December 3, 2024

Fellow Rotarian Evan Carl, who heads up the the firm Habitat, gave us an insightful presentation on the financial and health benefits of using the natural environment to unlock value hidden in nature. Whether it’s enjoying natural outdoor space or creating more environmentally-conscious live and work spaces through integrating nature on construction and design, by taking a more intentional approach to how we incorporate nature in how and where we live and work, we can realize a wide range of benefits that address critical societal health, work and wellness issues. Evan’s company Habitat helps commercial residential builders, designers and business operators to align their prioritized strategic initiatives with the power of nature, community, and placemaking.
Lots going on this Holiday Season in Rotary with volunteer opportunities, events and more great speakers. Check the Keyway from important meeting and events information.
To join an upcoming meeting by Zoom use this link and the passcode: Rotary
To view a recording for this week’s meeting go here: Passcode:
Passcode: Dr*tCs0i
To get a copy of the presentation Evan used during the Real Estate panel, go here
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
- Past President Rob Dewey gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Brian Itzkowitz welcomed and introduced our visiting Rotarians and guests.
- Health and Happiness was presented by President Robert.
- Leslie Fellabom introduced our speaker, fellow Rotarian Evan Carl, who discussed landscapes for commercial and residential developments.
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY December 10, 2024 | Issue 5151 President: Robert Sullivan
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 12/10 – SEWE presentation. 11am Board Mtg.
- 12/13 – (Service Project) Operation Angel Tree
- 12/17 – Annual Holiday Luncheon at Hall’s Chophouse, 12-1pm
- 12/19 – Holiday Party for Seniors @ Ansonborough House, 1pm
- 12/24 – NO MEETING – Happy Holidays!
- 12/31 – NO MEETING – Happy New Year!
NEWS BRIEFS
Holiday Schedule – NO MEETING THIS TUESDAY, 12/24 or 12/31
We will NOT meet on Tuesday, December 24 or December 31. We hope everyone enjoys this special time with family and friends. Our first meeting after the New Year will be Tuesday, January 7th.
Annual Holiday Luncheon at Hall’s – December 17 (RESERVATIONS CLOSED)
Our Annual Holiday Luncheon at Hall’s Chophouse (434 King St) is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17th at 12:00noon (doors open at 11:30am). We have reached the maximum number of attendees for this event, so reservations are now CLOSED. If you didn’t RSVP by the deadline and would now like to attend, please contact Carroll directly to be added to the waiting list. All guests are $40. Please be sure to bring CASH or a CHECK to the event. Due to the overwhelming number of attendees, we will not be able to run credit cards at the event.
Board of Directors Nomination and Election process – Election Date is DEC. 10th!
Our Rotary Club’s Nominating Committee is proceeding with our Club’s Board nomination and election process, which will culminate at our regular Tuesday luncheon meeting on Election Day, Dec. 10th, when our Club’s membership will elect 4 new Board members, with 2-year terms to begin on July 1, 2025.
List of Board-eligible members (alphabetical order) on the ballot for Dec. 10th election, to serve if elected as a Board Director with terms starting July 1, 2025 (4 new Board members will be elected from this list):
- Karl Brady, Sr.
- Karl Brady, Jr.
- Cody Callarman
- Rob Dewey
- Clara Heinsohn
- Richard Kelly
- Steve Morse
- Mickey Renner
- Connor Spangler
Please note that Cody Callarman is currently serving a partial term on the Board as a Board appointment to fill the remainder of a 2-yr term ending this Rotary year on June 30, 2025 vacated by a prior elected Board member; therefore, in accordance with our Club’s Bylaws, he is eligible to be on the ballot to be elected for a full term by the membership for next Rotary year w/o having to wait a year between terms)
How to cast your votes for the 4 new Board members:
- Members can vote in-person (encouraged) on Election Day, Dec. 10th, or by proxy ahead of the Dec. 10th election date if unable to attend in-person. The proxy ballot was emailed to all members earlier this week and should be returned to Carroll ([email protected]) by 5pm this Monday, 12/9.
THANK YOU to the members of the Nominating Committee for their efforts in this nomination and election process. And, THANK YOU to the Board-eligible members listed on the election ballot for offering to serve on our Club’s Board of Directors.
RCCF Grant Recipients Recognized
On behalf of our club and the RCCF Committee, Past President and RCCF Chair Rob Dewey recognized our final two RCCF Grant recipients this past Tuesday.
Sophie Townes and Anya Marshburn attended on behalf of Lowcountry Autism Foundation. Our club’s donation will be used to fund (3) children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the Charleston area with swim lessons. The lessons are 30 minute private sessions for 8 weeks taught by certified swim instructors fluent with ASD children. Michael Smith sponsored this grant.
