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
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.
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

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

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

- 1/23 – Benjamin Vazquez
- 1/27 – Past President Conrad Zimmerman
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, CharlestonSOCIAL MEDIA
