2024-2025 LEADERSHIP TEAMS - To view this page in a pdf format to print out, please click this link:

2024-25 Leadership&ServiceCommittees.pdf

2024-25 OperationalCommittees.pdf

 WhatisExchangeBrochure.pdf

CLUB LEADERSHIP

Mission Statement: The Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club is a service organization committed to community enrichment through the support and development of programs that focus on four major areas. (1) Prevention of child abuse: (2) Youth development and education: (3) Americanism; and (4) Community outreach for health, housing, hunger, social services & mentoring.

PRESIDENT  - Thad Peterson

  • Provide leadership to Club Board and membership
  • Preside at Club meetings and Board meetings
  • Develop and implement plans and goals for Club success
  • Uphold National, District and Club Bylaws
PRESIDENT ELECT  Chris Stephenson
  • Assist the President as needed
  • Recruit Executive Committee and Club Board Committee Chairs for the following year
  • Develop ideas and goals for the following year
PAST PRESIDENT- Ray Hoover
  • Assist the President as needed
  • Chair the Foundation Board and Americanism Committee
  • Emcee Grant Night and Angel Oak Award Banquet
TREASURER- Ed Heskamp
  • Responsible for Club and Foundation bank accounts, paying invoices and financial records
  • Manage four Accounts: Operations, Contributions (Handbook), Foundation, Bohicket Run
  • Financial Update Reports to Club Board and Foundation Board
  • File tax reports (IRS Form 990) and maintain registration with South Carolina Secty of State
  • Calculate Funds Available for Grants and prepare checks for Grant Recipients
SECRETARY  Sally Nicolli
  • Record and maintain Meeting Minutes for Club dinner meetings as well as Club and Foundation Board meetings
  • Serve on Communications Committee and assist other committees as needed
  • Prepare and update informative documentation for distribution to committees and members and public
  • Administrate social media: Facebook & Instagram accounts

BOARD MEMBERS – Charlie Septer, Dave Berry, Ed Leary, Marjorie Stephenson, Bill Nelson, Ron Schildge, Jack Wilson, Bob Schick, Richard Gwyn, Chuck Riehl, Lisa McDonald

 FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP

Mission Statement: The Foundation, a 501 (C)3 organization, was created to receive tax-deductible* contributions which supplement fundraising from Club activities for charitable giving. Contributions can be made by cash or through the transfer of appreciated securities. Donations that are unrestricted allow The Exchange Club to direct funds to charities of their choice, or they can be restricted to charities of the donor’s choice. Either way, the money will support the needs of the community that we live in and enjoy so much.

The Foundation also sponsors and oversees the Angel Oak Award Banquet and the Grants Award Night. *Foundation donations are tax deductible, whereas donations to the Exchange Club itself are not.

CHAIRMAN – Ray Hoover

BOARD MEMBERS Bob Leggett, Thad Peterson, Rich Boss, Lisa McDonald, Bob Mason, Charlie Septer

2023-2024 SERVICE COMMITTEES

YOUTH AND EDUCATION

Mission Statement: The Youth and Education Committee helps to improve the quality of education and educational opportunities for students on John’s and Wadmalaw Islands. This is carried out via:

  • Financial support, through grants to organizations that directly benefit students and education on John’s and Wadmalaw Islands either during the school year or during summer enrichment programs.
  • Direct involvement with students at St. John’s High School and Charleston Collegiate High School through Students of the Month awards, which encourage students to get good grades, and through our college scholarship awards program, which helps students to be able to continue their education in college.

CHAIR-Ed Leary, VICE CHAIR-Ed Brett. MEMBERS: Phyllis Barber, Ed Rigtrup, Art Doughty, Chris Strobel, Lisa Owens, Robert Quagliato

COMMUNITY OUTREACH - HEALTH AND HOUSING

Mission Statement: Evaluate and allocate funds to health and housing organizations serving and making the most positive impact on disadvantaged residents of Johns and Wadmalaw Islands. Deliberations consider but may not be limited to:

  • A careful review of the grant request and the specific purpose for which the grant will be used.
  • Examination of the organization's balance sheet and budget to determine the ration of monies used for both administration and fundraising compared to the monies going directly to the programs.
  • The grant should be significantly meaningful and therefore focus on a limited number of non-profits.

