1 - Home

http://floridadistrictexchange.com
Volume 32, Number 4
Spring 2011
CALL TO CONVENTION:
May 19-22, 2011
100th Anniversary
National Exchange Club
93rd Annual Convention
Detroit, Michigan
In This Issue
President’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
National News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12
Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-21
People in the News . . . . . . . . .22-23
Four Pillars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24-27
District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28-29
Headquarters for the 89th Annual Convention of the Florida District Exchange Clubs
- Photo by Hilton Deerfield Beach/Boca Raton
Happy Birthday!
Jacksonville Beaches Club
Inducts 11 New Members
Exchange Clubs in Florida and
across the country celebrated
their 100th birthday in March.
In the largest single induction in
the club’s history, Jacksonville
Beaches inducted eleven new
members in celebration of the
centennial and the club’s 31st
anniversary.
Membership Chair Tom Boyd’s
welcoming remarks included
thoughts written by club founder, the late Roy Deese. Past
President Tim Jenkins, Rear Admiral, USN (Ret.), treated the
inductees to a deeply moving,
personal account of the club’s
history. President Jack Morison
reminded everyone to continue
(continued on page 26)
Spring 2011
Rep. West and President-Elect Mobley
Headline 89th District Convention
Rep. Allen West will address the
One Nation Under God breakfast at Florida’s 89th Annual
Convention. National PresidentElect Sid Mobley is an honored
guest. The Convention will be
held May 19-22 at the Hilton
Deerfield Beach/Boca Raton in
beautiful south Florida.
Convention Chair Kathy Mize is
planning an information-packed,
fun-filled program. Golfers will
Make Your Hotel
Reservations Now!
HILTON
Deerfield Beach/Boca Raton
100 Fairway Drive
Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441
See Page 28 for Details
www.deerfieldhilton.com
enjoy the Deerfield Beach Municipal Course. Social events include the Bar-B-Que Friday and
the Installation and Awards Banquet on Saturday nights. Youth
contests are scheduled for Saturday morning; the winners will
be honored at Saturday’s lunch.
Training sessions and meetings
will be held; the Hospitality
Suite will be open for relaxing
and socializing. Attendees can
test their luck in the Reverse
Raffle and Silent Auction that
benefit District trust funds. The
One Nation Under God breakfast with Rep. West closes the
convention on Sunday morning.
Plan extra time to enjoy the
area. Hope to see you in
Deerfield Beach!
Florida Exchangite
1
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
NOW is the time to make your
hotel reservations and
send in your registration information!
Happy 100th Anniversary
to the
National Exchange Club!
One hundred years of helping our communities.
I’m sure that if the founders of Exchange could
see us now (and who says they can’t?), they would
be very proud of all that Exchange has accomplished. And this was based on a few men who got
together with the idea of exchanging ideas about
business and their community.
Our founders had an idea… and look where we
have come! In the 100 years that Exchange has
been in existence, we have grown to more than
700 clubs and 22,000 members all working together to promote Americanism, support our
Youth, prevent Child Abuse, and serve our Communities. Some famous Exchangites over the
years include former Presidents George H.W.
Bush, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Harry S Truman; Aviators Orville Wright, James “Jimmy”
Doolittle, and Amelia Earhart; Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Chief Justice Earl Warren, and Dr.
Norman Vincent Peale. Since our founding days,
Exchange has been exclusively an American service organization, serving the people of our own
country first and foremost.
While remaining true to our core values, we have
evolved and improved over the years. The National Exchange Club today welcomes women, minorities, and people from all walks of life. It admitted
women to the organization in 1985, and our current National President is Margie Miller. Later this
year, the first African-American National President, Sidney Mobley, is set to take office. President-Elect Mobley and his wife Claresie will be
our guests this year at the Florida District Convention (May 19-22 in Deerfield Beach).
2
Florida Exchangite
This year we also remember the tenth anniversary
of an event that changed the course of history. Ten
years ago on September 11, 2001, the United
States of America was attacked on its own shores
at the World Trade Center in New York City and
at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Another
at=tack, most likely planned for the Capitol or the
White House that same day, was successfully diverted by the courageous acts of a few Americans
on board United Airlines Flight 93. These heroes,
with their call of “Let’s roll!” stopped terrorists
from reaching their target and, in so doing, saved
many lives… while giving their own.
Throughout our history in America, it is people
like these who have made a huge difference. This
is our heritage, and this is our future. Never give
up hope, because one idea – and a passionate person to take action on that idea – can change the
course of our future, whether for the National Exchange Club or for the United States of America.
As I look back at my almost two years as District
President, I realize that in Florida and all over this
nation, Exchange members are some of the best
people you can find. At every club I visited, there
was an immediate acceptance and feeling of belonging to something greater than the individual.
Fundraisers, officer installations, banquets, socials,
Board meetings – there is always a genuine desire
to serve and help others that permeates the atmosphere. Truly, Exchangites are some of the kindest,
most giving, and most selfless people around, and
it has always been my privilege to serve as Florida
District President.
Thank you!
Eric Menger
President, Florida District Exchange Clubs
Spring 2011
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
An Open Letter from
John Messal
To The Movers and Shakers of Exchange:
At our last Board of Directors meeting in Gainesville, our leader Eric Menger said, and I agree,
“You are all Heroes.” Exchangites do things that
others do not even think about, or take for granted.
Exchangites are Heroes. You are each Exchange Leadership Heroes. I hope that I can make
the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
Regional Vice President Paul “Irish” McShane has
always had the ability to motivate and encourage
greatness in everyone he has the opportunity to
engage with. At that Board meeting, he challenged
the members of the Board to join with the other
Exchangites of the District and build new clubs.
Beth and John Messal at last year’s Emerald Coast
Exchange Club’s “Top O’ the Murder to You” Fundraiser
We need to take his level of enthusiasm to the
next level, to meet him on his own ground.
Take it personally. Go get two, three, or four
new members in the three months left in this Exchange year. It is not that hard. Just ask.
It is on our watch to grow Exchange and do it
now! Find a way to build a club, grow a club, and
retain membership in existing clubs.
Eric Menger and Paul McShane at the
91st Annual National Exchange Club Convention
Board of Directors Meeting
Florida District Exchange Clubs Board of Directors met February 26 in Gainesville. John and Beth
Messal handled the local arrangements.
Paul McShane, National Exchange Region 9 Vice
President, discussed the need for District and National membership growth and strategies for gaining new members. Saying the best way to grow is
by building new clubs, he emphasized, “Don’t tell
me you can’t get it done; tell me how you’re going to get it done.” The Board voted unanimously
to certify McShane as a candidate for a two-year
term for Vice President of National’s Region 9.
In other business, officers presented reports, and
Division Directors provided news about clubs in
their Divisions. Roy Thompson, trustee of Florida’s Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Trust, reported that the recent grant from IBM Corporation
will be used to provide each CAP center with
$200 worth of new materials.
Jim Brown, NEC Foundation Trustee, reported the
Investing in America’s Future campaign has raised
just over $3 million in cash, pledges, and estate
gifts with $2 million to go.
I can help at any level you want. I know people
who can help. Please let me know what I can do.
We are all the National Exchange Club.
Thank you for your indulgence,
John Messal
Florida District Immediate Past President
District Membership Chair
Subcommittee for National Understrength Clubs
Spring 2011
Board of Directors Members Amy Mueller, Diana Walker, Eric
Menger, Judy Landgrave, Nancy Gollnick (front row); Jim Brown,
Karen Helms, Ken Haas, Mark Dayton, Larry Crismond, Sue Jones,
Kathy Mize, John Messal, Region 9 VP Paul McShane (back row)
Florida Exchangite
3
NATIONAL NEWS
Believe in the Blue
NEC Region 9 Vice President Paul McShane
Do You Have the
Right Attitude?
National’s 2011 Believe in the Blue Prevention of
Child Abuse project promotes strong, healthy families through positive parenting. This project is an
effort to reach families across the nation with positive, easy-to-use parenting tips. Clubs may order
a helpful new Resource Kit at http://www.believeintheblue.org/believeintheblue/requestkit.htm. It
includes Parenting Tips, great Activities for Kids,
15-second public service TV announcements, a
sample press release, and envelope inserts.
Paul McShane, Vice President, National Exchange Club
Region 9
Alabama * Florida * Puerto Rico
Do you have the right attitude?
In Exchange and in life we are always looking for
the “Answer” to help us move onward and upward. No matter what you wish to achieve in all
facets of your life, it starts with the right attitude.
Your attitude will not only carry you forward but
will have a direct correlation to those around you.
So I give you some thoughts:
• Aim for what you really want.
