July 24, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        

To:       News Directors, Assignment Editors

From:    Michelle Smolenski, Communications Director, National Exchange Club,

            800/924-2643, info@nationalexchangeclub.org, Web site: www.nationalexchangeclub.org

Contact: Russ Yerger, 406-256-1500

Bozeman Resident Receives National Exchangite of the Year Award

There is no task too small, nor any vision too large for Jim Powell when it comes to community service and Exchange activities. As Yellowstone District President Russ Yerger wrote, “Jim is the face of Exchange in our district.”

Jim’s unwavering dedication to the mission of Exchange, the countless hours he devotes to all Exchange causes and his never-ending quest to recruit new members could be the reason why Jim Powell was named the National Exchangite of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes an outstanding member who personifies the high ideals of our organization who participates in recruitment/new club building efforts, club/district leadership positions, major club or district committees, projects, or fundraisers. The award also recognizes individuals who volunteer countless hours of their time and consistently display a positive attitude while doing so.

In more than a decade of continuous leadership at the local and district levels, Jim has amassed a long list of accomplishments such as: achieved the Big E Award while president of the Downtown Billings Exchange Club; achieved the Big E Award while president of the Bozeman Exchange Club; founder and chief architect of the CAP Foundation for the Downtown Billings club; chief organizer of Bozeman’s major fundraising effort and chair of the Fundraising Committee; Yellowstone District President in 2004-2005; Yellowstone District Exchangite of the Year for 2008-2009.

Jim’s exemplary spirit of giving doesn’t stop at Exchange. A long-standing board member of the United Way, Jim is the current chairman of the Bozeman campaign. He also serves as a board member with the Prospera Business Network. Jim has given generously of his time to youth athletics as a volunteer coach and is an enthusiastic supporter and volunteer for Montana State University Bobcat athletics and related booster activities.

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. To date, The National Exchange Club’s efforts have helped more than 1,727,000 children and 691,000 families break the cycle of child abuse.   

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