Presidential Messages:

New Addition to our Sertoma Family!!
The Southglenn Sertoma Club, of Centennial, CO, achieved Charter on January 1, 2012! We wish to thank the New Club Building Team and the Sponsor Club, Littleton Sertoma, for providing training and support to the new Sertomans that will help lead us into our 2nd Century of Service!!

Community Grant
The deadline for the Community Grant is January 31, 2011. Grants are available to Affiliates who are part of Sertoma’s National Adopt-An-Agency Program for hearing health programs and projects. If you have an Affiliate remind them of the upcoming deadline and encourage them to submit a grant

January 11, 2012 Well here we are in 2012. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Years and are ready for the opportunities before us. I say opportunities because we all have the chance to do something special in this 100th Anniversary year. That special something would be to increase our membership before the 100th Anniversary Celebration in April. I just received the Sertoma Snapshot for December 31 and we have some work to do. We need to achieve a net gain of 500 new members before March 31st. I suppose that sounds like a really big number but if you break it down it is really not that hard to do. If each club gains just one “NET” new member we will achieve something great. Something we haven’t done in a long time. I am very excited about the possibility of finishing the year strong with a big announcement in April. I happen to know that there a number of clubs planning membership events in the coming weeks and I would encourage each club to do the same. Studies show that when goals are written down they have a 90 percent better chance of being achieved. During your next meeting please plan a membership event and put down on paper what you would like to accomplish. Keep your goals displayed prominently at your meeting so that it stays on the minds of all your members. Be realistic, but set a goal to “NET” at least two new members before the end of March. Please review the Presidential Growth Incentives. Remember that each member who brings in a new member this year gets a beautiful “2nd Century Recruiter” Pin. 100th Anniversary Celebration in Kansas City April 26-28 - The plans for the Celebration are coming together and let me encourage you to go ahead and register online. There will be ample time for fellowship with your fellow Sertomans and the training will be some of the best we have ever offered. There may be some surprises too. This will be a great time to celebrate our success and train our club leaders for the next Century of Service. The new meeting format calls for training our members in the areas that YOU have asked for. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN USE SPONSORSHIP FUNDS TO SEND YOUR MEMBERS TO THE ANNUAL MEETING AS THIS WILL BE A MAJOR TRAINING EVENT. Yours in Service John Kerr Sertoma News Service 1/20/2012 SERTOMA 2012 CONVENTION April 26-28, 2012 Kansas City, Missouri 2012 Annual Sertoma Convention Sertoma’s first national convention was hosted in 1921, right here in Kansas City, so it is only fitting that our 100th Anniversary Convention opens on Thursday evening with a Roaring 20’s Birthday Party! The 1920’s were a time of fun and prosperity, World War I was over, and everyone was looking forward to a bright future. Sertoma, too, is looking towards a strong and dynamic future   Invest in Others to Learn and Lead Who should attend the 2012 Sertoma Convention? Anyone truly interested in playing a role in our new Century of Service! There will be role-specific training along with trainings to develop your club and yourself personally. Check out the training schedule!   Inspirations for our Future! Come to Kansas City and honor the past 100 years but also prepare yourself and your Club to lead us into the next century. Be an important part of the business and the future of Sertoma. Friday and Saturday group sessions will include the Annual Meeting, updates to the strategic initiatives, and the mission of Sertoma. Guest speakers Chris Kuehl and David Myers will give you current relevant information to help our clubs thrive in the next century.   Sertoma 100 – Sounds of the Past! Take a step into the past! Be sure to visit the Sertoma Memorabilia Room! Pieces of our history, shared by fellow Sertomans, various clubs and the Sertoma archives, will be on display throughout the Convention. Don’t miss seeing the Sertoma tie to various US Presidents, our space programs, and several famous names you will recognize. Other displays will focus on past Conventions, merchandise, sponsorship programs and awards.   Have a Little More Fun! While in Kansas City, join fellow Sertomans for a round of golf! The members of the Liberty Sertoma Club are hosting the 2012 Sertoma Golf Tournament, Celebrating 100 Years of Service! The tournament will be held at The Liberty Hills Country Club, located in historic Liberty, Missouri. Register here.   The Next Century of Service Convention will close with our 100th Anniversary Gala Dinner, celebrating a Century of Service. Share in the fellowship, recognize and be proud of our accomplishments, then return to your club with the tools and motivation to carry Sertoma into our 2nd Century of Service. You will leave inspired after the key- note speech given by Guest Speaker John O’ Leary.   REGISTER TODAY!   Sertoma News Service 12/13/2011 Presidential Message First, let me wish each of you a very blessed Christmas Holiday. I hope all of your families have some good quality time, and that you can slow down and appreciate the Season and get recharged for the New Year. Procrastination: Defined as “The act or habit of procrastinating, or putting off or delaying, especially something requiring immediate attention.” Read more… Celebrating a Century of Service Seldom do you get the opportunity to mark such an occasion. Join Sertoma in celebrating 100 years of SERvice TO MANkind and help us prepare for the next Century of Service. It all started here in Kansas City in 1912. George W. Smith, Charles E. Allen and William R. Rose would never have believed the positive impact Sertoma would have for 100 years. It is only appropriate that we return to Kansas City to celebrate their legacy and honor all those who have given to the service of mankind. This will be a one-of-a-kind celebration among friends. It will be an experience