A lasting message from outgoing President Ca-Haw-Nev District President Sally Harvey
Hello Club Presidents and Fellow Exchangites,
I have taken a week to regroup after our 84th Annual California•Hawaii•Nevada District Exchange Clubs Convention, which was held in Indio, California. This will be my final newsletter as your District President but I want to share a few details about the convention. First it was wonderful to see new friends that I have made over the past year, and to catch up on news with our seasoned friends. There were 90 Exchangites representing 30 clubs. There were 41 guests and 11 first timers, with a total of 131 wonderful people!
The Exchange Club of Arvin The Millennium Exchange Club of Orange County
The Exchange Club of Bakersfield The Exchange Club of Newport Harbor
The Exchange Club of Central Coast The Exchange Club of North San Luis Obispo County
The Exchange Club of Clovis The Exchange Club of Pasadena
The Exchange Club of Corona del Mar The Raincross Exchange Club of Riverside
The Exchange Club of Culver City The Exchange Club of Ridgecrest
The Exchange Club of Fontana The Exchange Club of Riverside
The Exchange Club of Fremont The Exchange Club of San Diego
The Exchange Club of Fresno The Exchange Club of San Jose
The Exchange Club of Gilroy The Exchange Club of Santa Cruz
The Exchange Club of Huntington Beach The Internet Club of Exchange
The Exchange Club of Irvine The Exchange Club of Scotts Valley
The Exchange Club of Kern Valley The South Orange County Exchange Club
The Exchange Club of La Mesa The University Exchange Club at Irvine
The Exchange Club of Long Beach The Tri-City Exchange Club, Orange County
The Top Clubs with members attending were:
The Exchange Club of Long Beach with eight members,
The Exchange Club of Culver City with seven members,
and The Exchange Club of Ridgecrest with six members.
I want to thank every Exchangite who attended the convention for supporting and representing your club. If your club wasn’t listed, please make a concerted effort to plan to attend next year’s convention in Bakersfield. You and your club members were missed! We shared experiences with our Round Table discussions, learned new things in our Club Leadership Workshops, praised each other with our Awards Program and enjoyed our wonderful Search for Talent Program! It was a great convention and I thank everyone that helped put it together! It was great to work as a team! We won!!
On June 16, I was honored to install the new Officers and Directors of the Riverside Exchange Club. President Lu Gunther has led the club this past year, and following in his footsteps Dr. Richard Gordon will take over the reigns. We had a wonderful dinner, great fellowship and a little roasting with a lot of laughing!
This past Tuesday I joined the Culver City Exchange Club for lunch. This was their “Lame Duck” meeting, where the Past Presidents talked about their year in office. 15 Past Presidents shared their stories. This club is truly a family, working hard on their projects, and having a lot of fun, too!
This past Wednesday I was honored to present awards to five of the Orange County Sheriff's finest that were being recognized by the Exchange Club of Corona del Mar at their annual awards luncheon. There were over 100 in attendance which included the new Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens as well as some Exchangites from other local clubs. What an impressive program!
This past Friday I had the privilege of installing the Officers and Directors of the Irvine Exchange Club where President Mike Flynn assumed the Presidency from Kay Kearney. Kay has been an outstanding President! She now has stepped forward as our District’s President-Elect.
Saturday Ed and I traveled to Kern Valley where I installed their new Officers and Directors. President Dave Freeland will guide the club this coming year, following in the footsteps of Past President Jim Malouf who did a fantastic job this past year!
What a great way for me to end my year as your District President. It is not only a privilege but also an honor to install new Club Officers and Board members.
I could write a book about each of our clubs in the California•Hawaii•Nevada Exchange Clubs but I will leave you with a few Lingering Memories about each of our clubs.
Albany-El Cerrito: It was my pleasure to award Exchangites Evelyn Norman and LC McCune with the District President’s Examplar Award. Evelyn is 99 years young, and it was wonderful to see LC again. Both of these Exchangites are outstanding examples for every one of us!
Alhambra: The club presented five $500 scholarships to deserving students. I was privileged to take part in this program.
Aloha: I always wanted to meet Winston Churchill -- Well, I met President Winston Churchill of the Aloha Exchange Club! Several members of the Aloha Club also belong to the Hilo Club.
