Friday, July 8, 2011

Sturgis Falls is a HUGE Success!!!!

We have been selling kettle corn at Sturgis Falls for decades. Rough Risers kettle corn has become a Cedar Valley tradition of this celebration. Local residents look forward to enjoying bags of kettle corn.

This year we reached a new all-time record this year!!!

In these 3-days, we sold over $7200 worth of kettle corn. This is an increase of $600 over our previous record.

This was an event that required a great deal of dedication from the group. We had over 300 member-hours of labor.  Beyond that, we even had the wonderful team of workers from Kohl's who provided over 36 hours of assistance. 

It was a productive day. We had two hours of down time Saturday afternoon while it rained.  At the rate we were going we had missed sales of more than $700.  David Loy reported that we popped 21 50-pound bags of popcorn.  At 25 bushels of popped popcorn per 50-pound bag, this means that we popped 525 bushels.  Not a bad day of selling.

"A lot of work went into making this happen.  As always this was a TEAM 
effort - a super job by everyone," says club president, Jim Larson. 

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Meeting Minutes from Prez Jim - 7/6/11

We had an important meeting with decisions made that will have
a positive impact on the future of our Club.

First of all condolences to the Teig family on the passing of 
Marilyn's Mother.

Congratulations to the Hardings on their anniversary - today.  Steve, the big spender, did buy Jane breakfast.

A thank you to the Loy's for once again hosting a 4th of July  "fireworks watch" party.

Gil presented the financial report.  We are in good shape after some very good work by the Rough Risers at Sturgis and the Waterloo fireworks.

Jane announced there are at least 35 signed up for the get together at Gateway Park on the
12th.  The time is 6:00 - it will be catered - bring lawn chairs and a beverage.

Jane has also set up an interclub with the Waterloo morning club on the 13th.  If you would like to attend please let her know.

A big thanks to Jane for her work in the Club Admin area.

Steve announced the shirts will be $ 20 each.  Most of them have been distributed.

Our next Kettle Corn popping is at the College Arts Festival on July 15 and 16.  Sign up has
started please contact Steve if you can work.  The signup sheet will be at next Wednesday's meeting also.

Steve suggested that members finding it difficult to handle the popping chores at events could make a valuable contribution by putting stickers on bags.  This would smooth out the whole popping operation.

Dave presented a proposal whereby we could meet the requirements set by Kohl's that they can only contribute to a 501c3 organization.  We will set up a fund with the COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, a 501c3, that will allow Kohl's to contribute dollars to the Foundation.   The 
dollars would go into a fund under our name and be distributed per our wishes.  (I am simplifying this).  There are some requirements and fees but the end result is we are eligible for Kohl's contribution and would also make us eligible for other grants.

The Board on Tuesday was unanimous in presenting this proposal to the Rough Risers on Wednesday and the vote by the club was unanimous by a show of hands.

Thanks to Dave for a lot of work in putting this together as well as a lot of work in researching other alternatives.

Reece passed out a Club Excellence Form to be filled out by the members.  It will help give directionto the present and future leadership.

Next week a representative from CFU will discuss the burying of lines currently under way.

The greeter is David Loy.

Have your best week ever !!

JIm

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Meeting Minutes from Prez Jim - 6/29/11

WE SET A RECORD !!!!

$ 7,200 worth of Kettle Corn was sold during the three-day Sturgis Celebration! 
That set a record - increasing our previous high by $ 600.

A lot of work went into making this happen.  As always this was a TEAM effort - a super job by everyone.

Congratulations to the Bergeson's and the Dreyer's on their anniversaries.

Greg announced that UNI Circle "K" member Nicole Wilson is the Area 4 Lt. Governor. Congratulations and best wishes to Nicole.

Jane announced preparations are being finalized for our social on the 12th.  If you have not yet signed up, give her a call.

The Loy's are once again opening their home for the Rough Risers to enjoy the fireworks from their location.  Everyone is welcome !!  Please bring snacks and beverages (more on this later).

Steve still has a few shirts to distribute.  Please contact him for yours.

There are still opportunities for helping out with the Waterloo fireworks popping on the 2nd.  Contact Steve if you can help.  We need workers for the 2nd shift especially.

Rod Hamer stepped in and gave an excellent presentation on the American Red Cross and their work both locally and nationwide.  Thanks to Rod for a great job !

Reece suggested we spend some time at our business meetings labeling bags for Kettle Corn. After last Sunday that suggestion definitely deserves serious consideration.

Next week will be our business meeting - our greeter is the one and only Larry Loenser !

Have your best week ever and enjoy a safe and happy holiday !!

Jim

Reminder to Board Members - Board meeting at J's at 6:30 on the 5th.

A final thought - "if you take a 5th on the 4th you may not come 4th on the 5th". 
(Don't blame me - I heard it on WHO radio.)

Kiwanis, UNICEF Team Up on Tetanus Project

We made it into the Courier on July 3, 2011. Last Wednesday Karyn Spory, a Courier reporter, had breakfast with us so that she could learn about the Rough Risers. Here is the article that reflects her findings:

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- After more than 30 years of service, the Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers are probably best known for their kettle corn.

But a new national project with UNICEF getting under way soon likely will shed light on some of the Rough Risers' other projects.

Kiwanis International and UNICEF are teaming up to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus, a disease that kills nearly 60,000 infants each year, according to the organization's website. The goal is to wipe out the problem by 2015, an initiative that will require $110 million.

Rough Risers President Jim Larson said the group will begin their Eliminate Project later this summer once the new administration takes over. For now the club will focus on local service projects.

Cindy Hahn, one of the directors, said "Rough Risers are doers. This club is hands-on rather than just donation. Our motto is, 'We build,'" she said.

Recent projects included shelters for the Cedar Valley Youth Soccer Complex, picnic tables at George Wyth State Park, renovations at the Cedar Falls Ice House and Habitat For Humanity building projects.

"Not only did we build shelters at the soccer complex, but we also built shelters at the Hartman Reserve Nature Center," Secretary Treasurer Gil Hewett said.

She favors the construction efforts but other initiatives are important, too.
 "I don't think it makes much difference which it is because people are working together and I think that's what's important," she said.


The club is always receptive to adding members. The Rough Risers meet at 6:30 a.m. every Wednesday at the Clarion Motel on University Avenue for a buffet style breakfast and a little work.

"It's a great organization," Larson said. "You get to know each other and get to do things within the community."

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Rough Risers Donate to UNICEF to Fight Tetanus

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Rough Risers fight maternal and neonatal tetanus through donations.

Kiwanis and UNICEF team up on an International Tetanus Project.

Click the article to enlarge it.