• Stay focused on the positive, especially in
tough times.
• See a world of opportunities amongst a sea
of distractions.
• Combat negative thinking and self-sabotage.
• Crush limiting beliefs, set breakthrough goals,
and program yourself for success.
• Inspire excellence in others.
• Maintain a winning attitude and work with contagious passion and enthusiasm.
100 for 100 Challenge Coin
Created especially for the 100th Anniversary of
Exchange, the “100 for 100” Challenge Coin is
given for a $100 contribution. Each 1½" diameter
coin has the Exchange emblem on one side and
the NEC Foundation’s purpose and blue ribbon on
the other. Show your pride and support for your
National Exchange Club Foundation and its mission of child abuse prevention by making your
$100 donation now. Specify whether you want the
coin with a loop for a necklace or as a medallion.
See details at http://www.exchangeclubfoundation.org/100-challenge.htm.
We live in the greatest country on God’s green
earth and belong to Exchange, “America’s Service
Club.” It doesn’t get much better than this.
Remember... get the RIGHT ATTITUDE and...
Have Fun Fun Fun Until
Your Daddy Takes the T-Bird Away!
Follow Us on Facebook!
Florida District Exchange Clubs
National Exchange Club
4
Florida Exchangite
Did You Know?
The National Exchange Club logo is composed of
the emblem, the large word “Exchange,” smaller
upper case “The National Exchange Club” to the
right of the emblem, and a registration mark. To
get the logo personalized with your club’s or its
foundation’s name, email the request to the NEC
Communications Department at commun@nationalexchangeclub.org.
Spring 2011
CONVENTION
Convention Agenda
THURSDAY, May 19, 2011
Golf Social at Deerfield Beach Municipal Golf
Social and Dinner at Oceans 234
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
16:00 pm - 9:00 pm
FRIDAY, May 20, 2011
Florida District Board Meeting
Convention Registration
Board Luncheon with Guests and Attendees
Free Time - Enjoy the Pool, Sightsee, and Socialize
Hospitality Suite Open
Club President-Elects’ Social
Outdoor Bar-B-Que and Entertainment
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
19:00 am - 7:00 pm
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
11:00 pm - 4:00 pm
14:00 pm - 6:00 pm
15:00 pm - 5:45 pm
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
SATURDAY, May 21, 2011
Convention Registration
7:30 am - 11:00 am
Youth of Year and ACE Award Competition
8:30 am - 10:30 am
Americanism Speech Contest
9:00 am - 10:00 am
CAP Presentations and Bill Wodtke Award
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Youth Award Luncheon
11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Business Session
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Sidney Mobley, President-Elect, National Exchange Club
Training Sessions:
13:00 pm - 4:45 pm
• Fundraising in Hard Times
• Club Growth and Retention
• Exchange Jeopardy
Eric Menger, District President
Election of Officers
5:00 - 5:30 pm
Hospitality Suite Open
Installation and Awards Banquet
5:30 pm - 6:45 pm
17:00 pm - 10:00 pm
SUNDAY, May 22, 2011
One Nation Under God Breakfast
8:30 am - 10:00 am
Rep. Allen West, United States House of Representatives
District Officer Training and Board Meeting
10:15 am - 12:30 pm
Spring 2011
Florida Exchangite
5
CONVENTION
Florida District Exchange Clubs
Golf Social
Thursday, May 19, 2011, at 2:00 pm
Pompano Beach Municipal Golf Course
1101 North Federal Highway
Pompano Beach, Florida 33062
$30.00 Per Person
Name ________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________
Phone ________________________________________________________
Email _________________________________________________________
Assign me with others: Yes _________________
No _________________
Members in foursome: ___________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
6
Make checks payable to:
Florida District Exchange Clubs
Credit Card:
Mail checks and registration forms to:
Credit Card Number: _____________________
Amy Mueller, Registration Coordinator
Fax: 813-977-8271
5941 63rd Terrace North
Pinellas Park, Florida 33781
ammue@aol.com
Phone: 727-459-6726
Expiration: ________ Security Code: ________
Florida Exchangite
___ MC
___ Visa
___ AMEX
Signature: _____________________________
Phone: ________________________________
Spring 2011
CONVENTION
Florida District Exchange Clubs
Social and Dinner
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Oceans 234
234 North Ocean Boulevard
Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441
6:00 pm - Cocktails and Appetizers
7:00 pm - Dinner
$30.00 Per Person
Includes Appetizer and Entree
(drinks on your own)
Name ________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________
Phone ________________________________________________________
Email _________________________________________________________
Make checks payable to:
Florida District Exchange Clubs
Credit Card:
Mail checks and registration forms to:
Credit Card Number: _____________________
Amy Mueller, Registration Coordinator
Fax: 813-977-8271
5941 63rd Terrace North
Pinellas Park, Florida 33781
ammue@aol.com
Phone: 727-459-6726
Expiration: ________ Security Code: ________
Spring 2011
___ MC
___ Visa
___ AMEX
Signature: _____________________________
Phone: ________________________________
Florida Exchangite
7
CONVENTION SPEAKERS
Sidney Mobley
President-Elect
The National Exchange Club
Sidney Mobley, a member of the Exchange Club
of El Paso, Texas, was elected national presidentelect at the 2010 national convention in La Quinta,
California. He previously served two terms as regional vice president for Region 4. He is a retired
Chief Warrant Officer for the U.S. Army.
Congressman Allen West
Allen West
Member of Congress (FL-22)
United States House of Representatives
Congressman Allen West (FL-22) proudly and
humbly serves the constituents of Florida’s 22nd
district, encompassing parts of beautiful Broward
and Palm Beach Counties along South Florida’s
coastline. Patriotism is in Congressman West’s
blood. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, in the
same neighborhood where Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. once preached, West is the third of four
generations of military servicemen in his family.
Before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army, West served as a Field Artillery
Officer in several combat zones: in Operation
Desert Storm, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where
he was battalion commander for the Army’s 4th
Infantry Division, and in Afghanistan, where he
trained Afghan officers to take on the responsibility of securing their own country.
In 2004, when it was time to retire from service,
West brought his wife and two young daughters to
South Florida, where he taught high school for
one year. He then returned to Afghanistan as an
advisor to the Afghan army.
Mobley joined Exchange in 1993. Throughout his
membership, he has been an active club member,
chairing many committees and service projects
and serving as club President. He served several
consecutive terms as Southwest District Director
and twice as District President. For the National
Exchange Club, Mobley currently serves on the
Personnel Committee and has chaired the Awards
Committee and served on the Program of Service
and Diversity Committees.
While in the military, Mobley studied Public Administration through the Upper Iowa State University program. His goal was to always focus on
community service and helping youth. Using the
leadership skills learned in the military, he became
involved with the Boy Scouts of America. He started Troop 46, served as its first Scoutmaster, and
earned several awards. He is the Past President of
the El Paso Wings Track Club, a summer activities
Youth program, and a member of St. Peter’s Missionary Baptist Church.
Mobley resides with his wife Claresie in El Paso
and has five grown children, eleven grandchildren,
and one great-grandchild.
In November of 2010, Congressman West was
honored to be able to continue his oath of service
to his country when he was elected to be a Representative in the United States Congress. “I have
traded in my camouflage uniform for a suit,” West
said. “But the commitment to protect the people of
the United States is still my mission.”
Congressman West received his bachelor’s degree
from University of Tennessee and master’s degree
(continued on page 28)
8
Florida Exchangite
Sidney Mobley
President-Elect, National Exchange Club
Spring 2011
Spring 2011
Florida Exchangite
9
10
Florida Exchangite
Spring 2011
CONVENTION
2010-2011 Awards to Be
Presented at Convention
All clubs in the Florida District are encouraged to
participate in the District’s Awards Program. To
enter the competition, complete and submit the
appropriate application(s) by the deadline as specified in District Awards Manual (available from
Division Directors). All awards are presented at
the District Convention in May. For the following
awards, the awards period is July 1-April l5.
Club Awards
Best Club Best Club Program Best Scrapbook*
Best Overall Club Fundraising Award
Best New Americanism Project
Best New Fundraiser Convention Attendance
New! Best Public Relations Award
Club Awards are presented in three competition
categories based on club size as of July 1:
(1) Clubs with 30 and fewer members
(2) Clubs with 31 to 60 members
(3) Clubs with 61 members or more
*Best Scrapbook Award has only two categories:
(1) Clubs with 49 and fewer members
(2) Clubs with 50 members or more
Individual Awards
District Exchangite of the Year
District Unsung Hero Award
District Rookie of the Year
District All-American Volunteer
Best Bulletin Awards
The Best Bulletin Awards period is July 1-March
1; the two Best Bulletin categories are:
(1). Clubs with 49 members or less
(2). Clubs with 50 members or more.
