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.  (http://www.nationalexchangeclub.com)

  Mission Statement 

Exchange, America's Service Club, is a group of men and women working together to make our communities better places to live through programs of service in Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities, and its national project, the Prevention of Child Abuse.

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 Exchangitehttp://www.nationalexchangeclub.com/s: 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.

Exchange’s Program of Service

Exchange’s Program of Service is divided into the categories of Americanism, Community Service, Youth Programs and our national project, Child Abuse Prevention.

 

Exchange Club Program of Service

	Americanism: Exchange Clubs work to promote pride in country, respect for the flag and other American symbols, appreciation of our freedoms and the costs of those freedoms. Exchange has taken on the responsibility of passing this knowledge to America’s next generation through its Americanism programs. These include: The Freedom Shrine, One Nation Under God, Get Out The Vote, Proudly We Hail and GiveAKidAFlagToWave, Adopt-a-Unit/Family.
	Community Service: Community Service is the lifeline of Exchange. Exchange Clubs across the country spend countless hours and dollars improving their communities each year. All of these activities share a common goal of serving and promoting our communities. These programs include: Crime Prevention, Fire Prevention, The Book of Golden Deeds Award, Service to Seniors and Law Enforcement/Firefighter Recognition.
	Youth Programs: America’s young people are the country’s most precious resource. Exchange sponsors many activities designed to benefit, award and develop our nation’s youth. These programs include: Young Citizenship Award, EXCEL Clubs, Youth of the Month/Year Award and A.C.E. Award. Click here for samples of youth essays.
	Child Abuse Prevention: The National Exchange Club develops and implements programs which seek to eliminate child abuse and strengthen families. These programs include: more than 100 Exchange Club Centers for the Prevention of Child Abuse, Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness, Time Out Teddy, Blue Ribbon Campaign, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness, Kidcode and CARS (Children Are Really Special).