My fellow Exchangites, as we begin a new administrative year, I feel nearly overwhelmed by the enormity of the tasks before us. Until I think of the reasons we joined Exchange and I reflect on my recent visits to some of our clubs. We are a force for good working to make our communities better places to live. When I think of the nine clubs I have visited. I celebrate the fact that they exude an indomitable spirit and upbeat attitude that inspire me. I am particularly impressed with the Greeley club’s fund raising effort at the stampede. Most of them have set goals that will accomplish improving their impact a notch and recruit more members to share the load. Their leaders are skilled and optimistic. They are committed to teamwork that will synergistically increase their effectiveness. I invite you to join them and me in making this a memorable and historic 100th anniversary year.

You can catch the spirit of my invitation with this story.
A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea. Only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert-like island. Not knowing what else to do, the two survivors agreed that they had no other recourse but to pray to God. However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island. The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man’s parcel of land remained barren. After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the land. On the other side of the island, there was nothing. Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, and more food. The next day, like magic, all of these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing. Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island. He considered the other man unworthy to receive God’s blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered. As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from heaven booming, “Why are you leaving your companion on the island?” “My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them,” the first man answered. “His prayers were all unanswered so he does not deserve anything.” “You are mistaken!” the voice rebuked him. “He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings.” “Tell me,” the first man asked the voice, “what did he pray for that I should owe him anything?” “He prayed that all your prayers be answered.” I pray for your personal and club success as together we move the cause and programs of Exchange forward. Let this be a banner year with your banners full of patches.
—Richard C. Russell, District President