May 7, 2019: This week’s meeting was a Club Assembly where President-Elect Sandy Morckel gave us a preview of the upcoming Rotary year and a very special year it is as The Historic Rotary Club of Charleston turns 100 years old in 2020! Sandy started off with a number of significant dates that coincide with our club’s 100th. These special dates include February 3, 1920, 
which was the date of first our club’s first meeting as well as March 1, 1920, Rotary International’s Charter Date. This coming year, however, is a really big year for Charleston. In addition to our club’s anniversary, it is also Charleston 350th anniversary and the College of Charleston’s 250th anniversary. This Historic Rotary Club of Charleston has also played a catalytic role in our City’s history, helping to launch, among other initiatives, the Coastal Community Foundation, Trident United Way, Boy Scouts, and Crisis Chaplaincy.
Our club will have 5 initiatives this year to commemorate our 100th:
The first initiative will be a Rotary Impact Project that will address a contemporary need in the community. We will be working with the Coastal Community Foundation to Identify Criteria and Potential Projects.
The second initiative is the completion of the Rotary Fountain at Marion Square. This will include the addition of a Bronze Waterfowl Sculpture and wording to commemorate 100 years of impact. We will work in partnership with SEWE to identify and screen sculpture artists for this project.
Initiative three will be the100th Anniversary Gala to be held February 29, 2020 @ Francis Marion Hotel. The RI President has been invited to be our Keynote Speaker and invitations will go to all Current and Past Rotarians, the 12 Rotary Clubs in Charleston, Local Officials, Organizations we have founded, and Special Partnerships, etc.
The fourth initiative will be a 100th Anniversary Book which will update last History Book with highlights from past 100 years and will be given to Gala Attendees, current Rotarians and all future inductees.
The fifth and final initiative will be a Year-Long PR Campaign that will highlight our Club’s past achievements, highlight current Rotarians and our modern-day impact, and provide increased visibility for Rotary in Charleston – and potentially increase membership for all Clubs in the Lowcountry.
Sandy was followed by the Club Financial report which presented an overall decline in membership (and revenue) for the last 5 years. We have been averaging a 7.8 member loss per year and we have seen the ramifications of this in reduced meetings etc. A major goal going forward is to come up with solutions to sustain and grow membership but in the mean time we must look at alternatives to maintain budget, which may include reducing the number of meetings, increasing dues so we may also increase operating reserves.
The meeting ended with discussion soliciting ideas on how to increase membership and make membership more attractive to more people.
Submitted by Don Baus, Keyway committee chair
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
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- Jeremy Divis gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Alvin Williams introduced visiting Rotarians & guests.
- President Alex Dallis presented Health and Happiness.
- President Alex Dallis introduced our Club Assembly.
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
May 14, 2019 | Issue 4928 | President: Alex Dallis
COMING EVENTS
- May 14 – Recognizing CCSD Teacher of Year, Honor Roll Teachers & Rotary Scholars
- May 21 – International Projects
- May 28 – No Meeting
- June 8 – John Reed, Cradle to Career
NEWS BRIEFS
Volunteer Service Opportunity with Salvation Army
We are looking for volunteers to help The Salvation Army of Charleston with the Moose Tracks Ice Cream 10,000 Scoop Challenge, coming to Charleston on Tuesday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Palmetto Parking Lot on the corner of Market St. and Church St. downtown.
The 10,000 Scoop Challenge is a fun, community event put on by Moose Tracks, the developers of the legendary Moose Tracks Ice Cream flavor line. During a 4-hour window, Moose Tracks challenges the Charleston community to eat FREE Moose Tracks Ice Cream for a cause. For each scoop of ice cream served, Moose Tracks will donate $1 to The Salvation Army of Charleston in hopes of raising $10,000 in just four hours to help fund ongoing community projects. That’s a ton of ice cream!
It’s a fun, outdoor event and we need your help! Volunteers will be scooping ice cream, handing scoopers ice cream cones/napkins, dispersing flyers, handing out moose hats, and ensuring event-goers are having FUN! We are also looking for a volunteer to help by being the Moose mascot for the day!
Community members can volunteer during the following timeslots, which are flexible upon your schedule:
- Event set-up: 8-10:30 a.m.
- Event duration: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Event tear-down: 3-4:30 p.m.
You can use Sign-up Genius to conveniently register for your shift by going to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0449aeaf2ea5f94-moose. If you have questions about volunteering, please contact Karl Brady at 843-747-5271 x65907 or karl.brady@uss.salvationarmy.org and the time preferred for volunteering. We appreciate your interest in supporting your local Salvation Army and we look forward to throwing this fun event with you!
