Vision: A strong America, safe communities, and unified people.
Mission: Exchange, inspiring communities to become better places to live.
Motto: Unity for Service
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July 2021
Buzz Wachsteter (Rome)
Editor
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It's A NEW Year For Exchange Don't Let Exchange Go On Vacation For The Summer |
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Editor's Note: Thanks For The Memories |
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If I may take the screen on a point of personal privilege for just a moment, this is my last issue as your editor of the The Georgia Exchange. It's been great fun for me for the past few years meeting you...if just electronically. As I ride off into that great virtual cloud that we now all depend on, I just wanted to say thank you to the various District Presidents for their confidence and to all of you local "reporters" who constantly fed information to pass along on to you, our fellow Exchange readers.
It's a NEW YEAR for Georgia Exchange with our new President Thad Paulk and now our new editor Terry Brumbley of the Albany Club. A big CLANG of the Exchange bell to both and let's all pitch in behind them to make this our BEST year ever...for our District and our official publication.
Yours in Exchange,
Buzz
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PLEASE…READ THIS And Keep Your Fellow Exchange Members And Their Families Safe From What Is Being Described As "COVID On Steroids"
Just when we thought it was fully safe to come back into society, the Delta Variant of the COVID Virus has reached the shores of the United States. The Delta Variant started in India and is spreading quickly. Medical experts say it is more highly contagious and is likely to put many people not fully vaccinated in the hospital.
Georgia is 35th in the nation in terms of those eligible who have been vaccinated against COVID. Experts say vaccines are at least 90% effective against this new variant.
If your club is opened up again, there is a strong possibility there may be people in attendance who have not been vaccinated, and this is their choice. With this new Delta Variant they may be unknowingly infecting others around them, and their families, while they themselves show no symptoms.
Exchange and your community need each and every one of you helping to make your hometown a better place to live, work, and play. If you have made the decision not be vaccinated, please consider wearing your mask at meetings, except when eating, to protect others around you and their families.
All of us thank you for protecting us.
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It's a new year and here is a message to Georgia Exchange members from Thad Paula, District President, 2021-2022,
JUST CLICK ON PICTURE to start video.
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A Final Footnote From Fussell...
As my term of your District President winds down I want to thank each Georgia Exchange Club member for your friendship and support.
We have all faced challenges this year such as club meetings, fundraising, honoring people and groups in our communities. We didn’t stop meeting we didn’t stop fundraising we didn’t stop honoring people and groups in our communities we did what Exchange Club members do, we got all those things done and more.
As I visited clubs this year I didn’t see one bit of quit in anyone. Club leaders got it done and I applaud each of you. I wish I could have visited more.
As a new year begins with President Thad Paulk I ask you to continue your support of Exchange as I know you will. Thad and the District team will be here for you.

Thank you all for your support now and forward.
Thank you
Fussell Hughes
District President 2020/21
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The results are in for the Georgia District Awards program and here are the winners.
Exchange Club Of The Year
- Medium Clubs - Exchange Club Of Statesboro
- Large Clubs - Exchange Club Of Albany
Outstanding Club President
- Medium Clubs - Steve Bradshaw, Exchange Club Of Columbus
- Large Clubs - Jim Smith, Exchange Club of Albany
Exchange Club Member Of The Year
- Small Clubs - Mittie Vaughan, Exchange Club Of Brantley County
- Medium Clubs - Danny Hoover, Exchange Club Of Tifton
- Large Clubs - John Fortune, Exchange Club of Rome (Georgia District Nominee For National Award)
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WOW!
VIEW CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS
Just Click On The Photo To View The Pictures
You May Download Any Picture AT NO COST
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Georgia District's A.C.E. And Youth Of The Year Well Deserving. See For Yourself. |
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Alivia Johnson
Georgia District A.C.E. Award Winner
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Congratulations to Alivia Johnson who was chosen as our District A.C.E. Award winner! Nominated by the Exchange Club of Macon, Alivia is a 2021 graduate of Central High School where she was an honor student and REACH Scholar.
Alivia's mentor described her as a creative, energetic, artistic and determined student who may have had to give up her childhood and childhood passions, but has remained focused on her future.
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Sarabeth Royal
Georgia District Youth Of The Year
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There were ten entries for 2020-2021 Georgia District Youth Of The Year competition and the overall winner was Sarabeth Royal submitted by the Exchange Club of Tifton.
Sarabeth was awarded a $1,500 scholarship by the Georgia District and will compete for a $15,000 in the National Exchange competition.
Sarabeth graduated from Tiftarea Academy and has enrolled at Auburn University.
She is an active member of the Tift Area Academy Excel Club.

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It's Not Too Early To Plan Ahead
June 9 - 12, 2022
Merry Acres Inn & Event Center
Albany, Georgia
More than just a convention...family fun!
