Sertoma International - Since 1912
20,000 members and 650 Clubs
SERTOMA. A curious word until three very important words come together in unison: SERvice TO MAnkind. Sertoma’s primary service project is assisting the more than 50 million people with speech, hearing and language disorders. Sertoma also sponsors community projects to promote freedom and democracy, to assist youth and to benefit a variety of other local community needs, as identified by the individual clubs.
Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, Sertoma is a 501(c)(4) not-for-profit international organization dedicated to “SERvice TO MAnkind”, with 20,000-plus members in more than 650 clubs across Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the United States. Every year Sertoma clubs raise more than $20 million for local community service projects. Through these projects, as well as grants and scholarships, Sertoma clubs return those funds to their respective communities - and they have lots of fun doing it while building life-long friendships.
A note from the President of Sertoma International
I arrive at the position as President of Sertoma International with excitement and commitment. Excitement to work with approximately 17,000 Sertoman women and men, who daily make their communities better through Service To Mankind. Commitment to take Sertoma up a rung of the ladder-“To Leave It Better Than I Found It”.
Through the excellent leadership of our recent Past Presidents and a committed Board of leaders I come to a Service an Organization that it well prepared to “Listen To The Future”. I believe Sertoma is awake to the fact that our future is decided now, not later. The future of Sertoma is the results of choices we make in these days. During our International Convention we made some specific changes that I believe will enhance our Service To Mankind.
One of those changes we made is to merger Sertoma International and Sertoma Foundation. Sertomans have always been about change and it began on April 1, 1912 in Kansas City, MO. That day a group formed The Stand Together Club which is the mother club of Sertoma. The obvious meaning is they stood together to provide service to mankind. Later the leadership understood that some changes were necessary to continue to serve mankind and the name was changed to the CO-Operative Club. Change, someone said is the only permanent thing in life. Well it may not be the only permanent thing but it is certain one thing.
Then in 1950 the leadership realized that to move their service organize forward a change needed to occur and the name Sertoma was adopted. Since that first meeting on April 11, 1912 Sertoma has been changing for the better. In 2002 Tommy Brush began his President’s message with these words, “Sometimes in the waves of change we find our true direction”. Over these past 95 years it has been the men and women of Sertoma that have Listen To The Future and kept this service organize committed to Service to Mankind which is truly Sertoma’s “true Direction”.
I believe it ill be Sertoma Members who that lead by example that have and will move this great organize forward to greater success. I invite you, as members, Club Presidents, District Governors, International Directors and Officers, and the past leadership to be part of Sertoma’s “One Team” – which means all of us. Each of us is important and each of us participates in the successes and failures, because we are “One Team”.
As “One Team” I ask you to get involved with me in two specific goals.
1. “3 N 7" & More The goal is for each of the seven Regions to build at least 3 new Sertoma Clubs. The commitment and enthusiasm for this goal is already apparent.
2. “1-3-5" is the new member recruitment goal. A special Sertoma Pin is being designed for the members who recruit 1, 3, or 5 new members.
Diana Caine-Helwig said in 2001 that “Together we can accomplish great deeds” That is still true in 2007-2008. When Sertoma functions as “One Team” --together we will accomplish and exceed our goals. I invite you to join me as Sky Martin said in 2004 and “Make It Happen”.