As you know, Lincolnland will be the host district for the Exchange Club’s 2008 National Convention, which will be held at the St. Louis Millennium Hotel from July 9th through 12th. As Chair of Lincolnland’s National Convention Executive Committee, I encourage you and your club members to attend this year’s convention. This year’s attendance may be the largest ever, and we want each attendee to be impressed with our Lincolnland hospitality.
Our committee has been very busy planning for the convention. We are pleased to announce that Lincolnland will host a special Riverboat Dinner Cruise for early arrivers on Tuesday evening, July 8th. We expect to have more than 100 Exchangites enjoying fine food, friendship, and Dixieland entertainment during a two-hour cruise on the Mississippi River. For tickets and additional information, please refer to the riverboat cruise promotion in this issue of The Lincolnland Link.
We’re also making arrangements for the Lincolnland Hospitality Room, which will be open from Wednesday evening, July 9th, through Sunday morning, July 13th. The room will be our center for food, refreshments, and camaraderie, and it will have convenient access to a deck overlooking the hotel pool. On Convention Thursday, we’ll host a special Lincolnland’s Region 3 Night, where our Exchange Club neighbors (Wisconsin/Upper Peninsula, Minnesota, and the Dakota Territory) will bring a flavor of their districts into our room.
We’ve had a great response from our Lincolnland clubs providing financial support for our host district activities. Alton, Belleville, Breakfast Gurnee, Joliet, Naperville, and Quincy have already signed-up as sponsors, and we’ve also had nine Exchangites provide individual donations of cash and supplies. Whether your club could give $25, $250, or whatever you feel is appropriate, your donation will be greatly appreciated. All club and individual donors will be recognized as sponsors in our Lincolnland Hospitality Room, and any excess donations will be directed to the Lincolnland Foundation for Youth. If you’re interested in becoming a Lincolnland sponsor or if you’d like to share a convention idea or two, please contact me at swwarren@att.net or (630) 527-9130.
So, here are five reasons for coming to the 2008 National Convention:
- St. Louis is a great town, and it’s within easy driving distance.
- You’ll get to vote for Lincolnland’s own Stan Rocush, who is a candidate for the Board of the Exchange Club National Foundation.
- You’ll learn about our national programs and officers, and you’ll have a great opportunity to share experiences with Exchangites from around the country.
- You’ll have fun! (Oh my, will you have fun!)
- You’ll be reminded of why you joined the Exchange Club. There is nothing more gratifying than serving your country and community, and you’ll find out that there are 26,000 Exchangites who feel the same way as you do about Unity for Service.
Check your issue of Exchange Today for National Convention registration information, and come meet us in St. Louis this July!
Scot Warren
National Convention Executive Committee Chair
