Sertoma Updates

Annual Meeting Summary
July 30, 2010 

On Friday July 30 at the Annual Meeting of Sertoma, the members were presented with several important decisions.  Materials provided the members at that meeting are available here for review.

Candidate for Jr. Vice President
Mr. Tim Hazel of the Sundowners Sertoma Club ran unopposed, and was declared by a vote of acclimation from the floor as our new Jr. V.P.

Candidates for Director-At-Large
Mr. Don Bartelmay of the Aiken Sertoma Club and Mr. Jim Tolley of the Olde Charlestowne Sertoma Club provided the members with two excellent choices for this board position.  We thank both for their efforts, and welcome Don Bartelmay as the newest director-at-large on the Sertoma Board. 

Dues Increase
As presented at the Region meetings, and also as posted on the Sertoma website, a dues increase was placed before the members.  Approval required 67% of votes in favor – it received 71% of votes in favor.  This increase will take affect in July 2011 and is planned to be reviewed again in 2016.  Starting next year, quarterly dues will be $20.  Currently quarterly dues are $15.

Resolution One – Official Emblem
A member Resolution was presented to stop using the new logos put in place following the merger, and to use the old Sertoma International logo.  There was good discussion about tradition and the future look of Sertoma.  To pass, the resolution required 67% of votes in approval – it received 46% of votes in approval, so the resolution was not adopted. 

Resolution Two – Sertoma International
A member Resolution was presented to change the DBA name (doing business as) of Sertoma, Inc. from Sertoma to Sertoma International.  Since the merger we have done business as Sertoma.  There was good discussion reviewing how the name change was determined, but also points were made that we have an international membership with our clubs in Canada.   To pass, the resolution required 67% of votes in approval – it received 57% of votes in approval, so the resolution was not adopted. 

Note:  Following the report of the voting, our Executive Director Mr. Murphy observed that removing the use of international to describe aspects of Sertoma following the merger, could have been managed better – and he apologized for the unintended results.  As the resolution failed we will continue to do business as Sertoma.  However a majority of members made it clear “international” as it describes aspects of our organization is important.  As such staff will work to use international in our communications and publications where appropriate to describe our membership and activities.