Note: To be eligible for any District Award, the
individual or club must be in good standing and:
(1). Represented at the Convention, and
(2). Current with all dues, both National and
District including convention fees.
(Deadline for Best Bulletin is March 15.)
Deadline April 15
Applications and other requirements must be completed and submitted as specified in the instrucSpring 2011
tions for each award found in the District Awards
Manual that club president received from their Division Director. All forms may be sent by email.
The deadline for submission is April 15. At the
discretion of the Awards Chair and judging committee(s), all awards may NOT be awarded.
Contact Judy Landgrave, Vice President, Awards
at jlandgrave2002@yahoo.com or 772-696-5347
for more information.
Youth Awards
Clubs may nominate candidates for the District
Young Man and Young Woman of the Year and
the District A.C.E. Award. This year’s winners
will each receive a $1,500 scholarship and and the
opportunity to compete nationally. Deadline for
submission is April 30. The program guidelines,
criteria, and application are online at http://floridadistrictexchange.com/youthprograms.aspx.
Further information is available by contacting
Vice President of Youth Sue Jones at 352-3714804 or by email at SL856@bellsouth.net.
Youth of the Month/Year
The Youth of the Month/Year Program gives Exchange Clubs the opportunity to recognize high
school seniors for their scholastic, extracurricular,
and community service achievements.
Accepting the Challenge of Excellence
The A.C.E. Award recognizes a high school student who has successfully overcome personal,
physical, or social adversity to become a successful student and asset to his or her community.
Americanism Speech Contest
Since 1946 the District’s Americanism Speech
Contest has offered high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to address the opportunities
and challenges of this country’s democratic institutions, express patriotic thoughts and ideas, hone
oratorical skills and self-confidence, and compete
for scholarships. This year’s first place award is
$2,500. Deadline for application is April 30. For
more information, contact Judy Landgrave, Vice
President of Awards, at 772-696-5347 (cell) or
jlandgrave2002@yahoo.com.
Florida Exchangite
11
CONVENTION
How You Can Help
Other Ways to Help
Opportunities for Exchangites and clubs to support
the District’s Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) and
Scholarship Trusts at Convention include participating in the Silent Auction and Reverse Raffle.
Florida is home to six CAP centers. CASTLE, in
Fort Pierce since 1981, was the first in the country; it is now one of more than 100 centers in 27
states. The Children’s Healing Institute in Lantana
began service in 1988. Florida’s four other CAP
centers include Help A Child, Inc. in St. Petersburg, the Exchange Club Family Center in Jacksonville, the Manatee Family Partnership in Bradenton, and Yellow Umbrella in Palm Bay. Contact Roy Thompson, trustee, for details about
donating to the CAP Trust.
FLORIDA DISTRICT EXCHANGE CLUBS
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION FOUNDATION TRUST
No purchase or contribution is necessary to win. Need not be present to win.
Charitable 501(c) tax-exempt organization Federal ID#30-6088168.
DRAWING AT 9 PM SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2011
Reverse Raffle
$2,000 GRAND PRIZE
The Florida District Exchange Clubs Child Abuse
Prevention Foundation Trust will hold its second
annual Reverse Raffle at the 89th Annual Convention of Florida District Exchange Clubs in Deerfield Beach. Proceeds benefit Florida’s Child
Abuse Prevention Centers. The winning ticket will
be drawn at 9 pm Saturday, May 21.
A suggested donation of just $25 enters one ticket
into the drawing for the grand prize of $2,000. No
purchase or contribution is necessary to win, and
ticket holders need not be present to win. Tickets
will be drawn at random, one by one; the last
number drawn wins the grand prize of $2,000. The
first ticket drawn and others during the drawing
will also receive prizes.
Tickets are available from Division Directors and
club presidents or at Convention. Judy Landgrave,
Raffle chair, urges all Florida Exchangites to get
involved by selling and purchasing tickets. She
may be contacted at 772-360-3137 or at jlandgrave2002-@yahoo.com for further information.
12
Florida Exchangite
The Youth Scholarship Trust Fund presents awards
for the annual District Youth Competition held at
Convention. The Trust awards $1,500 scholarships
to the Girl and Boy of the Year and A.C.E. winners. The deadline is April 30. Thanks to a donation made by the Earnest family, the District winner of the Americanism Speech Contest will
receive an additional $1,000, making the total
scholarship award $2,500. The Trust relies on contributions and pledges by clubs and members and
fundraisers and welcomes memorials and donations in honor of special people and events.
If you cannot attend the convention this year,
please consider a donation to the Florida District
CAP Foundation Trust, a 501(c)3 foundation.
Silent Auction
Roy Thompson, Vice President for Child Abuse
Prevention, is organizing the Silent Auction to be
held at the Annual Convention. Clubs are asked to
help make this Silent Auction another successful
fundraiser by bringing at least two items for auction to the Convention or sending or delivering
them to Roy in advance. Any member may also
contribute an item for the Silent Auction. All the
proceeds go to the District CAP and District Youth
Scholarship Trusts. Contact Roy by email at jeanroy@bellsouth.net or call him at 772-453-3331
with any questions about what to bring for the
auction or where to send the donations.
Spring 2011
CLUB NEWS
Suncoast Business Masters
Exchange Club
Donations Net $174,000+ for the ELC
The Suncoast Business Masters (SBM), a group of
Citrus County business owners and managers,
raised approximately $10,500 from their recent
7th annual dinner/dance/auction held at Citrus
Hills. The Black Diamond Foundation also contributed $3,500 to the cause. All the funds raised
were donated to the Early Learning Coalition of
the Nature Coast. As a result of this charitable effort by local business people and citizens that
raised $10,500, the federal government will match
each dollar with $15.66, resulting in a total of
$174,930 to be given to the ELC. This money will
be used to provide early learning services to seventy at-risk children in Citrus County for a year.
Research has shown that preschool children who
participate in an early learning program are more
likely to earn higher monthly wages than children
who did not attend a high-quality program, more
likely to own a home, more likely to have completed higher levels of schooling, while less likely
to have been arrested and less likely to have a
child out of wedlock.
On behalf of Citrus County’s youngest citizens,
the members of the Suncoast Business Masters
and the Early Learning Coalition of the Nature
Coast thanked all who attended the event and extended their gratitude to the many merchants who
donated products and services for the auctions.
Suncoast Business Masters meets each Wednesday
for lunch at Black Diamond. They network for
their individual companies and collectively plan
further ways to help local residents through charitable events. Carol Ann Wilson is president of the
club. Other officers include Gailen Spinka, president-elect; Sally Wade, secretary; and Michele
Adams, treasurer.
Spring 2011
Pictured with the big check are Suncoast Business Masters
President Carol Ann Wilson (left), Sonya Bosanko, Early Learning
Center of the Nature Coast Executive Director, and Bill Joens
(seated, center), representing the Black Diamond Foundation.
Exchange Club of
Northeast St. Petersburg
More than 25 NEEC members gave away 6,000
GiveAKidAFlagToWave American flags at the
Festival of the States Parade held March 24; Jerry
White coordinated this event. The club’s annual
Mystery Night, chaired by Mary and Rick Giglio,
was March 26. Members saw the Rays v. Orioles
at the Baseball Social April 1. The Service to
Seniors project led by Kalen Faber is April 9.
Exchange Club of
Jacksonville
The Jacksonville club honored George Dismore on
March 1 for 43 years of membership in Exchange.
On January 27 club members toured Sally Corporation, developers of interactive, black light, and
classic dark rides, animatronic musical shows, and
lifelike human and animal animatronics.
Belleview Exchange Club
The Belleview club has been doing fundraisers,
running its scholarship program, and distributing
Project GiveAKidAFlagToWave flags for children.
President Darren Fowler, reports, “We are a
VERY small club (only four members), but we are
persistent.” They presented a $500 scholarship in
March. They recently did a Renaissance Faire and
donated money to the Ronald McDonald House.
Judy Wolfe is secretary-treasure of the club which
meets at noon on the second and fourth Wednesdays at the Moose Lodge.
Florida Exchangite
13
CLUB NEWS
Exchange Club of Jacksonville Beaches
lent their casino equipment to the Land Conservancy District for their fundraiser because the
club’s dealers were unable to staff the event. The
club earned $500 to donate back to their cause.
Six of Jacksonville Beaches’ newest Exchangites:
Shelby Hicks, Cassandra Bryan, and Carol Dennis,
Matt Rausch, Chuck Nevin, and Jim Dennis
The Exchange Club of Jacksonville Beaches is
well on its way to achieving its goal of gaining fifteen new members in the 2010-2011 year. Eleven
new members were inducted at the club’s Centennial celebration on March 25 (see “Happy Birthday!” on page one). Tom Boyd ably serves the
club as its Membership Chair.
