March 28, 2007

Last Meeting
March 28, 2007

Reporter – Bob Berry

President Molly called the meeting to order and the invocation was provided. Sergeant-at Arms, John Hanson introduced our guests.

President Molly told us that some 950 Rotarians from around the state attended last week’s statewide District Conference. At the conference, we were awarded Service Citations. Molly also announced that April 19th is the District Assembly in Florence, SC for all incoming officers.

Our Club has approved 25 student scholarships for the “Alive at 25” program at
Dutch Fork High School. Ben Herritage is leading our golf tournament and if
you can help, please let him know.

Patty Cavanaugh introduced Gary Watts, Richland County Coroner, as our guest
speaker. Mr. Watts explained that the Coroner’s Office is used for five identification processes. These processes are: visual id., fingerprint, dental records, x-rays and DNA. One of the most important duties of the Coroner’s Office is the Care Team which is made up of faith-based and mental health professionals in our community. They are sent to survivors to just listen and provide assistance as required.

The Coroner’s Office has a $1,100,000 annual budget and spends approximately
$600,000 per year on pathology. The office has 18 investigators and handles about 2,500 cases a year. Mr. Watts said, “A child’s death is the most difficult time in dealing with families.” Child abuse cases are everywhere. Typically, SIDS has been linked to child abuse in many cases.

Other duties of the Coroner’s Office are to pronounce death in the absence
of a physician; confirm no signs of life; estimate the time of death; and the cause and manner of death. He also told us that whenever there is a single-vehicle accident related death, that an autopsy is required. We were privileged to have Mr. Watts as our speaker.

President Molly adjourned the meeting.