Greenville Peace and Dialogue Dinner 2013
Atlantic Institute (formerly South Carolina Dialogue Foundation) hosted their third annual Dialogue Dinner on September 27th, 2013 at Embassy Suites. This years dinner was themed "Altruism: The Selfless Concern for the Welfare of Others" which coincides with the Year of Altruism Movement throughout Greenville.
The foundation hosted two speakers, Michael Cogdill, Lead Anchor/Reporter with WYFF4 and Former Senator Mike Rose. Both were fantastic speakers and used their personal life stories to portray a picture of Altruism for the participants. Michael Cogdill spoke of a barber on Augusta Rd that would feed the homeless, Saul in Sylva, NC that cared for his community and a wonderful story of Mildred Glass that fed those she lived by, and finished with a touching story of his mother...Former Senator Mike Rose spoke of the story of his teacher loaning him $12 and what that impact that did for his life to the Adopt a Cow program he started up...There was not a sound heard during the entire dinner as both of these men captivated the audience with their experiences.
The event concluded with Rabbi Marc Wilson and Bob St. Claire, as the Founders of the Year of Altruism Movement, being recipients of our "Exceptional Contribution to Society" awards. Their words moved and inspired the audience as well. It's fair to say that all that left were left uplifted and confident in society and the dialogue that will take place in the year to come.
Columbia Peace and Dialogue Dinner 2013
Atlantic Institute (formerly South Carolina Dialogue Foundation) Columbia Branch was pleased to host its 6th Annual Dialogue Dinner on Monday, September 30, 2012 at the Columbia Embassy Suites Hotel under the theme of "Altruism: The Selfless Concern for the Welfare of Others."
The Master of Cermony for the evening was Roddie Buriss from the State Newspaper. He introduced our Keynote Speakers Sheriff Leon Lott, Richland County Sheriff's Department and Dr. Elvan Aktas, Associate Professor of Finance, Valdosta State University, who delivered wonderful insights and personal experiences about Altruism.
Charleston Peace and Dialogue Dinner 2013
Atlantic Institute (formerly South Carolina Dialogue Foundation) celebrated the 4th Annual Dialogue Dinner in Charleston on October 3, 2013 at the Embassy Suites in North Charleston. The dinner commenced with a warm welcome by the Emcee, Ms. Mel Alm, a Minister at Seacoast Church in Mt. Pleasant. The President of the Atlantic Institute (formerly South Carolina Dialogue Foundation), Akif Aydin, proceeded with a motivating introduction on the dinner's theme of "Altruism: The Selfless Concern for Others".
Following this introduction was a wonderful dinner enjoyed by all! Guests took this time to 'break bread' with one another and get to know their neighbor. After the dinner, coffee and dessert were enjoyed while listening to Dr. Brian McGee, Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President for Executive Administration at the College of Charleston, and Dr. Mustafa Sahin, Director of Academic Affairs at the Istanbul Center in Atlanta, GA.
Dr. McGee opened with a shocking story of actor Mark Harmon from the hit television show NCIS. He spoke of when he risked his life to save two teenage boys from a burning car! This selfless act of helping another with no alternate agenda for selfish gain was just one great example from this evening's talks.
Dr. Sahin furthered the discussion in speaking about Sufis in Turkey. He mentioned their internal suppression of ego in the individual, focus on praising God and then external aid to society. He likened this to a triangle where at the top is God and then the connection goes to oneself and then to another.
The evening's theme of altruism left many guests motivated and inspired to help those in need. Many thanks for all of the support in Charleston and donations that were made.
