Notes from the Prez - NE-IA District Conference in Omaha

On August 13th and 14th I had the pleasure of representing the Cedar Falls Rough Risers at the district conference in Omaha.  It is always good to attend these meetings and visit with representatives of other clubs in the NE-IA District, meet some of the “names” that are in the newsletters and trade ideas for ways to make our clubs better.

The educational sessions I attended dealt with growing membership by making the weekly meetings more welcoming and a discussion on changes that are being made in club meeting structures to attract a variety of potential members.  Did you know that a new member forms an opinion about the club in the first 12 minutes after walking in the door?  That thought makes one stop and think of what a visitor to our meetings sees and remembers about us!  Ideas were shared on how to “take the meeting to the members,” whether this is through internet clubs or clubs established at a business where the employees participate.  Lots of food for thought!

I would highly recommend that all members get the next district meeting on the calendar.  Kiwanis has Priority One.  Let’s make Kiwanis a number one priority!  

Rough Risers Support Grin n Grow Through RAGBRAI

Grin n Grow Child Care in Waterloo, Iowa, is a day care center that has been serving children for decades. Each year, Team Flamingo (teamflamingo.org) rides RAGBRAI with two intentions in mind. The first intention is to complete the 450+ mile ride safe and sound. The second intention is to raise money for scholarships for children (2 - 6 yrs old) at Grin n Grow.

Typically, Leigh Zeitz asks for support from the Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers members individually. They give generously and many children benefit. Today, it was announced that the Board of Directors for the club have decided to support Leigh (Z-Bird) $1 for every mile cycled "butt in the seat" on the route.  The route is 442 miles so this could be a hefty donation to Grin n Grow.

Thank you, Rough Risers!!

If you want to learn more about Team Flamingo or follow our blog to see what is happening, here are some sites you will want to view:

Team Flamingo website - Basic team information, list of the 22 team members taking part, and links to RAGBRAI information.

Team Flamingo Blog - This blog will be updated daily as the ride progresses. It should give you some photos and narrative of what is happening on the ride.

Here's hoping for good weather and wind at our backs . . .

UPDATE:  It should be noted that Leigh Zeitz rode his bike for 400 miles on RAGBRAI so the Rough Risers donated $400 to Grin n Grow.  Thank you.

College Hill Arts Festival Another Success

Kids LOVE Kiwanis Kettlecorn . . . 
and we love them!!!

The greatest part about selling kettlecorn at the College Hill Arts Festival is the number of kids that visit our booth. They love the kettlecorn and we love the fact that every mouthful of kettlecorn they eat will place additional resources in their schools in the form of scholarships, programs and educational materials.

The July 16-17 selling opportunity in UNI's front yard was quite successful. We popped  350 pounds of kettlecorn kernals which yielded 176 bushels of popped corn. We earned over $2,486. It was a full house. Not only did we have 15  Rough Risers popping and bagging and selling over the two days, Kohl's sent in two teams of 5 members each to help us share our treats.  

Thank you, Kohl's!!

While the weather was good overall, our facilities were challenged by tornado-like winds that hit the park about 10:00 pm on Friday night. We returned to our selling site to find our tent (which was weighted down by 100 pounds of concrete anchors) had been blown into the food court.  One of the shelter tents in the entertainment park had been shredded. Rumor has it that one of the exhibitor's tents had been found in front of KwikStar down the hill. 

Who says that selling kettlecorn can't be exciting?

4th of July in Waterloo is an Explosive Success!

Even with rain in the forecast, the Waterloo Jaycees Fireworks Festival was another success on July 3 for both The Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers AND the people of Waterloo.

Closing down Fourth Street from Commercial to Sycamore Streets, people staked out places where they would watch the firework displays. They ate and talked and frolicked while listening to local bands from 6:00 to midnight.

The Kiwanis Rough Risers were situated in front of the Courier at Commercial and 4th Streets.

