July 21, 2026
We welcomed our fellow Rotarian and State Senator for District 20, Ed Sutton, to the podium this week. He provided an open and engaging recap of the recent legislative session.
Senator Sutton discussed several issues affecting Charleston and communities across South Carolina, including:
• Transportation infrastructure and SCDOT reform
• Flooding and congestion in the Lowcountry
• Affordable and workforce housing
• Data center regulation and utility costs
• Support for veterans
• Public safety and DUI reform
• Property tax relief for longtime residents
• Protecting young people from dangerous nitrous oxide products
• The importance of bipartisan cooperation
One of the most encouraging takeaways was hearing how a concern raised by a West Ashley mother became legislation in less than a year. It was a strong reminder that public service often begins with one citizen speaking up and one elected leader willing to listen. Thank you, Senator Sutton, for your service, transparency, and willingness to answer our questions.
To join an upcoming Zoom meeting, use this link and the passcode: Rotary.
To see a recording of this meeting, go here
Passcode: *0dLmC+^
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
- Mickey Renner gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- David Burt introduced our visiting Rotarians & guests.
- Past President Patterson Smith introduced fellow club member and guest speaker, Senator Ed Sutton, who represented South Carolina Senate District 20.
- MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
July 28, 2026 | Issue 5199| President: Marion Platt
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 7/28 – Andrew Hsu, President, College of Charleston
- 8/1 – RCCF Grant Application Process Opens
- 8/1 – Youth Exchange Student from Finland Arrives: 10AM RSVP
- 8/4 – NO MEETING. Social; Elliotborough Mini Bar 5-7PM – sign up
- 8/11 – Herman Dixon, District Governor 7770
- 8/18 – Speaker TBD
- 8.20 – Low Country Orphan Relief. 9:30-11:30AM Sign up
- 8/25 – David Ginn, CRDA
NEWS BRIEFS
Important 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. Members can now register guests by using this link. Your RSVP helps us ensure we have enough seating and meals prepared for everyone. 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.
Help us welcome our Rotary Youth Exchange Student – August 1
Sara Sistonen, our Rotary Youth Exchnage Student, arrives to Charleston from Finland on August 1, 2026. Join fellow Rotarians as we give a warm Charleston welcome to our new Rotary Youth Exchange Student upon arrival in the United States! This is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the spirit of Rotary, help our student feel at home from the very beginning, and celebrate the life-changing experience of international exchange.
Please RSVP by following the Zeffy link below so that we may coordinate our welcome team and airport logistics. Together, let’s make our newest exchange student feel the warmth, friendship, and hospitality that Rotary is known for. RSVP Here: Rotary Youth Exchange – Welcoming Our New Student: Sara Sistonen
August Social: Elliotborough Mini Bar: August 4
Join fellow Charleston Rotarians and friends for our August Social, an evening of easy conversation and connection away from the regular meeting schedule. This gathering helps strengthen the fellowship that supports our “Service Above Self” work throughout the year.
Please use this form to let us know you’re attending and if you plan to bring a guest. Your response helps us plan a welcoming, comfortable space for everyone.
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/august-social-2
Low Country Orphan Relief Project: August 20
Join Charleston Rotary’s Low Country Orphan Relief Project Your registration helps us organize volunteers, supplies, and support for children in foster and emergency care. Together, we live out “Service Above Self” through hands-on help—packing bags, sorting clothing, and preparing essentials.
Please complete this form so we can confirm details, coordinate shifts, and keep you informed about project updates. Your time and care directly support vulnerable kids in our community.
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/historic-rotary-of-charleston-low-country-orphan-relief-project
Rotary International 2026/2027 Theme: Create Lasting Impact
For the 2026/2027 Rotary year, President Olayinka H. Babalola has introduced the theme “Create Lasting Impact”, encouraging members to focus on meaningful, sustainable change in their communities and personal growth through Rotary service. This theme builds on last year’s message “United for Good” by emphasizing not just collaboration by the tangible, long-term effects of Rotary projects globally, locally and personally.
Global Grant Scholars
Our club is pleased to be sponsoring two candidates for a Rotary Global Grant Scholarship this year. Global Grants are for graduate students studying abroad in one of Rotary’s areas of focus:
- Promoting peace
- Fighting disease
- Providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Saving mothers and children
- Supporting education
- Growing local economies
- Protecting the environment
Scholarships last from one to four years and can include an entire degree program. Global grant scholarships are funded using District Designated Funds (DDF), cash, and directed gifts and endowment earnings. The Foundation will provide an 80% World Fund match for all DDF contributions. Caroline Berg and Robert Torres were selected as candidates by our club this year and have been frequent visitors to our luncheons. District interviews will take place the weekend of August 7th in Columbia. Both candidates are outstanding representatives of our club and community. We wish them all the best during the interview process.
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
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.
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 a new 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
- Jeff Dacey – sponsor: Rob Byko; Classification: Performance Venue Mgmt.
- Delita Marsland – sponsor: Rob Byko; Classification: Performance Venue Mgmt.
- Laighton Cain – sponsor: Cody Callarman; Classification: Real Estate
- Todd Duwel – sponsor: Past President Robert Sullivan; Classification: Architecture
- Brandon Fish – sponsor: Past President Sandy Morckel/Jan Luth; Classification: Non-Profit
Our outgoing club president, Karla Combs, took to the podium in a slightly different role, giving us her member spotlight presentation. Karla talked about growing up in beautiful North Carolina and enjoying her time around the Lake Norman area. Karla has a beautiful daughter and wonderful pets surrounding her as she continues her insurance career. She’s a long-time Rotarian, having learned about the ideals of service above self as a young woman growing up in North Carolina, and then bringing her love for service and her leadership skills to our club. Thanks for everything you’ve done for us this year, Karla. It’s been a great year.
Birthdays
- 7/31 – Richard Kelly
- 8/1 – Jeremy Cook
- 8/2 – Michael Neyman
- 8/3 – Julianne Farnsworth
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: Marion Platt
Executive secretary: Carroll Schweers, [email protected]