By Brandi McGrath Kong, Director of Member Services & Conferences

Here at Sertoma, we are lucky to have clubs and members who do amazing things. That is why our Individual and Club Awards programs were created. Exciting changes are coming to the Club Awards later this summer thanks to the hard work of some of your fellow members; however, in the meantime, I want to use this space today address why awards like these are so important.

Recognition: At their very foundation, awards programs are designed to recognize and acknowledge individuals for their work and achievements. Some of Sertoma’s awards are easy to attain, like the Tenure Award, but this Individual Award is the perfect way to honor and thank your members for their many years of continued membership in your club.

Engagement: Awards can be a great way to motivate your members and get them engaged. For some new members, things like the GEM Award introduce them to the many facets of Sertoma. Our veteran members can stay involved through the Mentor Award where they can share their experience and leadership with others in your club. Club Awards also offer a great way to bring members together in a united effort. 

Public Relations: Awards of both types are perfect for promoting your club! Community newspapers and blogs love to cover achievements of local residents. You can also post images on social media and reach out to area news programs. It can be beneficial to share the information with other organizations to which your member belongs in hopes of getting their achievement published in one of the organization’s publications. Not only is this a sign of goodwill on behalf of your club and its members, but it’s also an easy way to get your name out there.

Celebration: With all the hard work that our clubs do, awards can be a great way to kick back and have fun! Whether you fold the festivities into an existing event or create a special awards occasion all its own, awards give your members the chance to come together and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

You can learn more about the Sertoma Awards program here.