February 5, 2024
Charleston restauranteur Ben Towill recounted his inspiring story of how he and his friend completed a 40-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean in a 24-foot boat with just their manual rowing as the source of power. Ben has used the experiences he gained from the preparation and execution of this fantastic journey to offer life lessons we can all learn from.
- Start at the finish
- We all have an ocean
- Find your people who lift you up
- Be where your feet are
- Words matter
- A happy boat is a fast boat
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
- Clara Heinsohn gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Clara Heinsohn welcomed all visiting Rotarians & guests.
- Health and Happiness was presented by President Cleave.
- Ruthie Ravenel introduced Ben Towhill, who told the club of his fascinating experience rowing across the Atlantic
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
February 13, 2024 | Issue 5116 President: Cleave Ham
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 2/13 – Josh Bell, Bemok Family Foundation (board meeting, 11AM)
- 2/16 – Operation Home (9am – 1pm) Sign up here
- 2/24 – Community Service – Election Poll Volunteers (Sign up here)
- 2/27 – Wando Welch Terminal Tour 12-1:30pm (Sign up here)
- 3/1 – RCCF Grant Deadline
- 3/5 – Dr. Keith Fulkner, CSU President
NEWS BRIEFS
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. 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.
Special Dietary Requests
If you have a special dietary request or need, be sure to let Carroll know in advance of a meeting. She will work with the staff at Hall’s to ensure that you are prepared a special plate that meets your restrictions. Please do not enter the kitchen area to make a last minute special request.
Upcoming Community Service Opportunities
Go Fishing!! Community Service at Windwood Farms
Join us for a morning of fishing with the kids at Windwood Farms!! Men, women, boys and girls ages 16 and up are welcome!! Patience and skill are all that is needed, everything else is provided. Details and sign up below:
Date- Saturday 2/17/23
Fishing Time: 9am-10:30am
Participants need to arrive by 8:30am to help set up. They have fishing poles we can use. We will provide the bait.
Windwood Farms, 4857 Windwood Farm Road, Awendaw, SC 29429
**Volunteers may want to organize a carpool prior to event
Website- Windwood Farm – Providing Help, Hope and Healing for children and families in our community
Sign Up Link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-47786045-lets
February 16, Operation Home
Volunteers are needed to assist with building a wheelchair ramp for a family in need in our community on Friday, February 16 from 9am-1pm
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-47275596-operatio
Volunteer to help staff polling places on Election Days – upcoming Republican Primary election (Feb. 24)
Historic Rotary Club of Charleston has adopted the polling location at Memminger Elementary School for the Republican Primary (February 24, 2024). Please sign-up to join us for a shift on one or both days HERE.
We have broken down the 14-hour day into two 7-hour shifts, so a total of 24 Rotarians are needed.
With $200 per full-time equivalent, this will result in $2,400 for our RCCF. If you can devote a full day or can volunteer for a shift on both dates, please sign up for each shift individually. Significant others are encouraged to also sign up.
The Election board requires all volunteers (even those that participated in the program last November) to go through election poll manager training either online or in person. . More details to follow for all confirmed volunteer poll workers on how to access your online training at your convenience prior to February 1.
Feel free to call, text, or email the Adopt-a-Poll Co-Chairs with any questions:
Karen Clark (301-412-8682 | karenclark555@gmail.com)
Sandy Morckel (614-306-8856 | smorckel@gmail.com)
RCCF Grant Applications Being Accepted Through March 1
The Rotary Club of Charleston Fund (RCCF) is accepting requests for grants. Interested organizations are required to submit a Letter of Inquiry and complete a grant application prior to March 1 to be considered. The application and other details regarding the grant process can be found on our club’s website — www.charleston-rotary.org. For more information, please contact RCCF Chair, Lisa Van Bergen at lvanbergen0530@gmail.com.