The club began selling Kiwanis Kettlecorn at 5:00 and didn't stop until midnight. The demand was high and they rarely had an opportunity to rest their weary bones.

All in all,  the club popped ?? pounds of kettleorn and earned $????

Rough Risers Sell a Busload at Sturgis Falls

We are at it again . . .

Year after year the Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers sell Kiwanis Kettlecorn at the Sturgis Falls Celebration. Our kettlecorn has become a staple food of the celebration. Enjoying our freshly-popped kettlecorn is an annual tradition that many locals relish each year.

We enjoy Sturgis Falls as our biggest event of the year. During these three days of celebration we pop more kettlecorn and make more people smile as they crunch our culinary delicacy than any other event in the year.

This success in making people happy with our kettlecorn has another wonderful result. We earned $5,805 that we will be able to donate to support programs throughout the Cedar Valley.

My Waterloo Days was a SUCCESS . . . with added assistance

Yes, My Waterloo Days was another SUCCESS!!! 

We had great weather on Friday and Sunday.  Saturday saw Torrential Rains and Wind that sogged the kettlecorn, soaked the personnel and almost knocked over the tent.  Never-the-less, we cleaned up, dried up and ended the evening selling boatloads of kettlecorn.

Another part of the success was all of the assistance that we received. Last year we began working with Kohl's in Cedar Falls. They want to serve the community so they don't just donate money to our projects, they send talented teams to our events to help sell kettlecorn, build shelters, or whatever we happen to be doing.  They have been most helpful throughout that past year and we are honored to have them working with us again this year.

Another exciting event that is in the process of unfolding is the establishment of a Key Club at the Cedar Falls High School. Last month Allyson Vuong, a student at CF high, contacted me to discuss starting a club. We invited her to join us for a Wed morning club breakfast. She showed up and she is filled with the energy it takes to establish such a club.  We invited Allyson to help us sell kettlecorn at My Waterloo Days this weekend and she showed up with a group of future Key Club members.  They were a terrific help in our success.

Even Sunny Lane of KWWL came by to help us pop some kettlecorn. We appreciated her mentioning our kettlecorn on her show. I bet that a bag of kettlecorn will have a whole new meaning for her now that she has been a kettlecorn chef.

We don't have any photos of it, but Tara Thomas came by and invited a couple of us to join her on the opening of her 6:00 news.

 Yes, we had a wonderful success at My Waterloo Days this year!

Rough Risers Attend Kiwanis Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska

Recently, president-elect Sandy Scholl, Lynn Barnes, and Leigh Zeitz attended the Nebraska-Iowa Kiwanis mid-year conference in Lincoln, Nebraska.

This annual conference is an opportunity for Kiwanians to share their ideas and learn new strategies to better their clubs' activities. Sandy was interested in the sessions that dealt with original ideas in holding meetings and addressing the varied needs of club members. Lynn was interested in finding suggestions to build membership in our Kiwanis club.

Zeitz gave two presentations on using technology to advance Kiwanis clubs; Using Tech Tools to Enhance Your Club's Connections and Using Social Media to Enhance Your Club's Opportunities.

The trio agree that the conference was beneficial and well worth the trip.

The Prez Speaks: What Does Service Mean?

SERVICE--the work performed by one that serves; contribution to the welfare of others.

Kiwanis is a SERVICE organization. The above definition of this word sums up what we are all about—serving by doing work and contributing to the welfare of others.

At a recent meeting we were having a spirited discussion about a possible funding source that would increase the amount of service we can provide to the Cedar Valley. One member commented that we are getting too involved in fundraising and should concentrate on being a service organization. We are all entitled to our own opinion, but I feel that the fundraising is what is making our service possible.

By raising funds or finding other funding sources we can access, we are able to provide help to people and organizations that are making a difference in the lives of the residents of the Cedar Valley. We add to that service by providing physical labor, whether it is in bagging Kettlecorn or pounding nails into a shelter. The number of individuals we touch by our service is huge—much bigger than we could ever hope to do by ourselves with our 35 members. This past year we have raised $26,000 and committed over 1,500 hours of work.

