Whether you attended the Sertoma International Conference or are catching up from afar, we know staying informed and connected is key to our shared mission. At this year’s Town Hall Meeting, members brought thoughtful questions, raised important topics, and sparked meaningful conversations about the future of Sertoma and how we can better serve our communities.

The Town Hall is a great opportunity for members to connect directly with the Sertoma International Executive Committee and Executive Director. It’s a relaxed, open space where attendees are encouraged to ask questions and hear real-time answers. To help keep things running smoothly—and to make sure everyone has a voice—members are invited to write their questions on notecards. We also collect these questions to guide future conversations, like this blog post, so the dialogue continues even after the meeting ends.

In this post, we’ve compiled some of the questions from the session. From updates on organizational involvement to the mechanics of the Hearing Aid Project, this FAQ recap is designed to keep everyone in the loop—and maybe even answer a few questions you didn’t know you had!

Question: Where and how are refurbished hearing aids collected by Sertoma used?
Answer: All hearing aids collected by Sertoma International are utilized through the Hearing Aid Project (HAP). Devices that are three years old or newer from one of our six preferred brands can still be warrantied. These eligible devices are professionally cleaned, refurbished and added to our official hearing aid bank for HAP clients.

Hearing aids that are between three and six years old and still viable are distributed for use on medical mission trips abroad. We collaborate with nonprofits, organizations and individuals leading these trips, providing the devices at no cost as long as a licensed audiologist or hearing aid specialist is available to perform the fittings. Devices may also be made available in areas of natural disaster, like in the wake of a devastating hurricane, tornado or wildfire.

Devices that are too old or cannot be repurposed for Hearing Aid Project clients are responsibly recycled. Sertoma receives credit for the recyclable materials, and the resulting funds go directly back into supporting the Hearing Aid Project—helping cover costs such as fitting fees, custom ear molds and more

Question: How can clubs get hearing aids from HAP to serve people locally?
Answer: It all starts with a conversation. Reach out to HAP Director Brian Riegel or Executive Director Jason Camis to share your idea. Our goal is to help as many people as possible, and we love to work together with our clubs to help make that happen.

Question: Does Sertoma help people with non-verbal abilities?
Answer: While we do not currently have a dedicated national program focused specifically on non-verbal communication, we are proud to support this important community through financial contributions to nonprofits and programs aligned with our mission. This support is typically provided through Affiliates receiving funding via our Community Grant program, or through other initiatives supported by local Sertoma clubs via the Sertoma Club Grant program.

Many of our clubs are actively engaged in serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community through specialized programs and events. For example, the Sertoma Connections of the Great Plains club hosts Camp UBU each summer for Deaf children in grades 2–9 from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. In Washington, the Tacoma Sertoma Club is known for its annual Deaf Picnic, which brings together hundreds of individuals and families each June. This year, Sertoma International President Bea Gabany had the opportunity to attend the Deaf Picnic, while Jason visited Camp UBU in June 2024.

At our Regional Conventions, Sertoma also highlights a wide array of hearing health topics by inviting local experts to speak on current and relevant issues in the field of hearing and speech. In 2025, the Great Plains Region welcomed the South Dakota Deaf Resources & Outreach Programs as its featured hearing health speaker, while the St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf presented at the Great Lakes Regional Convention in Indianapolis. We have also worked with organizations like Hands & Voices throughout the country, including in New Mexico at the 2024 Mountain West Regional Convention. 

Question: Do any board or staff reach out to attend and share information with partner organizations?
Answer: Just as members represent their clubs locally, the Board and Staff represent Sertoma International in collaboration with other organizations. One of the most prominent examples is our annual participation in the Service Club Leaders Conference (SCLC). Sertoma is one of 24 service nonprofit organizations represented at this event each year, with member(s) of the International Executive Committee attending alongside Jason and sometimes Director of Finance Amy Ellington. Notably, Sertoma co-hosted the 2024 conference in partnership with Optimist International.

Sertoma also maintains a strong presence at audiology-related events. Each spring, we participate in the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) Annual Convention to promote both Sertoma and the Hearing Aid Project. Staff members have also attended events hosted by the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and we continue to seek new opportunities to advance our mission at similar events. In fact, in late November, staff will join members of the Executive Committee to represent Sertoma at an Oklahoma event hosted by HAP partner, Hough Ear Institute.

In the Kansas City metropolitan area, where our headquarters is located, staff regularly attend local events, health fairs and meetings to raise awareness of Sertoma and HAP. Jason frequently speaks to various organizations and clubs; Brian collaborates with volunteers to provide hearing screenings at public health events—particularly for underserved and unhoused populations; and Director of Communications and Conferences Brandi McGrath Kong is actively involved in the American Society for Association Executives (ASAE).

As a team, Sertoma staff are also members of Nonprofit Connect, a professional society serving nonprofits in Eastern Kansas and Western Missouri. Additionally, staff participates in interviews and contributes editorial content when requested and appropriate, further amplifying our voice and mission.