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The Georgia Exchangite

November 2016
Buzz Wachsteter (Rome) - Editor
Your Source For District News and Information

New Exchange Strong
We Are Exchange Strong!
We Are Exchange Proud!
We Work Together In Unity!
Just A Mouse Click Away...


"Charm School" Training



November 8th

DO IT!!!


Thousands of Americans have died in our country's history to insure that YOU have the right to cast your ballot.  
PLEASE...DON' LET THEM DIE IN VAIN! 
Anne Cruz - District President
A Few Words From Anne -



My fellow Exchangites:


I apologize that you have not heard from me sooner. The last five months have been a personal, professional, and financial struggle for me and my family. Because of this I have been overwhelmed and not been able to communicate to you.  I apologize for this but, as you hear so often, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I am back in gear devoting my time and talents to making this truly an EXCHANGE STRONG year for the Georgia District.
 
Below please find my contact information and know that I am totally accessible to help you so please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.
 
Thank you so much for your prayers as well as your words of support and concern.
 
Yours in Exchange,
Anne
Anne Cruz
677-910-1114

[email protected]




NDOS
Let's see what some of our clubs did on the

Exchange National Day of Service


The National Day of Service is one day a year when all Exchange Clubs are asked to "Work Together In Unity" for their communities in just one of our Programs of Service areas.  Here is a sampling of what some of our Georgia District Clubs did on October 22.


Statesboro NDOS16


The Exchange Club of Statesboro donated towels, bath mats, and bed linens valued at $1200 to Open Hearts Community Mission on Saturday, October 22nd.  Currently under construction, the mission will open early next year to serve the homeless in Statesboro and Bulloch County.  Club members joined together at the future site to present the linens to Jim Lewis, Director of Open Hearts Community Mission.  Jim Lewis, Director of Open Hearts Community Mission said, "Sincere thanks to the Exchange Club for their wonderful service to the community....this case, providing an essential to shelter our Friends and Neighbors in need.  Thanks again to the Exchange Club for making a difference through service to the community!"


savannah NDOS16
The members of the Exchange Club of Savannah met for the second time at a Habitat for Humanity house. The first time the club met, they were tearing down a house that was no longer habitable. The second time, they were putting new siding on a new house that is being built on the same lot.  The new homeowner is a single person who is raising her two grandchildren. Their father, her son, was killed in a robbery gone bad and the children were left without parents. There is more to do and the members of the Savannah Club are anxious to see it through to move in day.


Columbus NDOS16


The Exchange Club of Columbus members were busy with Community Service. The Open Door Community House in Columbus, GA offers opportunities for spiritual growth, establishes relationships with individuals and families in need, and works cooperatively with other area service agencies to bring about reconciliation in the lives of people in the community. They recently made an appeal to the community for a list of needs which included toiletries, clothing, and food items.  President Peggy Lambert selected this agency as the recipient for our day of service.  She collected items from the Club members and delivered them to the Manager, Marlon Short, the  morning of October 22nd.  Mr. Short thanked our Club for their generosity and caring commitment to helping others. Pictured from left to right are Susan Berry, Vice President, Marlon Short, Open Door, Peggy Lambert, President, and Jennifer Allen, Program Chair.


FCA NDOS16


On Saturday's national day of service, members of the Four County Area Exchange Club gathered at the Twiggs County Senior Center to spruce up the yard.  Members present were;  Paul White (president), Sharon Radebaugh (board member), and Bruce Radebaugh (treasurer).  They mowed, trimmed bushes, and edged the yard and hauled away the clippings.   Pine straw was placed around bushes and trees and flowers were put in the entry flower pots.


 
ROME NDOS16


The Exchange Club of Rome worked at their CAP Center, the Family Resource Center, as its National Day of Service project.  While some worked outside removing an aged play-set that had become a liability, others worked inside repairing door hardware and other fix up jobs.  The old play-set is going to the local Habitat For Humanity where it will be refurbished and utilized somewhere else in the community. 
Valdosta NDOS


The Exchange Club of Valdosta worked with The Haven, a battered women's shelter supported by the club, at a local housing project. They cooked and passed out 400 hot dogs, chips, drinks and candy.  The club members also passed out literature about safety in and around the home, safety measures for children walking to school, and combating bullying.  The club tries to do this program twice a year.  Pictured are Georgia District President-Elect Sidney Blanton, his wife Donna, Lori Maddox and Cindy Odom.




(Editor's note:  We are positive that there were many other great projects done by District Clubs as part of the National Day of Service, but they were not reported to us or they would have been included in this special NDOS article.)
Valdosta Roller
Are YOU Valdosta Bound?



