January 23, 2024
Former head hostage negotiator for the FBI Steve Romono joined our club and shared his experiences in the tactics used to deal with criminals and other bad actors who have taken people against their will. Interesting tales from infamous crises like Waco, Ruby Ridge and The Freemans. We are also pleased to recognize our Chief Luther Reynolds Community Impact honoree, CPD Officer Arthur Lee, who was joined by his fellow offices Chief Chito Walker and Lieutenant Tatman, as well as Chief Reynold’s wife Caroline. Read on for more info on upcoming events, projects and meetings to ring in the new year!

To see a recording of last week’s meeting, go here
Passcode: vqc3Qb$2
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
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- Angela Craig gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Julianne Farnsworth welcomed all visiting Rotarians & guests.
- Health and Happiness was presented by President Cleave
- Past President Rob Dewey welcomed Steve Romano, Head FBI Hostage Negotiator, as our guest speaker.
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MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
January 30, 2024 | Issue 5114 President: Cleave Ham
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 1/30 – Past Mayor John Tecklenburg
- 1/31 – Low Country Orphan Relief care kit packing (shifts): Sign up here
- 2/3 – Community Service: Election Poll Volunteers (Sign up here)
- 2/6 – Ben Towill – Rowing across the Atlantic
- 2/10 – Colonial Lake gardening (9-11am) Sign up here
- 2/13 – Josh Bell, Bemok Family Foundation (board meeting, 11AM)
- 2/16 – Operation Home (9am – 1pm) Sign up here
- 2/24 – Community Service – Election Poll Volunteers (Sign up here)
- 2/27 – Wando Welch Terminal Tour 12-1:30pm (Sign up here)
NEWS BRIEFS
Reminder … Guest RSVP by 5pm on Monday
If you are planning to bring a guest to Rotary, it is important that you 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. Guest fee is $30 paid at the door. First-time prospective members are free.
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.
Chief Luther Reynold Community Impact Recognition Award Presented
The annual Rotary Club of Charleston Chief Luther Reynolds Community Impact Recognition Award was presented this past Tuesday to Charleston Police Officer Arthur Lee. As you may recall, this year we added Chief Reynold’s name to this award to honor his “Service Above Self” to our community, as a former member of our Rotary Club. We were honored to have Caroline Reynolds in attendance to help us present this award.
Upcoming Community Service Opportunities
Thank you to all the Rotarian volunteers who participated in our Community Service projects last year. We had a great time, lots of fellowship, and most importantly, MADE CHANGE IN CHARLESTON!! Now we’re kicking off 2024 with three great projects. Pick your date, time or talent for one of these or join us for all three!! Sign up links are below:
January 31, Low Country Orphan Relief care kit packing
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-47274926-lowcountry
February 10, Gardening at Colonial Lake
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-47275359-garden
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-47275596-operatio
Volunteer to help staff polling places on Election Days – upcoming Democratic and Republican Primary elections (Feb. 3, 24)
Historic Rotary Club of Charleston has adopted the polling location at Memminger Elementary School for both the Democratic Primary (February 3, 2024) and the Republican Primary (February 27, 2024). Please sign-up to join us for a shift on one or both days HERE.
We have broken down the 14-hour day into two 7-hour shifts, so a total of 24 Rotarians are needed.
With $200 per full-time equivalent, this will result in $2,400 for our RCCF. If you can devote a full day or can volunteer for a shift on both dates, please sign up for each shift individually. Significant others are encouraged to also sign up.
The Election board requires all volunteers (even those that participated in the program last November) to go through election poll manager training either online or in person. . More details to follow for all confirmed volunteer poll workers on how to access your online training at your convenience prior to February 1.
Feel free to call, text, or email the Adopt-a-Poll Co-Chairs with any questions:
Karen Clark (301-412-8682 | [email protected])
Sandy Morckel (614-306-8856 | [email protected])
Port Tour in lieu of Feb. 27 th Meeting – RSVP Needed
In lieu of our regularly scheduled lunch meeting on Feb. 27 th , we will be doing a tour of the Wando Welch terminal through the Ports Authority. Jeanne Jamme has been instrumental in arranging this, and needs a headcount. Please RSVP through the link below. More details to come, you won’t want to miss this.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-47417064-rotary
Rotary District Conference – March 22-24 in Charleston
We have a wonderful opportunity this year as the annual Rotary District Conference will be held here in Charleston at the Francis Marion during the weekend of March 22. Conference registration is open to all Rotarians. If you are interested in attending, please sign up quickly as the conference is limited to only 330 registrants. This is a fun and informative event and you have an opportunity to learn more about Rotary in our District, in our Clubs and the wonderful things we are doing in our local communities and around the world. We have great speakers and fun events, so now is your chance to register early for the early bird rate of $300. If any spots are remaining, the registration fee will increase on 2/1.
The registration link is in the DACdb District Calendar and below for your convenience. Just click on District on the home page and then District Calendar.
https://www.dacdb.com/Register4/index.cfm?EventID=77675037
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
Congratulations to Peter Hearne and his wife, Courtney, on the birth of their second daughter, Madeline Lee, on January 8th.
Proposed New Members
The following membership candidates have submitted an application and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
Barnie Howell – sponsor: Clara Heinsohn/Robie Scott; classification: Non-Profit/Exec.
Stephen Moody – sponsor: Digit Matheny; classification: Real Estate
In the event you know Barnie or Stephen, please tell a member of the Board how she will serve the ideals of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
JOINED: February 20, 2023
SPONSOR: Harry Staley
CLASSIFICATION: IT/Cyber Security
PROFESSION: Boeing/Technologists Aspiring through Servant Leadership (TASL)
Community Service Organizations, Current Activities or Activities/Volunteer Work in the Past: Low Country Autism Foundation, Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers Professional Charleston, and Technologists, Aspiring through Servant Leadership
SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF Grew up in the Bayou in Alabama. Family was in the seafood business with a shrimp boat. All of our boats start with Little Star. The most recent pontoon is named the Littlest Star because it is, so far, the smallest of the fleet.
Birthdays
- 1/30 – Debbie Barton
- 2/1 – Bob DeGraff
- 2/3 – Skip Fink
- 2/5 – Reeves Connelly & Chandler Martell
WELLNESS TIP
Prioritize sleep
Quality sleep is essential for good health. Ensure you get adequate rest each night by establishing a consistent sleep schedule. Create a tranquil bedtime routine, dim the lights, and avoid light-emitting screens for at least one hour before bedtime. Adequate sleep not only enhances physical wellbeing, but also boosts mental clarity and emotional resilience, setting the stage for a vibrant and energetic year ahead.
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: Cleave Ham
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