Walk into many Sertoma meetings and you’ll see them: symbols of Sertoma history paying homage to decades of club life. Felt banners, wooden gavels, brass bells, logoed nametags — tangible reminders of projects completed, funds raised, causes supported, and lives impacted. They represent more than decoration; they tell the story of Service to Mankind.

For decades, these traditions have helped define what it means to be a Sertoman. From annual awards to fundraisers that have become community staples, they form the thread in the fabric of an organization and the way a club convenes, serves, and celebrates together. Big or small, these symbols matter because they represent commitment. They are part of our foundation, and many continue to honor them out of respect for that legacy.

But just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean there isn’t room to evolve. The world has changed, and Sertoma has had to change with it. For generations raised on immediacy and digital connection, some formal traditions may feel outdated. Newer members won’t automatically share the same attachment to every custom. Younger Sertomans may gravitate toward flexible, hands-on service opportunities rather than weekly meetings and formal routines.

How do clubs balance heritage and relevance? We have seen a few clubs take steps to modernize and adapt traditions to make them their own. For instance, the Liberty Sertoma Club created new nametags to accurately reflect who their club is today. In Ohio, the Tri Village Sertoma Club elected to forego the standard club banner and brass bell when they were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to temporarily halt in-person meetings. They found it was no longer an important part of their meetings. And in the Atlantic Coast Region, when transporting and storing the large traditional state flags became somewhat burdensome, the region decided to move to lighter tabletop flags that still paid tribute to their states without being as cumbersome.

So how can you do this in your club? If you’re expecting a simple formula, there isn’t one. The answer will look different for every club. The most important step is to be intentional. Identify which traditions are essential to your club’s unique identity. Ask what truly connects generations. Consider what reinforces that Service to Mankind is enduring — not temporary, not trendy, but enduring for more than a century.

As you reflect, consider:

• Do our customs tell the story of our club as it exists today?
• Are our meetings and projects energizing members?
• Are we celebrating impact in ways that inspire current and future generations?
• Do we collectively still care about the tradition itself?

Sertoma has always stood for Service to Mankind. The question isn’t whether we care; it’s how we will show that we still do.