 CHAIR-Bob Schick. MEMBERS: Frank Farfone, Derek Fyfe, Dennis Giannos, Russ Preston, Walter Sewell, Tom Berghausen

 COMMUNITY OUTREACH - HUNGER AND MENTORING

Mission Statement: This committee’s mission supports our neighbors in need on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands through the charitable organizations distributing food and providing other necessary support. This may include families with temporary needs as well as seniors and disabled neighbors facing ongoing needs. We support over a dozen organizations reaching out to over 3000 people each year.

 CHAIR-Dave Berry, VICE CHAIR-TBD. MEMBERS: Phyllis Barber, John Sellinger, Carmine DeGennaro, Mela Wyeth, Shirley Salvo, Chris Strobel

 CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION

Mission Statement: The Child Abuse Prevention Committee supports and works with existing and potential grantees to assess how they can best serve Johns and Wadmalaw Islands in the area of Childhood Abuse Prevention.

 CHAIR-Charles Septer, VICE CHAIR-Bob Mason. MEMBERS: Kevin Boyle, Dick Fleming, Ray Hoover, Geof Woglom, John Reock, Ed Rigtrup, Roy Sessions, Joy Millar, Derek Fyfe, Bob Glen, John Sesody

 AMERICANISM

Mission Statement: The Americanism Program of Service promotes pride in our country, appreciation for the freedoms granted to American Citizens, and gratitude to the men and women who serve or have served in the Armed Forces. Americanism celebrates this country’s rich and unique heritage that inspires unity from coast to coast. The Americanism Committee oversees the honoring of South Carolina Fallen Heroes at meetings and by displaying over 120 US flags on all Holidays at various locations on Seabrook, Kiawah, and Johns Islands.

 CHAIR-Jack Wilson-Chair, VICE CHAIR-Bob Leggett. MEMBERS: Ron Schildge, Ed Rigtrup, Richard Gwyn, Todd Andersen

 2023-2024 ADMINISTRATIVE, OPERATIONS & FUNDRAISING COMMITTEES

 HANDBOOK & ADVERTISING SALES

Mission Statement: Recruit and train Club Members to sell new ads and renew existing advertisers. Determine ad rates. Ad sales are this club’s biggest source of fundraising dollars.

 CHAIR- Richard Gwyn MEMBERS: Jack Wilson-Ad Sales Lead, Wayne Billian-Coordinator, Ed Brett-Nonrevenue TEAM CAPTAINS: Bob Leggett, Roger Steel, Jack Wilson, Bill Nelson, Bob Quagliato, John Reock, Bruce VanVoorhis

SALES TEAM: Herbert Boehm, Bob Glenn, Steve Haines, Bob Leggett, Bruce VanVoorhis, Tony Mazzola, Nancy Schibler, Roy Sessions, Chris Stephenson, Jay Miller, Jim Newton, Stephen Penhkus, Roger Steel, Ken Steen, Coby VanDeGraaf, David Cruse, Ray Hoover, Bill Huff, Jack Wilson, Bill Nelson, Alan Armstrong, Wayne Billian, Carmine DeGennaro, Ed Leary, Kevin Boyle, Jim Dywer, Joy Millar, John Reock, Bob Schick, Frank Farfone, Ken Kavanaugh, Ron Schildge, Bob Speziale, Bruce VanVoorhis

MEMBERSHIP

Mission Statement: Recruit and retain Exchange Club members. To see our latest brochure, please clcik the following link:WhatIsExchangeBrochure.pdf

  • Prospect through current membership and local businesses to add women members, members from Kiawah and Kiawah River Estates
  • Oversee new member orientation program
  • Follow up with dinner guests and prospects
  • Make it easy to join and pay dues on the website
  • Reach out to local businesses to encourage their involvement – and membership
  • Maintain the Club Roster on the National EC website
  • Maintain database of former members and current prospects including recent dinner guests
  • Manage nametags and meeting sign-ins for members and guests

 CHAIR -  Chuck Riehl. MEMBERS: Phyllis Barber, Nancy Schibler, David Cruse, Joe Thompson, Scott Lee, Dennis Giannos, Bill Good

COMMUNICATIONS

Mission/ Purpose: Inform existing members, prospective members, and the public of major activities/accomplishments of the Exchange Club. Assist in increasing membership and attracting contributions.

