Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Meeting Minutes from Prez Jim - 11/24/10

Good turn out this morning. Especially when you consider our meeting was the day before the holiday.

The Kettle Corn sponsorship project is moving along in a strong manner. You have already signed up two new sponsors, excellent !

Phil asked that we make sure a current company logo is emailed to him for the labels.

We are continuing to collect for our Christmas family. Most likely next Wednesday will the last opportunity to contribute.

Tickets are now available for the December 12 presentation at the Regent. Gil has the tickets and as always will be most happy to take your payment.

Brian Shaw presented a program on being Thankful. A good reminder to us all.

Thanks to Jane for coordinating this program as well as the rest of the programs in November.

Next week will be our business meeting. Dave (Mr. Cub) Loy will be our greeter. By the way Dave and Sue are considering a move to Chicago. The Cubs have not been able to find a manager and have offered the job to Dave.

Have your best Thanksgiving and week ever !

Jim

****A reminder that our Bored Meeting will be at J's on November 30th at 6:30*****

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Rough Risers Work to Support the Cedar Valley in 2009 - 2010

The Rough Risers have been a busy bunch.  

We have been doing more than making money popping kettlecorn.  We have been building shelters at the Soccer Complex, repairing sidewalks at the Red Schoolhouse on 1st Street, repairing structures at the Cedar Valley Arboretum and even serving breakfast at the Hartman Waffle event.  

You will see that we have some elementary schools listed as well.  These are service projects because we pop kettlecorn for the schools and then give it to the schools to sell and keep all of the profits.

Meeting Minutes from Prez Jim - 11/17/10

We had an excellent turnout for our meeting Wednesday.

A happy birthday to Dale - 20th and to Gene who is celebrating two birthdays this year.

Kettle corn sponsorships are going well with over eight thousand dollars in or committed.

Jeff indicated we are still looking for a storage place for our Kettlecorn supplies and trailer.

Thanks to Leigh for the terrific job he has done on the Rough Riser Web Site.  This project has been submitted for District competition.  If you have not taken a look, do so.  It is great !!

Bob Nelson announced we have a Christmas family.  If you have not already done so please make your donation next week.  We will probably wrap gifts on the 15th.  Thanks Bob for spearheading this worth while project.

Phil and Rod presented a program on Self Help with a specific target of pre-school diet.  This program is under consideration by the Rough Risers for funding.

Our next meeting will be our Thanksgiving meeting and will be led by a lay speaker, Bob Shaw. The greeter will be that world renowned fly fisherman, Larry Loenser.

Have your best Thanksgiving ever !! 

Jim 

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Gil Hewett Honored at Kiwanis Birthday Party

Gil Hewett was honored for his long-time service to the Cedar Falls Rough Risers Kiwanis club at the club's 30th birthday party September 15 at Hartmann Reserve Nature Center.

Hewett, a charter member who has held the offices of secretary and treasurer of the club for many years, was presented with the Diamond-Level Hixon Fellowship Award, a recognition granted by the International Organization to members who support the Kiwanis International Foundation Endowment program. The club provided a $1000 contribution to the endowment program in Hewett's name.

Gil was joined on stage by a group of other members who have received the Hixon Fellowship Award.  These members include (left to right) Charles Wheeland, Jerry Holbach, David Loy, Lynn Schwandt, Carl Wocher, Jim LaRue and Gil Hewett.

The birthday party at Hartmann Reserve was attended by 83 current and past members, spouses and friends and featured a video of members' reminiscences of significant and humorous events in the history of the club.

The Rough Risers Kiwanis club of Cedar Falls was founded in 1980 and has provided financial grants and constructed several facilities in support of programs for children and youth in the metropolitan area. Funds to support the Rough Risers' financial donations are raised through the club's Kettlecorn sales at numerous community events.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Meeting Minutes from Prez Jim - 11/10/10

We had a great turnout, a great program, a guest and conducted quite a bit of business.

Dennis introduced his guest, Richard Ryan.  He is a potential member for our Club.