On January 22 the club’s bowling team participated in the Second Annual Bowl-To-Roll fundraiser
to benefit Dial-A-Ride Beaches bus service. “The
community has really come out to help Dial-ARide,” said Neptune Beach Mayor Harriet Pruette.
“The young, the old, everybody has turned up to
help,” said Tom Taylor, Jacksonville Beach City
Councilor. Both Pruette and Taylor are members
of the Jacksonville Beaches club.
Wearing their red vests, white shirts, and garters,
the Club’s casino dealers again this year donated
their in-kind services valued at $1,000 to provide
entertainment for the St. Augustine American Cancer Society fundraiser on February 5. They also
Maverick-looking dealers provided entertainment for the
St. Augustine American Cancer Society fundraiser
14
Florida Exchangite
Exchangites got up at 4:00 am February 13 to staff
Hydration Station #10 for the 10,000 runners in
the Donna Deegan Breast Cancer Marathon for the
third year in a row. As the sun came up, they unloaded hundreds of cases of water and Gatorade,
filled thousands of cups for the runners, hung banners, and stenciled the street with the pink ribbon
logo. The race is expected to gross nearly one mil-
Welcome Aboard!
New Member
Steve Bauer
Ron Black
Cassandra Bryan
Jon Dehner
Carol Dennis
Jim Dennis
Shelby Hicks
John Murphy
Chuck Nevin
Matt Rausch
Linda Stewart
Sponsor
Ken Frick
Gerald Dowless
Ellis Pope
Dan Gerzi
Tom Boyd
Tom Boyd
Bob Hicks
Jack Morison
Ellis Pope
Richard Rath
Scott Layman
lion dollars, up from $800,000 and 8,000 runners
last year. Dee Reiter was the project’s chair.
For years the Jacksonville Beaches Exchangites
have hosted weekly Thursday evening Bingo for
residents of Hamlet Retirement Home. Only a few
hours each week bring happiness and entertainment for the Seniors of this affordable housing
project. The club purchases frozen turkeys for
their holiday dinners and holds fish fries and birthday parties for them throughout the year.
Each Friday school day club members, along with
other concerned citizens, volunteer to work the
packing line to fill 250+ bags of food for Blessings-in-a-Backpack at the Mayport Elementary
School, where nearly 70% of students are from
low-income families. The club and individual s
(continued on facing page)
Spring 2011
CLUB NEWS
Exchange Club of Jacksonville Beaches
(continued from facing page)
members also donate money to the program. This
hard-working club donned aprons to grill 300+ hot
dogs for the Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry (BEAM) Christmas party for area children.
They donated hot dogs and fixings for the party.
They have also donated $6,500 to BEAM and
$6,500 to the CAP Family Center; members hope
to add to these donations by year-end. Betty Graham put together a month-long exhibit of Exchange Club activities throughout the year for display in the Jacksonville Public library lobby.
Members are planning a fundraiser with St. Paul’s
Catholic Church to support a Jamaica orphanage
and another for the women’s Helping Hand organ-
Rich Breitbart, Bobby Bass, and Ken Frick take a breath before
delivering totes of food to Mayport classrooms.
ization of the Beaches Methodist Church to raise
money to purchase iPads and Kindles for cancer
patients undergoing dialysis at the Mayo Clinic
hospital. They will staff a concession booth at the
PGA Tournament Players Championship (TPC) at
Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra again this
year. Last year they earned $3,500 for 100 hours
of work at this event.
They are preparing for the CAP Center Conference and Luncheon to be held April 20. Under the
leadership of Scott Layman and his committee, the
club presents Student of the Month and ACE
Awards. Social Committee Chair Rich Breitbart is
looking into having an event at the Haunted
Mansion in Mayport.
Donna Deegan Breast Cancer Marathon Hydration Station #10
Jacksonville Beaches Exchange Club Team
Division Nine
Dinner of Manasota * Manasota East * Manatee River * Sarasota Business
very well, as this combined Exchange Club team
Social Time In Division Nine
won first prize. The experience was so enjoyable
Division Nine Director Bill MacArthur reports
that the clubs agreed to meet at the restaurant for
that three business Exchange Clubs of Division
Trivia the fourth Tuesday evening of every month.
Nine – the Exchange Club of Manasota East, the
Manatee River Business Exchange Club, and the
Sarasota Business Exchange Club – have been
socializing after hours to get to know each other
better. This has created more unity in their common efforts to support the Family Partnership
Center and expanded the number of potential
referrals to enhance each other’s businesses.
In February the three clubs sent a total of seventeen Exchangites, who banded together for a
Trivia Pursuit competition, to Wings-n-Things, a
Bradenton family sports restaurant. It worked out
Spring 2011
In March the three business Exchange Clubs also
combined for an evening out at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio, operated by Manasota East Exchangite Dean Abraham. Pizza and drinks were
offered by the owner of Vertoris Pizza House,
Sarasota Exchangite Christine Harman. This was a
great family experience, as children and even
grandchildren shared in the festivities. Everyone
won at this fun event, a great opportunity for
members to meet Exchange business people from
other clubs and have some fun at the same time.
Florida Exchangite
15
CLUB NEWS
Exchange Club of Pompano Beach
The Exchange Club of Pompano held its Annual
“150” Charity Dinner, Dance, and Draw Down for
$5,000, and Auction on February 25 at the Lighthouse Point Yacht and Tennis Club. A great time
was had by all, and the event was a real fundraising success, netting more than $27,000. This year
the emphasis was on bigger-ticket live auction
items rather than smaller, silent auction items.
Popular auction prizes that raised several thousand
dollars each included a day spent with the sheriff
and a flight on a private plane to the Bahamas
with accommodations and two days of fishing
there on a sportfishing yacht. A great band with
the unlikely name of Smuggling Yo-Yos provided
music for dancing that was lots of fun for the 150
or so attendees.
Pompano Beach “150” Charity Dinner, Dance, and $5,000 Draw Down
Club secretary Robert Friedman, Randy Loren, and Beth Loren
Ray Cayuso, Anita Cayuso, Jennie Terlizzi, and Penny Hilston
Denise Graham and Art Graham
Suzie Gordon, Dan Gordon, Betsy Maucker, and Earl Maucker
Ronda Waller and Eileen LaMarca
Club president Lou Petrone, Becky Myrick, and Ed Myrick
– Photos by Jon Frangipane
May 19-22, 2011
Florida District Exchange Clubs 89th Annual Convention
16
Florida Exchangite
Spring 2011
CLUB NEWS
Gator Exchange Club of
Gainesville
Gator Exchange Celebrates
New and “Old” Membership
Gator Exchange Club welcomed two new members, Jason Jeevers and Terri Runnels, during the
first quarter of 2011. Charles Earnest sponsored
Jeevers, a financial advisor for an investment firm
in Alachua, for membership. Runnels, marketing
manager for a Gainesville business, was sponsored
by Vince Gargiulo. Earnest and Gargiulo have
mentored their new members from Day One. Both
new members volunteered to serve as bartenders
at the Children Home Society’s gala, Puttin’ on the
Ritz. They also serve on various Child Abuse
Prevention Month program committees.
First Place winner Taonga Leslie with club members
Charles Earnest and Sheryl Eddie, Speech Contest Chair
Gator Exchange Club also helped their fellow Exchangite, Greg Johnson, duly celebrate his 35th
year with Gator Exchange. The club enjoyed an
anniversary cake and a tribute to one of the club’s
most active and committed members.
Taonga Leslie is the 2011 winner of the Gator Exchange Club’s Americanism Speech Contest. A
senior at Eastside High School in Gainesville, Taonga delivered an inspiring speech, titled “American Pluralism,” to a packed room. Judges for the
speech contest were all graduate students from the
University of Florida’s Forensic Department. It
was a special honor for the club to have fellow
Exchangite Charles Earnest help present the first
place award to Taonga since it was Charles’s father, Ray Earnest, who started the Americanism
Speech Contest at the Miami club in 1946. Gator
Exchange Club is also most appreciative of the
Speech Contest grant presented earlier this year by
the local offices of Capital City Bank.
Spring 2011
Jason Masters, David Cadle, and Sharlene Cox at
Crestview’s Stand Up and Say the Pledge Day
Exchange Club of Crestview
At lunchtime on February 21 the Exchange Club
hosted a special lunchtime event at the Crestview
Veterans’ Memorial to honor the country and its
veterans. Club President Sharlene Cox conducted
the opening ceremony; jazz vocalist Sandra Daggs
sang God Bless America. Two Boy Scouts, Richard Masters’ sons Jason and Derick, presented the
colors. National Exchange Club Region 9 Vice
President and club member Paul McShane read
Red Skelton’s version of the Pledge to the Flag.
