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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March 2021
Buzz Wachsteter (Rome)
Editor
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Don't Do It!
The Scammers Are Trying To Use Exchange To Get Your $...Again
Some Exchange members are receiving email requests, supposedly from District President Fussell Hughes, asking you to purchase gift cards for a veteran's hospital and palliative care facility and you will be reimbursed. IT'S A SCAM. No solicitation like this will be sent out to you by any Georgia District officer.
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Georgia Needs Exchange NOW More Than Ever |
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MASK UP!
KEEP THE 6 FOOT DISTANCE!
DON'T LET UP AND
DON'T BE A STATISTIC!
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When Eligible Get Your Vaccine Shots
Exchange Needs YOU
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Click The Video To The Right For A Message From Our Georgia District President Fussell Hughes |
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April Is
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
And...Child Abuse Prevention Is
The National Project Of Exchange
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While we know every club in the Georgia District is planning something special in their own communities to bring awareness to child abuse prevention (CAP), we thought we would pose the question to a professional in the field what could we, as individuals, do.
Tina Bartleson is the Executive Director of the Exchange Club Family Resource Center in Rome, the District's only National Exchange Club accredited Child Abuse Prevention Center. Here are Tina's suggestions on what we could be doing for CAP Month. Tina is also a former member of the National Exchange Child Abuse Prevention program staff.
It’s take an Exchange community to prevent child abuse. These are some ways that you and/or your Clubs can get involved:
1) Learn More: Visit https://abuse.publichealth.gsu.edu/canpp/ to learn more about the State of Georgia’s Child Abuse Prevention Plan (this is its first revision since 1993!). You can view the video to the 5 minute mark to understand more about the plan and categories. Next, identify a way your business, church or club can impact one of the elements in this plan.
3) Get Involved by: Mentoring children & youth, donating to agencies who serve children and families, encouraging another parent in a challenging situation.
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Remember...
Each April Monday Is
BLUE Monday
Wear Blue, Wear Your Blue Ribbon Pins
And Show Your Support Of
Exchange Child Abuse Prevention
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Are You Ready To Celebrate?
March 27th Is The 110th Anniversary
Of The Birth Of Exchange
It's A Very Special Day And Urge YOUR Club
To Do Something Special To Observe It
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First Deadline For Awards Program Near
Club Bulletin Award Application Deadline Is
April 15th
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Georgia District Awards Chair Kay Griffin reminds all local club Presidents and Editors if they want their club bulletin (newsletter) considered for this year's judging, the deadline for applications in her hands, not postmarked, is April 15th with no exceptions.
A copy of the entry form can be downloaded by clicking the link below.
Editors are encouraged to read over the form carefully to make sure you fulfill the requirements that will allow your three entries to be judged and not disqualified.
As always, if you have a question you can call Kay at 229-881-1234. Click the button below to download a full copy of the Georgia Awards Program.
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Application Process For National Awards Program Has Changed
GA District Award Program and National Award Program Are Different Programs
(If you are a club Secretary or Awards Program Chair please take special note. National Exchange will only be accepting applications for National awards electronically via the National website. Login to website to view applications and procedures.)
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Are You Callaway Bound June 3-5
For A Long Weekend Of Fun?
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Things To Do...Places To See...And The Best District Convention In The Country |
Now get out your calendar and clear the days because you won't want to miss what is ahead of you.
Not only will you have your choice of first class luxury accommodations (a room at the Lodge or a 2-bedroom 2-full bath cottage with a living dining area, full kitchen, and screened porch), plus 2500 acres of lush vegetation for your to explore with plants blooming their hearts out, plus championship rated golf courses, a beach for terrific swimming and boating, biking, the Butterfly Center, delicious food, and that's just in the Gardens.
Venture outside the Gardens If you have never visited President Roosevelt's Little White House in Warm Springs because this fascinating piece of American history is only minutes away. If shopping is on your agenda visit the quaint shops in Pine Mountain also minutes away from your room.
