For decades, Sertoma International and other leading service organizations in the United States and beyond have come together annually for the Service Club Leadership Conference. With well-known names like the American Legion, MENSA, Kiwanis, Optimists, Lions, Rotary, Moose, Toastmasters International and others, it’s the who’s who of the volunteer service organization world and gives organizations like ours the perfect opportunity to network, exchange ideas, collaborate, discuss partnerships and more. Organizations take turns hosting the event, with Sertoma having had its most recent turn in partnership with Optimist International in 2024.
However, perhaps one of the biggest benefits for Sertoma is that it gives us the awesome opportunity to showcase the amazing work that our clubs, members and organization do in communities all throughout North America. Through the first-hand dialogues fostered by Sertoma Executive Director Jason Camis, as well as our volunteer leadership attendees, we are given the unique chance to put a spotlight on what has made Sertoma special since our founding 114 years ago. Out of those conversations, we have found opportunities to partner with organizations on past and future events, gotten ideas for educational sessions and Conference keynote speakers, shared resources that impact the business of Sertoma, and so much more. It also gives us an annual forum to seek solutions for issues and challenges we are facing.
“What impressed me the most was realizing that we are all in the same boat when it comes to service clubs,” said Sertoma International President Cindy Markham, who attended the 2025 SCLC in Seattle last fall. “We all seem to have the same issues and challenges, and we strive to move forward with our clubs. When we sat together in groups and talked about issues, we were able to collectively come up with some ideas for moving forward.”
Cindy said she left the conference even more aware of the important role that collaboration plays between service organizations. She noted that many communities have multiple service organizations, all with the same goal of making a difference through volunteerism and stewardship. Attending the event helped put context to that as she learned what others were doing, giving her new ideas and further insight into how those organizations may fit together with Sertoma clubs and the international parent organization.
“When we work together, we can be even more successful,” said Markham. “Sertoma is looking at working with other organizations to see how we can make an even greater impact in our communities. I’m excited for the future of service organizations!”
Sertoma President-Elect Tim Romero was equally pleased with the “tremendous amount” of actionable ideas put forth during the sessions in Seattle last fall. Just being amidst the other service organizations left him feeling inspired by all the great work that they do. It also sparked new ideas that he can share and work on as he prepares for his year as the organization’s elected volunteer leader, and like Cindy, he also left with a broader understanding of the many perennial issues, such as membership, that nearly all service organizations continue to face.
“The ability to sit with others in our sphere of giving and to see that we are all in this together was invaluable,” Romero said. “It makes me proud to be a Sertoman to know that we were one of the original founding organizations of SCLC.”
From the staff side, attending SCLC helps us get answers to questions we can’t really ask other organizations in the nonprofit world because how we operate is often different because of things such as having dues-paying members or the many different missions supported by our clubs. It educates staff on solutions that we can take when clubs need help with things like navigating the IRS 501(c)(3) revocation process or securing proper insurance. If also introduces us to new partnership opportunities, like the one we have with Grouper, and gives us feedback and perspectives from organizations larger, smaller or of equal size to ours.
“For me, SCLC allowed me to ask questions on how other like organizations are managing topics,” said Director of Finance Amy Ellington, who has been with Sertoma for more than 25 years and attended multiple SCLC events. “This sharing of knowledge is important, as it helps give a platform to the ideas we’re all trying to adopt and/or adapt.”
This blog was inspired by a question presented by attendees during the 2025 International Conference this past fall in Ohio. Members were curious how Sertoma fosters relationships and collaboration opportunities beyond the community level. Among the many other things highlighted at the time was the Service Club Leadership Conference; we wanted to share some of what we talked about there with everyone so that they were also aware of just one of the many ways Sertoma continues to work to strengthen Service to Mankind. If you have any questions about this event or Sertoma’s work in this realm, please don’t hesitate to drop a line to Jason at jcamis@sertoma.org.
Note, additional blogs will appear in the coming months that further some of the ideas explored at SCLC. Stay tuned!