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.

News and Events

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and also National Volunteer Recognition Month.

April 23, 2008 – Breakfast meeting at Steak N Shake, Mark Rudd speaker.

April 24, 2008 - Club Social at Gelsosomo’s Pizzeria, US 6 & County Line, Portage, IN. Everyone welcome! Invite a friend and introduce them to Exchange! Contact Ed & Dot to assure enough seating.

April 26, 2008 – Happy Birthday Jerry Bryan!!

April 30, 2008 – Breakfast meeting, program to be Proudly We Hail.

May 1, 2008 – Convention Deadline…

May 2, 2008 - the Portage Club is hosting the Exchange Club of

Portage Presents the Bill Proctor Memorial Golf Outing. It will be held at the Brassie, 1110 N 125 W, Chesterton, IN. $70.00 per person. For more information contact Mike Lemond at (219) 762-5764 - Door Prizes and golfers needed as soon as possible…

May 4, 2008 – Happy Anniversary Dot and Ed Ferguson!

May 7, 2008 – Breakfast meeting. Speaker is scheduled per Mike Lemond.

May 10, 2008 – Happy Anniversary Brad and Peggy Clapp!

May 14, 2008 – Our clubs A.C.E. and Youth of the Year will be presented. For your information and review: A.C.E. stands for Accepting the Challenge of Excellence. This program recognizes high school students who have made a dramatic change in their attitude and performance during their high school years. These changes have enabled the students to overcome adversities and prepare for graduation. Clubs may also submit their top A.C.E. Award winner to the district competition. Winners at the district level then have an opportunity to compete for the National A.C.E. Award. Purpose: This is a positive program with two key objectives. First, it helps encourage students to overcome their hardships and get back on track toward a high school diploma. Second, the award recognizes those students who are often overlooked for their accomplishments. This special recognition serves as a powerful example to all students that hard work and perseverance really do pay.

Youth of the Year Award stands for: One of the most popular Exchange youth projects, the Youth of the Month/Year Award recognizes hard-working high school students who attain high levels of scholastic achievement, community involvement and leadership. This proven program not only rewards outstanding

young people, but also provides an incentive for other youngsters to strive for equally high levels of achievement. Once a Youth of the Month program has been successfully implemented, the groundwork for conducting an annual Youth of the Year competition is already in place. Selection of the Youth of the Year is simply made from the club's Youth of the Month recipients for that school year. The club's Youth of the Year advances to district competition, and ultimately, an opportunity to vie for the prestigious National Youth of the Year Award. Specially designed plaques and certificates, along with a detailed Youth of the Month/Year information guide and application, can be obtained from National Headquarters.

Purpose: The National Exchange Club’s Youth of the Month program provides Exchange Clubs

with the opportunity to honor outstanding students in the community who have exhibited excellence in academics and leadership. When your club becomes involved in this worthwhile program, you are joining hundreds of other clubs across the country in an effort to identify and recognize the young leaders of our nation.

This monthly program not only enhances career opportunities forthose honored, it also promotes good citizenship, a desire for greater scholastic achievement, and the development of wellrounded personalities to other young adults in the community. The project’s human interest appeal will generate communitywide attention and media coverage for your Exchange Club.

May 14, 2008 – Per Mike Lemond, Board meeting will be at the Portage YMCA. Time to be announced.

May 15, 2008 - Club Social at Gelsosomo’s Pizzeria, US 6 & County Line, Portage, IN. Everyone welcome! Invite a friend and introduce them to Exchange! Contact Ed & Dot to assure enough seating.

We’ve Got Mail:

Hello Exchange Members,

The registration deadline for the discounted $99 + tax rooms at the Radisson at Star Plaza has been extended from April 16th to April 23rd. Call the Radisson at 800-333-3333 and ask for the “Exchange Club” special rate for Friday May 16th. Join us Friday May 16th on the Party Deck for the Rail Cats vs. the Joliet Jackhammers. Ticket price of $27 includes food, sides and soft drinks. Add unlimited beer for 8.75 (only available with registration). We will be renting 1 or more 15 passenger vans to transport you and your guests to the game departing at 5:00 from the Radisson. Please refer to your invitation for all the details! The Winfield Area Exchange Club’s 2nd Annual Golf Outing at the Lake of the Four Seasons Golf Course is on Friday, May 16th at 9:00 am CST. Details on golf were included with your convention package. Contact Barb Kline at 219-661-2600 no later than May 1st. Stay over at the Radisson and join us Saturday morning for the Business Forum. Saturday business includes club and district awards, speakers, and election of officers. Convention package price of $50 includes morning session and youth banquet. Morning only price for members is $35. Please join us at 12:00 noon CST for the Youth Awards Banquet. We will be awarding our District’s Youth of the Year and District A.C.E. awards to these outstanding students. Internationally known speaker, author and hypnosis trainer Tim Shurr is our keynote speaker. Member’s price for the Youth Banquet is $45. Guest price is $30. You are encouraged to invite any prospective members, and guests to any of our events. Please register to your club secretary for the Rail Cats and District Convention. The registration deadline is May 1st.

See you there!

Mary Talbutt

May 18, 2008 – LAST SENIOR BINGO UNTIL FALL!!

May 24, 2008 – Speaker to be Jennifer Jones, Assistant Dean with Valparaiso University.

June 11th, 2008 – Per Mike Lemond, Board meeting will be at thePortage YMCA. Time to be announced.

June or July 2008 – Installation dinner, more information when available. Peggy Berbesque, head chair person.

September, 2008 – Kid’s Charity Raffle, more information when available. Brad Clapp, head chair person.