FAQs
We are the State Employees Recreation Association. (Just Call us “SERA”)
SERA is a non-profit organization comprised of volunteers who, for the benefit of all Pennsylvania Commonwealth employees, active or retired, their family and friends, sponsor travel trips, one to three day excursions and trips to theatre and athletic events.
SERA is solely responsible for its own affairs and is completely independent of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Government.
All Pennsylvania Commonwealth employees are automatically members of SERA.
There is no cost or membership fee.
You can contact SERA or any of its representatives by emailing us at contact@seraofpa.com or writing to the following SERA mailing address:
SERA, PO Box 458
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0458
All inquiries received are disseminated to the SERA representatives coordinating the various activities. The coordinator will respond to the inquiry.
No – SERA does not have a telephone number or office. Because the SERA Council are volunteers who have full time jobs, they cannot accept telephone calls at their location of employment during scheduled work hours.
Any Pennsylvania Commonwealth Employee, active or retired, members of their family and friends.
If you would like to join our email list, just request to be added to our email list through Contact Us.
The quickest way to receive a confirmation is to check the email box, but you may also provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Because we are a non-profit organization, SERA does not have a budget to cover mailing costs to fill requests mail back reservations to our travelers.
All reservations are filled on a first-come, first-served basis by the US postmark on the envelope. Complete the reservation form, enclose the payment due, and send it to the SERA address shown on the flyer.
The SERA Trip Coordinator will send you a letter advising you that you are on the trip and giving you your bus assignment. Acknowledgements are held until SERA has the minimum reservations needed to operate the trip. Trip confirmations are sent by US Mail or by email if you have checked that preference.
Contact your personnel office or ask us through Contact Us.
Trip confirmation will be sent when we receive enough reservations to cover the cost of trip.
SERA reservations accepted by mail go to a post office box. This box is checked by SERA volunteers and then reservations are routed to the SERA representative responsible for the trip. This process can take some time and we appreciate your patience.
SERA is a non-profit organization. Trip costs are based on the actual cost of travel. We wait to deposit your reservation until we have generated enough interest in a trip to ensure SERA does not incur a loss if there is not enough interest in a trip. This will help alleviate having to issue refunds down the road if a trip is cancelled.
It is VERY important to be prompt. If you think you may be delayed, please contact the SERA representative – contact information can be found in your trip confirmation. SERA representatives may delay departure time no more than 15 minutes depending on extenuating circumstances such as weather conditions, if the bus is at risk of getting a ticket, etc. In New York City, it is often difficult to wait too long because bus companies will be at risk of being ticketed.
Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages is not permitted on the bus.
No. Please arrive early, the seats are filled on a first come first served basis. The seats you choose when you arrive are yours for the entire trip.
SERA representatives will delay departure time no more than <strong>15 minutes</strong> for late arrivers. Please be prompt.
Wait in a calm, orderly fashion to board the bus, avoiding the temptation to push and shove your way to the front.
Are prompt prior to all departure times; not abiding by the notion that “Oh well, if I’m late, the bus (and everyone else) will wait.”
Keep your seat. It’s so much nicer than playing musical bus seats after each stop!
Talk quietly on the bus. While we hope you’ve had a day so wonderful you want to shout it from the roof tops – not everyone on the bus will share this feeling!