President’s Message

(April 2022)

The price of a semi-truck load of targets that we have purchased has increase from $16,957 in 10/2019 to $17,146 in 9/2020 to $18,808 in 7/2021. There was also a price increase in December of 2021 which we have not realized yet because we have not ordered targets since July of 2021. We won’t be ordering targets until sometime in early summer of this year and there is a reasonable chance that the price will increase again due to the price of oil. The club cannot absorb this increase and is forced to raise the price of rounds from $4.00 to $5.00 effective on May 1, 2022. Based on the facts, this was an easy decision for the board. Communicating the increase to the membership is never easy.

The Northern Illinois Rifle & Pistol Club will be hosting a fun shoot and open house for the members of Rockford Skeet Club at their Harrison Road range. Please feel free to bring your .22 LR rifles, pistols, ammunition, and eye and ear protection (we are limiting the event to .22 only to keep the noise for those outside the shoot house). Fun targets will be set up on the rifle range at distances ranging from 40 to 100 yards. The bowling pin shoot will be held on the pistol side. Don’t have a .22 rifle or pistol? No worries, we will have rifles and pistols on hand for you to use. To sign up for this event or if you have questions, please contact Roger at 815-243-0148 or Rneedham@forrestonmutual.com. It is import that you sign up in advance so that the Rifle Club knowns how many to count on for lunch. Northern Illinois Rifle & Pistol Club is located at 3660 Harrison Road, Rockford, IL. The Fun Shoot & Open House is on April 30th from10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Lunch will be served. Bring Lawn Chairs. This will be an excellent time to discuss membership if you are interested in joining the Rifle Club at a discounted first year rate which waves the $50.00 initiation fee. Please wear your club badge.

Rockford Skeet Club will host an open house for members of the Northern Illinois Rifle and Pistol Club during our club fun day on June 4, 2022. I will provide more details as plans are defined. Our club will also waive the $50.00 initiation fee for any member of the rifle club that wants to join our club.

The Winter skeet league concluded with a hotly contested race between

The BABAS consisting of:

                                Sam V

                                Al P

                                Bill S

                                Brad

With 711/750 narrowly edged out Rich’s Roques consisting of:

                                Rich T

                                Viktor B

                                Leo H

                                Harry M

With a score 710/750 Congratulations to the above Teams and thanks to all participants. I want to thanks Chuck Jones for coordinating and running the league.

The first pistol shoot of the year will be April 16. This will not be a scored event. Instead, it will focus on shooting techniques and the use of cover. You need to bring 42 rounds of ammunition of any caliber. Times are 9, 10 and 11. Let George Ketter know what time you want by mailing him at geosueket@msn.com.

New to the club? New to skeet or trap or five stand?  Nearly every Saturday at 10 am you can find a board member ready to introduce you to a shooting sport you want to try, but just haven’t taken the next step. This is your opportunity to have a safe and low-key experience.  Remember, Saturdays at 10 am at the clubhouse.

A membership committee has been formed and is in the process of organizing. The expected outcome of the committee is to plan and define future membership objectives. I will provide more information as the committee evolves.

If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact Milt Schwanke at

815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-456-2871, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483, or Dan Gengo at 815-572-1423. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee.

2022 Projects

• Rebuild trap houses
• Remove clay targets on skeet fields
• Pistol range heaters

2022 Events

• Club cleanup day – 5/14/22
• Club fun day – 6/4/22
• Landfill lunch – 9/16/22
• Club fun day – 9/24/22

Remember gun safety is our number 1 priority.

Rockford Skeet Club Mission Statement

The Rockford Skeet Club’s mission is to promote clay target shooting and complementary shooting sports. The objectives are to promote those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team-play, and self-reliance which are the essentials of good sportsmanship. It is the duty of all members to contribute to the wellbeing, to protect, to grow, and to enhance the club and its membership.

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club

 RCS  BOD  ,  April  5  2022                                                                                                       PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, , Bill Shold , Al Perry,. Mike Buckman,  Randy Scott, Caleb Davis, Todd Hendreys .

