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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