October 8, 2024

District Governor of Rotary District 7770 Mary Gasque addressed the club, giving an update on Rotary activities from around the world, as well as in our local communities. Mary spoke of the importance of public image. membership and the Paul Harris foundation as essential pillars to successful Rotary
Don’t forget. no meeting this Tuesday, October 15.
Lots going on this Fall in Rotary with volunteer opportunities, events and more great speakers. Read on in The Keyway!
To join an upcoming meeting by Zoom use this link and the passcode: Rotary

To see a recording of this this week’s meeting, go here.
Passcode: Q%Cu3sNW
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
- Fred Holbrook gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Kaili Kobylka welcomed and introduced our visiting Rotarians and guests.
- Health and Happiness was presented by President Robert.
- Past President and current Assistance District Governor, Digit Matheny, introduced our speaker, District Governor Mary Gasque, who updated our membership on all the wonderful things Rotary is doing around our District and the world.
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
October 14, 2024 | Issue 5145 President: Robert Sullivan
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 10/15 – NO MEETING
- 10/16 – (Service Project) Oyster Reef Fabrication, 9am-12noon
- 10/22 – Sara Moriarty, Chas. Literary Festival
- 10/29 – TBD
- 11/5 – Victoria Blunt, CCF
- 11/12 – Veteran’s Day Program, 11am Board Mtg.
- 11/13 – (Service Project) Oyster Reef Fabrication, 9:30-12noon
- 11/15 – (Service Project) Humanities Foundation Food Drive, 12noon-2pm
- 11/19 – Real Estate Panel (mtg. moved to High Cotton)
- 11/26 – NO MEETING – Happy Thanksgiving
NEWS BRIEFS
NO Meeting on October 15
IMPORTANT: The club will NOT meet for lunch this Tuesday, October 15th. Enjoy your week off from Rotary and we look forward to seeing you back on Tuesday, October 22.
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 and sign in at the Membership Table.
SCORE Oyster Reef Fabrication Service Project
On Wednesday, October 16 and November 13 from 9:30am-12noon, join the SCORE team and Casual Crabbing with Tia to construct Modified Wire Reefs (MWR) that will be an alternative substrate for oyster larvae to land and grown on. Rotarian volunteers will help to cut, bend and fasten galvanized wire to form a reef structure using power tools. Volunteers must wear closed toe shoes. Safety gear, bug spray, water and other needed materials will be provided. Sign up by using the Sign-Up Genius link that was emailed to members or contact Cody Callarman at [email protected].
Dictionary Handout begins
Our annual dictionary handout got underway with a delivery to James Simmons 3rd graders. Thanks to Richard Kelly and Karl Riner for spearheading this project.

