A Beautiful “Balance”-ing Act
How CI General Manager Jeff Spencer and Team Protect the Legacy of the Island and its Residents
The flourishing yet pristine community that is today’s Callawassie Island didn’t become the hidden gem of the lowcountry by accident or even by simply biding tides and times and hoping for the best. Since its earliest settlers, this sea island was curated with care, balancing peace and prosperity, nature and nurture, people and place. From the Yemassee’s “reverence for the island’s serenity” to the industry of South Carolina’s “only known sugar mill ruins,” this all-natural nook of resort style living has always been a little bit of everything, thanks to the vision and caretaking of its inhabitants.
It’s a balancing act that General Manager Jeff Spencer has overseen for more than 16 years, touching every arena of life on-isle: stewardship, camaraderie, real estate, ecology, activity, opportunity and more. He won’t take credit, though, dolling credit out to leaders and members in every area, for an endeavor that truly takes a village – or in this case, an island.
“We spend a lot of time talking about impact and a unique experience, not becoming an overcrowded island,” Spencer quoted when taking stock heading into 2024. “People enjoy peace, nature, and tranquility so balancing the number of rooftops and the impact on the environment matters.”
The “gatekeepers” of this gorgeous cause beyond the causeway describe this objective as “Exploring the delicate balance between preserving cherished traditions and embracing dynamic growth.” In a recent article in Celebrate Hilton Head Magazine, Spencer captured it beautifully conveying, “We are a true island, with some pretty serious natural beauty. Gated communities are one thing, but a gated community with a quarter-mile causeway is a whole different animal and a big draw for anyone who visits, along with the security Callawassie Island offers, the serenity, and the peace and quiet. Also, we’re an Audubon Certified community, and everyone who lives and works here is committed to maintaining and caring for our unique environment.”
Communications and Membership Director Lindsey Cooler has long watched and contributed to this striking balance of creating life for members and protecting the life that was here first – the beauty that played such a central role in pulling these like minds together in the first place. “I’ve seen Callawassie Island change for the better with increasing owner participation, newer amenities, and overall becoming more of a vibrant community,” she says voicing how resident needs have changed over time to be more in search of casual dining, heath and fitness opportunities, serving others and managing your individual and societal footprint, with the staff envisioning how to continue adapting to these and other lifestyle preferences.
Not only does Callawassie Island leadership work to stay on top of facility and resource development, but there’s also an altruistic growth and evolution from “self-interest” to “special interest.” Clubs continue to add family and children alternatives to keep up with the shifting demographics of the island’s population, but those members old and new also continue to center everything they do on giving back. There’s an “impact and generosity” aspect to every existing group – the difference between “what the group does for fun versus what the group does for good.” Then there is the group whose sole purpose is giving: the Friends of Callawassie Island (FOCI), whose president Britt Dennis celebrates, ““This is the most giving island. Our residents give so much, and not just money, but time and effort, too.”
That time and effort is a constant investment of visioneering and earnest labor, such as the vast degree of planning, design, and education that has gone into the 3-year, 3-course total renovation and restoration of the communities three courses – Dogwood, Magnola, and Palmetto, rolling into completion next month in November 2024 (complete update on the journey behind that project coming next month).
“The people that work here are just as committed to the exceptional lifestyle as the members,” Spencer also said in interview with CH2. “We have a quality staff and provide a happy work environment for the people who are employed here. It’s helpful for all of us to maintain quality people who enjoy longevity with us. Several of our staff have worked here for quite some time, which demonstrates a commitment on both ends, and that kind of continuity is a nice thing for any community to offer.”
It’s that continuity that has shaped today’s Callawassie Island and will continue to shape tomorrow’s tomorrows, as distinct as the calm waters that have long shaped the land it encircles. Balancing new horizons and lasting legacy, those who love and lead at Callawassie are able to promise, “Callawassie Island stands as a testament to sustainable and mindful development.”