August 18, 2026
This week’s guest speaker was Dr. Kamyar Gouarzi of the College of Charleston.
Dr. Goudarzi’s work focuses on strategy, competitive dynamics, and how businesses navigate changing environments. He shared some of his personal journey and helped us explore the modern and future uses of artificial intelligence. He shared pieces of his own personal journey and led us through a thoughtful exploration of the modern and future uses of artificial intelligence, giving our members plenty to think about as we head back to our own businesses and industries.
Our September Social is set for Tuesday September 8 (no meeting that day). See you at Sunsets on Shem Creek (more info below)
Zoom meeting, use this link and the passcode: Rotary.
To see a recording of this week’s meeting, go here
Passcode: ui6H.K%#
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
- Walker Rice gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Owen Clary introduced our visiting Rotarians & guests.
- Channing Proctor introduced guest speaker, Dr. Kamyar Goudarzi, Assistant Professor of Management at College of Charleston.
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
August 25, 2026 | Issue 5202 President: Marion Platt
COMING EVENTS
- 8/25 – David Ginn, CRDA
- 9/1 – Dave Wallace, Scout Board
- 9/8 – NO MEETING – Social @ Sunsets Creekside Bar, Mt. Pleasant 5-7pm Sign up
- 9/9 – Blood Drive: 10AM-2PM CPD. Sign up here
- 9/15 – Joanna Wusinich, President/CEO, Christo Ray High School
- 9/22 – FIELD TRIP – Tour of The Cooper
- 9/29 – Keith Faulkner, President, Charleston Southern University
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 know 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.
Low Country Orphan Relief project
Thank you as well to the Rotarians who volunteered with Lowcountry Orphan Relief this week! Their work provides essential clothing, shoes, toiletries, school supplies, and other necessities to children experiencing abuse, abandonment, and neglect throughout the Lowcountry.
- Marion Platt, William Rover
- Karen Clark, Stephen Moody
- Jan Luth, Richard Kelly
- Mickey Renner
Fall 2026 RCCF Applications have closed
We have received our full allotment of RCCF grant applications, and the process for this cycle is now closed. Our team will be reviewing the applications and making decisions on Fall 2026 grant recipients in the coming weeks.
September Social: Sept 8, Sunsets on Shem Creek
Join us for the Rotary Club of Downtown Charleston’s September Social on Tuesday, September 8th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Sunsets Creekside Bar on Shem Creek. Come for the waterfront views, stay for the conversation. Cocktails, bites, and a drink ticket are on us. This is a relaxed way to meet current members, and see how “Service Above Self” shows up in the Lowcountry. Thinking about joining Rotary? This is the easiest first step. Bring a friend. We also have two sponsorship levels open for this event: Platinum Sponsor, $500 (1 spot left): social media shoutouts, recognition at the event, and the opportunity to speak Gold Sponsor, $300 (3 spots left): social media shoutouts and recognition at the event Interested in sponsoring? Reach out to Charles Jablon at [email protected].
Blood Drive: September 9
Please join us on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Charleston Police Department to make a direct and lasting impact within our community. The Charleston Rotary Club is partnering with The Blood Connection to address critical blood shortages in our region. Each unit collected can save up to 3 lives and helps hospitals provide lifesaving care for aging neighbors, future generations, and families facing medical emergencies. By registering, you join a long tradition of Rotarians and friends using practical action to serve society.
Donor Incentive: Each donor will receive $30 in Donor Rewards directly for personal use. TBC will also grant the Charleston Rotary Club $10 per donor at this event, the funds of which will be used for future Club projects and grants.
Requirements: 16+ years old (16-year-olds need a signed parental consent form), 110+ lbs, photo ID, and in general good health.
Please signup both with Zeffy and with The Blood Connection by following each of the links below:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/
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
Our thoughts and prayers are with Past President Rob Dewey for a smooth and speedy recovery from his recent surgery. We look forward to seeing him back at Rotary soon!
Brandon Fish was inducted into our Rotary club this past Tuesday. Brandon, who was sponsored by Past President Sandy Morckel and Jan Luth, joins us under the Non-Profit classification. We welcome Brandon into our Rotary family.
Proposed New Members
The following membership candidates have applied and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
- Katie Hyslop – sponsor: Past President Sandy Morckel; Classification: Non-Profit
- Sonya Jones – sponsor: President Marion Platt; Classification: Education/Retired
In the event you know Katie or Sonya, please tell a member of the Board how he will serve the ideas of Rotary.
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
- 8/26 – Rudy Gill
- 8/29 – Matt Rubin
- 8/31 – Steve Delaney
WELLNESS TIP
Maintain Consistency
Identify one “non-negotiable” healthy habit, such as a morning walk or a hydration routine, and commit to it daily. Adapt your movement and wellness practices to your schedule, ensuring you sustain energy and focus without feeling pressure.
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]