August 25, 2026
This week’s guest speaker was David Ginn, head of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA). David leads the CRDA with vision and innovation, helping 
attract companies with high-paying positions to our region and outside capital investment being made in the Lowcountry, which diversifies our economy. Charleston’s standing among other U.S. cities and markets continues to grow stronger and stronger.
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: 6t69^kPf
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
- Clara Heinsohn gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Walker Rice introduced all visiting Rotarians & club guests.
- Cam Johnson introduced guest speaker & former Rotarian, David Ginn, who is President/CEO of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance. David works with business, academic, and government leaders to shape our region’s economic development strategy and has led CRDA for more than 25 years.
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
September 1, 2026 | Issue 5203 President: Marion Platt
COMING EVENTS
- 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
- 10/6 – Speaker TBD (11:15am – New Member Orientation)
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.
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].
Calling All New Members – New Member Orientation on October 6
Our club will host a new member orientation on Tuesday, October 6, from 11:15 a.m. to noon at Halls Signature Events upstairs. This session is a great opportunity to learn about the club’s structure, committees, and values. Attendance is required for the Blue Badge Checklist, so all newly inducted members who have not yet attended should plan to participate. The orientation will give you the tools you need to make the most of your involvement in the club.
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.
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 continue to be with Past President Rob Dewey as he recuperates at home after surgery. We look forward to seeing him back at Rotary soon!
Three new members were inducted this past Tuesday. Laighton Cain was introduced and sponsored by Cody Callerman and joins us under the classification of Real Estate. Jeff Lacey and Delita Marsland join us under the classification of Performance Venue Management as Corporate Members representing The Gaillard Center. They both were introduced and sponsored by Past President Sandy Morckel. We welcome these new Rotarians 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.
Birthdays
- 9/4 – Tyler Jones & John Warren
- 9/7 – Karl Brady, Sr. & William Howle
WELLNESS TIP
Enjoy the Season
Savor the last days of summer by embracing outdoor meals, seasonal activities, and social connections. Celebrate the transition with small, enjoyable rituals that support both physical and mental well-being.
By combining outdoor activity, hydration, seasonal nutrition, skin care, and mindful self-care, you can end summer feeling healthy, energized, and ready for the seasonal shift.
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]