Palisadian., 1925-12-18
FACTS CONCERNING EXCHANGE CLUB,
HOW 1T STARTED, WHAT IT STANDS FOR

The formation of the local branch
of the National Exchange Club has
created much interest in this organ
ization, and the Palisadian prints this
week some facts relative to the club
which will give a comprehensive idea
of how it started and what it stands
for
The first Exchange Club was
formed in Detroit, Michigan, on April
IL, 1911, by Chas. A. Berkey and a
number of his friends and business
associates. Before snis official or
ganization was completed, many of
these men had been meeting infor-
mally for the purpose of enjoying a
hospitable luncheon hour and ex-
changing experiences. These meet
ings started as far back as the year
1896 While the business and pro
fessional men who gathered together
for these occasional luncheons had
no official name for their organization,
it became known as the Booster s
Club and gradually took on many of
the attributes of the present day Serv-
ice Club.
Four members of this original
Boosters Club are still members of
the Exchange Club of Detroit.
1t was Mr.. Berkey's idea to form
an organization of Detroit men, each
representing a different business or
profession. which would elect officers,
have certain definite ideals and pur-
poses and which would meet each
week at specified time.
At the first meeting of this group
the name of Exchange" was selected
for the club.
The second club to be formed was
Toledo, on January 3, 1918. This club
was patterned after the one in De-
troit. Shortly afterwards clubs were
formed at Cleveland and at Grand
Rapids, Michigan.
Then the National Exchange Club
was incorporated with the provision
that each affiliated club be given
equal representation and have equal
voice in the policies of the National
Organization.
The first National Convention was
held in Toledo in 1917, at which plans
were made for launching an exten-
sion program to enlarge the organi-
zation's field of usefulness.
From nucleus of four clubs, Ex-
change has developed into a great
national organization represented in
every state.
Every club in the country has had
its part in this wonderful achieve
ment. Some clubs have rendered ae-
tive assistance in the forming of 9th
er clubs and exchangites everywhere
have responded unselfishly to the call
of service.
1t is the purpose of all exchange
clubs to work in unity for the better
ment of business conditions and for
the general good Of the communities
in which they function.
In national way, the Exchange
Clubs have been specially interested
in the following problems:
Excessive Law Making, The Back
TO School Movement. Boys Work,
Juvenile Court Work, The Teaching
of Americanism, The Control of Can
Ger, The Care of the INDECENT Moth
er, Recreation and Playground Work
The National Exchange Club is an
organization made up of all of the
Exchange Clubs in the United States.
1t functions in the interests of Ex-
change under the direction of Ma
tional Board of Control composed of
seventeen men who come from all
parts of the country. This Board of
Control sees to it that the policies
adopted by affiliated Exchange Clubs
assembled in National Convention
are carried out. The National Ex-
change Club does not and should not
attempt to exert corrective power
over the activities of the local Ex-
change Club. Were it not for The
National Exchange Club, Exchange
today would be an unknown organiza-
ton, practically without value to the
individual member The National or
ganization provides the means for
spreading the Gospel of Exchange and
for the development of new ideas
IL dSSuTeS Inc luulNiuudl EASndhS0
Club of the backing and cooperation
of every other club in the country.
The slogan of Exchange is Unity
For Service" and this means an un-
selfish service to humanity.
In the membership of Exchange you
will find many men of national and
international Importance. The late
President Harding was member of
the Exchange Club of Mansfield, Ohio,
and President Calvin Coolidge is a
member at Rutland, Vermont. In
speaking of Exchange, President Cool
idge recently said, Organizations of
this kind have, undoubtedly, been do
ing a useful service, but none along