June 25, 2019: We celebrated the transition from Rotary year 2018-19 to 
2019-20. Current Club President, Alex Dallis, said farewell and thanked this year’s board members for their service and support. Incoming President Sandy Morckel was inducted and previewed the upcoming 100th year of our club.
In his remarks, President Alex said that he felt a big part of his role was to keep the “train on the tracks” and that he was a coupler between two great presidents: Past President David Burt and Incoming President Sandy. He recognized all of the board members and committee chairs who served the club so well during the past year: Karl Riner (International Service), Heidi Finniff (Membership), Rob Dewey (Club Service), Lisa Van Bergan (New Generations), Peter Shahid (Vocational Service), Kerby Teller (Community Service), Trey Lucy (Education), Rob Byko & Mike Sottak (Public Relations), Alan Uram (Treasurer), Sandy Morckel (Fundraising), Ruthie Ravenel (Secretary), Past President Paul Stoney (RCCF) Jim Geffert (Programs), and finally – with a standing ovation – Carroll Schweers (Executive Secretary). Alex closed with a few short verses and received another standing ovation as he received the commemorative gavel and past president’s pin from incoming President Sandy.
Assistant District Governor Robb Rosol then swore in Sandy Morckel as President. Afterwards, she gave an overview presentation about the 2019-2020 year. She introduced the 2019/2020 board members and committee chairs. Board Member include: Lisa Van Bergen (President-Elect & Fundraising), Alan Uram (Treasurer), Zac Jones (Secretary), Rob Dewey (Programs & New Generations), Karl Riner (Foundation), Kerby Teller (Community Service), Past President Paul Stoney (Vocational Service), Karl Brady (Education), Charlie Palmer (Club Service), Past President Alissa Lietzow (RCCF) and Heidi Finniff & Past President Digit Matheny (Membership).
Sandy spoke of the 5 Avenues of Rotary Service:
Community Service – encourages members to help improve quality of life for people in our community, which will be directed by Kerby Teller.
New Generations – recognizes importance of empowering youth and young professionals through leadership development programs such as Interact and Rotaract – will be directed by Rob Dewey.
Vocational Service – calls on members to work with integrity and contribute their expertise to the needs of society – will be directed by Past President Paul Stoney.
International Services – exemplifies our global reach in promoting peace and improving living conditions in developing countries – Karl Riner will return as Director.
Club Services – building strong relationships and developing active members within the club – Charlie Palmer will be the Director.
She encouraged all members to step up and engage with one or more of these avenues in the upcoming year.
Other Board Members/Committee leaders were announced: Karl Brady (Education), Rob Byko & Mike Sottak (Public Relations), and Carroll Schweers (Executive Secretary).
Keeping with the theme of “fives”, Sandy presented five initiatives for our 100th year:
Initiative #1 is a Rotary Impact Project. We will work with the Coastal Community Foundation to address a need in the community.
Initiative #2 is a permanent Rotary Fountain Sculpture to be located in Marion Square. Past President Patterson Smith and Past President Dan Ravenel leading this effort with a target for installation prior to SEWE in February 2020.
Initiative #3 will be a 100th Anniversary Gala to be held February 29th, 2020 at the Francis Marion Hotel. Past Presidents Paul Stoney and Alex Dallis are co-chairs of this initiative.
Initiative #4 is a 100th Anniversary History Book which will be given to all Gala attendees and Rotarians. Past President Andy Brack is chair of this effort.
The final Initiative #5 is a year-long PR campaign that will highlight our Club’s past achievements, our more recent impact, and generate visibility for Rotary in Charleston. This effort will be co-chaired by Past President Alissa Lietzow, Rob Byko, and Mike Sottak.
President Sandy closed by asking all the members to help “make 2019/2020 a Great Year!”
Submitted by Jeff Webb, Keyway committee
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
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- Don Oswalt gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Charlie Patrick introduced visiting Rotarians & guests.
- President Alex Dallis presented Health and Happiness.
- President Alex summarized his year and thanked his Board for their service. AG Robb Rosol installed new Officers/Board Members. President Sandy introduced her Board and discussed some of the goals for our 100th year of service to Charleston.
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
July 2, 2019 | Issue 4932 | President: Sandy Morckel
COMING EVENTS
- July 2 – No Rotary – Happy 4th of July!
- July 9 – Barbara Melvin, The Port
- July 16 – Rev. Kylon Middleton, The Illumination Project
- July 16 – 11am, Board Meeting
- July 23 – Mike Graney, CRDA
- July 30 – Helen Hill, Charleston CVB
NEWS BRIEFS
Global Grant Scholar – Mary Grimes
The Historic Rotary Club of Charleston is pleased to sponsor Mary Grimes as our Ambassadorial Global Grant Scholarship Candidate. If chosen from a very competitive field of eleven other candidates in our Rotary district, Mary will be eligible for up to $50,000 for study during one academic year abroad.
