Rowe founded Sertoma on April 11, 1912 as the Co-Operator Club in Kansas City, Missouri. The name was changed to Sertoma symbolizing Service to Mankind. Sertoma is now an international service club with chartered clubs in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Sponsorships or service projects are an important part of Sertoma. International sponsorships are: hearing and speech, service to mankind, youth programs, freedom and democracy. The Minot Sertoma Club was organized on October 2, 1959. The club currently has sixty members who meet every Monday at noon at the International Inn. Interested community members are encouraged to attend. The Minot Sertoma Club, over the past years, has emphasized those sponsorships highlighted by the international organization. We currently have a sizable endowment at the Minot State University Foundation. The interest from this fund is offered to students pursuing careers in speech and hearing, as scholarships. The Club also underwrites the cost of an annual fund appeal the Minot Vocational Adjustment Workshop, Inc., a community rehabilitation program. The Minot Recreation Commission through a sizable contribution from the Minot Sertoma Club constructed a softball complex. The Sertoma Sports Complex is located across from the Minot International Airport. Other sponsorships include: Minot Park District, Boy Scouts, Boys’ State, Girls’ State, Norsk Hostfest, Minot Area Youth Skating Association, Full STEAM Ahead Tball League as well as many other local entities. The Club organizes “Christmas in the Park”, which is its major fundraiser. Local businesses and organizations provide lighted displays in Minot’s Oak Park. The public is invited to drive through the park to view the displays during the entire month of December. The members of the Minot Sertoma Club invite anyone willing to provide service to mankind to join our efforts to make this community a better place to live and work.
