Young Touts Business Courts

June 22, 2010: S.C. Circuit Court Judge Roger M. Young told members today how a pilot Business Court program was working to speed special business cases through the judicial process.

Chief Justice Jean Toal set up a two-year Business Court pilot program in Charleston, Columbia and Greenville in 2007, and renewed it in 2009. In that time, the specialized court has expedited resolution of several complex cases, Young said.

“This has turned out to be a good program for everybody,” he said.

Since 2007, the Charleston branch of the court has received 22 complex cases and already disposed of half, said Young, who serves as the court’s Charleston judge. “They’re moving along on a pretty regular basis,” he noted.

Generally when business disputes go through the civil court process, it can take up to three years just for the case to be scheduled for trial. Additionally, litigants face hurdles in continuity because they generally present motions and other matters to different judges throughout the process, which often slows things down, Young said.

The advantage of the Business Court pilot program is that the same judge hears the entire case from start to finish. That means motions and other phases of the case can move along in a speedier fashion, which saves time and money.

“If a case needs to be fast-tracked, you have the ability to fast-track it,” the judge said.

Not all business cases qualify for the special court. In general, its cases involve disputes in how businesses operate, are structured or are dissolved. The ability for cases to appear before a special business judge also allows for quick rulings on procedural matters that may lead to settlements more quickly than in the regular civil system, said Young, who continues to judge cases in the regular court system.

Submitted by: Andy Brack, Keyway Committee

HELPING PEOPLE IN CRISIS

June 8, 2010: It was our pleasure today to have our own Rob Dewey, Chaplain with the COASTAL CRISIS CHAPLAINCY, as our guest speaker. This ministry will be 20 years in service in January, serving 36 agencies in the Charleston County area, including all police and fire departments. Their mission is to respond immediately, as quickly as within 30 to 45 minutes of the episode, to people experiencing a crisis. It has been proven that connecting with a victim within the first hours, significantly improves their recovery. The three chaplains handle between 1400 and 1700 calls per year, many of which never make the news services; others, like a recent drowning of a child or a homicide, do make the news. By quickly, their goal is to arrive within 30 to 45 minutes of an emergency to provide caring and support to the survivors whose need is great. In many instances, they attend to issues in the school, counseling students, parents, teachers and staff. Rob showed us a film in which several survivors spoke of how effective the Crisis Chaplaincy was to them.

Submitted by Fred Sales, Keyway Committee

Last Week’s Program – Piccolo Spoleto Festival

June 1, 2010: Valerie Morris introduced the Rotary Club’s featured guest, Ms. Ellen Moryl, Director of the Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs. Ms. Moryl spotlighted some of the kick off events that have already been held successfully. In her words, “it is just thrilling to see how the young kids play like pros … the magic and beauty of the arts should be in everyone’s life.”

The festival is so important to the life and economy of Charleston and is an important piece of the city’s international reputation. Recently, the festival was written about in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, among many other publications and internet outlets.

A recent Darla Moore School of Business survey pegged the economic impact of the full run of the festival at about $67 million. Tickets for events range from $7 – $51 with many free access events available across the city. All in, the city will produce nearly 900 events in two weeks.

Ms. Moryl introduced fellow Rotarian John Tecklenburg (professor at The Citadel) who provided an overview of the Charleston Jass Initiative. Of note, one of John’s uncles was the well-renowned jazz innovator Joseph “Fud” Livingston, who had an illustrious career as a big band arranger working with the likes of Duke Ellington and many other greats.

John then provided our meeting with an exceptional treat when the band took up their instruments (AND VOICE) to play “I’m Through with Love.” What an entertaining time! Be sure not to miss their work during the Charleston Spoleto.

The meeting concluded when featured guest, Ellen Moryl, ran the drawing for several tickets to Spoleto events.

Submitted by Mark Danes, Keyway Committee

Honoring Charleston County Teacher of the Year and Honor Roll Teachers

May 25, 2010: Dr. McGinley noted that five teachers would be honored. She thanked the Rotary Club of Charleston and spoke briefly about the five teachers who she referred to at “the cream of the crop” of all Charleston County teachers.

1. Meike McDonald, a math teacher from Clarke Academy, accompanied by her principal, Andrew Halevi, and her guest, Allen Porter.

