February 17, 2026
City of Charleston Mayor William Cogswell delivered his annual State of the City address to the club, providing an update on key initiatives, developments, and trends impacting our city. The Mayor concentrated much of his talk on the pressing issue of affordable housing and described a broad-reaching initiative to redevelop many parts of the city to accommodate the growing population and provide more cost-effective housing solutions.
Lots going on in the coming months, including some big fundraisers as the weather turns warmer. Check out the Keyway for upcoming events and schedules.
To join an upcoming Zoom meeting, use this link and the passcode: Rotary.
To see a recording of this week’s meeting go here (Part 1)
Passcode: 4gV%p!6f
and here (Part 2)
Passcode: Hfa%5xN0
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
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- Sean Holleran gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Heidi Finniff welcomed our visiting Rotarians and guests.
- Karl Brady introduced our speaker, Charleston Mayor William Cogswell, who gave his annual “State of the City” address.
- MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
Feb 24, 2026 | Issue 51832| President: Karla Combs
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 2/24 – Dick Harpootlian, retired State Senator/Author
- 3/1 – Deadline for RCCF Grant Applications
- 3/3 – NO MEETING
- 3/10 – Field Trip/Off-Site Meeting to Credit One Stadium (Sign Up)
- 3/17 – Dean Schwager, CofC Business School
- 3/20-22 – District Conference, North Charleston Marriott
- 3/24 – Dave Echols – Charleston Riverdogs
NEWS BRIEFS
IMPORTANT: Sign up Required for Meeting THIS Tuesday, Feb. 24
Dick Harpootlian, who is an Attorney, former State Senator and author is speaking this Tuesday, February 24th and we anticipate a full house. There are space limitations, so if you missed the deadline to sign up by this past Friday and you now want to attend or you want to bring a guest, please contact Carroll at [email protected] to verify that there is space available.
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 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.
Offsite Lunch Meeting – Credit One Stadium
In lieu of our regular lunch meeting on Tuesday, March 10, we will be gathering at Credit One Stadium for lunch and a tour of the venue. Due to limited space, please register at the link below by March 2. This opportunity is currently open to members only. If space remains after March 2, guest registration will open on a first-come, first-served basis. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-62263310-credit
RCCF Grant Applications Being Accepted Through March 1
The Rotary Club of Charleston Fund (RCCF) is accepting requests for grants. Interested organizations are required to submit a Letter of Inquiry and complete a grant application prior to March 1 to be considered. The application and other details regarding the grant process can be found on our club’s website — www.charleston-rotary.org. For more information, please contact RCCF Chair, Paul Stoney at [email protected].
CFD Community Impact Award Winner
Congratulations to this year’s winner of the Charleston Fire Department Community Impact Award: Captain Ryan Delk. He was honored with the award this past Tuesday. Assistant Chief James Richardson (middle) and Ryan’s wife, Katelyn Delk (left) were in attendance along with fellow Rotarian, Chief Dan Curia (right).
Zoom Volunteers Needed
We are in need of some additional folks to help out with the Zoom/AV duties at our weekly meetings. As you know, Zoom is a great platform to allow members to participate in meetings even if they can make it IRL (that’s in “in real life” for anyone over the age of 25). And we are a bit shorthanded at the moment It doesn’t require any more skills than what you’ve probably developed using Zoom in other aspects of your working or personal life, and the club provides all the gear need, including a PC. The current Zoom team of Mike, Marion and Mark M will help train you. If you can pitch in about once a month to support this important aspect of our weekly meetings, please contact [email protected] or see me at a meeting.
Member Spotlight
Member Spotlight provides you with the opportunity to share your background, work and hobbies with our membership. It’s a great way for other members to learn more about you. You can be a long-time club member or a new member to participate. Please review the available slots below and sign up to secure your spot. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-60923410-member
Calling All New Members – New Member Orientation on 2/17
Our club is hosting a new member orientation on Tuesday, February 17 from 11am to 12pm at Halls Signature Events (upstairs)! It’ll be a wonderful opportunity to learn more regarding club structure, committees, and values. The orientation is a requirement on the Blue Badge Checklist. All newly inducted members should plan to attend, if they haven’t already attended a session. This meeting truly gives you all the tools to optimize your involvement in the club.