We truly are a SERVICE organization in many different ways and need to feel good that we work hard to raise the funds that provide SERVICE to the Cedar Valley area.

President Susan Loy

C.F. Rough Risers Raise $26,000 and Work 1,500 Hours to Support Cedar Valley Community

The Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers service club contributed more than $26,000 in support of more than 25 youth organizations, scholarship programs, other educational programs and programs for handicapped youth in 2009.

In addition, the 38 members of the club provide more than 1,500 hours of labor on projects related to community youth programs. The Rough Risers built two shelters and a storage building for Cedar Valley Soccer complex, an observation deck at the Hartman Reserve Nature Center, and renovated a raised flower bed at the Cedar Valley Arboretum.

Funding Sources: A major portion of the funds for these projects were generated through the Rough Risers' kettle corn sales at major Cedar Falls and Waterloo Celebrations. Additional funds were received from sponsors of the club's activities, including Community Motors, Dan Deery Motors, Iowa direct Equipment, Kohl's, Liberty Bank, Loy and Loy Accounting, Martin Brothers, PFG Best, UNI Gallagher-Bluedorn, Upper Iowa University, VGM, Wal-Mart, and the Windsor Nursing and Rehab Center. Funds were also raised through grants and direct donations from club members.
(Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier 1/12/2010)

Gov. Ron Petsch Skypes to the Rough Risers

On October 14, 2009, the Nebraska-Iowa district Governor Ron Petsch used Skype to video conference with our club. He began his connection by installing our 2009-2010 officers and board of directors.

Once the installation was completed, Gov. Petsch spoke to us and gave his presentation entitled Discover the Passion: Making Dreams Come True. It was an informative and motivating speech where he shared his future dreams for Kiwanis.

Watch the 20-minute video above and enjoy his ideas.

2009/10 Board of Directors Installed

L to R: Gil Hewett (Sec/Treas), Jim Larson, Michael Davidson, David Loy, Dean Dryer, Susan Loy (Pres.), Jeff Wollum, Sandy Scholl (Pres. Elect) and Steve Harding.

Our 2009-10 Board of Directors were installed on October 14. It was a unique experience because they were installed by Governor Ron Petsch, the newly-elected governor for the Nebraska-Iowa district through video-conferencing.

Jane Harding Initiated into the Club

Today, Jane Harding was initiated into the Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers. Jane has been active with the club for many years as she popped, bagged and sold kettle corn along with the Kiwanians (and her husband, Steve Harding). She has made presentations to the club before and "fits right in" with the rest of the gang.

Upon receiving her membership, Mrs. Harding noted "Now that my daughter can drive herself to school, I couldn't think of a better thing to do at 6:30 on Wednesday mornings."

This photo shows Prez Susan Loy initiating Jane into our club. Her sponsor (and husband) Steven Harding is on the right.

UNI Circle K Members Sell over $1,000 of Kettle Corn

It was cold. It was windy. The elements were rough but the UNI Circle K members continued to sell kettle corn in front of Walmart in Cedar Falls on Saturday, October 10. Their goal was to raise money to support the many activities that they do in the Cedar Valley community. They were successful.

Pictured here is the UNI Circle K president, Mary Wilson, receiving a check for $1,063 from the Kiwanis Rough Risers president, Susan Loy.

Rough Risers Group Builds New Deck with View of Hartman Reserve

October Programs - It's ALL about Vision

This is a month when our presenters will share their visions:

October 7 - Business Meeting

October 14 - Nebraska-Iowa Area Governor, Ron Petsch, will Skype into our meeting from Nebraska. He will install our officers and share his vision for the future his presentation, "Discover the Passion - Making Dreams Come True."

