About Us
Founded in 1951, the Exchange Club of Madison is part of a national network of volunteers serving Connecticut and the greater Madison-Guilford area through established programs of service in Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities, and our national project, the Prevention of Child Abuse.
We are a premier service organization of men and women focusing on personal and professional development, building a healthy society and aiding Connecticut's families and children. Nearly 800 Exchange Clubs like us throughout the United States are affiliated with the National Exchange Club which is headquartered in Toledo, Ohio.
The Heritage of American Citizenship
The Exchange Club of Madison sponsors a wide range of local activities, helps the disadvantaged and encourages good American citizenship which features our signature event, the Exchange Independence Day Parade in Madison. Our Programs of Service has four principal areas: Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities and Child Abuse Prevention. Additionally, our Board of Directors meets throughout the year to address special requests on a monthly basis so that we evolve along with our community. Requests for assistance can be made through our Projects & Activities Committee.
We strongly encourage you to visit our Programs of Service page to see all that we do locally and around the state. You may be pleasantly surprised!
Our National Project - Preventing Child Abuse
Since 1979, the National Exchange Club Foundation has committed itself to breaking the cycle of child abuse. Their efforts have helped more than 1.6 million children and 656,689 families eliminate child abuse in their daily lives. The NEC Foundation is endorsed by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and winner of the Presidential Award from the the White House Office of Private Sector Initiatives recognizing exemplary community outreach and volunteer service projects. The NECF is a charter member of The National Child Abuse Coalition and is a Partner in Prevention, along with other national child abuse prevention organizations, through affiliation with the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Exchange is making a difference today but there is still much work to do. In 2007, Connecticut's per capita death rate from child abuse (0.48 per 100,000 children) was among the lowest in the country. In 2007 alone, 9,875 abuse and neglect cases were substantiated in Connecticut and four children died. From 2001 to 2007, fifty children died in Connecticut. Every one of these deaths was 100 percent preventable. As long as Exchange can prevent one more case of neglect, violence or death from child abuse, our mission will continue. Child abuse is a stark reality that will never go away but we remain hopeful that progress can and will be made. The Connecticut Department of Children and Families reported that in 2007, reports of repeat maltreatment have dropped below 5 percent for the first time.*
Join Us
The Exchange Club of Madison meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday every month for dinner at 6:30 pm at Cafe Allegre. Prospective members are welcome at most meetings but we suggest you contact a sponsoring Exchange member before attending. Visit our Contact page and choose which method works best for you.
History
The Exchange Club of Madison has a rich and colorful history of volunteerism on the Connecticut shoreline. In 1950... Take a step back in time and browse though our History page.
Uniting For A Better America
As part of the nation's most respected service organization, we focus on America and unite together to honor the service and sacrifice of those before us. Staying close to home gives us a direct and immediate impact in Connecticut and our country. Nationally, our work has helped develop, implement and promote programs that break the cycle of abuse through the National Exchange Club Foundation. Learn more by visiting our Programs of Service page.
* We Can Do Better: Child Abuse and Neglect Deaths in the US reported October 2009 by Every Child Matters Education Fund