Rotary Club of Charleston

08/17/2026

Showing up. Speaking up. Serving others. That’s Rotary.

This past week’s meeting of the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston was a powerful reminder that Rotary’s greatest strength has always been its people.

We were honored to welcome District Governor Herman Dixon, who challenged us with three simple asks:

Participate. Speak up. Live and promote the Rotary lifestyle.

His message was clear: strong Rotarians build strong clubs, strong clubs build stronger communities, and together, we change lives.

We also had the privilege of celebrating people who are already living that message.

👏 Amber McFail was recognized with a Rotary Thank You Pin for the many ways she gives her time, talents, and energy in service to our Charleston community.

🏆 Channing Proctor was recognized by District Governor Dixon for exemplifying the Four-Way Test through his leadership, integrity, service, and commitment to helping others.

And perhaps the theme of the entire meeting was summed up best in one simple idea:

Show up.

Show up for the meeting.
Show up for the service project.
Show up for the new member.
Show up for the person who needs encouragement.
Show up for Charleston.

For more than a century, members of the Rotary Club of Charleston have been doing exactly that, and we’re excited about what comes next.

Thank you to District Governor Herman Dixon for joining us, encouraging us, and reminding us that the greatest investment we can make is an investment in people.

08/05/2026

08/05/2026

Great people. Great conversations. Great fellowship.

Yesterday’s Rotary Social at the Elliotborough Mini Bar was another reminder that some of the best Rotary moments happen outside of our weekly meetings.

From reconnecting with longtime friends to welcoming new members, the afternoon was filled with meaningful conversations, plenty of laughter, and new relationships being built. That’s what Rotary is all about.

Congratulations to our four lucky raffle winners, and thank you to everyone who came out and made it such a fun event!

A special thank you to Jeff for hosting us at the Elliotborough Mini Bar and to Charlie Jablon for organizing another outstanding Rotary Social. Your efforts help bring our club together in a way that strengthens the friendships that make Rotary so special.

If you missed this one, don’t worry. We can’t wait to see you at the next Rotary Social!

07/29/2026

Where leaders gather, friendships grow, and service becomes action.

This week’s meeting of the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston reflected the many ways Rotary creates lasting impact across our community.

We welcomed two new members, Manny Rogers and Jonathan Savitske, into the fellowship of Rotary. We look forward to seeing the experience, energy, and commitment to service they bring to our Club.

We also recognized Alissa Lietzow with our Community Impact Award for her work expanding access to justice and removing barriers for those who need support. Her leadership, humility, and ability to bring people together represent the very best of Service Above Self.

Past President Cleve provided an important update on the Rotary Club of Charleston Fund. Since 2007, our grants have supported more than 115 organizations with approximately $295,000 in funding for local health, education, and community welfare initiatives.

The next grant cycle opens August 1. Rotary members may sponsor one qualified application per cycle for a specific, one-year project serving Charleston County. The first 12 eligible applications will be considered, so we encourage members to identify organizations doing meaningful work in our community.

Our featured speaker was College of Charleston President Andrew Hsu, who shared the remarkable momentum underway at one of Charleston’s most historic institutions.

Under Dr. Hsu’s leadership, the College has:
• Increased annual applications from approximately 11,000 to nearly 34,000
• Prepared to welcome the largest freshman class in its history
• Expanded engineering, health sciences, nursing, and doctoral programs
• Secured significant philanthropic support for scholarships, facilities, and academic programs
• Continued investing in student success, career readiness, and the future workforce of the Lowcountry

Dr. Hsu also addressed the challenges facing higher education, including increased competition, demographic changes, artificial intelligence, housing, and the changing landscape of college athletics.
His message was clear. The College of Charleston is honoring its 256-year tradition while preparing students and our community for what comes next.

We closed the meeting with a reminder of what makes Rotary special:
It is where leaders gather.
It is where friendships grow.
It is where gratitude becomes service.
And it is where service becomes action.

We hope to see you at the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston because Tuesdays are for Rotary.

July 28th, 2026

07/27/2026

We are honored to welcome Dr. Andrew Hsu, President of the College of Charleston, as our featured speaker tomorrow at the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston! If you'd like to attend, please register here: https://lnkd.in/ej9iJW9u

As the leader of one of America’s most historic institutions of higher education and the oldest municipal college in the United States, Dr. Hsu will share his perspective on the future of higher education, the evolving needs of today’s students, and the important role the College of Charleston plays in shaping our community.

Whether you are an alumnus, business leader, educator, student, or simply passionate about Charleston’s future, this promises to be an insightful and engaging conversation.

📍 Historic Rotary Club of Charleston
🗓️ Tomorrow, Tuesday
🕛 12:30 PM

Guests are always welcome!

Registration is required for guests attending in person.
We hope to see you there!

07/22/2026

Tuesdays are for Rotary!

This week’s meeting of the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston demonstrated exactly what makes Rotary so special: fellowship, service, meaningful conversations, and people taking action to strengthen their communities.

We welcomed an outstanding group of guests and prospective members, celebrated the return of Silva Goja to our Rotary family, and heard an exciting update on our Bikes for Africa project.

More than 300 bicycles are currently making their way from Charleston to Durban, South Africa, where Rotary clubs will help distribute them to people who can put them to good use. Thank you to every Rotarian who collected, stored, transported, and loaded the bicycles. This project is a powerful example of how local service can create an international impact.

Our featured speaker was fellow Rotarian and South Carolina State Senator Ed Sutton, who provided an open and engaging recap of the recent legislative session.

