Freedom and Democracy Award The Change Addressed by the Resolution As part of improving our support of the members, in 2006 The Board charged an Awards Task Force to look at updating and/or creating a new awards program to recognize the efforts of the members and the clubs. This was based on the apparent lack of interest as reflected in participation in the club awards (achievement, honor, publicity, etc.) and a total lack of individual recognition. In 2007 Sertoma introduced the first of the changes in the form of the individual awards for tenure, service and leadership. To date we have had more than 2000 awards presented to members who participate in those efforts. In 2008-2009 was the first year for our new club awards. The new mission awards were developed on two important philosophies:
• All mission activities projects are of equal value. It should not make a difference if it is local focus or part of a national mission priority or program. Not even our national hearing health mission has a priority in the new program.
• That mission activities should not be judged one against another. There is no objective way to say one is better than another. Before adopting the new program, the only award for mission activities was for Freedom and Democracy and was a progressive award given only at the District and Region level, limiting a mission based award to less than 2 percent of clubs annually. The Board did consider participation in the old award program in determining the impact of the change. In the end, the old program was inconsistent with our overall value of service as it placed one form of service above others, and regardless of good intent, -- there is no objective means to judge one mission activity against another as better.
The Resolution
Whereas, the Sertoma Mission Statement mandates communication of thoughts, ideas and concepts to accelerate human progress in health, education, and freedom and democracy;” and Whereas, Sertoma, Inc., has recently revised the award structure of Sertoma and dissolves the National Heritage Award that honored freedom and democracy; and Whereas, no new award was created in its place to separately and distinctly honor freedom and democracy; Now, therefore, be it resolved that we, the Southeastern/Caribbean Region support the creation of a separate and distinct award at the club, District, Region, and Sertoma, Inc., levels that will comport with the Sertoma Mission Statement and separately and distinctly honor freedom and democracy; and Be it further resolved that the Southeastern/Caribbean Region shall mandate Sertoma, Inc., to create a new award at the club, District, Region, and Sertoma, Inc., levels to separately and distinctly honor freedom and democracy and thereby remain true to the Sertoma Mission Statement. Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be transmitted to Sertoma, Inc., for adoption
The Report of the Resolutions Committee
This resolution was originally presented at the Southeastern/Caribbean Region at the 2009 Region meeting, with a similar resolution presented in the Great Lakes Region. In summary: It is intent of this resolution to address changes in the Awards program of Sertoma related to mission activities – specifically those related to freedom and democracy programs. To Quote: “Whereas, Sertoma, Inc. has recently revised the award structure of Sertoma and dissolved the National Heritage Award that honored freedom and democracy:” “Be it resolved that we support the creation of a separate and distinct award at the club, District, Region, and Sertoma, Inc. levels that will comport with the Sertoma Mission Statement and separately and distinctly honor freedom and democracy;” The Resolutions Committee respects and honors the long tradition of the freedom and democracy programs. Upon review, it is the opinion of the Committee that this resolution is advisory in that:
• The Bylaws provide that Sertoma, Inc. has the power to “manage, administer and regulate the affairs, property and funds of Sertoma – Awards program created by Sertoma are covered by this power, and
• As awards do not limit or change any right or privilege of Sertoma membership, as defined in the Governing documents, and
• As the rights of the members to compel the Board to take an action are limited to “construction or interpretation of the Bylaws (and/or the Policies and Procedures) by the Board of Directors,, The resolution is advisory
|