Troy University has gained the reputation as an innovative and progress university. On Thursday, March 29, 2014, the university once again experienced a “first” when the president of the National Exchange Club, Don Wright, officiated the Permanent Organizational Meeting that established the Troy University Collegiate Exchange Club.
Wright was assisted in the Permanent Organization Meeting by Dr. William Bailey, VFR National, Joyce Franklin, Regional Vice President; Tommy Holliman, Alabama District President; Bob Arnold, Alabama District President Elect; Dennis Griffith, Alabama Division 10 Director; and McLaney Troy Exchange.
The Troy University Collegiate Exchange Club, which was chartered by the Troy Exchange Club, has the distinction as the first public university Collegiate Exchange Club in America.
Bailey said he was pleased and honored to be a part of such an historic event.
“This is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and become friends on this journey,” Bailey said. “Exchange is active in community service, patriotic endeavors and youth services.”
Bailey said newly organized Exchange Clubs lend support to the National organization and also have opportunities to individualize their Clubs by doing things their way.
The Troy University Collegiate Exchange Club presented 35 members for induction and the Club’s by-laws for acceptance.
Wright administered the loyalty oath to the members of the first public university Collegiate Exchange Club.
Donna McLaney, Troy Exchange Club president, said not only was Thursday’s induction ceremony historic in that the Troy University Collegiate Exchange Club is the first public university Collegiate Exchange Club, it was also a celebration of the 103rd anniversary of the Exchange Club.
“The Exchange Club began on March 27, 1911, in Detroit, Michigan by businessmen who wanted to “exchange” ideas,” McLaney said. “Exchange had its beginning as a luncheon gathering of businessmen known as the Boosters’ Club. Members shared stories and provided business advice to one another and they began to realize what they might accomplish with their collective talents and mutual interests.”
McLaney said, so it is with the Troy Exchange Club.
“Exchange is committed to community service, youth, Americanism and the prevention of child abuse, which is our national platform,” she said. “The Troy Exchange Club wanted to provide an opportunity for Troy University students to be involved in Exchange and to support all that Exchange stands for.
“Troy University is a diverse campus and there are many opportunities for Exchange members to reach out and touch the world, as well as opportunities in the community to work with the elderly and young people.”
McLaney said the Troy Exchange Club is honored to be a part of such an historic event as the permanent organization of the first public university Collegiate Exchange Club.
“The Troy Exchange Club is also the first in the nation to charter both junior and senior high school Exchange Clubs at the same school,” she said. “The Pike Liberal Arts School Senior Exchange Club has more than 60 members and its Junior Club has 30-plus members. We are excited to have so many young people involved in Exchange. Our hopes are that, as they move on college and the workplace, they will continue to be part of Exchange and all that is does for the communities and nation it serves.”
For the past 103 years, the volunteer efforts of Exchange Club members have supported the needs of the country and of local communities. With 700 clubs and over 21,000 members throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, Exchange is the country’s oldest service organization operating exclusively in the United States.
In the mid-1960s, Exchange adopted its National Programs of Service. Also known as the four “pillars” of Exchange, the National Programs of Service brought into greater focus the most pressing issues of the day and affords local clubs the ability to structure activities according to their specific community. The programs include Americanism, youth programs, community service and Exchange’s national project, the Prevention of Child Abuse.