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About Exchange
Charles
Berkey (standing, back row, far right) and members of the Boosters'
Club, Detroit, Mich., in the late 1800s. Many from this group became
members of the first Exchange Club. |
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Charles A. Berkey,
founder of Exchange |
| Charles A. Berkey is
credited with the founding of this great organization. At his suggestion,
the name “Exchange” was selected because the group wanted to exchange ideas
and information with like-minded individuals about how to better serve their
communities. The first local
Exchange Club was formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1911. The second was the
Exchange Club of Toledo, Ohio formed in 1913. Subsequently, two others were
organized in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Cleveland, Ohio. These four clubs
were the first to be chartered by the National Exchange Club after it was
organized as a nonprofit, educational organization in 1917. Since then,
hundreds of clubs have been chartered in the United States and Puerto Rico,
with nearly 28,000 members making a positive difference in their own
communities everyday.
We are
America's Service Club. From our organization's earliest days, Exchange
Clubs have been unselfishly serving their communities and improving the
quality of life. The diverse array of Exchange-sponsored programs and
projects has made a
considerable impact on America, enhancing the lives of countless men,
women and children across the nation.The National
Exchange Club headquarters is located in Toledo, Ohio. Our chief
objective is to help Exchange Clubs realize their full potential of
community service.
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Other Links
Past National Presidents
Past National Conventions |
Mission Statement
Serving our communities for a better America.
Covenant of Service
(Adopted as the philosophy which characterizes an Exchangite)
Accepting the divine privilege of single and
collective responsibility as life’s noblest gift, I covenant with my
fellow Exchangites:
To consecrate my best energies to the uplifting
of Social, Religious, Political and Business ideals;
To discharge the debt I owe to those of high and
low estate who have served and sacrificed that the heritage of American
citizenship might be mine;
To honor and respect law, to serve my fellowmen,
and to uphold the ideals and institutions of my Country;
To implant the life-giving, society-building
spirit of Service and Comradeship in my social and business relationships;
To serve in Unity with those seeking better
conditions, better understandings, and greater opportunities for all.
To learn more about the National Exchange Club
click here.
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