Senator Sutton discussed several issues affecting Charleston and communities across South Carolina, including:

• Transportation infrastructure and SCDOT reform
• Flooding and congestion in the Lowcountry
• Affordable and workforce housing
• Data center regulation and utility costs
• Support for veterans
• Public safety and DUI reform
• Property tax relief for longtime residents
• Protecting young people from dangerous nitrous oxide products
• The importance of bipartisan cooperation

One of the most encouraging takeaways was hearing how a concern raised by a West Ashley mother became legislation in less than a year. It was a strong reminder that public service often begins with one citizen speaking up and one elected leader willing to listen.

Thank you, Senator Sutton, for your service, transparency, and willingness to answer our questions.

Every Tuesday, our members come from different professions, backgrounds, and perspectives, but we are united by a shared commitment to Service Above Self.

Who in your network is already a Rotarian and simply does not know it yet?

We hope to see you at the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston because Tuesdays are for Rotary!

July 21st, 2026

07/16/2026

Tuesdays are for Rotary.

Every Tuesday, leaders from across the Charleston community gather with one purpose: to make our community stronger.

This week’s meeting was a reminder that Rotary is much more than a weekly lunch. It is a place where history, leadership, service, and relationships come together.

We began a new Rotary year by reflecting on something simple but powerful: meaningful change rarely comes from one grand act. It is built through consistent acts of integrity, compassion, generosity, and service.

Our meeting also highlighted what makes the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston special:

• Welcoming prospective members, visiting Rotarians, and community leaders who are looking for ways to make a difference.
• Recognizing those who quietly serve behind the scenes. Congratulations to Jay Gibson, who was honored as an additional Rotarian of the Year for his unwavering commitment to our club.
• Learning from Dr. Elizabeth Chew, CEO of the South Carolina Historical Society, who reminded us that preserving our history helps us build a better future. Her passion for protecting South Carolina’s stories was inspiring and a great reminder that our community’s legacy deserves to be preserved for future generations.
• Looking ahead to service opportunities like One80 Place’s Healing Kitchen, Lowcountry Orphan Relief, and the upcoming Charleston Rotary Charitable Fund grant cycle that supports nonprofits throughout our region.

One quote from our closing remarks stood out:

“Making a difference isn’t reserved for extraordinary moments. It’s found in ordinary Tuesdays like today.”

That perfectly describes Rotary.

If you’re looking to build meaningful relationships, serve alongside people who care deeply about Charleston, hear from outstanding speakers, and become part of something larger than yourself, we’d love to have you join us.

Come visit the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston on a Tuesday. You may discover it’s the best meeting of your week.

07/11/2026

What an incredible evening at the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston's 2026 Annual Fundraiser!

While our featured raffle prizes generated plenty of excitement, from a luxury Turks & Caicos getaway to a Charleston staycation, North Carolina wine country escape, and a private sunset harbor cruise, the true highlight of the evening wasn't what we gave away.

It was who came together.

Business leaders. Nonprofit leaders. Entrepreneurs. Community advocates. Neighbors. Friends.

People from across the Charleston community gathered with a shared purpose: to build relationships, strengthen our community, and support Rotary's mission of Service Above Self.

One of the things I appreciate most about Rotary is that every event is bigger than the event itself. It's about creating connections that lead to meaningful service, supporting organizations that make our community stronger, and bringing together people who genuinely want to make a difference.

A special thank you to McMillan Pazdan Smith for graciously hosting this year's event in their beautiful office. We are especially grateful to fellow Rotarian Katherine Demoura for helping make the evening possible. Your generosity, hospitality, and commitment to our club are deeply appreciated.

Thank you as well to our sponsors, donors, volunteers, Rotarians, and every guest who attended and helped make this year's fundraiser such a success. Your generosity and support allow us to continue investing in projects and organizations that create lasting impact throughout the Lowcountry.

Charleston is a better place because of people who choose to serve.

If you've ever wondered what Rotary is all about, I'd love to invite you to join us for a meeting and experience it firsthand. Reach out. I'd be happy to introduce you to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston.

07/06/2026

Leadership matters. Service matters. Legacy matters.

This week marked the close of another incredible Rotary year for the Historic Rotary Club of Downtown Charleston as we concluded our 106th year of serving the Charleston community.

A heartfelt thank you to our outgoing President, Karla Combs, and our Board of Directors for leading with integrity, vision, and a true commitment to Rotary's motto: Service Above Self. Your dedication has strengthened our club and positioned us well for the future.

We were also honored to welcome our new President, Marion Platt, Ed.D. , along with our newly installed Board of Directors. Marion looks forward to serving alongside this club's outstanding members as we continue building on more than a century of service to our community.

One of the highlights of the evening was recognizing two exceptional Rotarians:
🏆 Charles Jablon was named Rookie Rotarian of the Year, an award that reflects his immediate impact, enthusiasm, and commitment to serving others.
🏆 Mike Sottak was honored as Rotarian of the Year, receiving the Bill Hall Award. Named in honor of the late Bill Hall, founder of Halls Chophouse, devoted Rotarian, and community leader. This award represents the highest standard of service and leadership within our club. Bill's legacy continues to inspire each of us, and Mike exemplifies those same values through his unwavering commitment to Rotary and the Charleston community.

As one Rotary year ends and another begins, we're reminded that the strength of Rotary has never been found in a single president or board. It is found in generations of people who choose to put service above self and leave their communities better than they found them.

Here's to another year of making a lasting impact.