An automobile needs an energy source to be propelled down the road.  Its energy source is gasoline and/or electricity.

Just like an automobile, a Sertoma Club needs an energy source to raise the funds for its sponsorships and service projects.  The energy source for a Sertoma Club is the member and/or volunteer.  When fewer members power your fundraisers or work your service projects, the harder and longer other members have to work to raise funds or accomplish the service. 

Having sufficient members to accomplish our sponsorship goals is an absolute necessity to ensure our future.  You, my friends and fellow Sertomans, are the key to the future of Sertoma, along with the new Sertomans we recruit into our Clubs.

Polls, surveys and statistics all indicate that Americans are compassionate and not only willing to volunteer, but are doing so in large numbers, taking advantage of the many opportunities around them.  And we Sertomans have the opportunity to recruit new members from among these many willing volunteers, even in tough economic times.  But are we making the most of the opportunity?

Every Sertoma Club needs to commit itself to achieving a net gain of at least three members in this Sertoma year.  Our commitment to serve others is the glue that maintains our unity.  And each Club needs to have a unified message when recruiting members.

Service to your community, serving your Club sponsorship and increasing your ability to raise funds, that's what membership growth is all about.

I challenge each Club to hold a FOCUS session on membership recruitment, developing a consistent message that describes what Sertoma is in your community and what our national mission is, and then building a team and developing a plan of action to achieve your goals.

We make many presentations during our lifetime. Some of us may go through life without ever giving a formal speech, but very few of us go through a single day without making a presentation of some kind to someone. When we talk about Sertoma, whether we are encouraging someone, sharing a thought in a group or talking with a friend, we are making a presentation.  If we effectively communicate the message about Sertoma to those around us, whether by asking them to be a part of Sertoma or be a supporter of Sertoma, we can have a profound impact on their lives and the lives of others we serve through SERvice TO MAnkind.

Regardless of who is making the presentation, any message about Sertoma to a prospective member or a donor, should be consistent. Our presentation should appeal to their passion to help others in need and explain how our Club serves those in need.

Join with me and FOCUS on growth.  Commit right now to achieving a net gain of at least three new members in your Club this year.