Even though June, 2017 is months away, start making plans to attend the 92nd annual Georgia District Exchange Clubs convention.  It will be held in Valdosta June 1-3, 2017 at the Rainwater Conference Center.  Sleeping accommodations will be at the Hampton Inn next to the conference center. Breakfasts will be provided free of charge at the Hampton Inn.  As always, the convention will be fun and informative.  There will be great food, entertainment and outstanding Exchange education.


We encourage you to bring your family and enjoy all the outstanding attractions Valdosta has to offer.  Just click on the link to see just a few of them. The Top Ten Things To Do In Valdosta


Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions regarding the convention.  Look forward to seeing you in Valdosta in June.
Yours in Exchange,
 
Jess Lucas
Convention Chairman
H - 779-719-0879
C - 404-713-7740


NSA
Georgia's First 

National Service Award Winners


Congratulations to the Exchange Clubs of Albany and Rome, the Georgia District of Exchange's first two National Service Award Winners.


National Staffers also report that the Exchange Clubs of Cedartown, Macon, and Statesboro are oh so close to finishing their requirements too.


Remember local club Secretaries, fill out the Programs of Service reports on line with each of your club's completed programs.
respondersClubs Salute First Responders



albany fire emt


The Exchange Club of Albany has recognized public servants that support area citizens through both the Fire Department and EMT's. Pictured with Albany President Kay Griffin are a representative of the entire Dougherty County EMT Staff who were honored, Tawanna Maples, Albany Firefighter of the Year, Pete Radono, Lee County's EMT of the Year, and Billy Davis, Lee County Firefighter of the Year.




The Exchange Club of Dublin recognized Mick Malone of the Laurens County Sheriff's Department as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Malone was honored for showing selfless and heroic actions at an accident that occurred on I-16 in April.
 


Dublin also recognized Joe Forte, Firefighter of the Year.  Don Bryant, Chief of the Laurens County Fire Department was also at the meeting Joe was presented his plaque and thanked the Exchange Club for the award and dedicated the award to the entire Fire and Sheriff's Department as he graciously gave credit to the entire team of firefighters and deputy sheriffs that responded to the accident on the Interstate back in April of 2016.  





The Exchange Club of Macon honored the  Firefighter of the Year. This was awarded to William DeWitt.  Pictured from L-R: Exchange Club President Bobby George,  Mrs. DeWitt, William DeWitt   and Chief Riggins. 
 


Macon also saluted their  Officer of the Year.  This was awarded to Deputy Sheriff Tony Moss, Jr.  Pictured from L-R: Exchange Club President Bobby George, Deputy Moss, Mrs. Moss and Sheriff David Davis.





The Exchange Club of Tifton honored Drew Berger, a firefighter with the Tifton Fire D e p a r t m e n t, a s the Exchange Club's Firefighter of the Year award. Chief Michael Coleman, along with Exchange Club Public Safety Chair Regenia Wells, presented Berger with the award. Berger began his firefighting career as a volunteer in 2008. Chief Coleman was so impressed with his hard work and training as a volunteer that he hired Berger as a career firefighter in 2013. Coleman said Berger continues to train and gain additional certifications. "He is the future of this department," Coleman said. "The Tifton Fire Department is in great hands as long as we continue to have men like Drew."


Brunswick fire16


The Exchange Club of Brunswick held their annual firefighter appreciation luncheon. The Exchange club presented a plaque of appreciation to five firefighters from local departments. Pictured from left to right Frenchi Blanchard, Adam Humkey, Kim Vaughn, Steve Rojas Brunswick Fire department, Chief Randy Jordan Glynn County Fire department, Dawn Gowan G.C.F.D., Chief Joe Combs Glynn county Volunteer Fire department and President Chris Thorpe Not Pictured Keith Vedrine B.F.D. James Hendley G.C.V.F.D. Drue Smith Jekyll Island Fire department, Clayton Cowman Georgia forestry.  
Miss
Photo by Melanie Abney
Rome Features

Little Miss Coosa Valley Challenger
At Coosa Valley Fair


For many Exchange Clubs that sponsor fairs, beauty pageants are an important part.  This is also the case for the annual Coosa Valley Fair sponsored by the Exchange Club of Rome, but with an added twist.


The Little Miss Coosa Valley Challenger pageant has been added to the list of queens. The contest is designed for to honor contestants with special needs and recognize their accomplishments. The registration fees are donated to Camp Good Times, a camp held in the summer for those with special needs.