2. Bill Smyth, a social studies teacher from Charleston School of the Arts, accompanied by his principal, Jim Reinhart.

3. Jarrett Vella, a social studies teacher from Military Magnet Academy, accompanied by his principal, Andy Townsend, and his wife, Lou Ellen Vella.

4. Sarah Earle (Runner-Up), a French teacher from Stall High School, accompanied by her principal, Dan Connor, and her husband, Kevin Earle.

5. Maisha Rounds (Teacher of the Year), a third grade elementary school teacher from Sanders Clyde Elementary, accompanied by her principal, Melvin Middleton, and her mother, Sandra Grant.

Maisha then spoke to the assembly, thanking Rotarians for their commitment to teachers, schools, students and the community. She mentioned how impressed she was with our website. Maisha spoke about teaching as an act of service, service above self. She carried this theme throughout her presentation. She stated that “teachers are role models and heroes.” One of her hero’s is her own husband, who is currently serving our country through the military in Afghanistan. She stated that “service above self is what drives our communities.” Maisha said that “we need to take the necessary steps to take our children to the next level in their lives and education; that the most significant investment we can make is in the future of our children.” She said that “by touching the lives of others and giving back to the community we can improve the quality of life for other people.” She also said that “students will rise or fall to our expectations… we should expect more of them.”

When asked who the most inspirational and influential person was in her life, she responded by saying: “my mother.” Her mother was given a resounding applause. When asked what she thought the biggest challenge was in education today, her response was: “literacy.” She said that “literacy is tied to the success or failure of students today.” Upon the completion of her presentation, she was given a standing ovation and lengthy applause.

Submitted by Bill Christian, Keyway Committee

Music During the Civil War

May 18, 2010: During the speaker introduction, former Rotary President Andy Brack explained that in honor of the approaching 150th Civil War anniversary, the Rotary Club of Charleston has included programs to inform us how life was during the mid eighteenth century. Our speaker, Dr. Nic Butler did more than just inform us; his fascinating presentation included musical audio, photos and a captivating history of music during the Civil War.

Dr. Butler divided his presentation into three topics: Commercial Market for Music, Caucasian and African American Bands and Slave Songs (“Spirituals”).

Rotary Club Charleston Civil War Music on Vimeo.
(Thanks to Willis Cantey for helping to get this online.)

The Civil War was the first event in U.S. history when there was a commercial market for music. Music evolved as an industry as profits were made mass producing sheet music. The majority of the sheet music was anthems of the North and South. Dr. Butler gave southern examples such as “God Save the South” and “Bonnie Blue Flag.” After a short brass band audio of “Bonnie Blue Flag” was played, Dr. Butler explained that is was actually composed by Irishman, Harry McCarthy of Arkansas. Similarly, another Irishman by the name of Dan Emmet, composed one of the most famous and controversial Civil War anthems, “Dixie Land.”

In addition to Civil War anthems, Dr. Butler gave a short history lesson on the importance of Civil War bands. He explained that their drums, fifes and bugles were responsible for specific cadence signals during battle. Contrary to popular belief, Dr. Butler noted that the majority of bands were comprised of skilled musicians, not just teenage boys. Towards the end of the war, the Union Army recruited African American slaves to join their bands. Civil War “black musicians” were also a part of our local Charleston history.

“Major” Peter Brown was born a “free man of color” in 1803 and is considered one of Charleston’s most famous musicians. Mr. Brown’s 50 year musical career includes his role as the leader of John C. Calhoun’s funeral band. “Black musicians” continued to have a place in Lowcountry history, as post Civil War bands are credited for the beginnings of Jazz. Most well known, is the Jenkins Orphanage Band.

In addition to Civil War “Black musicians” and their role in the jazz movement, Dr. Butler discussed slave songs and their often unrecognized role in modern music. Popular slave songs such as “Michael Row the Boat Ashore” originated in the Lowcountry. These “call and response” songs are also known as “black spiritual” songs and are an important part of our Charleston legacy.

Dr. Butler ended his presentation with his three topic conclusions: commercialism encouraged uniformity, the legacy of “black bands” is often overlooked and Lowcountry “Spirituals” are world-renowned.

Submitted by Teal Van Saun, Keyway Committee