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Charles A. Berkey
National Club Page
Charles A. Berkey and a number of his business associates formed the first local Exchange Club on March 27, 1911 in Detroit, Michigan. Prior to that date some of the men had been meeting informally at the luncheon hour during which they engaged in the exchange of ideas. These meetings dated as far back as 1896. It is an interesting observation that although the first local Exchange Club acquired its name on March 27, 1911, its origin dates from 1896. , when its forerunner, mentioned above, was organized. Toledo Ohio, Cleveland Ohio and Grand Rapids Michigan followed Detroit to be the first four clubs Chartered by the national Exchange Club.
At the first meeting, following the suggestion of Mr. Berkey, the name EXCHANGE was selected because it best exemplified the intent of the group, which believed that progress comes from an interexchange of ideas, opinions, and experiences.
The first National Exchange Club Convention was held on September 18, 1917. It was during the convention the motto “Unity for Service” was adopted. The originator of the motto was the First National President Charles A Berkey. It simply means `The Golden Rule' in three words.
The Covenant of Service was written in 1923 by Meridian, Mississippi Exchangite, Thomas L Bailey, but was not adopted until 1927. The Covenant of Service was adopted as the philosophy which characterizes an individual Exchange member.
Covenant of Service
Accepting the divine privilege of single and collective responsibilities as life's noblest gift, I covenant with my fellow Echangites:
TO: Consecrate my best energies to the uplifting of Social, Religious, Political and Business Ideals ;
TO: Discharge the debt 1 owe to those of high and low estate who have served and sacrificed that the heritage of American citizenship might be mine;
TO: Honor and respect law, to serve my fellowmen, and to uphold the ideals and institutions of my Country;
TO: Implant the life-giving, society-building sprit of service and comradeship in my social and business relationships;
TO: Serve in Unity with those seeking better conditions, better understandings and greater opportunities for all.
Mission Statement
Exchange, American 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.
The Woodruff Road Exchange Club
of Greenville
America's Premier Service Club
March 27, 1911 ~ March 27, 2011
A CENTURY OF SERVICE