Crestview Mayor, and Exchangite, David Cadle
read a proclamation declaring the day to be “Stand
Up and Say the Pledge Day.”
The Club participated in Crestview Area Chamber
of Commerce’s Triple B – Blackwater, Bluegrass,
& BBQ – Cook-Off Saturday, March 26. They raffled two bicycles donated by Walmart to raise
money for their scholarship fund and distributed
brochures about the club. They will host a twohour Believe in The Blue event at Publix April 16.
The Club changed to twice-monthly dinner meetings on February 24 to make meetings more convenient for members; they hope this new time will
help them build their membership.
Crestview raffled two bicycles at the Triple B.
Florida Exchangite
17
CLUB NEWS
Exchange Club of the
Treasure Coast
Randy MacKenzie is the newest member of the
Treasure Coast club. Members held a Valentine’s
Day party, coordinated by Georgia Irish, for the
students of Wabasso School on Monday, February
14. They presented achievement awards at the
Jim O’Connor, club vice president and Chili Cook-off chair
Fort Pierce Exchange Club
Fort Pierce 29th Annual Chili Cook-off is scheduled for Saturday, July 16, at Fenn Center in Fort
Pierce. The theme of this year’s Cook-off is “Hollywood.” It will feature a live band, line dancing
by the Chili Chicks, and other entertainment. Girls
and boys will compete for the Little Miss Chili
Pepper and Mr. PeeWee Pepper titles. Other
awards include the Fundraising, Media, Showmanship, Hot and Spicy, and Gov.com (government
entries) awards, the Jim Lamb Memorial Award
for Best Chili, and the Challenge Trophy for Outstanding Overall Performance.
The Cook-off has raised about $2.2 million for
children’s charities over the years. The beneficiary
of the 2011 Cook-off is the St. Lucie County Boys
and Girls Club, an organization serving 4,000 children every week. The club hopes 35 teams will
compete; it is signing up teams and sponsors now.
Forms and information, plus Ray Isenburg’s history of the event, are available at http://www.ftpierceexchangeclub.com. This year’s chair, club
vice president Jim O’Connor, can be reached at
jim.oconnor@mssb.com. The club meets Thursday
noon at Norris’ Place for Ribs in Port St. Lucie.
Randy MacKenzie with Laurie Collins and Robert Paugh
party and provided refreshments for the Valentine’s Day dance. The club also held a morning of
service, coordinated by Vicki Williams, at Harvest
Food and Outreach Center. They joined Master’s
Academy High School students to sort items for
the thrift store and prepare emergency bags of
food. They held a Meet and Greet February 17;
Liz Bowler, Cynthia Bruhn, Bill Douglass, Lewana Dupree, Susan Hackney, and Sharon Seldner
joined as a result of this event.
Sara Bumgarner, Alice Gaskill, and Georgia Irish at Valentine party
The club presented a donation to Healthy Start
Coalition on March 3. The Citrus Financial Center
is this year’s recipient of their Proudly We Hail
award; they will install a Freedom Shrine at the
Rosewood Magnet School. Vicki Williams is collecting new or used children’s books for their
“Read Across America” program. The Santa for
Seniors drive is planned for July.
Fort Pierce Exchange Club’s Chili Cook-off
18
Florida Exchangite
Spring 2011
CLUB NEWS
Exchange Club of Lake Worth
The club will raffle a 47" LCD flat screen TV April 7. Members will staff the wagon to sell their
wares “less hot dogs” at Easter and Fourth of July
Shannon Sapp and Nick Bartoletta
Emerald Coast Exchange Club
Dana Johnson, Janet Wagner, Charlie Wagner, Kathy Bleckner, Stan
McCracken, charter member Joe Gallo, Dave Kraktchak, Bryan Lin,
Doug Duff, Carolyn Kraftchak, Holly Randall, and Ralph Conca
events and participate in the Greenacres Eggstravaganza April 23. They hold a garage sale
fundraiser the third Saturday of every month.
Lake Worth Exchange Club charter members 1948
The Christmas/Valentine party was February 19.
Instead of exchanging gifts, members gave a $10
donation to charity. The club’s newest members
are Alice Broady, Bob Mello, and Stan McCrack-
The Emerald Coast club welcomed new members
Shirley Sims, Adonna Zehr, and Serena Crane this
quarter. Members and five guests celebrated the
100th anniversary of Exchange with a mini-birthday party at their March 17 meeting. They sang
Happy Birthday and ate birthday cake. Almost
every guest signed up to become a member.
They held a rush party for prospective members at
Fokker’s Sports Pub Friday night, March 25. Everyone attending had fun singing songs led by Al
Stearns, playing games led by Pat Givens, eating
awesome birthday cake from Adonna’s Bakery,
and learning about Exchange, its Mission, and
Programs of Service. Shannon Sapp planned the
event. Members welcomed three new members,
Patricia Payne, sponsored by Karen Helms and
Carol Stearns, and Thomas Coulter, sponsored by
Shannon Sapp, at the party.
Emerald Coast Exchange Club and Act 4 Murder
hosted their second annual comedic murder mystery dinner theater, Mobbed Up for Murder, on
Saturday, April 2, at historic Staff’s Restaurant in
Fort Walton Beach. The club asked attendees to
dress in their best 1920’s gangster and flapper costumes. Debauchery, fun, bawdy antics, and a delicious Italian dinner were on the menu.
President Ralph Conca and new member Bob Mello
en who is a previous member; Mello has been
involved with the Children’s Healing Institute.
With most issues of the club’s newsletter, Tropic
Topics editor Bryan Lin includes a newsletter and
a photo from years past, offering a fascinating
glimpse into the history of the club.
Spring 2011
New member Shirley and president Nick Bartoletta
Florida Exchangite
19
CLUB NEWS
Exchange Club of Niceville
The Club held a Rush Party February 12. There
was plenty of wonderful food, good wine, and
excellent company. Guests included Jewell Ann
Diehn, Susan and Rick Goff, Dexter Marchman,
and Holly Reedy; Reedy has joined the club.
Eric and Kelly Menger, John and Jean Wurzburger, and
Full Moon hosts Marilyn and Kurt Wallach
About two dozen Niceville Exchangites and their
guests enjoyed a Progressive Dinner on March 5.
Appetizers were served at Peg Coughlin’s home,
Exchange Club of Vero Beach
The Vero Beach club held its annual 2010 Christmas tree sale in December. With Vero Beach High
School Band members and parents, they sold Fraser fir trees and wreaths, netting $22,600 which
was evenly split with the Band.
Vero Exchangites recognized Vero Beach Police
Officer John Morrison, the department’s crime
prevention officer, as officer of the quarter on
February 15. They honored John Moore III with
the club’s Book of Golden Deeds Award at a
luncheon in his honor on March 8. A founding
member of Rossway Moore Taylor & Swan, he
encouraged his law partners to establish a foundation to help nonprofit organizations with technologic needs. He was named pro bono attorney of
the year for 2010. He has served on many local
nonprofit boards and committees and received
many other community honors and awards.
On March 25 the club held its inaugural Full
Moon Fever fundraiser at the home of Kurt and
Marilyn Wallach of Grand Harbor in Vero Beach.
More than fifty guests enjoyed live music, a great
selection of wine, and the largest full moon in
eighteen years. Donations by sponsors and the
Silent Auction raised $3,000+ for the club.
Jerry Bagley of Guardian ad Litem and President Rick Miller
Paul and Elizabeth McShane hosted the entree,
and dessert at the Hoppers ended the evening. DJ
Wayne played “oldies” and some not so old. It
was great, and it was fun. And it was great fun.
Carol Mullins-Hernandez, Zachary Gadzinski, and Clancey Hopper
The club donated $1,000 each to Guardian ad Litem and Sharing and Caring this quarter. Members
hosted their annual St. Patrick’s party for Twin
Cities Pavilion residents. Stand-up comedians Dan
Flynn, Paul McShane, and Jack Brooks were a hit.
Niceville Exchangite Clancey Hopper performed
at the Academy of Country Music Awards show in
Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3. She is one of the
ACM Lifting Lives Music campers who sang Music from the Heart, a song they wrote at last summer’s camp, with Darius Ricker. See Clancey at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtkxjCkGPug.
