Sertoma International
Sertoma History
Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, Sertoma is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit international organization dedicated to "SERVICE TO MANKIND," with 20,000 members in over 700 clubs across Canada, Mexico 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.
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, youth causes and a variety of other local community needs identified by the clubs.
Founded as the "Stand Together Club" in 1912 in Kansas City, Mo., Sertoma is the third-oldest service organization. Our name was changed to "Cooperative" Clubs, and finally to "Sertoma" in 1950. Our motto is "Make Life Worthwhile." The first non-United States Sertoma Club was chartered in Windsor, Ontario in 1946. The first Mexico Club was chartered in Mexico City in 1956. The Sertoma Foundation was founded in 1960 to raise money for Sertoma’s charitable programs. The Foundation’s Endowment has grown from $1 million in 1992 to more than $7 million. Women, who were welcomed as members of Sertoma in 1985, comprise more than one-third of our current membership.
The highest honor Sertoma bestows on a nonmember is the Service to Mankind Award recognizing outstanding volunteer community service. Each club selects a winner, who competes with other clubs’ winners at the District, Regional and International levels. The top winner is announced at the International Convention. The award culminates in a trip to the winner’s national capitol for a visit with the President or Prime Minister.
Sertoma International Web Site
Or: WWW.sertoma.org