Arvin: This club has such a reputation for helping the youth that when there is a need, the community comes to the Arvin Exchange Club!
Bakersfield: All of the members work together on their community projects, and also have fun social nights with potluck dinners and game playing.
Bakersfield-Stockdale: I’m sure I gained 5 pounds each time I visited this club. They meet at Hodel’s Restaurant where they have a huge buffet. The members wanted me to try one of everything! The club has an annual Employees’ appreciation BBQ fundraiser where they usually serve over 900 people!
Bishop Street-Honolulu: The club meets at a beautiful Golf County Club. Soft rain was falling the day Ed and I visited them, and before we knew it the sun came shinning through. Each time we visit this club, they have marvelous speakers!
Central Coast: This club was working with the Family Care Network on a fundraiser called “The Taste of the Central Coast”, an elegant event. The club also honored me with a lovely cake.
Clovis: President Don Watnick met me at the airport with a Welcome sign in hand. I wasn’t expecting this fun surprise! The club introduced a new Americanism program to the City of Clovis as well as to the District at the Convention.
Corona del Mar: This club is rich in History and dedicated to their projects.
Culver City: Many projects, many accomplishments, fun loving with a great sense of togetherness!
Cuyama Valley: President Mica took me for a ride in his all terrain vehicle; I wondered if I would live to tell about it! Eventually it was great fun!
Downey: They are very dedicated to the Downey CAP center.
Fontana: The day I visited this club Rick Gordon and Mickey Walker were there. I enjoyed being part of the program presenting scholarships to deserving students.
Fremont: Whoops! I ran into evening traffic and I was late to this club meeting. The club members were so gracious and so eager to tell me about their club that I soon got over my frustration about being late. The club celebrated its fifth Anniversary.
Fresno: The day that I visited with this club, they were very busy celebrating their Youth of the Year, and the Birthday of Exchange! It was a great meeting! The club celebrated their 85th Anniversary this year!
Fresno-North: I wish I could have spent more time with this club. They are so rich in history, I know I could have learned a lot from them. I wish that they would write a “history” book. We could all learn. We celebrated Exchange Clubs Birthday with a cake and song.
Gilroy: The garlic capita of the world! ---The club showered me with garlic gifts, and shared with me all the details about the Garlic Festival. I had the pleasure of inducting two new members!
Hemet / San Jacinto Valley: This club has been in partnership with Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District. Their fundraiser was called “The Weekend.” The proceeds of this event go toward the building and expanding of parks and recreation facilities throughout the Valley. They have plans to build an “Exchange Club Park.” What a legacy!
Hilo: The Club Officers and District Director Frank Lafita met Ed and me with beautiful Hawaiian lei’s that made us feel right at home!
Hollister: This club is the most visible Community Service Organization in Hollister. They are very active with their projects; they get the job done and have fun doing it!
Honolulu: The day we visited, we were invited to attend their board meeting. We met at a high rise office building over looking the city. What a view! They were planning a social event that sounded like fun! I wish we could have stayed!
Huntington Beach: Bill and Marilyn Kohler hold tight to the charter anticipating our rebuilding effort.
Internet Club: The Club has a new newsletter editor. As people move or are not able to attend regular meetings I foresee more members coming their way.
Irvine: This club is on fire! The leadership is committed and the members are dedicated.
University Exchange Club at Irvine: My second “home club” presents the Youth of the Month program, and the University of California Irvine Police Officer of the Year breakfast. We all enjoy both of these programs!
Kern Valley: “The Rubber Ducky Races!” Do I need say more? It’s wonderful to see so many adults and children having a great time watching little ducks floating down the Kern River! It’s also fun when your duck wins! It was my pleasure to induct a new member at their meeting place of 35 years, the Paradise Cove Restaurant overlooking beautiful Lake Isabella!
Laguna Beach: These members are all active members. They have several projects that they are working on, and their club meetings are very productive!
La Mesa: These Exchangites know how to put on a Wine Tasting fundraiser!
Long Beach: I’m prejudice! We are just too darn good!!! We have projects that we are working on constantly! The Club members are Ed’s and my extended family and friends!