worthy of 100 years of service. Did You Know – Tax and Legal Information My Club is tax-exempt, why are we getting charged sales tax on purchases? Here is a brief synopsis of the different tax structures. The IRS grants 501(c)(3) organizations, like ourselves, federal income tax exemption. This means the club is not required to pay corporate income tax on the earnings from your fundraising efforts. This is the only tax that the IRS controls and has the power to waive. Local taxes, such as state income tax and state sales tax are controlled by each State. States are the only ones who can waive such tax to a non-profit. Most states automatically waive State Income Tax to any organization granted 501(c)(3) status by the IRS. The club has to register in the state to show you have non-profit status. State sales tax is a much different process. To obtain sales tax exemption, the club must apply with the state. This is usually done through the Department of Revenue or the lead taxing agency in the state. From them you will need to obtain the necessary form for your state and supply the proper backup. Again, most states will grant this to 501(c)(3) organizations upon application. Contact your State’s taxing agency for more information on how to apply for sales tax exemption. Online Form 130 In response to all the numerous requests we have received, we are happy to announce that clubs are now able to update their club officer information online through the website. This new feature can be accessed through the club officer portion of the website via the “Online Form 130” link located in the left hand menu. Once on the page, complete the necessary information and click submit when complete. Administration Sertoma Headquarters will be closed the week of December 26th - December 30th. We will still be processing member additions and deletions for the January 3rd individual member dues invoice. Please make sure all changes are to our office by December 30th via fax, mail, or e-mail. Remember Club Officers can make changes at anytime online through our website. The Sertoma Store will be conducting inventory December 20th- December 23rd. During this time we will not be able to ship any merchandise. If you have any need for merchandise items please have your order to Sertoma Headquarters by December 16th. Any orders received during inventory and Christmas break will be held until January 2nd. Thank you. Sertoma News Service 11/11/2011 Presidential Message First I just want to say “THANK YOU” to all Sertoma and non-Sertoma Veterans on this special day. Your SERVICE is greatly appreciated. We all owe a great deal of gratitude for the sacrifices that have been made on behalf of this great country and again I say Thank You and encourage everyone to thank a service man or woman today. Remember that Freedom and Democracy is a nationally recognized Sertoma sponsorship and doing something good for our Veterans would be appropriate at this time. Read more… New Century, New Leadership Format We kickoff a new Century of Service with a totally new format to our convention. With leadership as our theme, you will be inspired, motivated and well-prepared to lead your Club in ways you never imagined. Our 2012 Convention will still hold the same meaning to long-term participants as you renew old friendships and experiences. We will honor our Century of Service and the legacy of all Sertomans. But make-no-mistake, this Convention will be different. Sertoma is about to enter a new decade of service. With that comes new challenges and expectations. Our Convention will focus on developing leaders through education and participation. Bring your enthusiasm and your thinking-cap. We will engage and learn together. Did You Know – Tax and Legal Information "Is a Sertoma Club a business?" this question has been posed in various forms over the past few years. The question coming from the requirements on how to track money, file tax returns, and keep certain records. The simple answer is “Yes”. Every club must be run as a business, but let’s explain why. Every club signs a charter agreement with Sertoma. This gives the club the ability to use the Sertoma name and to be placed under our group 501(c)(3) status. The club is then required to obtain its’ own employer identification number (EIN) from the IRS and to incorporate in your state. Once these steps are done and the club is placed under our tax status, the IRS now requires that all funds be accounted for meeting the requirements imposed on all non-profits across the country. Since 2006 these requirements have become stricter in meeting public discloser to donors and IRS reporting requirements. “But we are just volunteers”, is a common theme we hear from club’s who are struggling to maintain these minimum requirements. The IRS has on occasion given some leeway to all-volunteer organizations, but has determined that the requirements for these types of organizations are the same as those professionally staffed. This can seem overwhelming, but can be handled easily with a few easy steps. Each club must set up a good record keeping system of revenue and expenses of the club. This can be done in software such as Quickbooks or simple paper journals. First, remember that every dollar of charitable money must be accounted for. Second, make sure everyone on the club board knows the important legal deadlines that must be met. These include state registration deadlines and IRS tax filing deadlines. While the club treasurer typically is responsible for doing these activities, it is the responsibility of the entire board to see that it is done. The IRS has created a publication outlining the requirements of all 501(c)(3) entities. Use this in conjunction with the Sertoma Club Treasurers manual and support from Sertoma Headquarters on how to run the business side of a Sertoma Club. Fundraising How-To Guides Updated Visit the Sertoma Web site and check out the updated guides on how to run a successful fundraiser. Does your club have a unique fundraiser that you want to share with fellow Sertomans? Contact Connie Sloan to learn more on how to include your club’s how-to skills in the Sertoma Resource materials. 2nd Chance GEM In celebration of our Century of Service, President John Kerr is renewing the 2nd Chance GEM Award as part of this year’s growth incentives. The 2nd Chance GEM is available to all Sertomans through June 30, 2012.