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30 by President Sam Valenza

2.     Minutes of March / 2022 – Approved ,  6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved , 6-0

A. New Business:

1. Virus guidelines –  Keep as is.

2.  lawn crew for 2022,  completed

4. Handgun range heaters ,  in process

5. NIRPC/RPC open house on fun day 6/4/22

6.NIRPC/RPC combined membership. – initiation fees waived

7. Round price increase to 5.00  on 5/1/22

a. Handgun league – In spring

b. Trap tutorial spring – TBD

c. Bird dog demo  – on fun day 6/4/22

d. 5 stand overshoot agreement , 5 stand has been moved

e. Strategic vision and mission statement. Completed

f. No signs can be displayed publicly.  Unless board approved

g. 2022 elections,  Completed

h. Membership committee , Mike Buckman

i. club internet, getting quotes

j. Laptop for club,    Approved 6-0

8. Projects for 2022

a. Rebuild trap houses, spring

b. Clay removal, spring

c. Heaters for pistol range

2022 Events

1.Annual meeting –   Completed

2. clean up day – 5/14/22

Fun day – 6/4/22  –  9/24/22

Landfill lunch – 9/16/22

School trap team is going good

Club sponsored t-shirts ,  waiting for completion

Vintage style shoot on 6/4/22

Food truck for 6/4/22 fun day

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting May  3, 2022                                                                                         Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis , Secretary

RSC 2022 Annual Meeting Minutes

(3/26/2022)

Treasurer’s report – presented by Randy Scott

• 2021 yearend financial reports
• 2022 budget

2022 Club Projects – presented by Sam Valenza

• Broken clay bird removal on skeet field
• Rebuild trap houses
• Propane heater for handgun range

2022 Events – presented by Sam Valenza

• Cleanup day 5/14/22
• Fun day 6/4/22
• Landfill lunch 9/16/22
• Fun day 9/24/22

New Business

• Election Results – presented by Sam Valenza
• Rounds fee increase – May 1, 2022 presented by Sam Valenza
• Strategics vision and mission statement – presented by Al Perry
• “Ensure and promote Rockford Skeet Club’s financial viability as a private shooting club as well as the growth and development of the membership in accordance with our mission statement. Our goal shall be to provide policies, systems, and leadership to maintain the appeal of a small club atmosphere that perpetuates member participation and involvement, volunteerism, and member-key access 7 days a week.”
• Bylaws change for mission Statement– presented by Sam Valenza and unanimously approved by the attendees

Article 1 – Name and Objective

The name of this organization shall be known as the Rockford Skeet Club, Inc. The Rockford Skeet Club is a not-for-profit club. The club’s objectives are to encourage organized clay target shooting; to forward the development of those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team-play, and self-reliance which are the essentials of good sportsmanship and the foundation of true patriotism.

The proposed change is as follows:

Article 1 – Name and Mission Statement

The Rockford Skeet Club’s mission is to promote clay target shooting and complementary shooting sports. The objectives are to promote those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team-play, and self-reliance which are the essentials of good sportsmanship. It is the duty of all members to contribute to the wellbeing, to protect, to grow, and to enhance the club and its membership.

• Membership committee – presented by Al Perry
• Bill Shold – Skeet shoots
• NIRPC – presented by Sam Valenza
  • Lease
  • Mutual membership
  • Open house RSC 6/4/22, NIRPC 4/30/22
• High school trap team – presented by Sam Valenza and Ben Ratze
• Open discussion

President’s Message

(March 2022)

Our club has been selected to be the home club for the Cathedral Baptist School trap team. To my knowledge, this is the only school trap team in the area. The team, consisting of 10 students, will be shooting in the Illinois state trap league and will shoot the league and practice at our club. This is a great opportunity for our club to introduce young people to the shooting sports. As we all know, the cost of shooting, especially in today environment, is very costly. If anyone would like to donate to the team ($10, $20, $25) to help differ some of the costs, please send a check to the following address with a note that the donation is for the trap team. The club will be donating team shirts for the students and coaches.

