Name of Event or Activity: Annual Sertoma Chili
Cook-Off
Number of Years Held: Annually since 1981
Single or Multiple Club Event: All Springfield, MO Area
Clubs – 200+ Members
Description of Event: One day chili cook off competition.
The Annual Sertoma Chili Cook-Off is a one day event
open to the public for chili tasting. Local companies,
individuals, groups, etc… enter the Chili Cook-Off
to cook chili during the day. They compete for prizes
(trophy's) in: Best Chili, Best Booth, Best Costume,
etc… Proceeds from the event benefit the Springfield
Boys & Girls Club of Springfield, Mo.
View
entire How-To Chili Cook-Off guide in PDF format here.
Name
of Event or Activity: Sertoma Holiday of Lights
Number of Years Held: Annually since 2002
Single or Multiple Club Event: Multiple – District
Event
Description of Event: Drive-thru Christmas Light Display
The
event consists of 25 to 30 different Christmas light
displays (some animated and some stationary.) Potential
exists for more displays in the future. The displays
are set up in a pattern along approximately 1 _ mile
tract of land through a city owned park in Lancaster,
Pa. Vehicles drive through the park, there is no stopping
or parking and walking through the displays. A $10.00
donation per vehicle requested (note it is a city owned
public park, therefore we can not charge an admission
we can only request a donation be given.) The show runs
from the Friday after Thanksgiving through December
31st.
View/Print
entire How-To Holiday Lights guide in PDF format here.
Name
of Event or Activity: Down to Earth Lawn &
Garden Show
Number of Years Held: Annually since 2002
Single or Multiple Club Event: Single Club – 20
Members
Description of Event: Two day lawn & garden show
Although
the Chattanooga Sertoma Club had only twenty-two members
in 2001 when the idea of the show was conceived, we
were confident we could have a successful show. However,
we did consider a joint effort with another club with
similar numbers but dismissed the idea after a very
convincing presentation by the chairman.
It is very important that the club, particularly with
low numbers in membership have, at the least, several
members who are 100% dedicated to the show's success.
In our case, the show chairman, an avid gardener, was
convincing. If that dedication is absent, then a joint
venture with another club or dismissal of the idea should
be considered.
Because the show is so well organized, we have not been
short of manpower. During show time all members have
a duty to fulfill, and by working in shifts, no one
is overworked. However, the most enduring work is soliciting
the exhibitors over several months prior to the show.
The show opened for a 2-day event in March 2002 at the
Chattanooga Choo Choo and it was a success, in part,
because they shared our compassion. It has remained
the only show in the community devoted exclusively to
the lawn and gardening enthusiasts.
View/Print
entire How-To Lawn & Garden Show guide in PDF format
here.
Name
of Event or Activity: Oktoberfest
Number of Years Held: Annually since 1981
Single or Multiple Club Event: Single Club – 40-50
Members
Description of Event: Three day party with music, dancing,
food and beer.
At
the Citrus Sertoma Club in Crystal River Florida, we
put on an Oktoberfest every year. Yea, it is in October.
The idea originated back in 1981 when the club was looking
for a good way to raise funds and entertain the community
at the same time. The Oktoberfest was the answer. It
is a three day party complete with Music, Dancing, Eating
and maybe a BIER or two. We also have a Carnival on
the property to give the youngsters something to make
them happy.
How do you put on an Oktoberfest? Good Question. The
very first one was back in sixteen eighty something
and was a wedding reception for the daughter of the
sitting German Kaiser at that time. It lasted for over
sixteen days, but then, he had a lot more money than
we do.
View/Print
entire How-To Oktoberfest guide in PDF format here.
Name
of Event or Activity: Rubber Duck Race
Number of Years Held: Annually since 1996
Single or Multiple Club Event: Multiple Clubs –
3 Topeka, KS Sertoma Clubs
Description of Event: Duck Race
Thousands of rubber ducks are "adopted"
for a $5.00 donation each. Each duck has a numbered
sticker on the bottom that corresponds (via computer
program) to the person who adopted it. The ducks are
dropped into a waterway, the first 10 ducks across the
finish line win great prizes – the grand prize
can be anything but needs to be a real draw –
ours is a car each year; other prizes have been travel,
shopping sprees, movie passes, entertainment packages,
bicycles, electronic equipment, furniture, and more.
These prizes are all given away. You do not have to
be present to win.
There is also a chance at a Million Bucks (insurance
policy is purchased) for a particular duck in the water.
The event is promoted at nominal cost to Sertoma by
media donation from radio, TV, newspaper, on-line and
billboards. We have a web-site for duck adoptions sponsored
& created by our on-line newspaper. Sponsors donate
all the prizes. Cash sponsors are secured to underwrite
costs of putting on the event. Other activities can
occur at the event such as a carnival, hot air balloon
rally, 2K ‘waddle' (walk) & more.
View/Print
entire How-To Duck Race guide in PDF format here.
Name
of Event or Activity: Quiz Nite
Number of Years Held: Since 1996
Single or Multiple Club Event: Single – Women's
Sertoma Club of Venice
Description of Event: One day event.
The
Women's Sertoma Club of Venice, Florida has been
doing Quiz Nite for about 10 years now. The original
idea came from British pubs where they host these events
regularly. Once people get there for the first time,
you will have them hooked. People really enjoy this
event - it is fun and a money maker, as well.
View/Print
entire How-To Quiz Nite guide in PDF format here.
Name
of Event or Activity: Sertoma Casino Party
Number of Years Held: Since 1958
Single or Multiple Club Event: Single Club – Broad
Ripple, IN
Description of Event: Casino party - for entertainment
purposes only
Casino
Parties
The
Sertoma Club of Broad Ripple (Indianapolis) was chartered
in 1958, and the decision was made to have casino parties
be the means of fundraising. It would be very difficult
to put together instructions on how to start such an
activity. An easier and perhaps more useful way is to
document our "Do's and Don'ts"
learned over the years to conduct entertaining and successful
casino parties.
The casino party is almost always in combination with
another event of the client's: a social or company
dinner/program, a convention or conference, birthday
celebration…just about any time people are drawn
together and some form of entertainment is needed. Games
played include Blackjack (multiple tables), Caribbean
Poker, Red Dog, Roulette, Crap Table, Wheel of Fortune,
and Poker (Texas Hold'Em).
A large number of parties are scheduled throughout the
year, with December being the busiest month.
The Casino party is held at a site selected by the client,
usually a hotel, country club, banquet facility, business
office space, etc.
View/Print
entire How-To Casino Party guide in PDF format here.
Name
of Event or Activity: Wine Tasting / Silent
Auction
Number of Years Held: Annually since 2003
Single or Multiple Club Event: Single Club – 79
members
Description of Event: One day wine tasting /silent auction
Start
planning your event at least 6 months in advance. If
you are planning more than one wine tasting fundraiser,
make sure there is at least 3 months between each fundraiser.
View/Print
entire How-To Wine Tasting guide in PDF format here.
