The Community Roundtable of Irmo, Dutch Fork and Chapin was established in the fall of 1998 in response to the risk-taking behaviors exhibited by teenagers in the community. Believing that schools alone can not successfully meet the challenges, Dr. Rick Perrin, Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, and the Superintendent of School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties, invited community members to participate in a roundtable discussion of issues related to risk behavior among youth.

As a result of that invitation, the Community Roundtable has developed into a community-wide organization of leaders that includes parents, schools, government, law enforcement, health care, business, civic groups, church and youth. The community leaders have become a creative action-centered group addressing the risk-taking behaviors of young people within the community of Lexington/Richland School District Five. The Roundtable meets five to six times a year at the District Five office.

The expressed mission of the Community Roundtable is: "To encourage and enable the entire community to promote positive youth development, the Community Roundtable of Irmo, Dutch Fork, and Chapin brings together government, businesses, civic associations, the health community, service organizations, law enforcement, schools, faith groups, parents, students and others in a self-sustaining coalition to discuss, coordinate and be a catalyst for initiatives that strengthen families and improve the well-being of youth in our community."

Membership in the Community Roundtable is open to anyone who is interested in the community and committed to making District Five a safe and healthy place for children and families. If you would like more information on becoming involved in the Roundtable, please call Mark Boone at 803-476-8250.