Sertoma News Service 10/7/2011

Do you have a Plan?
Last month I asked if you were having fun with all of your clubs events. This month I would like to know if you have a plan to succeed. Most great successes begin with a well thought out coordinated plan. Your Sertoma Board has been working hard to make plans for our second century to guarantee that we move our organization forward in the best possible way. I would encourage you in your respective clubs to have a good old nuts and bolts meeting to see where you are headed and plan for how to get there.
Read more…

Community Grant
The Community Grant application has been updated. If your club is considering adopting an agency that wishes to be eligible for the 2011-2012 Community Grant, please have their affiliate application submitted to Headquarters as soon as possible.

100 Years of Service
Sertoma is celebrating a great feat this year with 100 years of service to our communities. This service has provided our local communities countless service hours, completion of projects, and an increased way of life for many individuals. Nationally this service has helped institute required hearing screening for newborns, supported many direct providers of service to those with hearing health issues, and educating everyone of the effects of noise induced hearing loss thru SAFEEars! Do you have a fond memory of Sertoma? Share those wonderful memories on the Sertoma Memory Wall. This is open to all members, former members, and those Sertoma has helped over the years.

Merchandise Sale
Sertoma is running a sale on the reusable corded ear plugs. Regularly priced at 75 cents each on sale for 40 cents each. Order today!

Club Administration
Tax returns for every club are due to the IRS by November 15th. This is a requirement to function as a non-profit and the IRS has serious consequences for those who do not abide. These include penalties and interest leading to revocation of the club’s tax status. If the club’s total income is normally less than $50,000 you must file a Form 990N (e-postcard). If you total income is normally greater than $50,000 you must file a Form 990EZ. When total income reaches greater than $200,000 you must file a Form 990. Those filing 990EZ or 990 must also file Schedule A. Remember all income to the club is included in the gross income test; this includes dues collected from members. Please contact Headquarters with any questions. The following links will take you directly to the forms on the IRS website.

Are you having fun?
I am often asked how we can get new members in my club. Well one of my questions back to them is, are you having fun? We are celebrating a landmark this year in Sertoma and my hope is that we all have a great year and a lot of fun. Do you plan a number of club socials? Read more…

Sertoma’s 100th Anniversary Convention
April 26-28, 2012
Plan now to attend the 2012 Annual Sertoma Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, the birthplace of SERvice TO MAnkind! Join fellow Sertomans to celebrate our first 100 years – and help kick off our 2nd Century of Service.

Our 2nd Century of Service begins with our new Convention format “Club Leadership Development”. A significant part of the program will be determined as Sertomans tell us what needs to be in the program to make the event of value. This is your opportunity to have input on the training topics that will be presented.

Be sure your club budgets to help leaders attend. Your club leaders will benefit from the training – and leadership development is an important part of the Sertoma mission. You will also vote on important resolutions, and elect new national leadership. Your Club Liaison will have more to share on this exciting new program!

2011-2012 Presidential Growth Incentives
Be a 2nd Century Recruiter! Each Sertoman recruiting a new member by June 30, 2012 will receive the "2nd Century Recruiter" growth pin. There are also Growth Incentives for Clubs, Districts and Regions that lead us into our 2nd Century of Service!

What Are You Doing in Sertoma?
The Fall 2011 Digital Issue of the Sertoman is your chance to share videos and photos of your club’s events and accomplishments. Send your club news, videos and photos to Sertoman Editor Carole Damon. Be sure to include contact information and your club’s website address so readers can “click through” to learn more. Submission deadline is October 1st.

Resources from the American Academy of Audiology
October Is...National Audiology Awareness Month & National Protect Your Hearing Month. To promote awareness nationally, we need you to TAKE ACTION LOCALLY! The Academy is dedicated to advancing the profession through increasing public awareness of audiology and the importance of hearing protection. Your grassroots efforts to educate the public locally will make a profound difference!

Use the tools and resources provided below in your efforts to promote National Audiology Awareness Month and National Protect Your Hearing Month.

Bookmarks
Buckslips (to include with your invoices)
Fact Sheets
Just for Kids and Young Adults
Letters to the Editor
Posters
PowerPoint Presentations
Press Releases
Radio PSAs
Web Tools

Visit the American Academy of Audiology for a full list of downloadable resources and tools.

Did you know? Tax and Legal Information
Sertoma carries a General Liability policy for our club’s and members. This helps cover the clubs meeting and special events. This policy covers most of our club activities, but there are exclusions. When planning any events the club must keep the insurance needs in mind. The Sertoma Insurance Manual is your first stop for all our insurance questions.

Club Administration
Membership Changes
Please remember that all roster changes must be received at Sertoma Headquarters by noon central time September 30th. This can be done via the website, e-mail, fax (816-333-4320), or mail. Please remember if you mail your changes to allow time for the post office to deliver as the deadline is not a postmark date.

Sertoma Merchandise Store
If you think you might need supplies before the end of the month, order early, as the Sertoma Store will be closed for inventory starting Monday, September 26. The store will reopen for business on Monday, October 3.