Club Building Initiative  
Download a PDF of the Club Building Initiative flyer here!
#ExchangeStrong 
#GrowExchange  
We are pleased to announce the 6th new club of the 2018-2019 administrative year. Welcome to the ...

Exchange Club of Iredell County, NC!
 
The Exchange Club of Iredell County, NC, was built by Cotton and Vickie Ketchie, Barbara Orr, Ryan Pegarsch, Kimberly Saragoni, and Paul Summerville. The new club was sponsored by the Exchange Club of Mooresville/Lake Norman, NC, and chartered with 22 members on February 5.
Pictured: The Permanent Organizational Meeting of the Exchange Club of Iredell County, NC.
 JOIN US FOR A CHAT  



Exchange's CEO Tracey Edwards and National President Scot Warren will host an "Exchange chit-chat" on Monday, March 18, at 7 p.m. (Eastern) ... 
THEY WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
 
The 'chit-chat' will take place on Facebook Live ... mark your calendars now! 

 
California Disaster Relief STILL NEEDED!

The November 2018 California wild fires caused major de struction and impacted so many  lives: every member of the Exchange Club of Paradise, CA, lost their homes and many lost their businesses; many have been told that it may be a year before they can rebuild; and, another member's restaurant is still without fresh water, so it can't reopen. The need for assistance is huge! 

In the true spirit of Exchange, we are asking members to continue to show their support by giving to these members. If you would like to help fellow Exchange Club members who have been effected, please consider a donation to the NEC Foundation Disaster Relief Fund. Monies donated to NEC Foundation Disaster Relief Fund will go directly to help Exchange Club members; and, of course, your d onations are tax deductible.

Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers!
 
Three ways to donate via the NEC Foundation:  

1. Text-to-donate: Text the word RELIEF to 419-800-0358 (you will be prompted to secure registration for your first donation);

2. Online at https://www.nationalexchangeclub.org/donors/ (specify Disaster Relief in the comments line);

3. Mail a check, payable to NEC Foundation, to 3050 W. Central Ave., Toledo, OH 43606 (note Disaster Relief in the memo section).
ARE YOU READY FOR NORFOLK ?!
Exchange's  
101st National Convention
 
Book your room at the Norfolk Sheraton Waterside, so you don't miss out on the group rates!


So much to see and do.

for more info!
Convention 2019
Exhibitor and Sponsor Opportunities Available 
Help make the 101st National Convention the most memorable yet!
The Exhibitor and Sponsor Prospectus is NOW AVAILABLE!
 
Many different levels of sponsor/exhibitor support and involvement are available. Please share these opportunities through the form available via the link below. The form can also be accessed on the
Convention tab of Exchange's website .
Download a PDF of the Exhibitor and Sponsor Prospectus  here!
Convention 2019
Interested in Being a Presenter?    

Download a PDF of the Presenter Interest Form here!
 Got Stuff? Silent Auction Items Needed!   
 CONGRATULATIONS!  
 Do you have an ACTIVE Password ?
Every Exchange Club member should have a password!

This will enable you to access member information on the login side (Member Resources section) of Exchange's website - where you will always find the most recent Exchange information and resources. 


Visit NationalExchangeClub.org and click the "Member Login" button:


Don't delay, become an informed member today!

To activate your password, contact National Headquarters at 419.535.3232 or   MemberServices@NationalExchangeClub.org.

 National Service Award Recognition!  
 
A list of clubs achieving the National Service Award during the past month is shown below.
FEBRUARY
 
Shelby County, AL
Jacksonville Beaches, FL
Manatee River Business Exchange Club, FL
Laurel, MT
North Raleigh, NC
Sharpsburg, NC
Salem, NJ
Berkeley, SC
Charleston, SC
Citadel Exchange Club of Charleston, SC
Noon Exchange Club of Murfreesboro, TN
Maverick Exchange Club of Rowlett, TX
St. George, UT
Walla Walla, WA
 
Congratulations, and thank you to these clubs and their members!

When clubs earn one patch in each of the four service areas and sponsor any two additional projects, they receive a National Service Award Banner (first-time winners) and National Service Award Banner Patch. Winners are based on program and activities applications received at National Headquarters by June 30 of the current year.
 