Adopt-A-Highway Pick Up Service Project
On Saturday, June 8th at 9 a.m. we will be having our first Adopt-A-Highway clean-up day of 2019. Rotarians will meet at the corner of Lockwood and Bee Street. In the past, members have parked at Brittle Bank Park. Gloves, reflective vests and trash bags will be provided. Depending on the number of volunteers, the clean up usually takes less than an hour. If you intend to participate, please contact Brett Barry at bbarry@cleanenergyfuels.com
Change in Membership Status Deadline
If you plan a change in your club member status by July 1, 2019 to Excused, Leave of Absence or if you are planning to resign, please notify Carroll in writing NO LATER THAN June 21, 2019. This change will affect July billing. All current members who officially resign after June 21 will be billed $65 to cover Rotary International dues, which are paid the first of each billing cycle. If you have any questions, contact Carroll.
January Dues Statements Past Due
We still have a few members who have not paid their January dues. You know who you are — please be sure to make payment as soon as possible. Past due notices were distributed via email earlier this week. Billing for the second half of the year will occur in June, so we want everyone to be paid in full. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Carroll.
Our Club on Social Media
Members are encourage to follow all of our social media channels 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, mikesottak@gmail.com, or Rob Byko, rob@bykorealty.com.
MEMBER NEWS
Member News
Trey Lucy and Mike Sottak were recognized by Rotary Foundation Chair, Karl Riner, with a Paul Harris Fellows. Trey received a Paul Harris Fellow + 1 and Mike was recognized with a Paul Harris Fellow + 5. Also receiving a Paul Harris Fellow + 5 was Foundation Chair, Karl Riner. Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Congratulations to Trey, Mike and Karl on their recognitions. Their continuous support of Rotary and The Rotary Foundation is much appreciated.
Welcome to new member, Charlie Patrick! Charlie was introduced and sponsored by Past President Alissa Lietzow. He will hold the classification of Law/Business. Congrats to Charlie on his membership!
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Mike Sottak
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- Joined: 2018
- Sponsor: Colleen Moring
- Membership Involvement: Co-Chair PR Committee
- Classification: Marketing
- Profession: High Technology PR & Digital Marketing
- Something Unique About Yourself: Although new to the Rotary Club of Charleston, Mike has been a Rotarian since 2004 and is a past president of his former club.
Birthdays
- May 14 – Trey Lucy
- May 18 – Colleen Moring
- May 19 – Steve Dopp
By the numbers
Attendance on May 7, 2019: 71
Not in attendance: Allen, Baggs, Bailey, Barry, Beam, Bishop, Carico, Channell, Clark, Cole, Cooper, E., Cooper, J., Cooper, M., Deavenport, DeGraff, Diminich, Donnellon, Drafts, Dunaway, Fellabom, Frume, Gill, Hudnall, Husser, Jamme, Jones, C., Jones, Z., Kaynard, Leonard, Mixson, Plotner, Prewitt, Raver, Rich, Riley, Ruettiger, Rust, Saboe, Seguer, Smith, H., Smith, M., Taylor, Tecklenburg, John, Tecklenburg, P., Thomas, Webb, Whitaker
Out of Town Make-ups: None
WELLNESS TIP
Sprout Some New Eating Habits
For one week, cut out all sweets, pasta, and breads. Then slowly add more carbs back in — but only complex carbs with lots of fiber (whole grains, whole fruits and vegetables, beans, etc.). Notice how much lighter you feel.
AREA CLUB MEETINGS
Mondays
- Summerville – Oakbrook: 7:30 a.m., Monday, Westcott County Club, 5000 Wescott Club Drive, North Charleston
- North Charleston: 12:30 a.m., Monday, Hilton Garden Inn, 5265 International Blvd, North Charleston.
- Summerville Evening: 5:30 p.m., Monday, Montreux Bar and Grill, 127 W. Richardson Ave., Summerville
Tuesdays
- East Cooper Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Cooper River Room at Waterfront Park, Mount Pleasant
- 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
Wednesdays
- Daniel Island: 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Daniel Island Club, 600 Island Park Dr., Daniel Island
- St. John’s Parish (John’s Island): 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, 2817 Maybank Highway, Unit 1, John’s Island
- Mount Pleasant: 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Harbor Breeze Restaurant, 176 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant
- Summerville: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sticky Fingers, Summerville
Thursdays
- North Charleston Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Embassy Suites, 5055 International Blvd., 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: 7:30 a.m., Friday, Harbour Club, 35 Prioleau St., 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: Alex Dallis
- Keyway editor: Don Baus don@sgaarchitecture.com
- Executive secretary: Carroll Schweers, carrollschweers@gmail.com
- Mailing address: Rotary Club of Charleston, P.O. Box 21029 ,Charleston, SC 29413-1029
- Copyright 2018, Rotary Club of Charleston. All rights reserved.