Exchange’s Americanism activities promote pride in our country, respect for the flag and appreciation of our freedoms. Some examples are GiveAKidAFlag-ToWave, Proudly We Hail, Freedom Shrine, and Healing Field.
The Community Service committee's focus is on service projects that meet the diverse needs of the committees that we serve. These activities are broad in scope and designed to benefit the community. Some examples are, Book of Golden Deed award, Service to seniors, National Day of service, CARE Award, Holiday Projects, Keeping your Kids safe program and clothing drives, along with other projects.
The youth activities are designed to benefit, award, and develop the young people of our country. Some examples are Youth of the Month/Year, A.C.E. Award, and Young Citizenship Award.
A strong club has a good membership base, an excellent Program of Service, and members that have fun! There is no hard and fast rule on the number of members that make a great club, but, generally, it takes 25 members to run an effective club. If there are fewer than 25, the club runs the danger of burning out its members. The club’s program of service should exhibit its excellence through serving the needs of the community. These needs change with time. Successful clubs evaluate their projects and fundraisers on a regular basis, and develop new strategies to make each year a successful one. An important part of a great program of service is good public relations— making sure that the community (and club members) knows about club projects and activities through press releases, club bulletins, and other means of communication. People join Exchange to make a difference in their communities. Make the Exchange experience an enjoyable one, and members will continue to work hard to accomplish this goal.
Clubs, with the Membership Expansion and Retention Committee regularly promoting the importance of recruiting new members. For more information, contact the Club and District Services department.
The membership committee, working with the club officers, should verify that new members are properly and promptly inducted. Perhaps a new member could be assigned to a current member to help with the acclimation process. For more information, see the Appendix for how to induct new members. The Membership Expansion and Retention Committee is also responsible for ensuring that new members receive a proper orientation. This committee may also work with the Exchange Education Committee during the orientation process.
This committee is responsible for gaining awareness, recognition, and promoting a favorable image of your Exchange Club to the public. A strong public relations committee is essential to gaining new members or sponshorship. The most effective public relations a club can acquire is through its members. Exchangites should continuously create public recognition, understanding and confidence in the goals and principles of Exchange.
Members should strive to be recognized as an asset to the community. The committee should encourage all members to wear the official lapel pin and Exchange attire, to display Exchange Club certificates and plaques, and to display club emblems and bumper stickers on their cars. The committee should also recommend the display of Exchange Club road signs and ensure that all printed material, bulletins and projects be clearly identified with the official, registered Exchange Club emblem and name in a prominent location.
The news media are interested in conveying news which highlights people helping to build a better community. When an Exchange Club is doing something worthwhile in a city or neighborhood, this provides an excellent opportunity to gain recognition from the local media. Send news releases at every opportunity. The committee should also try to establish media relations by contacting the local print and broadcast editors, and asking them how the committee can work best with them to attain the greatest amount of news coverage. It is a good idea to become familiar with the specific submission requirements for both print and broadcast media. The committee should publicize every possible event such as fundraisers, service projects, election of officers, social events and noteworthy speakers.
Exchange Today is another good source of publicity. Exchange’s national magazine is always interested in unusual and outstanding news. Complete information, along with quality photographs, should be sent to the editor immediately after the event. Sample news releases for many club events, as well as publicity tips and pointers can be found in the Public Relations Guide available from your National
Headquarters and on the website, www.nationalexchangeclub.org. Call the Communications department for more information or assistance with your club’s public relations efforts.
This committee has the responsibility of keeping members happy and satisfied with their Exchange Club membership. The membership should be able to enjoy the friendship, fun and ambiance.
The first 90 days are the most important of a new member’s Exchange career. In this short time, the impressions formed are the building blocks of an involved, productive member for years to come. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Conduct formal orientation with in two weeks of induction.
2. During orientation, the new member should complete the Member Interest Finder.
3. Use the Member Interest Finder to determine the member’s interests and assign him or her to a committee. The new member’s New members should become involved in a serious project or committee within their first 90 days of membership. Review the Member Interest Finder and invite them to a committee meeting in their area of interest. Assign new members who are not involved in an active project or assigned to a club duty, such as greeter, to serve on a standing committee. Just as ongoing membership recruitment efforts are vital to a club’s success and stability, so too are ongoing retention efforts. Any organization inevitably loses a certain number of members through relocation and death, but this committee should see that members are kept interested and involved. Active, interested members are much more likely to value and continue their membership. Here are a few techniques for retaining members:
1. Educate. New members should be made familiar with club history and objectives, as well as programs and accomplishments of the National Exchange Club.
2. Involve. The club should sponsor a variety of important and necessary community service activities, keeping all members directly involved in bettering the community.
3. Interest. The programs should be interesting and varied, with good food and networking and an appropriate meeting atmosphere.
4. Socialize. Clubs should organize periodic social gatherings, to which spouses and significant others are also invited.
With regard to member retention, enrichment is as important as involvement. The club president must ensure the membership at-large is enriched throughout the year.
A healthy club recognizes the need to engage in a variety of activities to encourage and inspire its members to remain active. These activities include:
– Warm fellowship and camaraderie
– Association with interesting people
– Business leads and referrals
– Community awareness