October 21 - Russ Wasendorf of PFGBest will share with us his vision for his company and the Cedar Valley. He has invited us out to his new headquarters by the Beaver Hills Country Club for his presentation. He will treat us to breakfast. ALERT - DO NOT GO TO THE HOLIDAY INN
Here is the map for getting from the Holiday Inn to the PFGBest headquarters. Their address is One Peregrine Road, Cedar Falls.

October 28 - Coach Mark Farley - Always an exciting presenter. Our UNI football coach will share his vision for his team this year. They are tough and looking good.
Video of Coach Farley describing the 2009 football team.

Erica Scullin: 2009 CF High School Scholarship Winner

Erica Scullin was named the CF High School scholarship winner for 2009.  A valedictorian of her graduating class, she is attending UNI with a medical degree in her future plans.  She is committed to the Cedar Valley and hopes
to contribute her skills and abilities to the area in the future.

Erica is pictured here with the vice-president, Susan Loy.

September Updates

This has been a productive summer and September looks to be just as busy. Here is what is on the docket:

Programs:
9/9 - Designer Genes Down Syndrome Group
9/16 - Betty Zeman, CFU - July storm cleanup and CF Trees Grant Program
9/23 - Doug Christensen - CV Soccer Association
9/30 - Pete Olsen, CFU - Energy incentives and wind turbines.

Kettle Corn Popping Dates:
9/20 - Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, set-up at 12:30p on the grounds
Next Month:
10/9 - Hansen Elementary School PTA
10/10 - Cedar Falls Wal-Mart for Circle K

News:
Cedar Valley Youth Soccer storage building is complete!
Cedar Valley Youth Soccer weather shelter is in progress—still needs some siding, soffit, fascia, ceiling. Check with Marv about work dates, as he has jury duty.

Circle K:
First meeting 9/9 at 5:30. Leigh will attend first meeting.

Coming Up:
Incoming Club President Sue Loy and a work group are examining our committee structure and will recommend some changes. You may be asked to serve on a new committee.

New Member:
Welcome to our new member, Jane Harding.

Thank You:
Thank our departing Board members, Phil Hufferd and Travis Duncan, who just attended their last Board meeting, at least until they get elected again sometime!

Rough Risers Experience Second Life

Our Kiwanis club made a new friend through the Web, Thynka Little (AKA  LuAnn Phillips.) Club member, Member  Leigh Zeitz, a University of Northern Iowa instructional technology professor, introduced Second Life to his fellow Rough Risers Kiwanis Club members. This was an opportunity for our club to enjoy a program that was technically broadcast from Vermont, but was set in the virtual world of Second Life.

Thynka Little took us on a tour of her island where she taught farmers about pesticide and various skills that they would want to learn in her extension courses that she taught through Second Life. She said that some of her farmer students were hesitent about learning in a virtual world at first but most of them found that it was a useful and instructional medium through which to work.

The best part was the thank you gift that we gave Thynka Little at the end. Traditionally, the Kiwanis Rough Risers gives their presenters a Rough Risers coffee mug or golf balls. This time, we gave our presenter a virtual Rough Risers coffee mug for her to use while drinking her virtual coffee on her virtual island. 😉

Click here to read the WHOLE story.

Shelters Going Up at the Soccer Complex

The Kiwanians are at it again. Last Saturday, August 15, the Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers and a team from Cedar Falls Kohl's began building a shelter for the Cedar Valley Soccer Complex. This is the 4th shelter that the club has built for the complex. Unlike the other wall-less weather shelters they built before, this walled shelter was created to house equipment and supplies.

The workers began at 8:00 AM and spent most of the day measuring, cutting, hammering and laughing. This project is the joining together of master craftsmen and those who are less experienced but willing to swing a hammer or carry a board.

This shelter is one of 9 shelters that the club has committed to completing. They built 2 shelters last summer and still have another weather shelter to build this summer. The two shelters that were built this year were funded through two grants: one from John Deere and another through the Blackhawk Gaming Commission.

Enjoy more photos at Michael Davidson's photo site.

