
- A Bed-The student does not have to have his/her own room, but we do ask that they have their own bed.
- Food– We ask that you provide food for the student, including lunch while at school. Again, treating the student as you would your own.
If you are able to volunteer for this opportunity, please go to http://yehub.net/SC1-hfapp and complete the online Host Family Application. This can be done on your smartphone, tablet or PC. You will also need to consent to a background check as part of this process. Please note the following:
- You will need two references (emails, street addresses & phone numbers for each)
- Also, to include photos of your home including: student bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, family room, exterior of home & a casual family photo (smaller sizes work best) in the application.
- Please review the attached checklist for an overview of the process and timeline.
- Once you complete the application, we can schedule a time for me to visit you and your family at your home to go over some additional information and also address any questions or concerns you may have.
Rotary Youth Exchange Dates to Remember:
2022
- June: Training- Host Families & YEO/YEC in Charleston
- August : Inbound Student Orientation Training Weekend- Charleston, SC
- December: Disney World Trip! Mandatory for all Inbounds
2023
- March: District 7770 Rotary Conference, Columbia, SC (All Inbound and Outbound Students MUST attend)
- June: Rotary Western Tour (optional
If you have questions or need further information, please reach out to one of our club’s Youth Exchange Officers/Counselors – Karen Clark or Richard Sidebottom.
Blue Bucket Collections
Blue Buckets will be on the tables the month of February in support of our Membership Committee. Be sure to bring your Happy Bucks and consider making a cash donation at an upcoming meeting.
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
Welcome to our newest members – Amber Mufale and Jennifer Brinson! Amber was sponsored and introduced by Michael Smith. She will hold the classification of Law/Commercial Real Estate. Alan Burgreen introduced and sponsored Jennifer, who will hold the classification of Interior Design/Office. We are excited to welcome these new members into our Rotary family!
We continue to keep Luther Reynolds in our thoughts and prayers.
Proposed New Members
The following membership candidates have submitted an application and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
Eric Farr – sponsor: Past President Patterson Smith; classification: Financial Planner
Robert “Bob” Leventhal – sponsor: Jan Luth; classification: Consulting/Synagogue
Dudley Katz – sponsor: Mackie Moore; classification: Retired/Dentist.
In the event you know Eric, Bob or Dudley, please tell a member of the Board how he will serve the ideals of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Rotarian: Jay Gibson
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- JOINED: 1/25/2022
- SPONSOR: Michael Smith
- MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT: New Member
- CLASSIFICATION: Finance/Accounting
- PROFESSION: Certified Public Accountant
- SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF
In the past or currently, Jay participated in the following service organizations and events: I was fairly involved with my church back home in Macon, GA. Jay’s primary reason for joining Rotary is to get involved in The Charleston Rotary Club and our great community.
- JOINED: 1/25/2022
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Birthdays
- 2/14 – Harry Staley
- 2/14 – Richard Parker
- 2/15 – Nick Wackym & Owen Clary
- 2/19 – Herb McGuire
WELLNESS TIP
Take a probiotic daily
Maintaining a healthy gut has significant impacts on digestion, skin health, immunity, mental health and more. Taking a daily probiotic with a glass of water each morning is one of the simplest things you can do to boost your gut health (which, in turn, boosts overall health in many ways too).
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