About Us
Discover Exchange
What is Exchange?
Exchange is an all-volunteer, national service organization for men and woman who want to serve their community, develop leadership skills and enjoy new friendships. Exchange is made up of nearly 1,000 clubs and 33,000 members throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
Exchange is known to millions as America’s Service Club, and with good reason, from our organizations earliest days; Exchange Clubs have been unselfishly serving their communities and improving the quality of life. The diverse array of Exchange-sponsored programs has made a considerable impact on America thus enhancing the lives of countless men, woman, and children across the nation.
Why Join Exchange?
To help build a better America and in to bring out the best in yourself. Exchange helps members to develop leadership, networking and organization skills that contribute to success in business, family, and personal endeavors. More importantly, Exchange provides members with the opportunity to share their time and talents to help others whether by reaching out to an abused child who needs love and affection….helping to organize a community project or chairing a fundraising event to continue the positive work of Exchange. Through these and many other positive public-spirited projects, Exchangites are making a difference in cities and towns across America.
History
The first local Exchange Club was formed in Detroit Michigan in 1911. Charles A. Berkey is the man who is credited with the founding of this great organization. The second was the exchange 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 charted by the National Exchange Club after it was organized as a nonprofit, educational organization in 1917. Since then hundreds of clubs have been charted in the United States and Puerto Rico. The National exchange club headquarters is located in Toledo, 0hio. Our chief objective is to help Exchange realize their full potential of community service.
What do Exchange Clubs Do?
Clubs sponsor a wide range of activities to improve our communities, help the disadvantaged and encourage good American citizenship. The principal areas of Exchange’s National Program of service are Youth, Americanism and Community Service with Child Abuse Prevention emphasized as the National Project. Members also initiate activities to meet unique local needs. This may be anything raising funds for Exchange’s many programs to support our community with their many needs.
Brief History
1896
1911
1917
1946
Today
Mission
We aim to exchange ideas with like minded people to make the community a better place live. Our mission is accomplished through The Four Pillars of Exchange: Americanism, Community Service, Youth Programs, and our National Project: Child Abuse Prevention.
If you would like to learn more, visit the official National Exchange Club website.
National Projects
The first national project adopted by the National Exchange was the aviation industry The present national project is the prevention of child abuse which was adopted in 1979.
Covenant of Service
Accepting the divine privilege of single and collective responsibility as life’s noblest gift, I covenant with my fellow Exchangites:
TO concentrate 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.
Past Presidents
July 2018-2019: Sean Devan
July 2017: Thomas Terry
July 2016: Rafael Abislaiman
July 2015: Francisco Santiago
July 2014: David Ferguson
July 2013: Steve Alfano
July 2012: Sharon Birchall
July 2011: Scott Martin
July 2010: Bruce Baril
July 2009: Christine Santacroce
July 2008: Dawna Perez
July 2007: Timothy Burke
July 2006: Eleanor Baker
July 2005: Jerome Jozak
July 2004: Shaun Harty
July 2003: Lana Schofield
July 2002: David L. Cotnoir
July 2001: Richard R. Blain
July 2000: John D. Ball
July 1999: Michael B. Christensen
July 1998: Paul J. MacDonald
July 1997: Jesus M. Gonzalez
July 1996: Bob Wescott
July 1995: Robert Bernier
September 1994: Russel A Bodnar
September 1993: Thomas P. Sheehan
September 1992: Sam J. Cafiso
September 1991: Arthur H. Richter, Jr.
September 1990: Ronald Hebert
September 1989: Allen E. Cuscia
September 1988: Michael P. Rurak
September 1987: David F. Hennessey
September 1986: Frank P Bernarducci Jr.
September 1985: Steve Sciuto
September 1984: Alfred J. Pappalardo
September 1983: John A Turonis
September 1982: Alan R. McLennan
September 1981: Donald Gallant
September 1980: Gary Ritter
May 1979: Robert P Perreault
May 1978: Laurence J. Yameen
May 1977: Joseph A. Bell
June 1976: John L. Burke
July 1975: Laurence F. Silva
July 1974: Richard J. Scalera
Record Unclear: Fred T. Ead
June 1972: Alfred J. Torrisi
September 1971: James P. Gordon
June 1970: Francis J. MacDonald
June 1969: Robert C. Garland
July 1968: John F. Manning
October 1967: Charles H. Turner
January 1967: Thomas A. Leone
May 1966: George J. Daker
January 1966: Charles A. Arallone
January 1965: Harry R. Dow III
January 1964: G. Thomas Catalano
January 1963: Robert F. Fournier
January 1962: Leonard J Theberge
January 1961: Albert Farrah
January 1960: Gardener N. McCartney
December 1958: Louis J. Breen
January 1958: John J. Hart III
June 1956: John E. Mosca
July 1955: Theodore M. H. Samel
July 1954: Eugene F. McAuliffe
July 1953: Alexander J. Cody
July 1952: Thayer S. Warshaw
July 1951: Robert S. Kesler
July 1950: Robert G. Doyle
July 1949: John A. McNiff
July 1948: Frank L. McLanathan
October 1947: William J. Daley
June 1947: William J. Daley
December 1946: John Bolten, Jr.
Famous Alumni
The Exchange Club of Niceville is part of the National Exchange Club, and has been active for 30 years.
Here are some well known Exchangites from across the country and throughout Exchange Club history:
- Former President George H.W. Bush
- Former President Calvin Coolidge
- Former President Warren G. Harding
- Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Former President Harry Truman
- Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd
- Chief Justice Earl Warren
- Aviator Orville Wright
- Aviator James “Jimmy” Doolittle
- Aviator Amelia Earhart
- Dr. Norman Vincent Peale