Serve & Connect was represented by Kassy Alia Ray. The club’s donation will fund the purchase of 300 hygiene kits that will be provided to the Charleston County Sheriff’s office to assist individuals experiencing homelessness in Charleston County. Sheriff Kristin Graziano attended on behalf of the Sheriff’s office. Past President Rob Dewey was the grant sponsor.
We congratulate these outstanding local organizations and we are pleased to support their efforts to help others in our community.
Rotary Student of the Month Program
In October we began this year’s recognition of educators at Mitchell Elementary and in November we inaugurated the 2024-2025 school year recognition of outstanding scholars at Mitchell. Principal Amber Sainz has asked us to make the recognition of the students at the school so their peers can see them receive their honors and our first presentation was at Mitchell’s student assembly on November 22, 2024. Despite the bleary hour our fearless Past President Alex (the assembly began at 8:00 am!) our Rotary Club was well represented by President Robert Sullivan, New Generation Chair Marion Platt and yours truly, Alex Dallis.
The Student of the Month for October was Samuri Stanley. Samuri consistently demonstrates his leadership each and every day, working to achieve his goals. He actively engages in his academics while demonstrating his leadership skills. Everyone is very proud of Samuri! For November we recognized Shy’La Brown. Shy’La has shown initiative from day one. She makes the most of her learning time every day, coming to school ready to work with all her supplies. Her homework is always completed and she takes time to help her classmates and her teachers. She sees what needs to be done and jumps into action!
Led by Amy Chico, the club completed of this year’s Operation Warm mission, where 228 brand-new winter coats were distributed to children at Mitchell Elementary School. This heartfelt initiative aimed to provide warm coats to children in our community, ensuring they are equipped to face the colder months with comfort and dignity.
The distribution of these coats serves more than just a practical purpose; it symbolizes care and kindness, sending a powerful message to these children: “You matter.” For many, receiving a new coat can foster a sense of security and self-esteem, helping to create a more positive outlook and a stronger connection to their community. The program is a reminder of the difference that can be made through small acts of kindness.
“We are thrilled to have provided these coats to the children at Mitchell Elementary School,” said Amy Chico of the Charleston Rotary Club. “For many of these students, a new coat is not just an article of clothing; it represents a sense of belonging and the support of a community that cares. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve and make a tangible difference in the lives of these children.”
This annual project is part of the Rotary Club’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the lives of those in our community, particularly those most in need. The Charleston Rotary Club is proud to partner with community organizations and schools to bring positive change to the lives of local children.
Pay day for Rotary Poll Workers
We were on the receiving end of a check this week, too, as we received our “payment” from the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections. Rotarians who volunteered at the polls last month earned money for our club’s Foundation Fund, which then turned into grants we give out to worthwhile community programs and groups. Issac Cramer, Executive Director of the organization, did the honors, providing payment $2,625 for our services.
Thanks to all the Rotarians and friends – 21 in total – who completed the training and worked the polls in half day shifts to help and make this a fun and impactful way to earn and give at the same time!
- David Burt
- Karen Clark
- Heidi Finniff
- Fred Holbrook
- Jane Horetsky
- Jerry Kozel
- Digit Matheny
- Sandy Morckel
- Steven Morse
- Karen Parsons
- John Tecklenburg
- Lisa Van Bergen
Friends of Rotarians
- Kim Ashley
- Julie Cooke
- Mary Amanda Cote
- Craig Gangloff
- Danielle Matheny
- Madeleine McGee
- Whitney Powers
- Lila Trussler
- Jane Smith
Holiday Luncheon for Seniors at Ansonborough House
Volunteers are needed to help “celebrate the season” and spread holiday cheer to the seniors who live at the Ansonborough House, 71 Society Street. This is a long-standing tradition of our club and we want you to be a part of it. Volunteers should arrive at 12:30pm to set-up and decorate, serve a delicious buffet lunch at 1pm and get ready to distribute holiday cards with gift cards to Harris Teeter to the 80 seniors who call Ansonborough House home. We’ll have a special appearance by “Santa” and sing Christmas carols with the residents, accompanied by Past President John Tecklenburg on the piano. Be sure to wear your most festive holiday attire, including your favorite Santa hats or reindeer antlers!
Also, be sure to stick around after our Holiday Luncheon at Hall’s Chophouse on 12/17 to help sign the Christmas Cards to the residents and stuff with the Harris Teeter gift cards. The more signatures and holiday messages, the merrier!
Volunteers can sign up using the below link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-53684472-ansonborough
Blue Buckets – Holiday Gratuity for Servers (Dec. 10th last day to donate)
You can support our wait staff/kitchen staff at Hall’s Signature Events by making a donation in the Blue Buckets at upcoming meetings through Dec. 10. All BLUE bucket donations from this coming Tuesday through our meeting on December 10 will be collected and given as a holiday gift to our servers to show our appreciation for all they do for us each Tuesday. Please consider contributing to the staff at Hall’s Signature Events as they work hard for us each and every Tuesday.