Book of Golden Deeds winner John Moore III with other winners
20
Florida Exchangite
Spring 2011
CLUB NEWS
Exchange Club of Indian River
David Walker, Merrill Lynch Vice President and
Wealth Management Advisor, is the newest member of Exchange Club of Indian River. He, his
wife Carol, and their children Catherine and Dean,
moved to Vero Beach from Miami Shores where
he was a fourth generation resident. Vero Beach
native Carol’s stepfather was the late William
Wodtke, 1986-87 National Exchange Club president and 1975-76 Florida District president so
joining Exchange was a natural for David.
President Andrew Molloy and new member David Walker
The club’s Second Annual WinnerFest Raffle,
postponed by bad weather from December 18, was
held at Vero Beach Municipal Airport’s Aviation
Day February 12. District President and Airport
Manager Eric Menger was kind enough to make
room for the event, a wonderful success that
raised more than $3,000. The grand prize was a
Wanda Gilson-Smith and Jeff Smith
and memory of Tia Beinhower, Narda Riese, and
other members who lost their lives to cancer. The
club’s Chemo Sabe Team (named by SergeantWith-Arms David Albrecht) camped out overnight
and took turns walking around the track to raise
$2,595 and awareness for ACS. Wanda GilsonSmith, wife of past president Jeff Smith, represented the club on the Survivors’ Lap. Top fundraisers were Nancy Gollnick ($1,125) and team
captain Jenny Frederick ($650). Fortune Teller and
Palm Reader Extraordinaire Madame Pamela, aka
Pam King, predicted the future for people who
donated $5 each for the privilege.
Members sold water and helped at the Third Annual Touch A Truck Family Festival Saturday,
April 2, a benefit for Childcare Resources. Exchangite Pam King is Executive Director.
The Indian River Club’s Foundation will host its
35th Annual Blue Water Open Dolphin Mania
Charity Fishing Tournament May 21-22. Again
this year anglers will fish for dolphin to try for a
$5,000 first place prize. John Binkley is the Blue
Water Open chair. Information about the tournament is available at http://www.bluewateropen.org.
Joan Barcus and Nancy Gollnick sold WinnerFest raffle tickets.
Madame Pamela read palms and told fortunes at Relay for Life.
16g Apple iPad. Children from 3-11 years old won
terrific toys; the special adult prize included dinners, spa treatments, and an overnight stay at the
oceanfront Costa d’Este. Members distributed
1,400+ American GiveAKidAFlagToWave flags to
children attending Aviation Day.
Club members participated in American Cancer
Society’s Relay For Life March 26-27 in honor
Spring 2011
The Chemo Sabes
Florida Exchangite
21
FOUR
PEOPLE
PILLARS
IN THE NEWS
John Binkley III
Amy Behm Selby (right), Tourism Volunteer of the Year
Amy Behm Selby
Since John Binkley started running seven years
ago at the age of 47, he has participated in more
than sixty triathlons, including the national age
group championships, and seventy-five runs. He
did twelve triathlons and ten running races last
year alone. In 2007 he and nine buddies biked for
seven days in the Pyrenees Mountains. There they
rode the Tour de France course, including three
“HC” climbs, three hours before the “real” riders
began. (HC or hors catégorie refers to the most
Indian River County Chamber of Commerce awarded one of its Service and Recognition Awards,
the 2010 Tourism Volunteer of the Year Award, to
Amy Behm Selby, Director of Sales, SpringHill
Suites by Marriott – Vero Beach. She is a member
of the Exchange Club of the Treasure Coast.
Richard Ashbrook
Richard Ashbrook was elected Alpha Kappa Psi
Southeast Regional Director. He is a Realtor/Property Manager who specializes in the rental and
sales of condos. He is a past president of Gator
Exchange Club and past District webmaster.
Karen Helms
Division 4 Director Karen Helms addressed fifty
members of the Rotary Club of Fort Walton Beach
March 23. She told them about the Exchange Club
of Emerald Coast, its programs, and its activities
in the community. A resident of Mary Esther, she
is Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager at
Beach Community Bank. She serves as an Ambassador for Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and is the treasurer and a past president of
the Emerald Coast Club.
John Binkley, architect, and Weekend Warrior
difficult climbs, those beyond categorization.)
Binkley recently competed in Warrior Dash, a 3.1
mile twelve-obstacle course through mud and
barbed wire in Lake Wales, finishing in the top
five percent overall out of 20,000 participants. He
is a past president of Exchange Club of Indian
River and chair of its Blue Water Open. In real life
he is an architect with Edlund Dritenbas Binkley.
R.J. MacMillan and Youth Guidance friends
R.J. MacMillan
Indian River president-elect R.J. MacMillan is a
frequent volunteer for Youth Guidance Mentoring
& Activities Program of Indian River County. A
licensed private pilot, he takes mentors and their
mentees flying in his Cessna 172 from time to
time. One boy said he wouldn’t forget the experience of flying his whole life.
22
Florida Exchangite
Spring 2011
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Paul (Irish) McShane
Candidate for Region 9 Vice President
Paul (Irish) McShane is a candidate for a two-year
term for Vice President of the National Exchange
Club for Region 9. The District Board unanimously certified his candidacy at its February 26 meeting. Each voting delegate to the National Convention in Detroit can vote in the election of officers.
Paul McShane addressing the NEC Convention
McShane joined the Exchange Club of Niceville
in 1998 and served two terms as its president,
winning the Distinguished Club President and the
“Big E” awards. The club has awarded him the
Yearling, Rookie of the Year, and Exchangite of
the Year Awards twice.
He began serving the District as Division 6 Director and was the first Florida District President to
volunteer to serve two consecutive years, winning
the Distinguished District President award. In
2009 McShane was elected to his second term as
Regional Vice President for Region 9. He currently serves as the Chair of the Growth Committee
and has previously served on the Budget and Finance, Restructuring, and 501(c)(3) Committees.
A multiple club builder and a Berkey Fellow, he
has earned the National 50-member pin.
He holds a bachelor of science degree in Business
Administration from University of Maryland. He
retired from the Air Force in 1996 after 21 years
of service and now works for OASIS, Inc. in Logistics. He is President of the Twin Cities Veterans
Council. He lives with his wife Elizabeth in Niceville; they have two grown daughters, Erin and
Kelly. Erin served as the first President of the
Niceville High School EXCEL Club.
Obituary
Tia Beinhower
Tia Beinhower died January 26, 2011, in Indian
River Memorial Hospital at the age of 55. She was
born in Mercedes, Texas, and lived in Houston
and, from 1984, in Vero Beach. She was vice president of TimeShare Transfer, Inc. She is survived
by her husband of twenty-five years, Joseph Beinhower, her son, Travis Bass, both of Vero Beach,
and her mother, sister, and two brothers. She attended San Marcus College in San Marcus, Texas.
Tia joined Exchange Club of Indian River on January 23, 2007. She was elected to the club’s 20072008 Board of Directors that spring. She served
the Club as Treasurer 2008-2009, earning the National Exchange Club’s Distinguished Treasurer
Award for her service. She again was elected as a
member of the Board of Directors from July 1,
2009, until late 2010 when her ill health forced
her resignation from active participation.
worked for the Club in many ways. She was an
active participant on the Fundraising and Blue
Water Open committees and others. She also volunteered with Childcare Resources of Indian River
and the Youth Guidance Mentoring & Activities
Program of Indian River County.
Memorial contributions may be made to Exchange
Club of Indian River Foundation, Inc., PO Box 93,
Vero Beach, Florida 32961.
The club honored Tia by participating in her name
in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
She was a beloved member who enthusiastically
Tia singing karaoke with Nancy Gollnick and with her husband Joe
Spring 2011
Florida Exchangite
23
FOUR PILLARS
Youth
Sue Jones, Vice President for Youth
Eric Menger and Theresa Gabarino-May
CASTLE Introduces New Home
Members of the five Indian River County Clubs
and other invited guests attended a private unveiling of the new CASTLE facility, 144 Vista Royale
Square, Vero Beach, on Tuesday, March 25. District president Eric Menger, Treasure Coast president Robert Paugh, and Indian River’s immediate
past president Ed Kay served on the event committee. Kay is featured in CASTLE’s new video.
This beautiful, newly renovated facility gives
CASTLE a permanent home in the county. Its purchase was made possible by a $100,000 grant
from Impact 100.
Speakers at this awareness event, called Behind
Closed Doors… Child Abuse Occurs, told the history of CASTLE, the country’s first Child Abuse
Prevention center, and explained the programs the
Centers offer to the residents of Indian River and
St. Lucie counties. Theresa Gabarino-May, Executive Director, spoke about the changes that have
taken place in the twenty-five years she has served
CASTLE. Ann, a client, told why the parenting
program is important to her. Menger presented a
check to the Center on behalf of National
Exchange Club Foundation.
