District Convention plans underway

 Plans are underway for the District Convention June 10-13 in Long Beach and more details will be coming.

National headquarters has assigned us a representative however, RVP Tom Karnes.

Thomas E. Karnes, a member of the Exchange Clubs of Lincoln Park, Detroit #1 and Trenton, Michigan was elected and installed as regional vice president for Region 7 of the National Exchange Club at the organization’s 2009 national convention in Jacksonville, Florida. Region 7 is made up of the Indiana, Northern Indiana and Michigan Districts.  A police officer for the city of Lincoln Park for 28 years, he has served as Chief of Police since October of 2004.

Karnes joined the Exchange Club of Lincoln Park, Michigan, in 1998. On the local club level, he served on the board of directors, as president-elect and three terms as president, in addition to serving on various club committees. For the Michigan District Exchange Clubs, he served on the district board of directors and as president-elect before serving as district president in 2007-2008. 

An active member of his community, Karnes has been involved with the Knights of Columbus and Sons of the American Legion. He is also very active in Lincoln Park’s Goodfellows organization, which provides food, clothing and toy to families at Christmas. He serves on the board of directors for Lincoln Park Community Credit Union.

Karnes attended Madonna University of Livonia, Michigan, receiving a bachelor’s degree, and is a graduate of the 191st session of the FBI National Academy.  He and his wife, Mary, have three children and one Labrador Retriever.

Mississippi clubs win awards at National Convention

   Several Mississippi District Exchange Clubs received honors at the National Exchange Club annual Convention in Palm Springs in July 2010.

    The Brookhaven Club and Grenada Club received the Club Membership Achievement Award for a net increase of 5 or more and an 85 percent retention.

    Kathy Latham of Grenada won the Distinguished Club President Award and the Grenada Club received the Club Excellence Award and the Big "E" Award.

   The South Mississippi Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center in Hattiesburg won a Gala Grant from the National Exchange Club for it Welcome Baby program.

      Receiving the National Service Award were the clubs in Biloxi, Clarksdale, Cleveland, Grenada, Gulfport, Hernando, North Jackson, Northwoods-Jackson, Long Beach, Oxford, Perry County, Richland and Saucier.

File your 990-N Form

Clubs are at risk of losing their tax-exempt status if they have not filed a Form 990-N information return (or other required form) during the last three years. Form 990-series returns and e-Postcards are due by November 15th each year. Additional information is available from the IRS site, www.irs.gov. 

All clubs are instructed to send a copy of the e-postcard to the finance department in order to ensure that all clubs have met the IRS filing requirements. 

For questions please contact the finance department at 1-800-924-2643 or financial@nationalexchangeclub.org

National Exchange Club, American Red Cross partner

   The American Red Cross has signed a first-of-its-kind national partnership agreement with The National Exchange Club to collaborate on projects for the benefit of local communities at its 92nd annual convention held in La

Quinta, CA, July 21 - 24.

   The National Exchange Club, celebrating its 100th year of service in 2011, is an all-volunteer, national service organization for men and women, who want to serve their community, develop leadership skills and enjoy new friendships.

   Exchange is comprised of over 700 local clubs and more than 22,000 members throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

   Together its members work to make communities better places to live through programs of service in Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities, and its national project the Prevention of Child Abuse.

   Jim Hartley, executive vice president of the National Exchange Club explained, “We are looking to increase public awareness of the work done by local clubs and members that comprise the National Exchange Club and help attract new members so we can continue to expand our ability to serve families, our communities and our wonderful country for a second century of service.  Naturally, a partnership with the Red Cross will help us spread the word about the Exchange Club while we also fulfill our mission to benefit our neighbors and honor our country. Exchange Club members will be able to support such Red Cross activities as blood drives, projects that support members of the armed forces and their families, disaster relief efforts, public safety education and more.”

   According to Neal Denton, American Red Cross senior vice president of governmental affairs and strategic partnerships, “The American Red Cross is always eager to attract volunteers and we believe this partnership will be beneficial to both organizations and to people in this region.”