Sertoma International is a volunteer civic service organization with about

27,000 men and women members who belong to 830 Clubs in the United

States, Canada and Mexico. Sertoma stands for SERvice TO MAnkind.

Our primary service project is helping the more than 42 million people with

speech and hearing disorders.

 

Our Clubs also sponsor projects that promote freedom and democracy, youth causes, and any other local community needs identified by Clubs. Sertomans hold fund raisers to support these service programs. Each year, Sertoma Clubs raise and return more than $20 million for community projects. 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-U.S. 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 more than $10 million today. Women, who were welcomed as members of Sertoma in 1985, comprise about 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 capital, for a visit with the President or Prime Minister.