The Charleston Rotary Board is is following the CDC’s recommendation is to wear a mask for all indoor activities where cases are high. The Board recommends wearing a mask when not actively eating or drinking.

VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE IS STILL AN OPTION. Look for the invitation via email.


Invoices for the January 1. 2022 – June 30, 2022 period have been emailed. You may pay on our website at www.charlestonrotary.com. After logging in you will have an option to Renew, Update or Upgrade your membership. If you prefer you may bring a check to a meeting or send it to P.O. Box 111 Charleston, WV 25321. If you prefer to have a hard copy mailed to you, please let Mary Cook know.


January 31, 2022
Nate Burton
Athletic Director WVSU
Introduced by Mary Cook


Nate Burton enters his sixth year as the Director of Athletics at West Virginia State University in 2021-22.

Former president of WVSU Brian O. Hemphill appointed Burton as the Interim Athletic Director in 2016. He made an instant impact as an administrator and swiftly assumed the role on a permanent basis.

Burton started at West Virginia State in 2014 as the Director of Development. He brought a wealth of experience in athletic development with him and instantly bolstered the status of fundraising activities associated with the athletic department.

Prior to joining WVSU in October of 2014, Burton served as the Assistant Director for Athletic Development – The Seahawk Club at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington (UNCW). He was responsible for planning, developing, and implementing fundraising initiatives for athletic scholarships. He assisted with the creation and implementation of the Dub Club initiative, which allowed supporters to form their own ‘Dub Club’ based on common interests. The different clubs competed throughout the year to raise scholarship funds for UNCW Athletics. This initiative raised over $325,000, helping the Seahawk Club increase its fundraising by more than 40 percent over the previous year. He also coordinated a volunteer effort to kickstart the Seahawk Club benefits program.  

Furthermore, Burton served as the Assistant Director of External Relations – Athletics at High Point University. During his tenure at High Point University, he assisted with sponsorships for regional businesses and supported the Panther Club’s annual fundraising efforts. He oversaw all marketing, including materials and game-day operations for multiple sports.

Burton worked at Clemson University, where he served as the IPTAY Scholarship Fund Intern in the athletic department. He assisted in soliciting members and managing the IPTAY Collegiate Club, the IPTAY Rewards Program, and the IPTAY Discount Program. He hosted donor events, including the 2012 BCS Discover Orange Bowl. Other responsibilities included creating and implementing the marketing plan for the 2011 men’s and women’s soccer season. During that season, Clemson’s soccer team set a new regular-season attendance record for a men’s soccer game (7,423). Home attendance for men’s soccer games was ranked No. 10 nationally that year (No. 20 in 2010). 

Burton began his career as a graduate assistant for the Big Green Scholarship Foundation at Marshall University, where he earned a master’s degree in Sports Management in December of 2011. He assisted with daily operations and provided support to the program with the Football Enhancement Fund and Tip-Off Club.  He also planned special events and worked directly with donors on logistics, including ticketing and game day arrangements.

Burton graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in 2009, where he was a four-year starter on the men’s basketball team. In 2008-09, he helped lead the team to a 20-10 overall record for the program’s second 20-win season. That year ended with Washington and Jefferson College winning the ECAC Division III Championship.

Burton has two children, Arabella and Sean, and resides in South Charleston.


January 31, 2022
Brian Poore
Earl “Sleepy” Lloyd
Introduced by David Hicks

Come join us in-person or online to hear from Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Bryan Poore who is entering his 23rd season at West Virginia State University in 2021-22 and the driving force behind the documentary surrounding Earl Lloyd, the first African-American to play in the NBA.

Poore is 352-284 (0.553) overall since taking the helm at WVSU in 1999, making him the winningest coach in program history.

Poore returned to West Virginia State after spending three years as an assistant on Greg White’s coaching staff at Marshall University. Prior to that stint, he worked on White’s staff for five years at the University of Charleston. During his last year at UC, Poore was named Interim Head Coach while White took a one-year sabbatical to be an assistant on Jim Harrick’s staff at UCLA. Poore also served as Charleston’s NCAA Compliance Coordinator while he was there.

