In Search of the Words

This year we celebrate the centennial of Sertoma while we plan for our 2^nd Century of Service.  It demands that we take time not only to reflect on our history but also to define our future.  To what end will Sertoma exist?  How will we enact that purpose, and what values guide our effort?  What will it mean to be a Sertoman?  

As individuals, these may seem easy to define.  The challenge is finding definitions that represent all Sertoma — definitions that describe individual members, the clubs, and Sertoma as a national movement.  Definitions that allow those we serve and support and those who support our efforts to see a reflection of themselves.   As we look to our 2^nd Century, it must also allow future individuals, organizations, and communities to know and identify with what Sertoma means. 

Those definitions are the core building blocks on which our future rests.  They are the foundation and the touchstone for why we exist, what we wish to achieve, and how we will move forward.  Every decision we make about our mission, programs, or membership must reflect and add value to those definitions.  All who participate in, or we touch by our service should know and share in the values and beliefs these words represent. 

Are you ready for the challenge? Distill those definitions for why we exist, what we wish to achieve, and how to move forward in no more than three sentences.  Bonus points if you can do all three in 25 words or less – but your effort can be no longer, than what you can say in one breath.  If you are a member of the Sertoma Board, you already face this challenge as they work to build a foundation for a 2^nd Century of Service. 

So it begins – our search for words — words of power, truth, and clarity.  Words like “I do”, “I love you”, and “I pledge allegiance …” words that require no explanation, no confirmation – that stand universally understood.  To accept this challenge is both burden and privilege as we seek the words on which to build a 2^nd Century of Service.  Join us in our search; share your thoughts on the words that will define our future – that honor our past. 

Steve Murphy
Executive Director

Its a New Year!!

It is the New Year – and like most folks, I find myself making lists. Lists of things that need done, things I want to do, things I ought to do, things other people want done. Over the years I have made a lot of lists, and we have whole industries with strategies and software to help manage our lists – schedulers, planners, time and contact management software. The end result seems to be longer lists, more detailed lists, but less time and less sense of control. Our ability to generate lists and detail has overwhelmed our sense of purpose – why we needed the lists to start with. The result is we miss opportunities that present themselves, because of something on the list – something that upon reflection is not that critical, but it was on the list.

So first on my list this new year – make a new list! To be more accurate – I made another list. But this one goes on top of all the other lists and has no “things” to do on it. It will only have questions – questions that will determine the importance, value and attention items on the other lists will receive. I am still tweaking my new list – but am starting with two basic questions:

1. Is this really required? Not much is – but some things are (just ask the IRS) so if it is — get it done and move on – delay just adds pressure I don’t need.
2. Will it improve or just maintain the current conditions? Improvements get attention – our current condition is not a place we can afford to linger.

But there is always the complication of not always having agreement on what is “really required” or “truly important.” That debate may take place in your head, with your spouse, co-workers, or members of your club. In end to have any hope of moving forward decisions must be made, which start with taking control of the lists in your life.

This reminds me of one of my favorite sayings from the islands – “Always tell the truth – there is less to remember.” So for this year – “Only carry around what is important and required – your load will be much lighter.”

So to all those on my list, adding to my lists – putting me on their lists – I wish you the best of the New Year and that all our important and required efforts are successful.

Steven Muprhy
Executive Director
Sertoma/Hearing Charities of America

Sertoma News Service 12/17/10

Next Club Liaison Training
Your Club Liaison should have shared the information and handouts provided in the first two Webinar sessions.  If you have any questions concerning the information provided, please contact Sertoma Headquarters.

The third Club Liaison Webinar is scheduled for January 10, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. Central.  This session will contain import information concerning the Special Election this spring.

Special Election
The Special National Election in the Spring of 2011 will be conducted online.  Details will continue to be announced through the Sertoma News Service and your Club Liaison.  If you do not have internet access, please utilize the resources provided by public libraries, venues with free internet access or request fellow club members assist with this process.  Be sure you have a login for the Sertoma website to be able to participate.

National Candidates
If you are planning on running for either Junior Vice President or Director-at-large please notify Sertoma Headquarters by January 3rd.  This will insure that your information is included in all informational announcements and the Sertoman magazine.

Service to Mankind and Sertoman of the Year Awards
Due to the new Sertoma Conventions schedule, the entry deadline for 2011 has been revised for our progressive awards.  To have your club’s nominees considered for judging, your entries must be submitted to your District Governor by the July 1, 2011 submission deadline.  Serteen awards will follow a similar schedule. 

2010-2011 Presidential Growth Incentives
We are about to enter the 2nd half of our Sertoma year, but there is still time to achieve the Presidential Growth Awards!  Each Sertoman recruiting a new member by June 30, 2011 will receive the “Sertoma FOCUS” growth pin.  Each club with a net gain of 3 or more by June 30, 2011 will receive a “Sertoma FOCUS” banner medallion.
 
Strengthen Sertoma and serve your community through membership recruitment!

