August 23, 2022
We welcomed Phyllis Martin of Tri-County Cradle to Career, a group doing great work to help improve the digital infrastructure in SC for enabling more Internet access to students and their families in underserviced areas of the state.
Phyllis Martin with Tri-County Cradle to Careers was our guest speaker last Tuesday. The Mission of TCCC is “Building collective power to transform education by changing systems to allow Black and Brown children to achieve their goals. TCCC is not a provider of programs, it is focused on systems change. The four Pillars are Shared Community Vision, Collaborative Action, Evidence Based Decision Making and Investment and Sustainability.
Treating each student the same – deploying nearly identical resources, dollars, talent and support – does not ensure all children receive the high-quality education they deserve (depicted above as equality). Children, through no fault of their own, are born into vastly different circumstances and have access to varying opportunities. Some, for instance, have access to wealth and social networks that ensure they thrive (depicted above as children on higher ground), while others battle the chronic stress of poverty, illness or disability (depicted above as children on lower ground). Prioritized work right now includes Kindergarten Readiness Ecosystem, Digital Equity and Inclusion and Data Collaborative. She focused on Digital Equity showing that over 12000 homes in the Tri-County region have no access to High Speed Internet. During Covid, many of these families had to use a cell phone to do what many of us can on a computer (job applications, homework etc). Access to technology and high speed internet will never equal “adoption”. They have access to many things they do not use. TCCC has built a coalition to help bridge that gap working on capacity building, adoption processes, technology and connectivity.
You can help by going to the digital equity section of the website and sign up to show support. There is no obligation but you can champion digital adoption by helping seniors with computers, see how your company can help or just continue to champion the work.
To hear a recording of this week’s meeting, click here.
Passcode: 34@@8yw7
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
- Dwayne Green gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Ashley Rawlings introduced our visiting Rotarians & guests.
- Health and Happiness was presented by President Virginia.
- Past President Sandy Morckel introduced our guest speaker, Phyllis Martin, who is with Tri-Country Cradle to Career.
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
8/30/2022 | Issue 5062 President: Virginia Lee
COMING EVENTS
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- 9/6 – No Rotary Meeting
- 9/10 – Service Project: Operation Home. Sign up here
- 9/13 – Scarlett Wilson (Board meeting 11AM)
- 9/15 – Rotary Impact Summit (College of Charleston). Register
- TBD – Doors to Dream at Burke HS. Sign up here
- 9/20 – Dave Sansome, Carolina One
- 9/20 – New Member Orientation Session (11AM. 5 Faber)
- 9/27 – Margaret Seidler. Illuminating Charleston’s Past
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NEWS BRIEFS
IMPORTANT – NO LUNCH MEETING ON TUESDAY
Just a reminder … we do NOT meet for lunch the next 2 Tuesdays! This Tuesday, Aug. 30th, we are holding a social at the Riverdogs in lieu of our regular meeting that day. We hope you’ll join us. The following Tuesday, Sept. 6th is the day after Labor Day and we will not meeting. We look forward to seeing everyone back at our lunch meeting on Sept. 13th.
River Dogs Social This Tuesday
Our first social event of this Rotary year will be a picnic at the River Dogs game THIS Tuesday, August 30. We will NOT meet for lunch that day. There are limited tickets still available, so please be sure to RSVP to the email to reserve your tickets. A new email was sent out last week regarding reserving seats for guests, so if you want to bring your spouse or a guest, please reserve their ticket through the link provided. The ticket includes entry into the game and an All American Picnic featuring hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, watermelon, water, soft drinks and a cash bar.
We’re #1!! Club Recognized by District as Tops in New Members
At the Rotary District 7770 Membership Summit on Aug. 20, 2022, Past District Governor Paul Walter (DG for 2021-22) recognized the Rotary Club of Charleston for being number one in net membership growth for the Rotary Year 2021-22 among the 77+ Clubs in our District.
Our Rotary Club had a net +38 membership growth for the year, welcoming a total of 56 new members to our Club, with attrition of 18 members. Our Club’s net membership growth of 38 members was a significant contribution to the District’s overall membership growth of 88 Rotarians for the 2021-22 Rotary Year.
