Sertoma continues to "work"!
Sertoma International is making huge changes in their
structure to accommodate the changes in society. Our keynote
speaker was International Vice President Julie Hetmanek. She
reassured everyone that Sertoma is working hard to keep
things the same where the membership wants to keep things in
place. The new Sertoma International web site has many new
helpful sections. . The meetings covered important items of
business and helped members focus on strengthening their
clubs. Brainerd Noon Sertoma organized a convention activity
that focused on "Recipes for Success" It included many
activities from many different clubs that have been
successful in raising money for worthwhile causes. Included
were the Brainerd Noon contributions: pipe and drape, flags,
gossamer ceiling, Swinging Sertomans, and Winter Wonderland.
Deployed soldiers need community support
for the families while they are gone. However, when they
return they need support and most of all time to
re-integrate into their regular lives.
This was the message that was presented by the Friday
speaker at the Great Plains Regional Sertoma Convention held
at Maddens this past weekend. Lt. Colonel Robert Intress was
the honored speaker for the Friday luncheon which was also
the regular meeting for the Brainerd Noon Sertoma Club. He
began by trying to give his audience a personal insight into
re-integration. When a soldier deploys to combat, his whole
previous life become like a snapshot. He puts the picture of
his previous life in his pocket and goes off to war where he
becomes single-minded and focused on surviving. At the end
of his tour of duty, the snapshot is still in his pocket. It
has not changed, but everything else has. To quote Colonel
Intress "A soldier who returns to civilian life takes off
his uniform and sits in the deafening silence of 'Fort
Living Room' ".
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Pictured (L to R) are:
SSg Daniel Strong, LTC Robert
Intress,SSG Pete Sitkas, SFC Hugh Quinn,
SPC Daniel Orme, SPC Jeremy Jasmer, Sgt
Matt Krebsbach, and Sgt Kasey Kampfer.
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He asked Sertomans to include returning soldiers in their
mission to serve mankind. When asked about the comparison
between today's soldiers and those returning from World War
II, he remarked, "The soldiers today are as committed as the
soldiers in W.W. II but we are more aware of their need to
communicate." He went on to explain about the Minnesota
re-integration plan which has provided a national model. He
and his group of men honored the convention with their
presence and helped to reinforce the patriotic theme that
included setting the Sertoman flags to form a welcome for
all Sertomans.
For several years the National Guard has partnered with
Sertoma to raise money for community projects by allowing
the Sertomans to decorate the Armory with something that is
called the "Gossamer Ceiling". It was first used when the
Sertoma Rookie Party was held at the Armory. Sertoman Joe
Schulte saw how it made that huge impersonal space into
something much more suitable for things like wedding
receptions and the partnership was born. The Gossamer
Ceiling has raised thousands of dollars to give back to the
Brainerd community.
Humor is the most important gift that God
has given us to deal with adversity. Whether it is large or
small, if we can laugh at the bad things, somehow they can
be put behind us.
 Bill
Goers, who earned a reputation as a "funny guy" in his stint
as Sergeant for the Brainerd Noon Sertoma Club, blew his
chance at fame and fortune opening for the keynote speaker,
Kathy Buckley. Bill is pictured with Steve Mau who was the
Brainerd Noon Sertoma's MC in his capacity as Chairman of
the Board. Bill's humor pokes
fun at himself and his outstanding ability to play the
accordion. He concluded his speech with a rousing rendition
of "When the Saints go Marching In" that allowed him to send
a message to his family who claimed that nothing would ever
become of his accordion playing ability. Kathy worked a
little accordion humor into her presentation, but as far as
we know has not asked Bill to tour with her.
If you are doing good works, nature and
God sometimes are very willing to surprise you.
 The Brainerd Noon Sertoma meeting was honored with the
presence of the Regional winner of the Service to Mankind
Award, Tom Sorenson from Crete, Nebraska. He normally would
have been scheduled for a later meeting, but he had to
return home. According to Shaylene Smith who introduced him,
"Tom has touched all four corners and persons of every age,
race, faith, and walk of life. He embodies the spirit of
giving all year long." Things like Santa visits, roses to
widows on their birthdays, and countless civic endeavors
make Mr. Sorenson a worthy recipient of this honor. His own
personal remarks centered on his faith, on his gratitude to
his family and on the Crete Sertomans along with Sertoma in
general for making the world a better place. Steve Mau
concluded the meeting with a hopeful weather report for
Saturday that he "made up". What he didn't know was the
prayers were being said for a nice day for the annual
clean-up event at Camp Confidence which hosts Camp Sertoma.
Saturday turned out to be full of beautiful sunshine so that
the Sertoman activities including a tour of Camp could take
place and the 150 people scheduled to make a clean sweep and
make Camp shine for the summer were able to "get er done".
About forty brave Sertomans traveled to Confidence Learning
Center for up close and personal experiences that would help
them relate to Camp Sertoma. Bob Slaybaugh, camp director,
wanted them all to "experience" the facilities and have some
fun. Snakes, climbing trees, hugging animals, archery, and
sliding were all part of the trip. The results were
published immediately in a slide show for those who didn't
make the tour with photos by Tom Krekow of Aaron Thomas
Photography.
Chance is sometimes willing to cooperate
and bestow riches on people who can best use them.
The regular ticket raffle was held and raised $350 for Camp
Sertoma. The ticket winner was a Brainerd Noon Sertoman who
has spent the past two years getting her young son through a
bout with stomach cancer. The money will certainly be put to
good use in their family. |
This
compliment was one of the concluding remarks from Kathy Buckley's
presentation. The huge
outpouring of support for Camp Sertoma from the angels started at
the golf tournament where over 80 golfers and many Brainerd Noon
Sertoma volunteer workers braved a cold and windy day to play golf
and have fun to raise money for Camp. The scramble was not
competitive, but Shaylene Smith from Nebraska lead her team to
victory. The Rookie Team from Brainerd Noon Sertoma was just as
pleased and happy with their "best of the worst" trophy.
They
were overwhelmed with checks and donations at the Camp Sertoma
event. Jenni remarked, "Each club that contributed has to realize
that sponsoring just one Camper makes a huge difference in their
lives!" She was also overwhelmed with the response to the wish list.
Large checks, small checks and individual contributions contributed
over $20.000 to the cause. 
