May 9, 2023
Education was the word of the day as we honored outstanding educators and students in our community. CCSD Superintendent Donald Kennedy joined us to bestow the honors on four very deserving Rotary Service above Self Scholar award winners, as well as five teachers who make an impact very, including 2022-23 Teacher of the Year Nathalie Bennett of Northwoods Middle School.



To see a recording of this week’s meeting, go here.
Passcode: #p.18&=M
In Other Meeting News
- Marion Platt gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Health and Happiness was presented by President Paul.
- Jeremy Cook introduced our (4) Rotary Service Above Self Scholars – Carly MacIver, Ashley Hall; Oluwasemilore Olaere, Charleston Charter School for Math & Science; William Jenkins, Burke High School; Ariane Forrest-Goss, Early College High School. Jeremy also introduced CCSD Superintendent, Don Kennedy, who recognized the CCSD Teacher of the Year, Nathalie Bennett, and the 4 finalists.
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
5/16/2022 | Issue 5087 President: Paul Stoney
UPCOMING EVENTS
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- 5/16 – Tyler Clark, SC DOT on I-526 Extension
- 5/23 – Chief Luther Reynolds
- 5/30 – NO MEETING!!
- 6/6 – Frank Abagnale. “Cybercrime, Identity Theft and Scam.”
- 6/13 – Brian Itzkowitz, Palmetto Goodwill
- 6/20 – Jacobo Mintzer, Alzheimer’s
- 6/27 – End of the Year/Transition Happy Hour
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NEWS BRIEFS
Reminder … Guest RSVP Protocol
If you are planning to bring a guest to Rotary, please let Carroll know by no later than Monday at 5pm. There is some preparation that needs to be done for all guests prior to the meeting.
Special Dietary Requests
If you have a special dietary request or need, be sure to let Carroll know in advance of a meeting. She will work with the staff at Hall’s to ensure that you are prepared a special plate that meets your restrictions. Please do not enter the kitchen area to make a last minute special request.
Spring Fling a Big Success

Rotary Readers Needed
After a hiatus due to COVID, we are happy to report that our popular Rotary Readers program is starting up again at Mitchell Elementary. There are several weekly spots available for readers in classrooms from now until the end of the school year. This is a very rewarding activity and, if anyone is interested, please reach out to Ashley Shaver [email protected] for more information.
January – June 2023 Dues are Past Due
January – June 2023 dues payments are now considered past due. If you have not paid, please be sure to take care of making payment as soon as possible. Club Leadership will begin calling those who still owe as we are nearing the end of this billing period. 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.
Youth Exchange Candidates Needed for 2023-2024 School Year
Do you know a high school student that would be interested in a year abroad as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student? Our District needs your help in finding candidates for the 2023-2024 school year. Preliminary Applications are being accepted now. Please pass this along to interested students, families, churches and neighbors so these students don’t miss this opportunity. All Rotarians’ children and grandchildren are eligible for Rotary Youth Exchange. If you have any questions, please contact Lou Mello, District Youth Exchange Chair, at [email protected] or 843-437-9084.
Support The CART Fund
It is easy for club members to make individual contributions and support The CART Fund electronically. The CART Fund has 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.
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 picture 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 send to Mike Sottak, [email protected], or Rob Byko, [email protected].
MEMBER NEWS

Proposed New Members
The following membership candidate has submitted an application and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
Dallas Wilson – sponsor: Rob Dewey; classification: Non-Profit. In the event you know Dallas, please tell a member of the Board how he will serve the ideals of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Rotarian: Robert Leaventhal
- JOINED: March 2023
- SPONSOR: Jan Luth
- CLASSIFICATION: Consulting/Synagogue
- PROFESSION: Consultant: Robert Leaventhal Consulting
- Community Service Organizations, Current Activities or Activities/Volunteer Work in the Past: Led reading group at Dayton Career Academy, was volunteer 7th grade religious school teacher – 8 hours per week commitment, Was United Jewish Appeal – Midwest Chair of Young Leadership Cabinet – Israel Advocacy and fundraising, Was President of Hillel Academy Day School Board – KKBE tour guide now.
- Something Unique About Yourself: I just finished a memoir called Swept Away – My journey from family broom business (O-Cedar) to synagogue consulting. I built a painting studio in half of my garage in Mt. Pleasant.
Birthdays
- May 18 – Colleen Moring
- May 19 – Steve Dopp & Elizabeth Lynn
WELLNESS TIP
Soak Up the Sun
There are many benefits to getting some sunlight (provided you’re being diligent about using sunscreen). Bright light exposure helps release serotonin in the body, which can boost your mood. Exposure to sunlight also helps the skin produce vitamin D, which is good for bone health and other functions in the body. And remember, even if you’re walking or hiking in the shade or on a cloudy day, there’s still going to be plenty of light to stimulate your mood.
OTHER AREA ROTARY CLUBS
Mondays
https://www.cainhoyrotary.com/
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
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
Cainhoy: 6PM, on the first and third Tuesday of the month, King’s Cross Church, of Clement Ferry Road
Wednesdays
Daniel Island: 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Daniel Island Club, 600 Island Park Dr., Daniel Island
Mount Pleasant: 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Hibben Methodist Church, 690 Coleman Blvd., Mount Pleasant
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: Paul Stoney
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