Our Club’s attendees at the Summit accepted the award on behalf of the Membership Committee, leadership, and members of the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston.
This award is shared by our entire Club, because as we always state, “Everyone in our Club is a member of the Membership Committee”. We encourage our members to continue to share the Rotary experience with prospective new members in our community
Operation Home Service Project: September 10
Join us for the next Community Service Project on Saturday, September 10th!! We have strategically picked this date to peacefully coordinate with the football schedule so all can enjoy! We will be teaming up with Operation Home to build an access ramp at the home of a local Charleston resident. The builds begin at 9am and end right around 1pm – we provide all tools and volunteer training, lunch, water and a restroom – we need 6 to 8 volunteers. The project will happen in Hollywood, SC and when you register Karla will be in touch with specific details.
Please email [email protected] if you would like to volunteer. Sign up here
Doors to Dream Volunteer Opportunity at Burke: DATE CHANGE!
Want to make a difference in a young person’s life in only 90 minutes? You’re invited to a high-impact volunteer opportunity at Burke High School on a soon to be announced date (likely either Oct 24 or 31) in partnership with Doors to Dream. ( Click here to sign up.)
On Tuesday, DTD Executive Director Sam Clements highlighted that increased mental health challenges many teens are experiencing due to the pandemic can have a detrimental effect. To make a difference, our club is providing funding AND volunteers!
In addition to the Rotary District grant of $5,000, our club also want to provide 24 volunteers. As caring professional community members, our presence on campus provides teens with a safe, interactive opportunity that can build confidence and engagement skills.
This link registers you and connects you to a short, free background check, which is required to work in a school setting. You can still register and when the date is finalized you will be notified
Upon arrival, the DTD team will provide written directions. (No previous training is needed.) This 90 minute volunteer opportunity during Burke High’s Bulldog Bowl, the finale of Mental Health Week, will make a difference! Thank you in advance. If you have any questions, please contact Vocational Committee member Phoenicia Miracle at [email protected].
July-Dec 2022 Dues Are Past Due
July-December 2022 dues payments are now considered past due. Second past due notices will be emailed this coming week. If you receive an email, please be sure to take care of making payment. We have made it even easier to pay! We have upgraded our software and added a new component to our invoicing. We are now able to accept credit card and bank transfer payments on-line. Members just simply have to click on the “pay now” button on their invoice and make payment. We hope this new feature will make those of you paying by credit card or bank transfer easier. We will continue to also accept payments by check. If you have any questions about your dues, please contact Carroll.
Rotary Impact Summit: September 15
The Rotary Clubs of Charleston, Charleston-Breakfast, and St. Andrews will host the first ever Rotary Community Impact Summit on Thursday, September 15 at 5:30 pm at the College of Charleston – School of Science and Mathematics at 202 Calhoun Street.
We invite fellow Rotarians, prospective Rotarians and community leaders to join us for fellowship and a conversation with fellow Rotarian Chloe Knight Tonney, CEO of the Trident United Way, and Darrin Goss, Sr., CEO of Coastal Community Foundation about community impact. Both organizations were originally founded by our area’s original Rotary Club – the Rotary Club of Charleston – 78 and 48 years ago respectively, and both have had a tremendous impact on our community since their founding. The panel will be moderated by Rotarian Robie Scott of The Post and Courier.
Chloe and Darrin will discuss broad regional issues identified as critical needs in our community and will answer questions and explore opportunities for Rotarians and our respective Rotary Clubs to make an impact on our community.
Complimentary refreshments and appetizers will be available in the atrium at 5:30 pm, with a discussion to begin at 6:15 pm in the Michael Auerbach Auditorium. The Bar will re-open for a social gathering following the presentation until 7:30 pm.
We hope that you can join us for this enlightening evening and an opportunity to meet other Rotarians from our three Charleston-based Rotary Clubs. You are welcome to bring a prospective Rotarian or guest to the event. Please RSVP here by September 1, 2022: http://evite.me/
RCCF Grant Applications Being Accepted Through Sept. 1
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 September 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, Sandy Morckel at [email protected].