Newport Harbor: Great fundraisers, the car show and the movie night, plus Freedom Shrines! The quantity of money they raise for Exchange is unbelievable!
Orange County, Millennium: Several Exchangites worked at the annual Tustin Chili Cook-off, selling Italian Ice Cream. This year the Millennium Exchange Club celebrated their Eighth Anniversary.
Tri-City, Orange County: This club supports the Boys and Girls Club of Placentia and Yorba Linda. Their fundraiser of selling strawberry short is wonderful!
Pasadena: Outstanding history, outstanding members! Their timeless program of honoring our National President for the Rose Parade is something that the whole District takes pride in!
Porterville: This club has several young members that are very enthusiastic about Exchange! The club held a “Racing to Prevent Child Abuse” Backward Draw and Dinner. The net proceeds were over $10,000!
Redwood City: Entering the Copenhagen Restaurant I heard noise coming from the back. I walked into the room asking the Exchangites “Can just anyone join this club?” After seeing my name badge and Exchange Club Logo, they said “Yes,” they would even allow the District President to join!!! A fun group of people that wanted to tell me all about what their club had accomplished!
Rialto: This club is so refreshing! They were honoring the youth of the day, plus gathering the history from the past! What a great day!
Ridgecrest: This club along with the Chamber of Commerce of Ridgecrest work together presenting a field of 100 flags and a dedication ceremony presenting a tribute to the fallen.
Riverside: Ed and I were invited to share a wonderful Christmas party with President Lu and Carol Gunther plus the club members. It was great!
Riverside, Magnolia: Don’t forget, if you talk to the Club President, you had better stand up! These guys are serious with their fining! Great fun and remember-----it’s for the kids!
Riverside, Raincross: These ladies get the jobs done working as a family, and love doing their programs of service.
San Clemente: They take their programs and run with them! Their “Lifeguard of the Year” program is fantastic! It’s wonderful to see so many members of the community share the pride of this program.
San Diego: I was happy to visit this club on the day they honored their Volunteer of the year. Mr. Victor Meinert. What a gentleman!
San Jose: What more can I say, “Ciappino Night!” Junior Exchangites serving the food, Phil Griego’s band, and all the raffle prizes! What a great fundraiser!
San Luis Obispo: District Director Lyn Lamison and I had a fun time visiting this “all men’s club!”
San Luis Obispo, North County: This club is doing really well. President Cindy Smith and the club members accomplish many programs for their community.
San Ramon Valley: This club is totally involved with every aspect of the Community under the outstanding leadership of Club President Karen Stepper. I was honored and humbled to present my District President’s Exemplar Award to Exchangite Dudley Kennedy, who is 90 years young.
Santa Cruz, Mid County: Visiting with this club, I knew that they were going to go forward with vigor! They have the enthusiasm!
Santa Cruz: Thanks to the guidance of Past District President Dave Hodgin, this club is run with all of the professional formalities that would impress any new member or guest.
Scotts Valley: This club is eager to build their membership. I enjoyed meeting each member!
S.O.C.E.: This club starts each meeting with not only an Invocation and the Pledge, but also by reading the Mission Statement and the Covenant of Service. The club supports each project with enthusiasm and commitment.
Turlock: I love it; the club members sing a song together at the beginning of each meeting. Something patriotic or something fun! These Exchangites keep the funds growing with personal donations of “Brag Bucks!” How much more can you give from your heart? Since becoming a grandparent, I loved hearing all of these wonderful stories of families!
Unity Westminster: One baby step at a time!
Wasco: Wasco is the Rose Capital of the world, and the gardens at the Rose Golf Course where the club meets are beautiful. The club is fully involved in the school system devoting many programs to the youth.
Exchangites, Club members, District Board, Committee Chairs, friends and the National Exchange Club:
It has been my great honor to serve as the District President of the California•Hawaii•Nevada Exchange Clubs. I thank you for allowing me to visit your clubs, and bring you news around the District through my weekly newsletters. It has been a wonderful experience and I look forward to continuing my service to Exchange in anyway that I can.
Yours in Unity for Service,
Your District President, Sally Harvey