2026 District Conference – North Charleston: March 20-22
Registration for the 2026 District Conference to be held March 20 – 22, 2026 at the North Charleston Marriott is now open. Inspiring speakers, opportunities for networking, recognition of clubs and individuals making a difference in their communities. Registration fee of $275 until March 10, 2026. Covers Friday lunch kickoff, Friday night Dinner and Dancing, Breakfast buffet Saturday and Sunday morning and Saturday night Dinner with Flag Ceremony. Register on DACdb at https://www.dacdb.com/index.html?EventID=77882590.
Support the College of Charleston LIFE Program
Our Board has elected to fund and match up to $15,000 for a scholarship to a local Charleston student to attend the College of Charleston LIFE program that we learned a lot about during last week’s meeting. If you were unable to attend, I highly encourage you to watch the recording to see the amazing details about the program and the outstanding
Continue to Support Polio and By Becoming a Polio Plus Society Member
All Rotarians are encouraged to continue to support Rotary International’s efforts to take action and end Polio for good. You can support our efforts to end Polio by becoming a Polio Plus Society member by donating $100 through this link https://raise.rotary.org/Sandy-Morckel/fundraiser987.
Club Service Team Needs Meeting Day Volunteers
We are always looking for Greeters, Invocation & Pledge presenters, as well as volunteers to introduce our visiting Rotarians & guests at weekly meetings. Please contact Club Service Chairman, Sgt. Cody Callerman at [email protected] if you would like to volunteer at a weekly meeting.
Chess Club Needs Volunteers
Be A Mentor is a Charleston-based non-profit that partners caring adults with local youth to build supportive, one-on-one relationships that inspire growth, confidence and brighter futures. Through this program, Rotarian Cody Callerman has started a youth chess club to help students develop critical thinking, patience and a sense of community. Please contact Cody Callerman at [email protected] if you would like to be on our club’s Chess Team!!
“Birthday” Blue Bucket Donations
President Karla plans to announce all monthly member birthdays at the first meeting of every month. Blue Buckets will for the first meeting of the month will be “Birthday” buckets and all donated contributions the first meeting, unless otherwise announced, will go to support BabyBLOOMS, which is a program at the Ronald McDonald House Charleston. This new program offers support and resources designed to strengthen and assist families as they journey from the hospital to home. Through weekly learning and activity sessions, BabyBLOOMS seeks to enhance the parenting experience using evidenced-based practices, while creating an opportunity to enrich bonding, infant care, and development. On the other Tuesdays of the month during July and August, Blue Bucket donations will go to the Kerrville, Texas Rotary to support flood disaster relief in their area.
Be “Spotlighted” at a Meeting
The Rotary Club of Charleston will continue to highlight members twice a month. Members who are interested in being spotlighted should let Julianne Farnsworth know of your interest and she will assign you a date. 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 2025/2026 Theme: Unite for Good
The 2025-26 presidential message, announced at the 2025 Rotary International Assembly in February, will remain Unite for Good, which calls on Rotary members to be a force for unity in a world increasingly divided by politics, geography, and ideology. Through service projects, Rotary brings together people of every background — across races, religions, and professions — in a shared mission to do good in their communities.
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: New Instagram Account
We now have anew Instagram account! Please follow us on @charlestonrotaryclub. Thanks To Charlie Jablon for setting this up. Continue to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn, too. 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] Charlie Jablon [email protected], and Jason Noble, jnoble @primefinancial.com
MEMBER NEWS
Proposed New Members
The following membership candidates have applied and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
Proposed New Members Rachel Coker – sponsor: Steve Dopp & Sarah Beardsley classification: Festival/Mgmt
Mena Hanna – sponsor: Steve Dopp & Sarah Beardsley classification: Festival/Mgmt
In the event you know Rachel or Mena, please tell a member of the Board how he will serve the ideas of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Riana Brennan
New Rotarian Riana gave us an introduction to herself. A native of Santa Cruz, Calif. and a junior chess champion and accomplished volley ball player (she played at CoC), she grew up in a Rotary family and had the ideals of service embedded in her early on. After college, she started a home care business and later sold it to a company where she still works, providing premium home based medical care . She enjoys outdoor activities, travel and contributing to community service, particularly through Rotary that has been a common thread in her life.
Birthdays
- 2/25 – Randy Owens
- 2/26 – Karen Parson
- 2/27 – Hamer Darby
- 3/2 – Richard Sidebottom
WELLNESS TIP
Enjoy The Little Things
Anything that makes your day a little brighter and better – savor it. Being in the present and enjoying the little things can be a great source of happiness.
OTHER AREA MEETINGS
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: Karla Combs
Executive secretary: Carroll Schweers, [email protected]