Humanities Foundation Food Drive
On Friday, November 15th from 12noon-2pm (location TBD), volunteers are needed to assist the Humanities Foundation with handing out food boxes to those who drive through. All of the meals and provisions will be prepared for our distribution prior to the event. Come enjoy a couple of hours with your fellow Rotarians helping those in need in our community. Sign up by using the Sign-Up Genius link that was emailed to members or contact Cody Callarman at [email protected].
Hurricane Helene Support
We are all deeply saddened by the recent storm damage to our neighbors in Western North Carolina. As Rotarians, such tragedies are a call to action, and our Rotary Club wants to do all that we can to create hope and help the people of Western North Carolina devastated by this disaster.
Thanks to the generosity of many of our club members over the past two weeks, we have collected $456 in the Blue Buckets. We will continue to put the Blue buckets on the tables each Tuesday and collect donations to send to those affected by Hurricane Helene. Members can also make donations to the RCCF for disaster relief support through this PayPal link: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/872RUU6PAC92W
Board Nominations
Past President Cleave Ham and the Board Nominating Committee will begin reaching out to those club members who are eligible for election to the 2025-2026 Board. Board Director positions are two year terms. If you are contacted by a member of the committee, please consider volunteering your time and talents to serve our club as a Board Member.
Youth Exchange Student Needs a Host Family
Our club is hosting two inbound Rotary Youth Exchange students this school year – Apollo Ghang and Isaure Sabotier-Rives. Both students arrived in Charleston in August and are enjoying their experiences. We are currently looking for a 3rd Host family for Isaure from February 1 – early June. If your family would like to host Isaure during this time (or for anytime during these dates) or if you know of a family willing to host her, please reach out to Karen Clark at [email protected]. And, remember…. if you and your family are taking a fun outing please consider including the students in your plans.
Be “Spotlighted” at a Meeting
The Rotary Club of Charleston will be highlighting a member of the club twice a month through June of 2025. Members who want to be spotlighted need to let me know of your interest and I will assign you a date. At the assigned meeting, you will have approximately 2 minutes to tell the Rotary Club membership about yourself. You can use visual aids and/or just talk about yourself. Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to “spotlight” you and your personal and professional achievements. Contact Julianne Farnsworth at [email protected] if interested or for more information.
Rotarians Against Human Trafficking (RAHT)
One of Rotary’s big initiatives this year is to combat human trafficking. It’s a prevalent, but also oftentimes unspoken issue. Past President Alissa Leitzow is the RAHT Ambassador for our club, so please reach out to her for more information on how to get involved. [email protected]
EPI Volunteers & Fundraising for the RCCF
Our Rotary Club is collaborating with Event Partners, Inc. (“EPI”), which is an organization based in Charleston, established in 2005, serving partner organizations throughout the United States with event staffing solutions and consultation services in the sports and entertainment industry. EPI has a Group Fundraising Program, whereby organizations like our Rotary Club can raise money by providing our members opportunities to volunteer to staff multiple types of events, such as “Collegiate Athletics and Championships, Professional Sports, Music Concerts and Festivals, Races and Local Events”, with fees for their service paid to RCCF; examples of types of events in our area include Charleston Battery Soccer, Riverfront Park Festival, Spoleto Festival, CSU & Citadel football, Charleston Classic Basketball Tournament, and CofC basketball (about 15 home games).
This is a year-long fundraiser for our club and a fun and easy way for our members to help our club raise funds for RCCF on their own time, by volunteering for a variety of positions at events, such as ticket scanners, parking directors, etc. and can include friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and such.
For more information and Sign Up Genius, please click on the below link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-50046538-epifunraising
Please direct any questions to Karla Combs, Pres-Elect and 2024 Fundraising Chair, who is spearheading this fundraising effort for our club.
Volunteering at Voting Polls
Our Club will be volunteering to work at voting polls in Charleston County and we are have some shifts remaining to fill one polling location. Our “wages” will go directly to the Rotary Club of Charleston Fund to support our many grants, scholarships and projects throughout the year. The shifts are 6am – 2pm and 12pm – 8pm or you can choose to work a full shift. We would like to have an even number of split shifts, so our Club can provide volunteers for a full shift, as it is a tremendous help in scheduling other poll workers. If you desire to work a full shift, please RSVP for the morning and afternoon shifts separately. Locations and assignments will be given prior to Election Day. Please email Karla at [email protected] if you have any questions.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-50869677-election
Rotary International 2024/2025 Theme: Create the Magic of Rotary
This year’s Rotary Presidential Theme is “The Magic of Rotary”. You will see the themed banner hanging on the podium every meeting. Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick encourages members to recognize and amplify the organization’s power to save lives. Clubs are encourage to celebrate the magic of Rotary that is created with every project completed, every dollar donated, and every new member of Rotary.
July – December 2024 Dues Invoices PAST DUE
July-December 2024 dues invoices are now considered past due. If you have not made payment, please do so promptly. If you didn’t receive an invoice or have misplaced, please contact Carroll. Also note that payments can be paid on-line by either credit card or bank transfer. Members just simply need to click on the “pay now” button on their invoice. If you prefer to pay by check, please mail to PO Box 21029, Charleston, SC 29413.
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
Welcome to our newest member, Jeff Hollis! Jeff was introduced and sponsored by Jeanne Jamme and will hold the classification of Tour Bus/Executive. We are excited to have Jeff join our Rotary family!
With much regret, the Board accepted the resignation of Tim Hefferon this past Tuesday. Tim has been relocated by his company to Atlanta. We will miss him and wish him all the best.
Proposed New Member
The following membership candidate has submitted an application and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
Sean Glavin – sponsor: Sandy Morckel/Whitley Schillerstrom; Classification: Parking/Technology
In the event you know Sean, please tell a member of the Board how they will serve the ideals of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Rotarian: Kahn Tran
JOINED: February, 2023
SPONSOR: Harry Staley
CLASSIFICATION: IT/Technology
PROFESSION: IT/Cybersecurity.
Khan took the Member Spotlight stand at our meeting and provided an overview of his career in the technology industry. Kahn runs non profit that helps train and certify veterans for careers in cybersecurity. He also has a commercial business focused on helping companies, DoD contractors, and non-profits meet compliance standards for cybersecurity.
Birthdays
- 10/15 – Whitney Schillerstrom, Baxter Hahn
- 10/18 – Deb Mauk
- 10/19 – Past President Brian Johnson
- 10/20 – Steve Latteri
- 10/22 – Kathleen Stevens
- 10/23 – Maggie Dangerfield
- 10/28 – Jennifer Brinson
WELLNESS TIP
Think beyond pies and jack-o’-lanterns.
Sure everyone gets excited for pumpkin spice coffee drinks in the fall, but did you know pumpkin itself is truly a fall super food? Packed with vitamins A, C and E as well as potassium and fiber, it’s incredibly versatile. Grab a can of pumpkin and whip up some cozy and nutritious comfort food for the season.
Fresh pumpkins are great too, and not just the flesh. Remember, don’t toss those pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds are a great source of plant-based protein, fiber and magnesium. Roast the ones you get from your pumpkins or sprinkle the green ones (pepitas) on a salad.
OTHER AREA ROTARY CLUBS
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
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: Robert Sullivan
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