Sertoma Store
The Sertoma Store will not be shipping any merchandise December 29th – 31st to count inventory.  Orders can still be placed. If you need something shipped during December please place your order today.

Club Administration
End of 2nd quarter is 12/31 – remember all membership changes are due to Sertoma Headquarters by noon CST.

The club’s 2nd quarter quarterly activities report (Form 116) is due to Sertoma Headquarters postmarked 1/10/2011.

Sertoma News Service November 2010

Have You Heard?
Tuesday, November 16 @ 6:00 p.m. Central Time we will conducting our second Club Liaison presentation, “Sertoma’s Hearing Health Mission, Your Club and Your Community”.  The session will define our hearing health mission plus cover two important programs within Sertoma that can be of benefit to your club and your community.

If your club does not already have a Club Liaison it is not too late.  This position defines the support and service your club can receive from Sertoma brought to you directly by one of your own members.  This program will provide your club up to nine presentations each year.  Some will be critical information about Sertoma programs, services and activities, plus provide an opportunity for club members to respond with ideas and concerns. 

For more details on the Club Liaison role and program check out the web site.  To check to see if you have a Club Liaison, or to register as the Club Liaison for your club, email Sertoma Headquarters.

Sertoman of the Year and Service to Mankind Entries
All entries must be to your District Governor by December 1, 2010.   From the Sertoma Web site, click on Member Services, select Manuals &Training, scroll down to ‘How to Write Winning Award Entries’ to view samples.  Use the Club Format as a guideline when writing your entry. 

Sertoma Clubs and Gambling Fundraisers
Many Sertoma Clubs either run or are thinking of running a form of gambling fundraiser.  This type of fundraiser has many restrictions the club should be aware of before starting the process.  Most states have laws regarding charitable gaming. The Sertoma Club must check the state requirements before participating in any gaming event.  There are also certain IRS regulations charitable gaming events. That information can be found in IRS publication 3079. If your club is thinking of fundraising with charitable gaming, first determine the type of gaming you want to do, check state regulations to see if allowed, and contact Sertoma headquarters if you have further questions.

Community Grant
The deadline for the Community Grant is January 31, 2011. Grants are available for hearing health programs and projects. Remember, grants are available to Affiliates who are part of Sertoma’s National Adopt-An-Agency/Affiliate Program. If your Affiliate is not part of this program you still have time to get your application and agreement turned in to Headquarters!

Scholarship Programs
The Mission Activities Committee’s charge this year is to contact Sertoma Clubs to find out about scholarship programs. If your club has a scholarship program, you can greatly help us by Completing this survey. If your club does not have a program please click here to let us know. Please contact Holly Walls or Laura Hanavan or call 1-800-593-5646 if you have any questions. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Presidents Message

October 5th, 2010

The Fall Season is upon us and the leaves are starting to show their colors.  Football season is underway, leading up to the national and NFL titles, and baseball season is winding down, as the World Series will soon be played.  With these additional distractions to our normal routines, some are thinking ahead to the holiday season, making personal plans to travel to relatives, or planning family get togethers’, maybe even doing some early shopping.  Our clubs are preparing for a busy season, as they make plans to adopt a family for the holiday: to work at a food pantry or soup kitchen or raise funds for various community activities that take place during the holiday and winter seasons. 

For over 98 years, Sertoma and its’ Clubs have been in the “business” of helping others. We have been passionate and committed to our mission of “Making Life Worthwhile through SERvice TO MAnkind” in our communities and our nations. 

As individuals, our passions are formed and tweaked as a product of our culture, experience and opportunities. Sertoma Clubs join together individuals that share similar passions and are committed to serving the needs in our community.  The stronger our passion and commitment to the charitable activity or activities our club has chosen to support, the stronger our club will be, because we are attracting more new members and retaining more of our existing members.

Our passion and commitment to the cause(s) is what motivates our efforts to raise more funds this year than last, or provide more service hours than last year. Our passion and commitment to the cause(s) is what makes us feel wanted or needed and want to be involved in serving the needs of the cause.  All to often, our Clubs’ write a check to the various organizations we support, and we receive a thank you back, and it is hard to have a “hands on” experience with those being helped.  The Club needs to have a continual two way street of communication with the organizations they support and with our members, so that the “feel good fuel” keeps the fire of our passion burning strongly.  This communication is important to assess the needs that are changing and the challenges those changes make on the clubs efforts.

If you want to recruit new members and/or retain your current members, you must tap into their passion for the causes your Club supports, so that they have a good feeling not only about your Sertoma Club sponsorships, but your fund raising and your other members.  This means you have got to serve the members’ needs to give back to the community, their need to feel good about their efforts in giving back to the community and the members’ need to feel wanted and needed by the Sertoma Club. 

Join with me in focusing on Sertoma by inviting a guest to your next Club meeting and then asking them to join the Sertoma family.  Let’s grow Sertoma for the future.

Your President, Dennis Lawler