Earning this award demonstrates a commitment to Exchange and its Vision - a Strong America, safe communities, and unified people. 
 
To view a list of all Exchange Clubs that have earned the 2017-2018 National Service Award to-date, please visit Exchange's website and scroll down to the National Service Award Winners section on the  Convention page
 
If your club has completed its Programs of Service projects and its name is not listed, please contact Member Services at 419.535.3232 or memberservices@nationalexchangeclub.org.
THANK YOU!   




Your Exchange Club benefits from a strong National Exchange Club Foundation! The Club Giving Campaign supports Exchange's National Youth of the Year and Accepting the Challenge of Excellence (A.C.E.) scholarships and our National Project, the prevention of child abuse.  Your club can make a difference by donating to the Club Giving Campaign today!
 
 
 
 Download the Exchange Strong Club Giving brochure
 C.A.R.E. Awards   
 

Throughout the year, and especially during National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, many Exchange Clubs across the country implement meaningful projects supported under Exchange National Project. If yours is one of these clubs, please consider submitting the project for a Child Abuse Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.) Award. 
 
C.A.R.E. Awards are presented annually at Exchange's National Convention, to be held this year in Norfolk, VA. Awards will be presented in categories of "75 members and more"; "30 - 74 members"; and "up to 29 members" categories for projects related to local Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Centers. Additional awards will be presented in similar categories for projects not related to a center. Each winner will receive an award banner, a National Convention events package, and the opportunity to display its winning project at National Convention. 
 
Clubs may also submit Club Giving Campaign projects and other prevention of child abuse fundraising projects on the C.A.R.E. Award nomination form. Each club that submits a C.A.R.E. Award nomination form to National Headquarters will automatically receive an official C.A.R.E. Award patch. 
 
The C.A.R.E. Award application form is available through the Member Resources (login) section of Exchange's website, on the 'Awards' page. Applications must be postmarked by June 1. 

 Prevention of Child Abuse Updates    
Exchange is Ready for April and 
National Child Abuse Prevention Month!

Exchange Clubs and Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Centers are ready for National Child Abuse Prevention Month, April 2019! Believe in the Blue Kits have been mailed; please contact National Headquarters if you didn't receive a kit and would like one. This year's kits contain new parenting Tips Cards on "What to Know about Bullying" and "What to Know about Safety on the Computer".

The kits also provide information about the new #ExchangeCares project and a sample "Exchange Cares" backpack. Participating clubs and centers are to fill the backpacks with items that will provide comfort, or items of necessity, for children who have been displaced due to neglect or abuse, house fires, homelessness, or natural disasters. The bags are then given to agencies that come in contact with children in emergency situations. These can include shelters, child protective services, resource centers, sheriff or police departments, EMTs, emergency rooms, The American Red Cross, and schools. Suggestions for items to be placed in bags include small blankets, small stuffed animals, books, small toys, gloves or winter hats, travel size soaps, toothbrushes/toothpaste, combs, shampoo, and socks.

Fifty bags will be provided free of charge to any Exchange Club or Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center that wishes to start an #ExchangeCares project.
Additional prevention of child abuse project to consider for April include:
  • Supporting your local child abuse prevention/Exchange Parent Aide Program; volunteer time, create a joint project, or assist with a donation.
  • Blue Mondays are a compelling way to raise interest and awareness. Look for Blue Monday shirts on the Exchange MarketPlace or coordinate blue outfits with friends/coworkers.
    • Public Awareness Campaigns:                                                       
    • Ask your mayor, city council, or state governor to issue a National Child Abuse Prevention Month proclamation;
    • Write a letter to the editor for the special interest month;
    • Arrange airtime on your local radio or television station for a public service announcement (PSA).

Educational Webinars

The National Exchange Club will be hosting educational webinars on Wednesdays throughout the month of April at 3 p.m. (Eastern). The first, on April 3, will be titled, "Awareness - What Kids are Doing Online". The webinar will be conducted by Rich Wistocki. Other topics will include bullying and children, and traumatic events. Watch Exchange's social media for registration information.