SEWE February 14 – 16, 2025 – Volunteers will be needed
Our club has been given the opportunity to work at SEWE 2025!!! In the spirit of the PGA project, but only 3 days, our club members will earn FUNDS FOR OUR CLUB and FREE ENTRY TO SEWE!!! Sign-Ups will come out soon with more details on positions such as merchandise sales, parking attendants, ticket takers, etc. We need ALL HANDS ON DECK as this could bring our club $20,000+ if we have strong participation within our club – family and friends are welcome as well!
Volunteer and Help Raise Funds for the RCCF It’s College of Charleston Basketball season!!
Our Club members have the unique opportunity to not only attend the Cougar games but RAISE FUNDS FOR THE CLUB by volunteering at the game!! Positions will include ticket scanners, ID scanners, ushers and up to 7 of the positions can be filled by volunteers aged 16-17 for those community service credits through Rotary!! Parking is FREE at the St. Philip St Garage!!! Your shirt is provided and khaki pants complete the uniform. Complete details, dates and SIGN UP on the link below: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-50046538-epifunraising
Hurricane Helene Continued 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 month, we have collected $1300 in the Blue Buckets. Please note that we will not be collecting in the Blue Buckets in the coming weeks, but members can continue to make donations to the RCCF for disaster relief support through this PayPal link: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/872RUU6PAC92W.
Change in Membership Status Deadline (IMPORTANT)
If you plan a change in your club member status by January 1, 2025 to Excused, Leave of Absence, E-Member or if you are planning to resign, please notify Carroll in writing NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 6th. All membership changes will need to be reviewed and approved by the Board at the December 10h meeting. Membership changes will affect your January-June 2025 dues statement, which will be distributed in mid-December. Our club is required by Rotary International to pay semi-annual dues for all members on the club’s membership list as of January 1. If you resign after the December 6th deadline, you will be responsible for paying the Rotary International and District dues which the club pays for you on January 1. If you have any questions, contact Carroll.
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]
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.
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
Foundation Chair, Karl Riner, was honored to recognize Past President Sandy Morckel with a Paul Harris Fellow + 5. We thank Sandy for her continuous dedication and commitment to our club and the Rotary Foundation.
President Robert presented two long-time club leaders with perfect attendance pins this past Tuesday. Past President Rob Dewey has achieved 31 years of perfect attendance and Past President Brian Johnson has 22 years of perfect attendance. Wow! Congratulations to these members! Their dedication to attending Rotary every week is to be commended.
It is with much regret that we announce the resignation of Karl Riner. Karl and his wife, Teri, are relocating to Kansas City, MO to be near family, children and grandchildren. Karl has been a dedicated member of our club for 9.5 years and has served our club as a Board Member, Rotary Foundation Chair and Dictionary Project Chair. President Robert presented Karl on Tuesday with a “TY” Pin. This special pin was designed by former Rotarian Don Oswalt. In the middle of the pin the initials “TY” = Thank-You. On the outside of the pin states that the TY is from our Club – The Historic Club of Charleston – Rotary. Karl will be missed! We thank him and appreciate all he has done for our club and community.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Rotarian: Theresa Atkinson
New member Theresa Atkinson was our featured Member Spotlight speaker, and it was her birthday, too! She recently moved from Washington State to assume the role of CEO of Seagrove Recovery, a soon-to-open 41 bed adult inpatient substance abuse treatment facility in Mount Pleasant.
Theresa also shared that she is a person in long term recovery (17 years!) from substance abuse and mental health issues. Her inspiring talk reminded us that many people suffer from similar issues, and we may not recognize them or their challenges. People who suffer are recovering and living their lives. Support from families, friends, colleagues and communities is critical. Recovery is different for everyone and she reminded us that we need to meet everyone where they are in their own recovery journey. Theresa’s openness and honesty, and willingness to help other with similar issues, has been impactful to others and she offers the benefit of experience to anyone whom she might be to help.
Thank you for you inspiring talk, Theresa
Birthdays
- No birthdays
WELLNESS TIP
Stay Active
Instead of beating yourself up about missing a workout, sprinkle some healthy activities into your daily routine. For example, if the weather isn’t too frightful and you’re working from home, ride your bike around your neighborhood during a lunch break. If dinner is going to be a feast, opt for a light lunch, then take a vigorous walk. And keep the family moving. When the kids are home from school, squeeze in some active chores and trips to the park.
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. https://www.cainhoyrotary.com
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 302 Hibben St
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