CASTLE is one of six CAP centers in Florida District. Further information about the Center is available at 772-567-5700 and http://www.castletc.org.
Eric Menger with Sebastian’s Karen McIlveen and Tanya Webb
24
Florida Exchangite
Spring – A time that brings thoughts of graduation. Our newspapers are full of stories about
those high school graduates who have earned special recognition for their scholastic and athletic
efforts and accomplishments. Among all those
graduates are some other seniors who may not “be
making the paper.” These students have overcome
hardships that most people couldn’t even imagine.
They are the young people who have endured
abuse, who have overcome physical and emotional
challenges, who have been homeless. Yet, they
have managed to come to school every day and
achieved exceptional grades to earn the right to
walk across that stage to accept their diplomas.
Eric Menger congratulates Falana Shannon,
ACE Student of the Year
Exchange Clubs across the state of Florida have a
unique opportunity to recognize a high school
graduate for such accomplishments through the
A.C.E. (Accepting the Challenge of Excellence)
Award, an appropriate award for one of your community’s most astounding graduates. And every
club’s A.C.E. Award recipient is automatically eligible to compete at the Florida District Convention on May 21 in Deerfield Beach. Each will be
evaluated on their written nomination and in a private interview with the A.C.E. judges. This year’s
Florida District A.C.E. Award winner will receive
a $1,500 scholarship.
See page 10 for the Youth Registration form. Information about and 2011 application forms for
both A.C.E. and Youth awards are available by
following the link at the bottom of http://floridadistrictexchange.com/youthprograms.aspx.
Contact District Vice President of Youth Sue Jones
at SL856@bellsouth.net or 352-371-4804 for further information.
Spring 2011
FOUR PILLARS
Parent Partner Program
Making a Difference One Family at a Time
Maria Jackman, Program Director
Family Partnership Center
Isolation, two-job households, and the current economic crisis put families under enormous amounts
of pressure; this directly impacts the way they parent. At Family Partnership Center of Bradenton,
parents can receive assistance from their own Parenting Educator who visits the families, once a
week, in the comfort of their own home. Children
are present at 75% of the visits so that effective
interactions and strategies can be modeled and
parents can be coached in an array of parenting
methods. The Center uses emergent curriculum,
drawing on a variety of research-based Adlerian
programs to provide information to parents. All
materials are available in Spanish and English.
Some might argue that an in-home parenting program is more expensive than the traditional support group model. However, national research on
effective parenting education affirms the need for
comprehensive, universal in-home parenting programs, reporting the success of such programs in
decreasing risk factors among its participants. The
Parent Partner Program is a very effective way for
parents to study a variety of topics that pertain to
health, early learning activities, literacy skills,
development, behavior, and other topics.
What Makes FPC Unique?
The Family Partnership Center is unique for a variety of reasons. All of the Parenting Educators
hold master’s degrees or have equivalent experience. Sixty percent of the staff and contractors are
bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish. This
has given the Center “an edge;” its in-home parenting education program is the only bilingual one
in the tri-county (Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto)
area. An estimated 73% of the babies born in Manatee County are of Hispanic ethnicity, so having
the staff and the skills to serve this huge portion of
the population is of utmost importance.
The Center is also unique because it not only educates and supports volunteer parents but also families who are court-mandated, either because they
have an open abuse and neglect case or in danger
of losing their children. The Center uses no volunSpring 2011
FPC’s at-home Parenting Partner Program in action
teer Parenting Educators in the program but engages highly skilled contractors. The FPC has had no
staff turnover in more than six years.
For 17 years, the Center has championed parenting education for families with young children.
Seventy-five percent of the 1,165 children served
in 2010 were under the age of six. The programs
focus on fostering a nurturing and responsive relationship in the most important of all connections a
young child has: Parent-child. Outcomes are based
and measured on family risk factors proven to affect the early learning capabilities of young children: Quality of early parent-child interactions,
knowledge about child development and limit-setting, and the ability to teach early literacy and social skills to their child. The Center has consistently exceeded program outcome targets. In 2010,
97% of program participants met all of the targeted program outcomes.
But maybe a little more personal and heartwarming than national research and validation (as important as those are) are the real-life stories of
families who can attest to how this program has
literally changed and improved their home life.
The following testimonial shares the experience of
the Soperanes family with the Parent Partner Program; it won the prestigious Sarasota Community
Foundation “You’re the Story” 2010 Grant.
“When Rosalba Soperanes first called the Family
Partnership Center, it was more out of desperation
than out of hope. Her marriage was shaky, and she
could barely stand being with her four children:
Maria (8), Jose (7), Brian (5), and Katie (1).
Screaming and fighting had become their way of
life. The house’s atmosphere was hostile and
unsettling. Her husband worked long hours to
(continued on page 26)
Florida Exchangite
25
FOUR PILLARS
time with her kids. No longer feeling alone, she
relaxed enough to enjoy being a mom and truly
nurture her children.
Exchange Club of Jacksonville Beaches worked at Gateway
Community Services for their 2010 National Day of Service.
Community Service
Bill Schilling, Vice President for Community Service
As I was reading the Winter 2011 issue of the
Florida Exchangite, I paid particular attention to
the Club News section. Nine clubs in the Florida
District reported the projects their club accomplished during the 2010 National Day of Service.
Some clubs in the same Division joined forces and
did a project together. Several clubs described
other Community Service projects in their club’s
article. Hopefully, this information may be helpful
for other clubs in the District to choose a Community Service project or a future National Day of
Service project.
It is not too late for your club to do a Community
Service project this year. If your club is having a
hard time coming up with a project, check the
ideas in the Community Service Projects booklet
club presidents received in their new president’s
packets. Please use it. If you need any help, contact your Division Director or me for ideas.
Parent Partner, continued from page 25
avoid the constant crying and turmoil, and Rosalba felt trapped, isolated, and suicidal.
“Rosalba also felt like a horrible person. How
could she not know how to parent her own children? Where was her maternal instinct? She had
grown up without a strong parent model, and she
did not have anyone to ask questions about child
rearing. Rosalba felt confused, yet committed herself to seek help.
“With a Parenting Educator at her side, Rosalba
felt heard and not just criticized or judged. She
began to see the importance of setting rules and
limits, having routines, and allowing logical consequences. She began to look forward to spending
26
Florida Exchangite
“The troubled household slowly began to change.
Today, hardly any arguing takes place. Rosalba
and Jose are finally enjoying their family and each
other. They spend time together with their children: Laughing instead of fighting, and talking
instead of screaming. Rough days are the exception, not the rule. Recently, simple words spoken
by their oldest, Maria, gave testament to this family’s life-altering and successful transformation:
‘Mommy, I thought you were a mean mommy because you yelled at me so much. But your teacher
has helped you become a good mommy, and I
wouldn’t trade you for all the toys in this world!’”
Those words are priceless and speak of the impact
programs such as the Parent Partner Program can
make in the life of a family. The support and modeling these parents receive weekly allows them to
gain parental confidence and skills and regain the
joy of parenthood many have lost. Through this
unique and personal parenting program, the Family Partnership Center is making a difference in
the lives of children… one family at a time.
Happy Birthday, continued from page 1
working toward the club’s goal of fifteen new
members this year.
The Emerald Coast and Lake Worth clubs held
100th birthday parties, complete with cakes, in
March. Indian River County Commissioners and
Vero Beach City Council proclaimed March 27
National Exchange Club Day in honor of the
county’s five clubs – Vero Beach, Indian River,
Sebastian, Treasure Coast, and Fellsmere. Exchange will celebrate at Convention this summer.
George Blythe, Jenny Frederick, Nancy Gollnick, Eric Menger,
Robert Paugh, and Aaron Bowles with the IRC Commissioners
Spring 2011
FOUR PILLARS
How the Easter Bunny Set an
Example for the Community
Celebrating You, the Volunteer
Michael Goforth
This story is unconfirmed and probably is not true.
But if you imagine it could be true, then that
would be about as good as if it were true.
The story seeks to answer the question, which
came first, the chicken or the egg? Or, more specifically, the Easter chicken or the Easter bunny.
The Chicken and the Eggs
It goes something like this. Once upon a time, in a
land where such things could happen, the chicken
was king or, rather, queen. The chicken became
very rich from the production of eggs and used her
wealth to become queen. She wasn’t particularly
loved by the peasants of the country. She always
was squawking about how smart and wonderful
she was. As the sun came up every morning, she
would scream her head off, waking everybody
from their sleep and making them go off to work.
And, maybe worst of all, she made everybody
dance that stupid chicken dance at wedding receptions, whether they wanted to or not.