The "pig" got a little fatter as we had several special events:
  • Congratulations to the Nelson's on their anniversary - November 16.
  • Happy birthday to: Cindy (10th), Ned (12th), Marion (14th) and Rod the 15th.
Dean and Jerry announced that 5 boxes of supplies will be shipped to Afghanistan on Wednesday. Thanks to for their work and to the Rough Risers for stepping forward with their generous contributions.

There has been two Kettle Corn sponsorships submitted this past week - 
Liberty Bank and VGM.  We are off to a strong start keep it going !

Seven members will be helping with the Gift of Giving event on 
December 4.  In addition 10 Circle K members have signed up.

A big thank you to Neal, Dave and Jeff for cleaning the Kettle Corn popper and equipment. We will probably store everything at Cattle Congress.

Dave made available to the club the Kettle Corn financials as well as the year end financials. Thanks Dave - I know it took a lot of time to put that all together.

Jane Harding introduced Krenere Laxhaj, their foreign exchange student from Kosovo.  Krenere gave us an excellent presentation on the culture of her country including some great pictures. She has also helped at several poppings this Fall.

Next weeks meeting will feature Rod and Phil discussing a "Self Help Child Nutrition" program.

Our greeter is Tim Jones.

Have your best week ever !

JIm

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Kiwanis Rough Risers Ship Supplies to Soldiers in Afganistan

Our troops in Afghanistan need supplies to make their stay a little nicer and the Rough Risers are here to help them.

The Kiwanis Rough Risers have collected over $250 to send a collection of supplies to 1st LT Matthew Slykhuis. Matthew is the son of club member, Jerry Slykhuis. He has been stationed in Afghanistan since the middle of July. Matthew is serving as a medivac helicopter pilot in the army. Matthew is a graduate of the ROTC program at ISU and a graduate of flight school at Fort Rucker Alabama.

The collection of goodies sent included toothpaste, soap, toothbrushes, foot powder, gum, and several different kinds of food. We purchased these supplies at our local Fareway Food Store who gave us a healthy discount so that we could get more supplies for the money we collected.

Thanks to the members of our Rough Risers and Fareway Food Store we were able to send over $300 worth things to Matthew so he can share them with the other soldiers in Afghanistan.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Meeting Minutes from Prez Jim - 11/3/10

We had an excellent turnout - close to 30 in attendance.

A welcome back to Cindy .  All of us are glad to hear Roger is  gaining in strength and feeling better each day.

A Happy Birthday to Gery - November 8.

We had a sign up for the Waterloo Jaycees "Gift of Giving".  This event will be held on December 4.  There will be an opportunity for sign up next week also.

A check for $ 1,500 was given to Greg to present to the "Circle K"  club.  The Kettle Corn popping was held last Saturday at Wal Mart.  It was the best effort we have ever had at Wal Mart.  There were a good number of Circle K  members working and they worked hard.

Lynn announced 20 couples had signed up for the spouses night out to  be held on the 12th of December.  Please give your check in the amount of $  56 to Gil.

Dean stated that $ 2,000 had already come in for Kettle Corn sponsorships. We are off to a strong start.

Tim indicated Hartman Reserve has a project they need our labor and expertise.  It involves building a platform over a small pond.  This will be scheduled for next Spring.

Dave presented the year end financials.  The club is financially solid.

It was suggested and agreed that our opening prayer would be non-denominational. Jane has a prayer book that could be used if so desired.

Committee meetings were held after the business meeting.

Our speaker next week (17th) will be Phil Hufferd.  Phil will be  discussing a possible "giving" project, "Self Help - Child Nutrition".

The greeter is appropriately enough, Phil Hufferd,

Have your best week ever - since the elections are over it has to be  a good
week.

Jim

Monday, November 1, 2010

Notes from the Prez - 11/1/2010

Good Morning: One month has passed in our Kiwanis year.

The past month included setting our budget, a very profitable WalMart Kettle Corn popping and the start of committee plans for the year.

One of the many things that has impressed me about the Rough Risers is the way our members step up to the plate and assume responsibility. A case in point is the way several of you took over the Kettle Corn project, the way Lynn set up the Spouse's Night Out and Bob Nelson is handling the Christmas family project. There are many other instances all of which make this such an active and energetic club.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday I hope each of you will take the time to give thanks for the opportunities we have to create a better world for all children.

Jim