Commitment to Family is interpreted not only as one’s own family needs, but also those of all American families. Strengthening families, with a focus on youth, is addressed in many ways through Exchange’s Programs of Service.
Commitment to the Community where an Exchangite resides is the focal point for each club’s efforts. Exchange is unique as a service organization in that it has the flexibility to structure projects that target the specific needs of a particular geographic location, rather than being restricted to a certain cause.
Commitment to Country was born in the aftermath of World War II, a time of unquenchable patriotism. Exchangites are proud to join veterans and other civic groups in promoting Americanism as the rich blessing of democracy and freedom, and in educating today’s youth to cherish its values. These three values are translated into actions every day to bring about positive results through the work of hundreds of clubs and tens of thousands of dedicated Exchange Club members every day.
Letter from Club President, Jill Parker
July 1, 2025
My fellow members of Exchange Club and our community,
My name is Jill Parker, and I will be serving as President of the Exchange Club of Springfield, Ohio from July 1, 2025 until June 30, 2026. I have lived in Clark County for my entire life and look forward to the opportunity to lead this amazing club in the coming year.
If you are reading this letter upon opening the Member Handbook, you will find ample information in the following pages regarding the numerous projects this club undertakes each year. As I write this, there are 33 members of our organization, and each year we tackle over 50 projects. These represent hundreds of hours and tens of thousands of dollars invested in our community and our country. This is why I take such pride in being a part of this club, and why I am so deeply honored to serve in any way I can.
For those who may be reading this without the benefit of the entire handbook, allow me to give you a quick overview of our club. The National Exchange Club was founded in 1911 and is the country’s oldest service club. The Exchange Club of Springfield, Ohio was chartered in 1921. We focus on four areas of service: Americanism, Youth, Community Service, and Prevention of Child Abuse. We support these endeavors with a variety of projects. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Recognizing exceptional students and providing scholarships
- Donating funds to military families struggling with unexpected expenses
- Celebrating community members who go above and beyond
- Financially contributing to local organizations that do great things for our community
If you have a heart for service and a love of community, you belong here. We are constantly seeking new members and new opportunities to serve. Bring us your ideas and inspiration, and together we will make the world a better place!
Sincerely,
Jill Parker
President
Exchange Club of Springfield, Ohio
Mission and Vision
Mission: Exchange, inspiring communities to become better places to live.
Vision: A strong America, safe communities, and unified people.
Exchange’s Vision was developed and the Mission Statement was simplified in January 2015, to allow every Exchange Club member to take ownership and deliver a clear message to his/her community.
Our Covenant of Service
Accepting the divine privilege of single and collective responsibility as life’s noblest gift, I covenant with my fellow Exchangites:
- To consecrate my best energies to the uplifting of Social, Religious, Political and Business ideals;
- To discharge the debt I 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 spirit 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.
The Covenant of Service, expressing Exchange’s philosophy and ideals, was written in 1923 by Exchangite Thomas L. Bailey, who served as National President of Exchange from 1925 through 1927, and later served as Governor of Mississippi from 1944 through 1946. It was officially adopted by the organization in 1927.
Three Programs of Service, and our National Project, The Prevention of Child Abuse
Promoting pride in country, respect for the flag and appreciation of Americans’ freedoms are the primary purposes of Exchange’s Americanism programs. The tumultuous struggles of world powers in the twentieth century have done little to guarantee a peaceful future for the majority of the world’s people. However, there’s one country in modern times that people flock to for safety, freedom and opportunity — the United States of America. It is hard for Americans to imagine the horrors of modern struggles over religious and ethnic differences, the very differences we embrace.
Exchange’s Americanism programs were born in the aftermath of World War II. At that time, patriotism was unquenchable, and Exchangites joined veterans and other civic groups in heralding the rich blessings of democracy.
– See more at: http://www.nationalexchangeclub.org/programs-of-service/#sthash.MMG4cvC5.dpuf
Youth
America’s young people are its most precious resource. This is why, for many years, Exchange Clubs and National Headquarters have sponsored an impressive selection of activities designed to benefit and encourage our nation’s youth. Many of these rewarding programs are among the most popular and well-supported of all Exchange Club endeavors. Through college scholarships, mentoring and guidance, and service recognition, Exchange is making a difference to America’s youngest generations. – See more at: http://www.nationalexchangeclub.org/programs-of-service/#sthash.MMG4cvC5.dpuf
Child Abuse Prevention
Child abuse prevention became Exchange’s National Project in 1979, at the 61st National Exchange Club Convention.
– See more at: http://www.nationalexchangeclub.org/programs-of-service/#sthash.MMG4cvC5.dpuf
Community Service
Community service is the lifeline of Exchange. Exchange Clubs across the country spend countless hours and dollars improving their communities each year. In fact, many of the projects within the Program of Service have a common goal of serving and benefiting communities.
The history of Exchange’s Community Service projects is quite impressive. Since the first group of Exchangites convened in 1911 in Detroit, Michigan, Exchange has been dedicated to serving its communities. Throughout the years, Exchange Clubs have been responsible for community endeavors of all types such as, cleaning up highways, sponsoring cultural programs, hosting art and industrial shows, holding state and county fairs and festivals, and organizing rodeos and athletic events. Exchange Clubs have also provided millions of dollars for scholarships, gifts, equipment, sponsorships, educational assistance, and other worthy causes.
– See more at: http://www.nationalexchangeclub.org/programs-of-service/#sthash.MMG4cvC5.dpuf
Our National Project: Prevention of Child Abuse
Child abuse prevention became Exchange’s National Project in 1979, at the 61st National Exchange Club Convention.
To uphold its National Project, Exchange provides a variety of public awareness materials designed to help inform and increase awareness of child abuse and how it can be prevented. Such projects are implemented through Exchange Clubs and Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Centers across the country.
Through the Exchange Parent Aide home visitation model, child abuse prevention experts work directly with at-risk families. To date, Exchange Club CAP Centers have helped more than 691,120 families break the cycle of violence, thus creating safer homes for 1,727,800 children.
Exchange was the winner of a Presidential Award from the White House Office of Private Sector Initiatives, is a charter member of The National Child Abuse Coalition, and is a Partner in Prevention with the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Local Organizations We Support
Child Abuse Prevention
Child Advocacy Center
CAP Center Mansfield
Oesterlen Services for Youth
CASA
NEC Foundation
Time-Out-Teddy
Project Jericho -Juvenile Court
Choosing Hope Adoptions
Youth
Youths of the Month
Youth of the Year
Kid’s Day at the Fair
On The Rise
BSA Tecumseh Council
Springfield HS Mock Trial
Project DARE
Project Jericho- Clark State
ACE Award
Big Bros/Big Sisters
St. Jude’s Hospital
Springfield Youth Symphony
Junior Achievement
Family & Children’s Services
Salvation Army Youth Camp
Salvation Army Trailblazers
Americanism
Freedom Shrine
Proudly We Hail
Adopt-a-Military Family
Armed Forces Day
Give A Kid A Flag to Wave
Community Service
Adopt-a-Highway
Special Wish
Project Woman
WellSpring
Community Soup Kitchen
Pregnancy Resource Center
Shriner’ Hospital Burn Center
Cancer Relay for Life
Springfield Museum of Art
Springfield Exchange Club Foundation