News From Exchange Centers for the Prevention of Child Abuse
 
Please join Exchange's Escape Family Resource Center in Houston, TX, on April 3, 2019, at 6:30 p.m., for its Celebrity Serve Event! Lara Bell and Roseann Rogers will host the 38th Annual Event at Union Station benefiting the programs and services of ESCAPE Family Resource Center. The leadership and employees of Occidental Petroleum will be honored for their great support! Casual chic event with auctions, big board, food, drinks, and sports media celebrities.

Plan ahead to be part of Exchange's Project HELP "Community Begins at Home Breakfast" on May 3, 2019, 7:30-9:30 a.m. The keynote speaker will be Shenandoah Chefalo, Author, Foster Care Advocate, Trauma Skills Trainer. Ms. Chefalo is the author of "Garbage Bag Suitcase.
 Programs of Service Opportunities   
New opportunities for Exchange Clubs, Collegiate Clubs, Excel Clubs, and members to better their communities are always upon us. 
 
Here are a few suggestions to help generate project ideas:    
 
March:
Clubs and members may consider: 
  • Celebrating Exchange's 108th anniversary on March 27! Hold a community-wide public awareness event featuring your local club, invite neighboring clubs, and club members. Guests of honor could include the mayor, the chief of police, the fire chief, city council members, and possibly an unsung community hero!
  • Looking ahead to April, Child Abuse Prevention Month. Reach out to billboard companies now for CAP Month PSAs!
  • It's a great time to organize for Blue Mondays. Start planning now with club members, family, friends and co-workers to wear blue every Monday in April. This can provide many opportunities to raise awareness of child abuse prevention and the work of Exchange. 
  • In addition to planning for Believe in the Blue, consider materials that can help spread awareness in your community (find your items at the Exchange Marketplace). Contact National Headquarters for information about renting Time Out Teddy for your event!
April:
National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month: 
  • Observe Blue Mondays!
  • Share the message of Time Out Teddy; plan a project to distribute brochures at all of your community service and fundraising events this month.
  • Think May - Freedom Shrine Month! Dedicating or rededicating an existing Freedom Shrine, and replacing worn documents, is a thoughtful was to memorialize the founding documents of our great country.
May:
Plan ahead for June - summer begins and so do some great opportunities!
  • Sponsor a pizza party and games for a local daycare.
  • Take a group of children to a baseball game, the zoo, or a park.
  • Do yard work for local senior citizens.
  • Hand out flags for #GIVEAKIDAFLAGTOWAVE at a community event!
Share p
ictures of your club at work with National Headquarters: commun@NationalExchangeClub.org and
share on social media with #ExchangeStrong and #GrowExchange!
 
For additional information regarding service projects and ideas, please sign in to the Member Resources section of Exchange's website.  
 National Candidate Filing Deadline -
March 20, 2019     
Completed candidate applications for national office must be received at National Headquarters by March 20, 2019 , 120 days prior to the Opening Convention Session of the 101st National Convention in Norfolk, VA.

All convention delegates will be electing individuals to fill the position of National President-Elect and National Treasurer. Delegates in odd-numbered regions will also be electing a Regional Vice President.

The March 20 deadline also applies to candidates seeking an at-large position on the NEC Foundation Board of Trustees. At the time of election, no current National Board member, District President, District President-Elect, or Past National President is eligible for the at-large position; and, no candidate for the at-large position can be a candidate for another office at the same convention. Delegates will elect one (1) At-Large Trustee for a three-year term.

Further nominations may come from the convention floor. Nominations from the floor must comply with provisions in the NEC Bylaws and the NEC Foundation Code of Regulations, respectively. A candidate must submit his/her intention to run in writing to the CEO/Executive Vice President prior to 9 p.m. on the first day of the convention. All candidates must be endorsed in writing by at least three Exchange Club members from three different clubs within the person's region, other than the candidate's own club, who are entitled to vote in the convention.

If you are interested in running for office, please contact National Headquarters to request the appropriate candidate form. For Exchange Club forms, admin@nationalexchangeclub.orgfor NEC Foundation forms, development@nationalexchangeclub.org .

 Exchange Marketplace    



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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For additional information, check out these links:
The National Exchange Club | commun@NationalExchangeClub.org | 419.535.3232 | www.NationalExchangeClub.org