We are now on Linked In
For all you Linked In users, be sure to follow us on that popular professional social media network. Our handle is Rotary Club of Downtown Charleson and you can link directly to our page here:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rotary-club-of-downtown-charleston/
Hosts Needed! Our Club’s TWO Youth Exchange Students Have Arrived and We Need Host Families
IMPORTANT!!!! We are still looking for local families to host both female exchange students for a period of 3-5 months in 2022/2023. This is a great opportunity to volunteer and change the life of a young person and expose yourself and your family to a different culture! All of the prior students have been wonderful and a delight to get to know!
Both of our exchange students 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). They will be attending the Charleston Charter School for Math & Science located at: 1002 King Street, Charleston SC 29403.
If you are interested in hosting one of these students for a couple of months, please reach out to either Karen Clark [email protected] or Richard Sidebottom [email protected].
This is a great opportunity to volunteer and change the life of a young person and expose yourself and your family to a different culture! All of the prior students have been wonderful and a delight to get to know and stay in contact with!
Our exchange students 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). Each girl will attend the Charleston Charter School for Math & Science located at: 1002 King Street, Charleston SC 29403.
Please note that a host family or couple 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 as soon as possible. We need to line up our first host soon for each girl. Please note that Hosts do not need to be a part of Rotary, so it’s okay (and appreciated) if you share with other couples and families that you feel may be interested.
The application 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, include photos of your home including: student bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, family room, exterior of home and 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
Youth Exchange Outbound Student
Caroline Tiller is our club’s Outbound Youth Exchange Student. She attended our meeting this past Tuesday and will be leaving soon to study abroad for a year in Spain. We wish her the best and look forward to hearing from her during her exchange year about her experiences.
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 Rotarians – Amber Allen, Kirsten Hill and Brian Itzkowitz. Amber was sponsored and introduced by Joseph Tecklenburg. She will hold the classification of Sherriff/Communications. Past President Sandy introduced and sponsored Kirsten, who join us with the classification of Consultant/Non-Profit. Brian is a former Rotarian from Little Rock, Arkansas and will hold the classification of Non-Profit Executive. He was sponsored by President Virginia. We are excited to have these members join our Rotary family!
Congratulations to Chloe Tonney, who will be retiring from the Trident United Way in September. We wish her all the best!
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Rotarian: Adrian Cain
- JOINED: 2022
- SPONSOR: Digit Matheny, Sandy Morckel
- MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT: Community Service, International Service, Education Committee
- CLASSIFICATION: Chamber of Commerce
- PROFESSION: SVP Leadership & Community Development
- CURRENT PROFESSION: Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
- Community Service Organizations, Current Activities or Activities/Volunteer Work in the Past: President, Snee Farm Community Foundation, Aspen Development Fellow, Past President and Treasurer Low Country AFP Chapter, National Board of Directors, Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, ACCE Fellow for Diverse Economic Growth, Past Vice Commodore and Treasurer Charleston Ocean Racing Association, Volunteer First Tee
- SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF: I grew up on a working cattle, horse and timber farm in rural West Virginia and from an early age understood the importance of hard work and determination.
BIRTHDAYS
- Sept. 1 – Barb Walters
- Sept. 4 – Charlie Patrick
- Sept. 10 – Thomas Berry
WELLNESS TIP
Get Outside
Nature is a great remedy for stress. Sometimes, there is nothing better for your mental and emotional wellness than going outside. The American Heart Association says that spending time in nature can relieve stress, improve mood, and generally boost your well-being. During the workweek, consider stepping outside on your lunch break. On the weekends, participate in outdoor activities such as gardening, walking, or cycling.
AREA CLUB MEETINGS
Mondays
Summerville – Oakbrook: 7:30 a.m., Monday, Westcott County Club, 5000 Wescott Club Drive, North Charleston
North Charleston: 12:30 p.m., Monday, Hilton Garden Inn, 5265 International Blvd, North Charleston, SC
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
Mount Pleasant: 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Mt Pleasant Presbyterian Church. 302 Hibben St. 29464.
Summerville: 1pm-2pm on 1st & 3rd Wednesday. Hilton Garden Inn-Homewood Suite/Lowcountry Conference Center, 406 Sigma Drive
Thursdays
North Charleston Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Marriott Hotel, 4770 Goer Drive, 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