Volunteers re-form lapsed club

The Spokane Valley Exchange Club is back in business.

Returning to the Valley in 2008, the nonprofit service club ended a 15-year hiatus in order to fill what members believe to be an unmet need in the Valley.

“There are over 100,000 people in the Valley,” club Treasurer Wayne Rounseville said. “There is nothing out here for social services. We’re after community engagement to help build stronger families.”

The Exchange Club is dedicated to building stronger communities through various programs and projects. Youth, Americanism and community service are the key themes for the club.

Preventing child abuse is the overriding mission of the national organization. To accomplish this mission, the Valley club chose Children’s Home Society of Washington to be the primary recipient of any funds raised.

Club member and Children’s Home Society manager Patt Earley wants the club and her organization to become part of the fabric of the Valley.

“We responded to community need,” Earley said about the agency moving to Spokane Valley in 2004. “I guess it’s the same thing for this organization. The Valley is now a city and people are working to become an entity. I think it’s important to be a part of that.”

The Valley club was originally chartered in 1948 along with the downtown Spokane chapter. At its peak, the Valley group had more than 50 members.

After Valley membership dwindled to only nine members, it disbanded in 1993.

Before last year, the downtown organization unsuccessfully attempted to reinstate the Valley club a number of times.

In 2008, nine members made another attempt. Unfortunately, the club could not be rechartered, as national guidelines require a minimum of 20 members.

After some research, current Valley club President Don Tuttle discovered a dormant club charter. He requested the dormant charter be transferred and renamed to the Valley club. The national organization agreed, and the Valley Exchange Club was rechartered June 12, 2008.

“This was a shortcut to get this club back into being,” Tuttle said.

Hoping to make an impact in the community, the club needs to increase membership and raise money prior to implementing new programs.

Currently, the club is recruiting men and women by planning two special events.

In May, a community cleanup day is in the works.

“Come roll up your sleeves and help our community,” Rounseville said. “It’s a chance to find out who we are.”

In June, the club plans to host a social event. For both events, the club will participate with other Exchange Clubs which serve downtown and the North Side.

“We could do so many things for the schools and the community in the Valley,” Tuttle said. “We need a fundraiser and more members to do that.”

The group is working on plans for an annual fundraiser. Currently, the downtown chapter hosts an annual crab feed in December, and the North Side holds a golf tournament.

Most clubs have one major fundraiser,” Tuttle said. “If you get the right one picked in the beginning it grows over the years. We are striving to find that niche. New members can have a lot of ideas that can help in that arena.”

Tuttle tells prospective members that the club does not require a large time commitment. “It only takes 40 hours a year to be an effective member. You can do a lot in those 40 hours.”

The 40 hours excludes weekly meetings.

“Let’s get back together again to make our communities a safer place to live,” Rounseville said. “Help us build a healthier community for all of us, particularly our children.”