Rotary Club of Charleston

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

Some Rotary meetings remind us why we serve. This was one of them. 💙💛

This Tuesday, the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston gathered for an afternoon of fellowship, celebration, and a powerful reminder of the difference Rotary can make around the world.

We had the privilege of hearing from fellow Rotarian and polio survivor Bleecker, who shared his remarkable firsthand experience battling polio as a young boy, long before vaccines were available.

His story reminded us why Rotary International’s mission to eradicate polio remains so important. We have come an extraordinary distance, but the work is not finished.

Other highlights from our meeting included:

Welcoming two new Rotarians, Katie Hyslop and Andrew Porio! We’re excited to have their talents, experiences, and passion for service joining our club.

Recognizing Goss, CEO of Community Foundation, with our Rotary Thank You Pin for his leadership and commitment to improving lives throughout the Lowcountry.

Celebrating our Youth Exchange student, Sarah, from Finland, and the friendships Rotary creates across borders.

Supporting End Polio Now through our Blue Bucket contributions, including a generous matching challenge from one of our members.

We also enjoyed getting to know fellow Rotarian Chris Geel, Geel & Gentry, through our member spotlight.

For more than a century, the Rotary Club of Charleston has brought people together around a shared purpose: Service Above Self.

And this week’s meeting was another reminder that when we come together, we can make a difference far beyond Charleston.

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

10/09/2026

The BIG story: Charleston LIFE Scholarship
A new chapter in service begins. 💙💛

Last week marked a special moment for the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston, one we hope will impact students for generations to come.

Our club announced a new partnership with the College of Charleston’s Charleston LIFE™ program, creating a scholarship for a student with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, with preference given to a student from the Charleston County School District. Learn more here: https://charleston.edu/charleston-life/index.php

The commitment begins with a $6,000 annual scholarship for four years, totaling $24,000 for one student.

But we don't want the impact to end there.

The Rotary Club of Charleston is also establishing an endowment at the College of Charleston, beginning with $20,000 in seed funding and a goal of reaching at least $50,000. The vision is to create a source of scholarship support that can continue well into the future.

This is what Service Above Self can look like: opening doors, creating opportunities, and investing in people in ways that can last long after any of us are gone.

Thank you to everyone whose leadership and generosity helped turn this idea into action, and to our partners at the College of Charleston for helping us create what we hope will become an enduring Rotary legacy.

How can you help support? You can give here with this link: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/59839/donations/new?a=9749107&amt=100.00

Creating lasting impact, one student at a time.

10/01/2026

Two little girls traveled halfway around the world to Charleston for a chance at life.

Forty years ago, in October 1986, sisters Soo Jin Sul, age 8, and Soo Kyung Sul, age 3, came from Korea to Charleston with serious heart conditions.

Through Charleston Rotary’s newly created "Gift of Life" program, the sisters underwent successful open-heart surgeries at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)

It was a remarkable community effort. Rotarians and Rotary partners raised more than $14,000 to help cover hospital costs, MUSC physicians donated their professional services, and Rotary clubs in Korea helped make the girls’ journey to Charleston possible.

And the story didn’t end with two sisters.

What began as a Charleston Rotary project grew into a Rotary International District 7770 initiative, helping more children receive life-changing heart surgery.

Forty years later, Soo Jin and Soo Kyung’s story reminds us of what can happen when people come together around one simple idea:

A child’s opportunity for a healthy life should know no borders.

Different countries. One community of people willing to help.

That’s Service Above Self.

09/21/2026

**Charleston woke up to a different world.**

Homes were damaged. Trees that had stood for generations were gone. Power was out. Families were displaced. Familiar streets and neighborhoods were nearly unrecognizable.

On September 21, 1989, Hurricane Hugo came ashore and left a scar on the Lowcountry that many Charlestonians still remember vividly 37 years later.

But in the devastation, something else emerged: **neighbors helping neighbors.**

Charleston Rotarians went to work. Members helped operate shelters and soup kitchens, distributed food, clothing and other necessities, and gave their time and resources to people throughout the community.

It was Service Above Self when Charleston needed it most.

Hugo will always be remembered for what it took from our community. But it also showed us something about Charleston that remains true today:

**When our neighbors need us, Charleston shows up.**

Different generation. Different challenges. Same commitment to service.

09/15/2026

On September 1st we were honored to welcome guest speaker David Wallace, president of Scout Boats. Dave has been with the company since January 2000, previously serving as Senior Vice President/COO starting in 2010. Scout designs and manufactures world-class luxury boats ranging from 17’ to 67’, each built with timeless innovations, technology, and trendsetting features. Alluring lines, high performance, and a history of commitment blend seamlessly with an eye toward the future, with every model shaped and molded by the Scout family with uncanny attention to detail.

It’s a great example of the caliber of businesses calling Charleston home, and why Rotary makes a point of learning directly from the people leading them.

Thank you to David Wallace for joining us and sharing the Scout Boats story.

09/15/2026

82 years ago, on September 15, 1944, the Charleston Community and War Chest was formally chartered, helping lay the foundation for what would become Trident United Way.

Members of the Rotary Club of Charleston were part of that broader Community Chest story, serving alongside other civic leaders who believed Charleston could accomplish more when people worked together.

That same spirit still matters today.

For more than eight decades, Trident United Way has continued bringing people, organizations and resources together to strengthen our community, and we are proud that Charleston Rotary has been connected to that story from its early days.

Happy 82nd anniversary to our friends at Trident United Way.

Here’s to 82 years of service, partnership and a stronger Charleston.

09/01/2026

This past week’s meeting of the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston gave us a front-row seat to the forces shaping our region’s economic future.

We were honored to welcome guest speaker David Ginn, head of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA). David leads the CRDA with vision and innovation, helping attract high-paying companies and outside capital investment to the Lowcountry, work that continues to diversify our local economy and strengthen Charleston’s standing among U.S. markets.

It’s a reminder that Rotary isn’t just about service projects, it’s also about staying connected to the people building Charleston’s future.

Mark your calendars: our September Social is set for Tuesday, September 8th (no regular meeting that day) at Sunsets on Shem Creek. More info to come, see you on the water!

Thank you to David Ginn for joining us and sharing your insight into Charleston’s growth.

August 25th, 2026

08/24/2026

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

This past week’s meeting of the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston brought a fascinating look at where business and technology are headed.

We were honored to welcome guest speaker Dr. Kamyar Goudarzi of the College of Charleston.

🎓 Dr. Goudarzi’s work focuses on strategy, competitive dynamics, and how businesses navigate changing environments. He shared pieces of his own personal journey and led us through a thoughtful exploration of the modern and future uses of artificial intelligence, giving our members plenty to think about as we head back to our own businesses and industries.

Conversations like this are exactly why Rotary matters: bringing together sharp minds from across Charleston to learn from one another and grow together.

Mark your calendars: our September Social is set for Tuesday, September 8th (no regular meeting that day) at Sunsets on Shem Creek. More details to come, see you on the water!

For more than a century, members of the Rotary Club of Charleston have been showing up, learning, connecting, and serving. We’re excited for what’s next.

Thank you to Dr. Goudarzi for joining us and sharing your expertise with our club.

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.