Miss Georgia Patricia Ford was on hand to crown Katelyn Holtzclaw as this year's winner.  The Little Miss Challenger contest was just one of 12 different pageants with contestants that run from 6 months to Miss Coosa Valley Fair.  All registration proceeds from the balance of the other competitions are donated to the Miss Rome Scholarship Fund which help fund college scholarships for the winners of the annual Miss Rome and Miss Rome Outstanding Teen competition, an official part of the Miss Georgia program. 


(If your club is interested in adding this to your Community Service and Youth programs, contact Wanda Whitten of the Rome Club 
local
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Blanton
Even On The Top Levels...It's Training That Reaps Success


Blanton Attends
National
Leadership Conference


Georgia District President-Elect Sidney Blanton attended the National Exchange Leadership Conference in Detroit.


The conference brings together all of the District President-Elects from across the country to meet as a "class" for top level training to help them accomplish the mantle of leadership their Districts have placed upon them. 


Sid Blanton's Class
The Upcoming National District Leaders
 
According to our President-Elect:
  • Thursday and Friday were 8 hours each day of training on how, why, when and where to do a better job as District President. Training was on Building clubs, Membership retention, Interactive with other clubs, Value of Exchange, Purpose of the district, Leadership teams District Directors, Effective Leadership, Proper Training for new members, and Public Relations. 
  • Saturday morning was on the role of The National Exchange Club Foundation, Club and District Awards, National President's Report and the 2017-2018 Class Meeting.  This is when the group selects and class spokesman and the Class Name. 
After lunch, the class and National Reps loaded on two buses and road tripped to the National Headquarters in Toledo, Ohio for a tour and Court of Honor Ceremony installing five new members into the Court.


Sidney said, "We had a good time, a LOT of training, a LOT of food and made some good friends."  
speech
Speech Contest Information Out To Clubs



One of the popular Youth programs of Georgia Exchange is the annual American Citizenship Speech Contest.  This program should be a must for all Georgia District clubs.  Click on the link below for complete details.


flags


WOW!  4 THOUSAND FLAGS TO WAVE



Way To Go Exchange Club Of Statesboro



4,000 flags were passed out to young spectators at the annual Fair Parade on Monday, October 17.  The flags were part of Statesboro's GiveAKidAFlagToWave program to heighten appreciation and admiration for our country's flag!!



calendarDates YOU Need To Know
  • Nov 8 - Election Day (Get Out The Vote Americanism Program)
  • Nov 11 - Veterans Day (National Exchange 11/11@7 Project)
  • Nov 16 - Club IRS Form Due
  • Jan 7, 2017 District Board Meeting - 9:30 am at Oconee EMC in Dudley.  CAP Foundation Board to follow lunch.  All Exchangites are invited to attend.
  • Mar 25, 2017 District Board Meeting
  • June 1-3, 2017 District Convention Valdosta.  
  • July 12-15, 2017 National Exchange Convention Jacksonville, FL
Vets
Waving Flag
Thank You Exchangite Vets
Your Service To Our Country Means A Lot To Us


November 11th more than just the 315th day of the year, it is Veterans Day. While Americanism is one of Exchange's major Programs of Service, this day in particular is the day when we all say thank you to our Exchangites in a special way as we fulfill the words of our Covenant of Service, "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"


If you were part of America's Greatest Generation that served in World War II, or Korea, Vietnam, the Middle East or anywhere in the world upholding freedom and liberty...if you were in the Army, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard, we honor you.  

 
Albany
albany at peanut festival


It Was Quite A Week For Albany


The Exchange Club of Albany had an extremely busy week in October.
Just look at some busy Exchangites:
  • Saturday morning, a few met in Sylvester to give out flags at their Peanut Festival parade. 
  • Thursday afternoon they led the Lee County homecoming parade and give out flags.  They focus on giving flags to the children, but some of these children have gray hair. 
  • On Wednesday morning, a Freedom Shrine was dedicated at the Lee County Middle School East Campus.  The Freedom Shrine is an impressive, permanently mounted collection of 30 of the most important and historic American document replicas that serves to remind all of us of the great efforts that have been taken to ensure our freedom.  Twelve of us attended this ceremony.  Two history classes were able to attend.  Some of the students took part in the program and the chorus sang "The Star Spangled Banner."  Our own Jim Quinn, as mayor of Leesburg, had a part on the program plus Kevin Dowling (Assistant Superintendent) and Winston Oxford (representative from Chamber of Commerce). This was a very impressive ceremony. 

Right after this they were going to squeeze in a "Spouses Night Out" and kick off on heck of a fair.

 

There is no doubt that Albany is EXCHANGE STRONG!

The Georgia Exchangite | 706-291-0678 | [email protected] | gdec.biz


Georgia District Exchange Clubs | 1 Haynes Creek Road | Rome | GA | 30161