Mary is a graduate of the College of Charleston with a BS in Public Health and minors in Psychology and Environment and Sustainability Studies. It is her intent to pursue a Master of Arts in Environment, Development and Peace specializing in Sustainable Food Systems from the United Nations University for Peace in San Jose, Costa Rica.
As her sponsor, our Rotary Club is responsible for mentoring and preparing Mary for her final interview with the District to be held in August. Any member interested in helping prepare Mary for her final interview, please contact Karl Riner at karl.riner@ubs.com.
July Dues Statements Emailed
Dues statements for the July 1-December 31 period were distributed via email on June 10. Please be sure to pay from this statement. No other statements will be sent out. If you did not receive a statement, please let Carroll know.
No Meeting July 2nd
We will NOT meet on Tuesday, July 2 due to the July 4th holiday. We hope members and their families enjoy this time with family and friends. We will meet all other Tuesdays in July.
Rotary (District 7770) Night at the Segra Ballpark in Columbia
Save the date – July 26, 2019 – Rotary Night at the Ballpark …. Rotarians like to have fun and enjoy the friendship of fellow Rotarians. What better way to have fun than with Baseball, Hotdogs and Rotary?
You are invited to a night out at the ballpark. Friday, July 26, 2019 has been designated as Rotary Night with the Columbia Fireflies. Put mark this date on your calendar for the Segra Ballpark in Columbia. This will be an opportunity for Rotary club members to have a great social time. Tickets are $9.00 each and food vouchers are $5.00. We will sit together along the first base line and have a great time. An email with an attached flyer was sent to all Rotarians with information about the event and how to purchase tickets.
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
Congratulations to Ruthie Ravenel on the birth of her son, David Edmund (“Teddy”) on June 16. Teddy weighed 6lbs, 13oz. Momma, baby and granddaddy Dan are all said to be doing well!
With much regret, the Board accepted the resignations of the following Rotarians: Foster Gaillard, Valerie Morris, Bryan Buzon, Tim McVicker, Leo Ruettiger, Tom Waring, Kathryn Whitaker and Jim Geffert. We will miss this Rotarians and wish them all the best!
President Alex presented Joseph Tecklenburg with his BLUE membership badge this past Tuesday. Joseph has been an active new member and successfully completed all his new member requirements. Congratulations, Joseph!
Proposed New Members
The following membership candidates have submitted an application and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
Madison Altman – sponsor: Ruthie Ravenel; classification: Banking/Private
Stavros Triantafyllidis – sponsor: Heidi Finniff; classification: Education/Military/College
In the event you know Madison or Stavros, please tell a member of the Board how he/she will serve the ideas of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Karl Brady
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- Joined: 2016
- Sponsor: Scott Wachter
- Membership Involvement: Paul Harris Fellow, Day of Caring Chair, Salvation Army Bellringing Chair, 2019/2020 Board Member/Education Director
- Classification: Eleemosynary/Executive
- Profession: Director of Development, The Salvation Army of Charleston
- Something Unique About Yourself: I recently returned from vacation in Placencia, Belize and it was an absolutely gorgeous place!
Birthdays
- June 25 – Don Horres
- June 27 – Rudy Thomas
- July 2 – Sandy Morckel
- July 3 – Bo Crouch
By the numbers
Attendance on June 25, 2019: 52
Not in attendance: Allen, Baggs, Bailey, Barry, Baus, Beam, Bickley, Brack, Carico, Ceccato, Channell, Clary, Coghill, Cook, Cooper, Cooper, Cooper, Coxe, Crouch, Deavenport, DeGraff, Dewey, Diminich, Divis, Donnellon, Dopp, Drafts, Dukes, Echols, Embry, Fellabom, Galizia, Gill, Giovanniello, Husser, Jamme, Jones, Catherine, Kaynard, Leonard, Lucy, Matheny, Mitchell, Ravenel, Raver, Riley, Rust, Saboe, Seguer, Sidebottom, Smith, Michael, Strickland, Sullivan, Taylor, Tecklenburg, John, Tecklenburg, Peter, Teller, Thomas, Van Bergen, Williams
Out of Town Make-ups: None
WELLNESS TIP
Get Dirty — and Stress Less
To improve your stress level, plant a small garden, cultivate a flower box, or if space is really limited, plant a few flower pots — indoors or out.
Just putting your hands in soil is “grounding.” And when life feels like you’re moving so fast your feet are barely touching the stuff, being mentally grounded can help relieve physical and mental stress.
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: Sandy Morckel
- 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.