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You really haven't been to a convention until you have experienced a
National Exchange Convention
September 8 - 11
Peabody Hotel
Memphis, TN
It's EDUCATIONAL
it's INSPIRATIONAL
It's a PLACE TO NETWORK
and definitely a wise investment for your club.
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Plan ahead new local club officers. The 2021-2022 Planning Calendar is now available for you to download. Just click on the picture above and download your copy.
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Hurray...What A Fantastic Club Anniversary Month For Georgia District Clubs
- Exchange Club Of Macon 98 Years
- Exchange Club Of Rome 85 Years
- Exchange Club Of Dublin 85 Years
- Exchange Club Of Valdosta 75 Years
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Rome Club Honors The Fallen With A Three Day Memorial Day Remembrance |
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The Exchange Club of Rome paid honor to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The three day Memorial Day observance that included a military museum for the public to learn through the display of artifacts from the various periods of the American military operations, a car show, and a moving ceremony before a packed house at the club's fairgrounds. Several wreathes were presented by veterans, gold star families, Exchange Club members, and veteran's groups. The Memorial Day program also included a brass quintet that provided patriotic music, a 21 gun salute to the fallen, and the firing of a cannon.
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Don't Reinvent
The Wheel...
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Are You Telling Those Local Business People Who Are Supporting YOUR Club Thank You? Take A Lesson From Macon.
The Exchange Club of Macon, like all other Exchange Clubs in the Georgia District, depend on local business owners and operators for support, and they have a unique way of doing it.
To the left is a presentation of a "Friend Of Exchange" certificate to Roy Bibb, CEO of Mid-South Federal Credit Union at a recent meeting. Mid-South has been a great support of the Exchange Club of Macon and has been staunch supporter of the Club's Golf Tournament for 20 years.
Macon has a great idea and a way to bring those who support their Exchange Club before the membership so they know how much they are really appreciated. Thank you Macon for a great suggestions for all of our Georgia Clubs.
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We Have Something NEW To Show Off
Your Club's Projects And Activities.
Take Advantage Of It!
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The Georgia Exchange has added a new service to better tell your story to fellow Exchange members. We can now show your activities in a number of pictures or a video for people to view with unlimited photo storage "in the cloud". Simply said, send us a bunch of pictures or a short video of your event and we can now assemble them into a grouping for your fellow Exchange members to see the whole story of what happened.
Take a test run by viewing the Exchange Club of Macon's "First Annual Car Show". You can view full screen, as thumbnails, or view as a slideshow. Just click on the picture to not only see a neat bunch of vehicles but see how this can let us help you promote your club. Take a peek!
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Hey...It's Time To Get Started On
The 2021-2022
National Service Award.
Use This Program As Your Club's Roadmap To Kicking Off This Program Year.

Complete and report only 1 project in each of the four Programs of Service Areas (Americanism, Community Service, Youth, and Child Abuse Prevention) plus 2 additional programs from any service area and you've GOT IT! Easy enough...set your goal and work toward it.
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This Is What We Do...Georgia's Service Club |
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Macon Club Honors
8th Youth Of The Month
The Exchange Club of Macon finished up presentations to the students of the month with their eighth presentation of the year to Jasmine Martin. Macon President Ron Raleigh made the presentation as Jasmine's mother Tiffany looked on.
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Albany Club Presents Service Awards
The Exchange Club of Albany Honored Firefighters and EMS for Dougherty County/Albany and Lee County/Leesburg. Sam Allen, Dougherty County EMS Director, presented us an informative talk on the struggles they endured during the Pandemic. He also presented the following recipients. Paramedic of the Year for Dougherty County is Peter Radano. Communication Officer of the Year for Albany Fire Department is Nicky Cook. Fire Fighter of they Year for Albany Fire Department is Julius Brookin. Chief Forrester, Lee County EMS Director, presented the recipients for Lee County/Leesburg. Paramedic of the Year for Lee County is Bryce Layfield. Firefighter of the Year for Lee County is Billy Boyd.
These were just a few of the great First Responder that have worked so diligently during an extremely difficult time. If you see one, please take they time to Thank them for their Service.
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Brantley County Honor The Fallen
On Memorial Day, the Exchange Club led a community wide observance to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom. The club has already notified the public that they will be right back at the Brantley County courthouse monument on May 30, 2022.
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Brunswick Hears From Fire Chief About Recent Fire At Brunswick Port
The Exchange Club of Brunswick had as their guest speaker Fire Chief Randy Mobley. He told the club about the recent fire at the Brunswick port. One of the cargos that the Brunswick port handles is wood pellets. The Pellets are produce here in Ga and are shipped to Europe from Brunswick. The Fire started with a dust explosion in the storage area. The Fire department was on the scene in less than 4 minutes. Due to the nature of the wood pellets the fire was brought under control by the next day but the department stayed on site for 28 days to insure that it does not flare back up and all of the pellets and the building was removed.