          Cathedral Baptist School

          5622 35^th Street

          Rockford, IL. 61109

The board of directors has approved a revised mission statement and wants to incorporate it into the bylaws. The membership will be asked to approve this change at the annual meeting on March 26, 2022. The current bylaws read as follows:

Article 1 – Name and Objective

The name of this organization shall be known as the Rockford Skeet Club, Inc. The Rockford Skeet Club is a not-for-profit club. The club’s objectives are to encourage organized clay target shooting; to forward the development of those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team-play, and self-reliance which are the essentials of good sportsmanship and the foundation of true patriotism.

The proposed change is as follows:

Article 1 – Name and Mission Statement

The Rockford Skeet Club’s mission is to promote clay target shooting and complementary shooting sports. The objectives are to promote those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team-play, and self-reliance which are the essentials of good sportsmanship. It is the duty of all members to contribute to the wellbeing, to protect, to grow, and to enhance the club and its membership.

The Board also approved a Strategic Vision that reads as following

“Ensure and promote Rockford Skeet Club’s financial viability as a private shooting club as well as the growth and development of the membership in accordance with our mission statement. Our goal shall be to provide policies, systems, and leadership to maintain the appeal of a small club atmosphere that perpetuates member participation and involvement, volunteerism, and member-key access 7 days a week.”

Our first task under this strategic vision is to form a membership committee which will be tasked to develop goals and strategies to grow our membership. We would like to have 5 members on this committee. If you are interested in joining this committee, please contact me at sam.valenza@att.net.

A new propane heater for the handgun range building has been approved and will be installed in the coming weeks.

Our annual meeting is March 26 at 9 am. We will be presenting 2022 project and events, election results, Northern Illinois Rifle and Pistol Club relationship, bylaws change, strategic vision, and taking questions from the attendees.

Winter shooting rules are in effect as follows.

• Trap and skeet fields and sidewalks are to be cleared of snow before shooting. Shovels are outside of the club house and in the storage barn. The snow blower is available for use and is located in the storage barn. Do not shoot op to remove. It is everyone’s job to pitch in to remove snow from the sidewalks and shooting fields.
• As always, gun cases are not permitted in the club house. Guns will be permitted, but it is strongly suggested that they only be kept inside if it is raining or snowing.

If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact Milt Schwanke at

815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-456-2871, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483, or Dan Gengo at 815-572-1423. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee.

2022 Projects

• Rebuild trap houses
• Remove clay targets on skeet fields
• Pistol range heaters

2022 Events

• Annual meeting – 3/23/22
• Club cleanup day – 5/14/22
• Club fun day – 6/4/22
• Landfill lunch – 9/16/22
• Club fun day – 9/24/22

Remember gun safety is our number 1 priority.

Rockford Skeet Club Mission Statement

The Rockford Skeet Club’s mission is to promote clay target shooting and complementary shooting sports. The objectives are to promote those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team-play, and self-reliance which are the essentials of good sportsmanship. It is the duty of all members to contribute to the wellbeing, to protect, to grow, and to enhance the club and its membership.

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

 RCS  BOD  ,  March  2  2022                                                                                                       PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, , Bill Shold , Al Perry,. Terry VanDanboom, Randy Scott, Caleb Davis, Todd Hendrey

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30 by President Sam Valenza

2.     Minutes of February / 2022 – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved, 6-0

A. New Business:

1. Virus guidelines – Keep as is.

2. Looking for help with the lawn crew for 2022, in process

4. Handgun range heaters, Passed 4-2

5. NIRPC/RPC open house on fun day 6/4/22

6.NIRPC/RPC combined membership. – initiation fees waived, 6-0

a. Handgun league – In spring

b. Trap tutorial spring – TBD

c. Bird dog demo – on fun day 6/4/22

d. 5 stand overshoot agreement, working with NIRPC

e. Strategic vision and mission statement. Approved, 6-0

f. No signs can be displayed publicly.  Unless board approved

g. 2022 elections, in progress

h. Membership committee, TBD

i. club internet, getting quotes

j. Laptop for club,    Approved 6-0

8. Projects for 2022

a. Rebuild trap houses, spring

b. Clay removal, spring

2022 Events

1.Annual meeting –   3/26/22

2. clean up day – 5/14/22

Fun day – 6/4/22 – 9/24/22

Landfill lunch – 9/16/22

School trap team is a go. 3/3 4p.m.