Port Tour in lieu of Feb. 27th Meeting – RSVP Needed
In lieu of our regularly scheduled lunch meeting on Feb. 27 th , we will be doing a tour of the Wando Welch terminal through the Ports Authority. Jeanne Jamme has been instrumental in arranging this, and needs a headcount. Please RSVP through the link below. More details below and sign up form here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-47417064-rotary
Reminder: All attendees must present a valid government issued photo ID to go on the tour. No exceptions.
- Location: SCPA Headquarters, 200 Ports Authority Drive, Mt. Pleasant, SC
- 12:00 pm – Lunch
- 12:30 pm – Bus Tour of the Wando Terminal
- 1:15 pm – Return to SCPA HQ
- Directions: The meeting will be at SCPA HQ at 200 Ports Authority Dr. Coming from I-526, take the Longpoint Rd exit towards the Wando Terminal. Turn right at the 1st light onto Wando Park Blvd. and then left on Ports Authority Drive. The HQ building is NOT accessible to you from the Wando Terminal. Parking is available in front of SCPA Headquarters.
- Lunch Menu: Chicken Piccata with Capers, Mushrooms, & Fresh Lemon, Rice Pilaf, Fresh Seasonal Vegetables, and Garden Salad, Assorted Cookies
Rotary District Conference – March 22-24 in Charleston
We have a wonderful opportunity this year as the annual Rotary District Conference will be held here in Charleston at the Francis Marion during the weekend of March 22. Conference registration is open to all Rotarians. If you are interested in attending, please sign up quickly as the conference is limited to only 330 registrants. This is a fun and informative event and you have an opportunity to learn more about Rotary in our District, in our Clubs and the wonderful things we are doing in our local communities and around the world. We have great speakers and fun events, and there is still time register. The rate is $350.
The registration link is in the DACdb District Calendar and below for your convenience. Just click on District on the home page and then District Calendar.
https://www.dacdb.com/Register4/index.cfm?EventID=77675037
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
Members are encouraged 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
Happy 104th Anniversary to our Rotary Club, which was founded on Feb. 3, 1920
President Cleave and Membership Chair, Michael Smith, had the honor of presenting BLUE badges to Reeves Connelly, Connor Spangler, Kathleen Stevens and Stacy Ware. Congratulations to these members on successfully completing all the new member (RED badge) requirements!
Proposed New Members
The following membership candidates have submitted an application and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
Jane Horetsky – sponsor: Sandy Morckel; classification: Eleemosynary Exec.
Denise Kaufman – sponsor: Stefany Ceccato; classification: IT/Mgmt
Steve Latteri – sponsor: Jerry Kozel; classification: Life Coaching
Tucker O’Brien – sponsor: Channing Proctor; classification: Technology/Sales
In the event you know Jane, Denise, Steve or Tucker, please tell a member of the Board how they will serve the ideals of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Rotarian: James Dusenberry
JOINED: January 2, 2023
SPONSOR: Virginia Lawrence & Michael Smith
CLASSIFICATION: Banking/Commercial
PROFESSION: First Citizens Bank
Community Service Organizations, Current Activities or Activities/Volunteer Work in the Past: The Citadel Campus Director of FCA, STAR Center (Jackson), SC Army National Guard
SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF Fluent in French
Birthdays
- 2/13 – Leslie McDowell
- 2/14 – Harry Staley, Richard Parker
- 2/15 – Owen Clary
- 2/16 – Sarah Dolan
- 2/17 – Tim Hefferon
- 2/19 – Tom Feeney
WELLNESS TIP
Establish a fitness routine
Regular exercise is a powerful way to maintain good health and prevent chronic conditions. Find activities you enjoy, whether it is walking, cycling, dancing or yoga, and incorporate them into your routine. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, and include strength training at least twice a week. Physical activity not only enhances your fitness level, but also contributes to improved mood and stress management.
OTHER AREA ROTARY CLUBS
Mondays
https://www.cainhoyrotary.com/
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
Wednesdays
Daniel Island: 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Daniel Island Club, 600 Island Park Dr., Daniel Island
Mount Pleasant: 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Hibben Methodist Church, 690 Coleman Blvd., Mount Pleasant
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: Cleave Ham
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