Pictured from left to right Vice Pres Mitch Strickland, Pres. Gary Wise, Brunswick Fire Chief Randy Mobley, and Pres. Elect Bill Foster.
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Waycross Club Honors
Public Safety
Employees
The Exchange Club of Waycross payed honor to area public safety workers. . Pictured Ware County Sheriff and President -Elect Carl James, President Jim Stapleton and Sgt. Michael Ray join honored public service officers, WCFD Jodi Thrift, WCFD Volunteer Gavin Reynolds, Ware Co. Paramedic Capt. Mark Williams, WFD Danny Dileo, 911 Operator, Christal Ferguson, WPD Officer Jason McQuaig, and Ware Cpl. Craig Colley.
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Rome Club Hears Of Critical Housing Needs For Both Homeless And Work Force
Rome and Floyd County have a critical housing shortage for a diverse group of people according to Devon Smyth, Director of the Davies Shelters. She told the members of the Exchange Club of Rome that the shortage is not only for the homeless individuals and families, those with special needs, as well as those attempting to relocate and join the work force as well. Smyth is a member of a special committee created by both the City and County to study the critical housing situation and try to come up with some recommendations.
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Milledgeville Officers, Board Installation & Exchange Member of the Year
Fussell Hughes, Georgia District President, Installed the Officers and Board Members for the Exchange Club of Milledgeville, GA on June17,2021. .
The Officers and Board that were installed are as follows:
President- Billy Griner, President Elect- Missy Swicord, Immediate Past President- Dr. Jeff Wells, Secretary-Melissa Fort, Treasurer-Todd Young, New Board Member- Kara Lassiter
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Columbus Club Installs New Officers
The Exchange Club of Columbus was honored to have Fussell and Elsie Hughes attend our Installation Luncheon.
Fussell inducted the Officers and Directors for 2021-2022. Outgoing President, Steve Bradshaw passed the gavel to incoming President, Betty Lindsey.
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New Officers Installed At Macon Club
It was new officer time for the Exchange Club of Macon. Rollin Middlebrooks, VFR was our “guest” Official (Macon is his home club) for the purpose of presenting the elected officers and Board members for the 2021/2022 Club Year. Following the NEC script, Rollin explained the significance of
the duties to the offices of Club Officers and Board members. Each Officer and Board member was then “sworn in”. President Ron Raleigh outlined an ambitious program for 2021-2022 that included resuming of weekly meetings, reinstating programs curtailed by the COVID pandemic, and increased community involvement. (From the left: Bobby George - Chairman of the Board; Crawford Lovett, Walter Arnett, Kim Sanderson – Board of Directors; Ron Raleigh – President; and Rollin Middlebrooks – Treasurer)
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Passing Of The Gavel At The Rome Club
Current Exchange Club of Rome President Larry Walker has passed the gavel to the club's new President Lee Roberts. The new officers and board of directors were installed by former Georgia District President Frank Redwine, a club member. In his closing remarks as President, Walker commented on the challenges of this past year and how members adopted that challenge with HOPE and were able to achieve a successful year despite obstacles.
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Tifton Club Distributes Over $13K To Local Charities
Aided by an online auction several months ago, the Exchange Club of Tifton was able to present checks amounting to over $13,000 to local agencies. The groups are described as being "on the front lines of fighting and treating child abuse."
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Brunswick Club Receives Report From DA
The Exchange club of Brunswick heard from District Attorney Keith Higgins, Brunswick Judicial circuit. DA Higgins told the club about the DA's office. He told the club he has 44 full time employees, serves five counties including Glynn county. He said his initial priorities are Community outreach, transparency/accountability, office re-structure//organization, diversity. The DA office has 4,680 case they are actively working in the five counties.
Pictured from left to right Vice Pres. Mitch Strickland, DA Keith Higgins, Kip Goodbread past president.
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Brunswick Club Taps Exchange Member Of The Year At Installation
The Exchange club of Brunswick held their annual installation banquet at the Brunswick country club. Immediate past President Gary Wise thanked members for their hard work and dedication to the Exchange club of Brunswick. The Honorable Judge Stephen Kelley and past president of the Exchange club of Brunswick installed and charged the leaders and board of directors with their duties. President Bill Foster addressed the members and wives of the club. He told everyone about his plans for growing the club in the coming year. Terri Strickland was chosen to be the Exchangite of the year. She was recognized for her hard work this past year to make the Exchange club of Brunswick the great club that it is.
Pictured from left to right Pres. Bill Foster and Terri Strickland
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Cedartown Club Honors Law Enforcement
The Exchange Club of Cedartown honored their local law enforcement agencies with their annual Law Officers of the Year dinner. Awards went to Polk County Sheriff, Polk County police, the City of Cedartown and Rockmart police departments.
Dan Riley, club treasurer and project chairman, with our President-elect Jane Hamlett also shown here.
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Help Is Just A Mouse Click Away |
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