October 19, 2004
President-elect Smith offers glimpse into convention trip
JUNE 1, 2004 - The Club held a Spring Social this week at the City Gallery in lieu of its normal business meeting. Attendees were treated to good food, good art, and good company. Because there was no speaker on which to report, the Keyway is instead including the following report from Mark Smith, who attended the Rotary International Convention in Japan this month.
Mark's Report:
My wife, Elayne and I recently attended the 95th Annual Rotary International Convention in Osaka, Japan on May 23-26th. The Convention Committee and Host Organization Committee did an excellent job with the agenda, programs and social events considering there were 45,560 Registrants and 111 Countries represented and in attendance.
The opening Plenary Session was most impressive. We were welcomed by the Prefecture Governor and the Mayor of Osaka, followed by the Presentation of the Flags of the Rotary World. The past presidents were introduced, and then Rotary International President Jonathon Majiyagbe (from Nigeria) delivered a wonderful presentation and recap of Rotary's good work in vocational and international service, water management, population and health concerns, literacy and education. There were lots of celebrations of Interact and Youth Exchange, RYLA, The Rotary Foundation, and the family of Rotary, as well as several other causes and programs close to Rotarians' hearts.
The second plenary session spotlighted the Centennial and the many ways Rotarians can celebrate this Rotary milestone while preparing for a new century of success. There was a Centennial book signing by all the past presidents present and the author, and a president and president-elect recognition luncheon.
The third plenary session opened with a presentation of the Rotary World Peace Award for Understanding and Peace to the Tim Parry Jonathan Ball Trust. Then the Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair, James Lacey, addressed the convention with an inspirational overview of the Foundation's work to do good in the world.
The fourth and last Plenary Session looked to the future of Rotary, and President-elect Glenn Estess addressed the convention about the areas of focus for the Centennial Year of Rotary.
I would encourage everyone to get involved this year in our club in some capacity. I could not be more honored than I am to lead us into the Centennial Year of Rotary as your President-elect. I look forward to working with each and everyone one of you as we celebrate together the 100th Anniversary of Rotary. God Bless all of you and all the good work Rotarians do in our community, country, and world.
-- Amy Jenkins
July 27, 2004
Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy
Pastoral care and counseling for those who risk their lives for us
July 27, 2004 - - Rob Dewey, Senior Chaplain and Founder of Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, spoke to Rotarians about the counseling needs of our fire, police and EMS rescue professionals and the stress they undergo everyday in the line of duty. CCC ministers to these fire, police, and
Founded in 1990, CCC also provides on-scene early intervention at emergency scenes by responding with trained clergy. Oftentimes, if a victim of an accident or other emergency situation requires ministering, the patient’s priest from his/her church can be called by a Chaplain. CCC’s 15 current volunteers also network with Chaplains from area hospitals and Chaplains at the Citadel. Emergency personnel and their families also benefit from CCC counseling for on-the-job stress and pressure. According to statistics, suicide takes more emergency personnel's lives than duty, so this ministry is especially important.
CCC responds to emergencies locally, statewide, and nationally. Locally, Chaplains respond to automobile accidents, suicide attempts and other emergency situations in the
We are proud of our fellow Rotarian who has formed the first Crisis Chaplaincy program in
July 20, 2004
Charleston in the era of Porgy and Bess
Local author and professor explores Charleston’s rich literary heritage
July 20, 2004 - - Jim Hutchisson, Ph. D., author and Professor of English at the Citadel, enlightened Rotarians this week with a unique glimpse into Charleston’s literary "Renaissance era of the 1920s and 1930s. His journey to this often overlooked time in Charleston’s history was initiated by a friend's suggestion to research Dubose Heyward, the author of Porgy and Bess which was famously adapted as a folk opera by George Gershwin in 1935.
While Professor Hutchisson was involved professionally in many endeavors and had written books on such figures as Sinclair Lewis, he claimed that finding a good book topic was somewhat of a challenge. When his friend suggested Dubose Heyward as a subject, Hutchisson did not know much about the author, except that he had written Porgy and Bess. He knew even less about Charleston’s popularity in literary circles in the 1920s, which came to be known as the Renaissance era of
Hutchisson wrote his biography of Dubose Heyward in 2000 with research from the South Carolina Historical Society, which housed most of Heyward's letters and correspondence. This research also revealed how Heyward was a full partner in the production, writing many of the lyrics for the songs in the opera as well as the libretto, and finding the actors and actresses to portray his characters. Porgy and Bess brought fame to
July 13, 2004
Club Assembly is combined with literacy spotlight
Head of the Trident Literacy Association shed light on local illiteracy challenges
July 13, 2004 - - Today Mark Smith conducted his first meeting, a Club Assembly, as Club President. As part of the Club Assembly, each of the new Directors made a brief presentation about their goals for the coming year and thanked those Rotarians who have agreed to serve on various committees. Smith also identified a number of club-wide goals for the coming year including: focusing on literacy; holding a fundraiser; showcasing members' workplaces to fellow members; establishing a sister club relationship with a Rotary club in another country; and substantially increasing the base of the Charleston Rotary Fund by raising $100,000.00.
The TLA was founded in 1972 by a group of volunteers who simply matched students with tutors. Today, it is a registered non-profit that provides numerous services including: adult basic education; instruction in reading, writing and mathematics; family-oriented literacy programs; life skills training; job readiness training; GED preparation; English as a second language courses; and computer usage courses. Volunteers are always needed and should call 747-2223 to help.
July 1, 2004
Rotary leadership changes hands
Mark Smith steps in to fill Anita Zucker's "huge shoes" as President