A native of Winfield, W.Va., Poore worked as an assistant under Tex Williams for one year at Alderson-Broaddus. Additionally, he was the assistant coach for the varsity team and the head coach for the freshman team at Hurricane High School for two seasons.

Poore directed Greg White’s ultra-successful summer basketball camps at both UC and Marshall University for eight years. He now directs his own elite camp each summer at WVSU.

Poore graduated from West Virginia State in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. He earned his master’s degree in Physical Education from Marshall University in 1994.

Poore resides in the Spring Hill neighborhood of South Charleston with his wife, Jennifer, and two kids, Trevor and Anna. He enjoys playing golf and watching NASCAR in his spare time.

Disclaimer: This meeting may be recorded and may be published on various social platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and websites. You can protect your identity by not providing access to your camera, revising your registration name, or limiting your participation.


Mark Your Calendar

Cost: $45 per person (combo ticket includes pre-concert reception with complimentary beer, wine, champagne, and heavy hors d’oeuvres as well as concert ticket)

Time/Date: Pre-concert reception, 6:30pm, Concert 7:30pm; Saturday February 26, 2022

Location: Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of WV

  • Rotary will have a block of 60 tickets held for the concert
  • Deadline for guaranteed tickets is Friday, February 18, 2022 (1 week before the concert)
  • All Rotary Club of Charleston purchased tickets will be held at will-call for pickup at the Clay Center under the Rotarian’s name beginning Tuesday, February 22, 2022. The box office hours are Tuesday–Friday, 10:00am–5:00pm. Tickets on Saturday, February 26, 2022 can be picked up beginning at 10:00am through the beginning of the concert at 7:30pm. Club members are encouraged to pick up their tickets ahead of the concert to reduce wait time the night of the event.
  • Information on ticket purchase coming soon.

The Program Committee invites any and all members to join us every Monday at 1:00 in our meeting room. We only meet for 20-30 minutes and we plan our weekly speakers. We need new energy and encourage all members to join us!


Vaccines are encouraged! The Board of Directors is in full support of the Governor’s, as well as the Health Department’s, efforts to vaccinate the citizens of our great State and County. We encourage all members to support this effort and get vaccinated. If you are still in need of a vaccine, please go to www.vaccinefinder.org and locate a vaccine site near you. You can even make an appointment there. If you do not use the internet, you can also call the WV COVID Vaccine Hotline at 1-833-734-0965 and they will help you schedule an appointment.


LOCAL ROTARY CLUB MAKE-UP LOCATIONS

MONDAY
The Program Committee will resume weekly meetings at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center when in-person meetings commence, directly after the regularly scheduled meeting. Parking is free just let the parking attendant know you are with the Rotary Club of Charleston.

TUESDAY
Putnam Rotary Club Meeting begins at 12:00 noon at Area 34
7013, 971 WV-34 in Hurricane.

WEDNESDAY
Vandalia Club meets at Edgewood Country Club Wednesdays from 7:30 am – 8:30 am. The last Wednesday of the month is a social or service project.

THURSDAY
St. Albans Rotary Club meets every Thursday at 12:00 noon in their new meeting location at City National Bank 560 4th Street,  Saint Albans, WV 25177.

South Charleston Rotary Club meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 12:00 noon. Meetings are located at Little Creek Country Club, South Charleston, WV.

Other Ways to Make-up a Meeting:
1. The board unanimously approved another avenue to get additional credit for attendance. In addition to attending a committee meeting, doing an online make-up, or visiting another Rotary Club you can now get one meeting credit for every new member prospect/guest you bring to a regular Monday meeting. The credit will apply during the same quarter in which you bring the potential member/guest. This is a great way to both make up attendance and recruit new members into our club. Contact Paul White with questions.

2. To attend a make-up meeting on-line, click the link below: Rotary Club Online make-up location: http://www.rotaryeclubone.org/  The online system is set up to provide written confirmation of the make-up to the person who actually did it. The member is then responsible for providing confirmation to their Rotary Club Administrator. Please forward a copy of your confirmation letter to rotarycwv@gmail.com to receive proper credit.