The Serra International Board of Trustees approved formation of the first council, Great Britain s, in November, 1978. The purpose of that council and councils formed later in Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Spain and the Philippines was to help coordinate the work of clubs in a country or region in accordance with the sample National Council Bylaws approved by Serra International.
Councils serve the clubs.
They do not come between clubs, governors and International Board of Trustees. In time the Serra Council offices were established in Mexico, Brazil, the Philippines and Spain. It seemed very reasonable for clubs to consider the formation of Serra Councils since the International office is not in a position to provide from world headquarters in Chicago services in the Italian, Portuguese and Spanish languages at a reasonable cost. It seemed reasonable, also, for the International Board to establish regional offices in some countries where Serra was expanding quickly so Serra International program services can be offered. Today, there are nine national councils serving Serra Clubs around the world.