There will be plenty of time between District Convention events for you to make this a most memorable trip and at the same time help set the future of the Georgia District of Exchange.
Now is the time to reserve your room at the lodge, $121 nightly, or your cottage, $121 nightly per bedroom. The choice is yours. Just click on the link below for the special telephone number to create memories for you and your family.
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Also at this year's convention, the Exchange Club of Rome's National award winning Americanism project, "A Call To Honor," featuring the 1/2 sized replica of the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington Cemetery in Washington will be on display. It is identical down to the last detail and should not be missed. The tomb and it's Exchange companions have already chalked up over 38,000 miles to 10 states since it was created and the numbers continue to grow. |
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Congratulations To Georgia's National Service Award Winners...So Far
A special "clang" of the Exchange bell to those clubs who, in spite of the pandemic situation have achieved the National Service Award for working in their communities.
(Newest in red)
- Exchange Club of Columbus
- Exchange Club of Rome
- Exchange Club of Statesboro
- Exchange Club of Albany
- Exchange Club of Macon
- Exchange Club of Milledgeville
- Exchange Club of Tifton
Ooooo...so close
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The Exchange Club of Four County Area needs just 1 CAP project reported.

National Exchange awards the National Service Award and patch to those clubs who have completed and reported one project each in the Programs of Service areas of Americanism, Youth, Community Service, and our National Project the Prevention of Child Abuse, plus two other projects from any of the POS categories including fundraising.
Curious what YOUR club has reported? Click the link below to see the National Headquarters report by club.
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Don't Reinvent The Wheel
Tifton Club Has Raised Over
$250,000 With
"Bids For Kids"
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It started off as a fundraiser on Tifton's cable local access channel and continued to grow and provide the club with the dollars to fund local Youth Program Of Service funding. This year the Bids For Kids will be entirely virtual allowing anyone in any part of Georgia, or the world for that matter, to bid. The bidder gets the item(s) of their choice but the real winners are the kids of Tifton.
Angela Elder, Secretary of the Tifton Club is heading up the project this year which has a 25 year history of success. According to Angela, "This auction is the club’s largest fundraiser. Proceeds raised through bids and cash donations go to fund grants that are given out to various agencies in the community who are on the frontlines of treating and preventing child abuse."
So how does it work? Club members work for months to secure items from local businesses and individuals that will be up for auction. Items include home décor, jewelry, furniture, trips, spa services, food gift cards, retail gift cards, and much more. The club also accepts cash donations.
This year, like so many other things, the auction had to be reimagined. The 2021 auction will be online only and take place over 3 days. There will still be the same great items up for bid, but now the opportunity to bid will be open to many more people.
The Tifton club is using smart marketing if you notice from their publicity above. They will offer new items daily bringing bidders back to the site not only to see how their bid is doing, but to see what new "must haves" have been added to the listings. WIN/WIN and a great move Tifton.
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Don't Keep Exchange A Secret
Post It High With Pride
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The above are just two of the examples of digital billboard layouts that local Exchange Clubs can place in their communities to spread the word about Georgia's and America's Service Club. These and others that are shown on the National website can be sent in a digital format, personalized for your club, at NO COST to the club. You line up the board(s), contact National's communications department with the requirement of the board's vendorand you are on the way. Get all of the details by calling National Exchange or emailing commun@NationalExchangeClub.org
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This Is What We Do...Georgia's Service Club |
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Macon Club Selects
Member of the Year
It was as festive as it could be while still respecting all of the COVID protocols, but the members of the Exchange Club of Macon, and the Exchangettes, held their annual Valentine's Ball on February 4th.
A highlight of the evening was the announcement of the "Exchangite Of The Year" presentation to The Honorable Judge Ed Ennis, a 42 year member of the club with a long list of Exchange accomplishments.
In making the presentation, club President Ron Raleigh noted the now retired Judge is a Past President, and Chairman of the Board of the club and was instrumental in starting the "My Day In Court" program in Macon as a Youth Program of Service and continues to work on it while now off the bench. He was also on the board of Macon's former Georgia State Fair and worked security for many years.