Pounding away.

Our craftsman leader, Marv Heller

The shelter after one day of work. The workers continued to build throughout the following week.

Activities for July 2009

July will be filled with interesting programs:

• July 7—Larry Busch, Human Rights Commission
• July 15—Dick Hensley, Radon
• July 22—Dr Schofield, Chiropractic Care
• July 29—Tyler and Paul Greene, unique Eagle Scout project

We will sell Kettle Corn on:

• July 4 - Waterloo Fireworks - 4th St, Waterloo
• July 17-18 College Hill Arts Festival, UNI

Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers Launches Blog

In our on-going effort to stay current and keep the group/public informed, the Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers club has launched a blog. We intend to use this blog to:

• keep you informed of the latest in upcoming events and activities,
• share when and where we will be selling kettle corn,
• feature our speakers and their organizations and
• provide general information that will be useful to our membership.

Kiwanis Rough Risers Donate to "Dollars for Scholars"

Click article to enlarge

Kiwanis Rough Risers Donate to "Dollars for Scholars" to support student scholarships.

Rough Risers Aid Flood Relief

Rough Risers Help with Sandbagging Against the Cedar River Flood

The river was rising but the people were shoveling.  It was a grueling experience but it demonstrated how people can rally together to confront a shared disaster.  People from all over Cedar Valley, Iowa and even the nation came together to fill sandbags to build walls to protect our city.  Rough Risers could be seen shoveling sand both day and night. Unfortunately, the article below doesn’t mention the Kiwanis Rough Risers specifically, it provides an accurate description of the event.

Click here to read the rest of the story

Hansen School Thanks Rough Risers for Support

Rough Risers Raise 1000s Selling Kettle Corn

Click article to enlarge

Over 3 years, Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers has contributed more than $30,000 to the CV Community using funds raised by selling kettlecorn.  Read the article for specifics.

Rough Risers Raise $1000s Selling Kettlecorn

This is a second article about how we raised $30,000 in funds.

Rough Risers Raise $30,000 for Programs in 3 Years

WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. Through selling kettlecorn and receiving contributions from businesses throughout the Cedar Valley, we have raised $30,000 over the past 3 years.  This money has been donated to multiple youth organizations or to support our work in building and renovating structures throughout the valley.

Rough Risers Kiwanis host District Governor

Kiwanis Clubs Clean Up Hartman Reserve on the First Kiwanis One Day

Click article to enlarge it.

This year is the first year of Kiwanis One Day.  What do we do on Kiwanis One Day?  - We Serve!

Our Rough Risers president, Leigh Zeitz, contacted local Kiwanis clubs and the Circle K to go to Hartman Reserve to help prepare it for the coming summer.  You can see from the clothes we are wearing in the middle of April that summer hadn't arrived yet, but that didn't slow us down.

Volunteers from Cedar Falls Kiwanis Club, Cedar Falls Rough Risers, Waterloo Noon Club and the UNI Circle K served that day by building huge piles of twigs, brush 

and logs to create refuge where wildlife can build their homes.

A great time was had by all and Kiwanis' One Day was a Success in Cedar Valley.

Rough Risers Support Troops With Boxes for Bagdad

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - In an effort to support our troops in Bagdad, we collected materials that we mailed to the troops. Among the items sent were books, wool socks, treats, and implements for writing. Lynn Barnes headed the program. Also on the committee were Reece Conrad, Roger Hazen, and Jim Larson. They met at Sams club to purchase the treats and the wool socks. Over eight boxes were mailed before the closing date of Nov. 10th. We have not heard that they have arrived, but we will keep you updated as we receive more information.

Newly-Chartered Circle K Sell Kettlecorn at Walmart

This article indicates that the Kiwanis Circle K was chartered in 2005.  This was the first time that the Circle K service organization popped and sold kettlecorn at the Cedar Falls Walmart store.  Dr. Greg Stefanich was the advisor for the group at this time.