By Brandi McGrath Kong, Director of Member Services & Conferences

Welcome to my last blog for the year! 2022 has been a time of change for your Sertoma organization. This past May, we welcomed Executive Director Jason Camis to headquarters staff. Jason has spent the past seven months visiting with clubs and members, both virtually and in person. A true people person to the core, he has made it his mission to connect with the amazing local clubs and Sertomans that are providing best-in-class volunteer service in communities throughout the U.S. in Canada.

Two of Sertoma’s newest programs celebrated anniversaries this year. The National Service Project continues to grow year after year, providing InfoLoops in dozens of cities and towns served by our clubs. Previous years have focused on hearing clinics, hospitals and libraries, and in 2023, our focus will turn toward public facilities serving the hard of hearing in communities just like yours. We also marked the second year of the Sertoma Club Grant Program. More than $130,000 in grant money went back into the communities served by Sertoma clubs over the past two years.

This summer, we announced the introduction of the Club Pinnacle Awards and Sertoma Hall of Fame. It is our hope that these new programs will inspire renewed interest in our awards program! We also look forward to honoring lifetime achievements in leadership and service with the Hall of Fame. We will welcome our class of grandfathered Hall of Fame members (all past National Sertoman of the Year recipients) and name our new inductee at the 2023 National Conference in Charlotte, NC, next October. 

As we look toward 2023, we know that many things will continue to change (they always do!). We are excited to offer the first slate of Regional Conventions planned by national staff (with the assistance of regional directors) in the spring. We will also likely move to a new headquarters location in the Kansas City area at some point in the next year. However, no matter what changes, Sertomans can rest assured that our organization remains committed to our national hearing health mission and to our 110-year tradition of Service to Mankind.

Happy Holidays!