The Exchange Club of Central Rhode Island (ECCRI) is the local club affiliated with The National Exchange Club (NEC), also referred to as “America’s Service Club,” which was founded in 1911 by Charles A. Berkey. At Berkey’s suggestion, the name “Exchange” was selected because the group wanted to exchange ideas and information with like-minded individuals about how to better serve their communities. In the over 113 years since its inception, the NEC has opened local clubs in communities that spread across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.  

The NEC and The Exchange Club of Central Rhode Island have a mission to inspire communities to become better places to live. To fulfill this mission, we support three Service Programs – Community Service, Youth Programs, and Americanism, including activities that support our military, Veterans, and first responders – and the National Project, the prevention of child abuse. Each year, communities in Rhode Island and around the country benefit from the promotion of pride in our country, college scholarships, youth mentoring, service to the underprivileged, and other services tailored to serve the needs of families in our community.