1/14: Cody Callarman: Cannabis Industry

January 14, 2025

Own Cody Callarman gave us an update on the evolving cannabis industry, offering great insights into legal and medical issues around its production and use. Cody is actively involved various legislative and commercial initiatives focused on hemp and related by-products and has a thriving business called Carolina Dream. His first exposure to the use of cannabis was when he introduced it to his ailing mother who experienced a significant recovery and relief from its use.

Read on for more information on how to volunteer for SEWE in February, the fantastic multi-day, cross cultural event that offers something for everyone who has an interest in the outdoors, the environment, wildlife, art and many other interests.

Lots more going on as his the round running in 2025.  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: *o6uduUc

 

IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
  • Jason Noble gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge. 
  • Paul Attaway welcomed and introduced our visiting Rotarians and guests.
  • Health and Happiness was presented by President Robert.
  • Our speaker was fellow Rotarian, Cody Callarman, who updated us on the Cannabis industry.
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY January 21, 2025  |  Issue 5154 President:  Robert Sullivan  

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • 1/21 – Cliff Roberts, author Castle Pinckney
  • 1/28 – John Bishop Ravenel – Huguenot influence in Charleston
  • 1/30 – January Social – Harbor Club West Edge:  RSVP here
  • 2/4 – No meeting
  • 2/11 – State of the City

   

 

January Social – Harbor Club at West Edge We are starting 2025 with a bang!  Our first social will be held on Thursday, Jan. 30th, 6-8pm in the Stono Ballroom at the Harbor Club at West Edge.  All members, their spouse/guest and prospective members are welcomed to attend. There will be light appetizers and beverages available. Please RSVP by Monday, Jan. 27th so that we can include you in the head count. The link to RSVP is below: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-54337713-club  

 

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 mo – re 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! To sign up for a job, go here  

 

Volunteer and Help Raise Funds for the RCCF It’s College of Charleston Basketball season!!  Our Club members have thee 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  

 

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   It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of two former Rotarians – Hart Robert and Bill Youngblood. Both of these Rotarians served our club and community for many years. They loved Rotary and truly lived life by our motto of “Service Above Self”. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with their families.  We are pleased to announce that this past Tuesday the Board confirmed Karla Combs as our club’s President for the upcoming 2025/2026 Rotary year starting on July 1.  Marion Platt was elected President-Elect for 2025/2026 and will serve our club as President in 2026/2027.  Congratulations to both these outstanding club leaders. Their willingness and desire to serve our club is appreciated.  With much regret, the Board approved several resignations – Howard Chapman, Robbie Wachmann and John Strickland.  We will miss these Rotarians and wish them all the best.    Proposed New Members The following membership candidates have submitted an application and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
  • Elliott Williams – sponsor:  Megan Fink classification:  Eleemosynary/Executive
  • Charlie Jablon – sponsor:  Michael Smith; classification:  Insurance/Exec.
  • Nicole O’Grady – sponsor:  Jay Gibson; classification:  Banking/Community 
In the event you know Elliott, Charlie or Nicole, please tell a member of the Board how he will serve the ideas of Rotary.   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
  • 1/23 – Benjamin Vazquez
  • 1/27 – Past President Conrad Zimmerman
  WELLNESS TIP   Drink water. Winter may be a good time for hot cocoa and cider, but always make water your drink of choice. While hot beverages can be great for warmth, remember to keep it balanced with at least 8 cups of water per day. A glass of water with and between each meal can keep you hydrated, healthy and ready to fight off any germs winter may bring.  
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 FacebookTake 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