To keep the peasants somewhat in control, the
chicken would donate an egg each spring around
Easter to every child in the land. The people were
grateful for the gift, though it wasn’t any different
from the eggs they had to pay for the rest of the
year. They were brown or white and pretty dull.
The chicken believed very strongly in hard work
and individual effort to succeed. But that applied
mostly to others and not to herself. So, one day
she decided to hire someone to help deliver the
annual eggs and placed an ad for the minimumwage job in Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
and on TCPalm.com.
The Easter Bunny
The rabbit read the ad and decided to apply for the
job. She was still kind of depressed after losing
that big race to the big, stupid turtle and wanted to
do something to show the community she had
value, even if she didn’t produce anything on her
own like the chicken did with her eggs. So, instead of just applying for the job, the rabbit ofSpring 2011
fered to do it for free. The chicken couldn’t pass
up a deal like that and agreed.
It was then that the rabbit decided to do something
the chicken had not thought of. She decided to
color the eggs in bright colors. The peasants were
very pleased and very impressed with the rainbow
colors of the Easter eggs. Each year, the eggs got
more elaborate with ribbons and sequins and
whatsits and do-dads and thingamajigs.
Before many years passed, the peasants wanted
only the colorful Easter eggs delivered by the
Easter bunny and had even forgotten that the eggs
actually came from the chicken.
And, the chicken didn’t really mind losing her
fame because she was rich and the rabbit’s Easter
eggs made everyone happy.
So, as I understand it, that’s how the Easter chicken was replaced by the Easter bunny and Easter
eggs got to be so beautiful and cherished.
The Moral to the Story
Now, of course, there is a moral to the story and
there should be. If you volunteer to do good work
for the community and do it with your many creative skills, you are neither chickenhearted nor
harebrained. You are, instead, a very good egg, as
old folks might say. So, join me in the line as we
dance the bunny hop and celebrate you – the volunteer – on this Easter Day.
Posted at http:/www.TCPalm.com April 3, 2010, at 1 am.
Reprinted by permission of the author.
Plan Ahead!
91st Annual Conference
June 7-10, 2012
The Sirata St. Petersburg Resort
http://www.sirata.com/
Florida Exchangite
27
FLORIDA DISTRICT
Convention
Kathy Mize, Convention chair, and Amy Mueller, Registration,
are busy planning the 89th Annual District Convention.
The Florida Exchangite
Jan J. Binney, Editor
Florida Exchangite is an online publication. Four issues
are published each year – Summer, Fall, Winter, and
Spring. Club presidents receive each issue to distribute
to all club members by either email or as printed copies.
The current newsletter is also posted at the District website, http://floridadistrictexchange.com.
Deadline for Summer Issue
June 10, 2011
xx
Convention Hotel
Make Hotel Reservations by May 1
for Special Convention Rates
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/D/-DERHIHF-NEXC-20110519/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POGGroup
800-624-3606
Name: NATIONAL EXCHANGE CLUB
Group Code: NEXC
Allen West, continued from page 8
ence. He also holds a Master of Military Arts and
Sciences from the US Army Command and General Staff Officer College in political theory and military operations. In his Army career, Col. West has
been honored many times, including a Bronze
Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals (one with Valor), and a
Valorous Unit Award. He received his valor award
as a Captain in Desert Shield/Storm and was US
Army ROTC Instructor of the Year in 1993 and a
Distinguished Honor Graduate III Corps Assault
School. He proudly wears the Army Master parachutist badge, Air Assault badge, Navy/Marine
Corps parachutist insignia, Italian parachutist
wings, and German proficiency badge (Bronze
award). Congressman West is an avid dis28
Florida Exchangite
From the Editor
I have been honored to serve as Florida
Exchangite editor and District Public Relations chair for the past two years. Editing a newsletter is one of the best ways to
learn about an organization, its people,
and what makes it tick. Getting to know so
many of you and your clubs has been rewarding. What Florida’s Exchange Clubs
do for their communities is amazing.
Our members are in the forefront of community service, yet we often say, “Nobody knows who we are or what we do.”
There’s just one solution to that problem.
It’s a simple one. If you think the public is
unaware of what your Club accomplishes,
tell them. Don’t be shy. National can’t do it
for you. The District can’t do it for you.
The media today – websites, newspapers,
radio, billboards – offer a wealth of opportunities to tell the good story of Exchange.
Let them know who you are. Your story is
worth telling.
Thank you for your contributions and your
help these past two years. It’s been fun.
Best regards,
Jan J. Binney
tance runner, a certified SCUBA diver, motorcyclist, and attends the Community Christian
Church in Tamarac.
Spring 2011
FLORIDA DISTRICT
Roster of Clubs &
Dates Chartered
Division One
Boca Raton 1963
Lake Worth 1949
Pompano Beach 1958
Division Two
Vero Beach 1951
Indian River 1973
Treasure Coast 1989
Division Three
NE St. Petersburg 1970
St. Petersburg 1934
Tampa 1923
Seminole 2005
Division Four
Emerald Coast 2003
Niceville 1986
Tallahassee 1923
Crestview 2008
Division Five
Jacksonville 1923
Jacksonville Beaches 1980
Division Six
Belleview 1998
Gator 1968
Ocala 1946
Suncoast 1999
Division Seven
Sebastian 1982
South Brevard 1986
Fellsmere 2007
Division Eight
Fort Pierce 1972
Division Nine
Manasota Dinner 1999
Manasota East 2006
Manatee River 2009
Sarasota Business 2010
Child Abuse
Prevention Centers
CASTLE
Children’s Healing Institute
Help A Child, Inc.
Family Center
Manatee Family Partnership
Yellow Umbrella
Florida District
Officers
President
District Treasurer
District Secretary
Past President
VP, CAP
VP, Youth
VP, Americanism
VP, Comm. Svc.
Eric Menger
Amy Mueller
Diana L. Walker
John Messal
Roy Thompson
Sue Jones
Judy Landgrave
Bill Schilling
772-532-6132
727-459-6726
772-473-3723
352-359-0389
772-453-3331
352-538-2996
772-696-5347
904-613-3844
FLexchange@att.net
ammue@aol.com
dianawalker@safetran.net
messaljfbe@gmail.com
jeanroy@bellsouth.net
sl856@bellsouth.net
jlandgrave2002@yahoo.com
bjssss@comcast.net
Directors
Division 1
Division 2
Division 3
Division 4
Larry Crismond
Nancy Gollnick
Ken Haas
Karen Helms
Gold Coast
N. Treasure Coast
N. Sun Coast
Emerald Coast
Division 5
Division 6
Division 7
Division 8
Division 9
Amanda Rolfe
John Messal
Diana Walker
Bill Foley
Bill MacArthur
First Coast
Central Florida
Space Coast
S. Treasure Coast
S. Sun Coast
crismond@comcast.net
nancygollnick@att.net
kenhaas1@msn.com
KarenH@beachcommunity
bank.com
ar@rolfelaw.com
messaljfbe@gmail.com
dianawalker@safetran.net
wpfoley@bellsouth.net
macarthurwilliam797@gmail.com
Members
Scholarship
Foundation
CAP Foundation
Newsletter
Webmaster
Awards
Amy Mueller, Trustee
ammue@aol.com
Roy Thompson, Trustee
Jan J. Binney, Editor
Ken Walker
Judy Landgrave, Chair
jeanroy2@bellsouth.net
FDXCNews@gmail.com
dianawalker@safetran.net
jlandgrave2002@yahoo.com
Committees
New Club Bldg
& Membership
Public Relations
Conference
Finance
Awards
Nominations
John Messal, Chair
messaljfbe@gmail.com
Jan J. Binney, Chair
Kathy Mize, Chair
Amy Mueller, Chair
Judy Landgrave, Chair
Jim Brown, Chair
FDXCNews@gmail.com
KMMize@aol.com
ammue@aol.com
jlandgrave2002@yahoo.com
WJBKDB@aol.com
Your dream is not big enough if it doesn’t scare you! Go Exchange!
Spring 2011
Florida Exchangite
29
EXCHANGITE
The 2010-2011 Exchange Year
October - November
Homecoming 2010 ~
Come Home to Exchange
January 1 - March 31
Invite Others to Exchange
October 23
National Day of Service
April 16
Believe in the Blue Day
December - January
The Gift of Membership
April 1 - June 15
10 for 10
Your dream is not big enough if it doesn’t scare you!
Florida District Exchange Clubs
4145 Chablis Street SW
Vero Beach, Florida 32968
FLexchange@att.net
http://floridadistrictexchange.com
30
Florida Exchangite
Spring 2011