  • Reach out periodically through communication channels such as the Seabrooker, Tidelines, Post & Courier, Island Connection and social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram to tell the club’s ongoing story

 CHAIR - Lisa McDonald. MEMBERS: Thad Peterson, Bob Leggett

SPEAKERS

Mission Statement: Secure and schedule speakers for Club's dinners, manage logistics and audio-visual requirements for speaker, welcome and introduce the speaker

 CHAIR –  TBD. MEMBERS: David Cruse, Bob Speziale, Scott Lee, Derek Fyfe, Bob Mason, Roy Sessions, Bill Nelson

ACTIVITIES

Mission Statement: Plan activities and recruit volunteers for special activities, including the Holiday Party, Bohicket Run, Members' Social Golf Outing, Veterans Day Charitable Golf Tournament, and our premier event, the Angel Oak Award Banquet.

CHAIR - Marjorie Stephenson, VICE CHAIR – TBD. MEMBERS: Cathy Cleary, Wes Cleary, Bill Nelson, Chuck Riehl

 VETERAN’S DAY CHARITABLE GOLF EVENT

Mission Statement: Honor veterans who have served the country and raise money to support the Ralph Johnson Veteran’s

Hospital and the Friends of Fisher House

CHAIR Alan Armstrong, VICE CHAIR TBD. MEMBERS: Wayne Billian, Carmine DeGennaro, Joe Thompson, Dave Woodman

BOHICKET 5K & HALF MARATHON

Mission Statement: Organize the annual Bohicket 5k and Half Marathon Event which is a source of fundraising dollars for this club.

CHAIR Pat Welch, VICE CHAIR Bill Nelson

DINNERS AND SURVEYS

Mission/ Purpose: Coordination of Exchange Club Dinner meetings including scheduling, invitations, dinner event support, and post- dinner program critique surveys. Liaise with the Seabrook Club and other venues. Provide pre and post dinner attendance counts. Provide meeting night support for audio visual and speaker biography displays and gifts.

CHAIR - Bill Nelson, VICE CHAIR – TBD. MEMBERS: David Cruse

WEBSITE AND MEMBER ENGAGEMENT

Mission Statement: Develop new and easily accessible tools to increase member participation in the activities of the Exchange Club of Kiawah-Seabrook. Help grow membership through the effective use of communication software that will enhance the membership experience. This committee will:

  • Encourage member participation in our twice-monthly dinners. Develop sign-up form that tracks both member attendance and guest participation and allows for payment of guest fees or At-Large member fees for these dinners in advance.
  • Enhance use of the website to inform and encourage participation in Exchange Club activities.
  • Enhance New Member onboarding process
  • Encourage members to use the website and the dues renewal process to get the renewal fees processed no later than 30 days from the invoice date.
  • Develop an email template for Exchange Club communications and train committee chairs on sending group emails.

CHAIR – Ron Schildge, VICE CHAIR – Lars Lueger MEMBERS: Bob Leggett, Bill Nelson, Richard Gwyn, Geoff Woglom

 NATIONAL HOLIDAY FLAG DISPLAYS

Mission Statement: Facilitate set-up and take-down of American flag displays on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Veteran’s

Day. This is an extension of the Americanism Committee.

 FLAG COORDINATOR Todd Andersen. MEMBERS: Jack Wilson, Bob Leggett, David Cruse, Bill Bane, Kevin Boyle, James Dwyer, Dick Fleming, Ed Heskamp, Bill Huff, Scott Lee, Alan Madison, Bob Mason, Jay Miller, Chris Quinn, Bob Schick, Ken Steen, Joe Thompson, Bruce VanVoorhis, David Woodman, Richard Gwyn, Dustin Plunkett, Art Dougherty, Ray Hoover, Herbert Boehm, Ron Schildge, Roger Steel, John Reock, Rick McDonald, Walter Sewell, Ed Rigtrup, Bob Glenn