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Tifton Honors
Officer of the Year
The Exchange Club of Tifton was able to surprise Tifton Police Officer Scott Parker with the first Public Safety award of 2021. Parker was chosen by Police Chief Steve Hyman as
their Officer of the Year. Chief Hyman said,
“he has never grumbled about the amount of work he has to do or that he isn’t being
compensated to do a certain job. He is
always smiling when he comes in to work and will often ask what else can he do.”
Chief Hyman said it is the men and women
that are out where the rubber meets the road that makes their department work. It is nice to know they are appreciated and he is proud to serve as the Chief.
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Tifton Collects Socks As Part of February, Community Service Month, Project
The Exchange Club of Tifton recently collected socks to donate to a local sock drive, organized by one of the county commissioners. Club members
delivered more than two boxes full of socks.
The club members also donated can goods for those in need.
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Meeting In Person Or Planning On Resuming? Do What Brunswick Does To Reintroduce Members To Each Other.
The Exchange club of Brunswick held their monthly business meeting. A Exchange club of Brunswick tradition is a mystery man during our business meeting as a way to get to know our fellow members. The month of February mystery man was Allen Phillips, a member for over 10 years. He chose P.J. (Frenchie) Blanchard, a legend in the Georgia District, to tell about himself also. Frenchie has been a member of the Exchange club of Brunswick since 1967. Frenchie moved to Brunswick in 1952 from New Orleans, he was stationed at GLYNCO naval air station with the blimps. He is dressed in his Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) outfit.
Pictured from left to right VP Mitch Strickland. Pres. Gary Wise Frenchie Blanchard, Allen Phillips and Sec/treasurer Randy Pifer.
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Columbus Salutes Educators as Heroes
The Exchange Club of Columbus's Partner in Education Committee fed breakfast to the staff and faculty of Rothschild Leadership Academy on Feb 11, 2021. The faculty picked up the items as they came into the building and proceeded to their respective classrooms to begin their day. The Exchange Club wanted to show appreciation for their hard work, determination and tenacity during
COVID-19 Pandemic. The club said, "Thanks for rising to the challenges and obstacles you face daily. You are unsung heroes!"
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Statesboro Members Get Mental And Emotional Massage
Crisis Counselor, Joey Fennell, Jr. LPC
told the club about the effects of worry, anxiety and grief on us all. During this time when we all may be having feelings we don't want to talk about, he reminded the members they we are not alone. According to Joey, studies show 50% of our happiness comes from our genetics, 40% comes from our state of mind and 10% comes from our circumstances.
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Rome Club Meetings Virtual But Members Still Receive Meals In Drive Thru Manner
The Exchange Club of Rome is meeting virtually but with another twist. The club dues structure includes the member's meals so a plan was worked out to provide a drive thru meal pickup at the club's Palladium meeting facility on the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds. Members answer a survey the first of each week indicating if they are going to pick up their meal (to allow caterers to prepare) and just pass thru on Friday and pick it up from club volunteers. Pick up is early enough to allow members to return to their homes or work and sign on for the Zoom meetings. Win/Win for all until it is safe to return to live meetings.
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Macon Recognizes "Friends" Of Their Club With
Special Award
The Exchange Club of Macon doesn't forget individuals or businesses that go out of their way to help them. This year, Joel Neal, General Manager Buffalos
receives the Macon Exchange Club’s
“Friend of Exchange Award” for “Buffalos” Restaurant, Zebulon. According to the club, Joel and his staff have been staunch in their support for our Club’s meetings
with a “place” to meet with excellent
service, in their support for the Annual
Golf Tournament, and for the Annual
Sporting Clay Shoot. (pictured with:
Club President Ron Raleigh (left) and
Committee Chair Walter Arnett (right)
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March is NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH
- APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION (CAP) MONTH so Believe In The Blue!
Now that you know, get your club to plan activities and programs around the monthly topics.
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Help Is Just A Mouse Click Away |
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