Club sponsored t-shirt, yes 6-0

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting April 5, 2022                                                                                         Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary

President’s Message

(February 2022)

The dues renewal period for 2022 has come to an end. If for some reason you have not submitted your dues, please contact me ASAP so that I don’t count you as late.

The nominations due date has passed for election to the Board of Directors. Terry VanDenBoom has decided to not run for re-elections. Mike Buckman has been nominated for his position. Terry has been a valuable part of our board and the club for many years. He has diligently processed the club receivables which has required many hours of service. Thanks Terry of all of your hard work. He is still be a member of the club so this is not a goodbye.

The Board has created a new policy for signage and reads as follows.

“No signage of any kind including but not limited to yard signs, flags, and banners shall be planted, posted, displayed, or hung on club property without the express permission of the Rockford Skeet Club Board of Directors. This policy does not prohibit the posting of for sale items and businesses related to the shooting sports on the club house bulletin board.”

A new propane heater for the handgun range building is in the planning stages. Hopefully it will be installed in the next couple of weeks, weather permitting.

Winter shooting rules are in effect as follows.

• Trap and skeet fields and sidewalks are to be cleared of snow before shooting. Shovels are outside of the club house and in the storage barn. The snow blower is available for use and is located in the storage barn. Do not shoot op to remove. It is everyone’s job to pitch in to remove snow from the sidewalks and shooting fields.
• As always, gun cases are not permitted in the club house. Guns will be permitted, but it is strongly suggested that they only be kept inside if it is raining or snowing.

If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact Milt Schwanke at

815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-456-2871, or Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee.

2022 Projects

• Rebuild trap houses
• Remove clay targets on skeet fields
• Pistol range heaters

2022 Events

• Annual meeting – 3/23/22
• Club cleanup day – 5/14/22
• Club fun day – 6/4/22
• Landfill lunch – 9/16/22
• Club fun day – 9/24/22

Remember gun safety is our number 1 priority.

Rockford Skeet Club Mission Statement

The Rockford Skeet Club’s objectives are to encourage organized target shooting; to forward the development of those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team-play, and self-reliance which are the essentials of good sportsmanship. It is the duty of all members to contribute to the wellbeing, to protect, to grow, and to enhance the club and its members now and in the future.

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club

RCS  BOD  ,  February 1  2022                                                                                                       PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, , Bill Shold , Al Perry,. Terry VanDanboom,  Randy Scott, Caleb Davis, Todd Hendreys

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30 by President Sam Valenza

2.     Minutes of January / 2022 – Approved ,  6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved , 6-0

A. New Business:

1. Virus guidelines –  Keep as is.

2. Looking for help with the lawn crew for 2022,  in process

4. Handgun range heaters ,  Getting quotes

Procedure Updates

1. Signage , Approved

2.League procedures .  Approved

a. Handgun league – In spring

 b. Trap tutorial spring – TBD

c. Bird dog demo  – TBD

d. 5 stand overshoot agreement , working with NIRPC

e. Strategic plan and mission statement. Approved , in progress

f. No signs can be displayed publicly.  Unless board approved

g. 2022 elections,  Nominations have been made.

h. Saftey officers meeting .    Completed

8. Projects for 2022

a. Rebuild trap houses,

b. Clay removal              

2022 Events

1.Annual meeting –   3/26/22

2. clean up day – 5/14/22

Fun day – 6/14/22  –  9/24/22

Landfill lunch – 9/16/22

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting March 1  , 2022                                                                                         Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis , Secretary

President’s Message

(January 2022)

The invoices for the 2022 membership have been mailed. Let me know if you did not receive yours by emailing me at sam.valenza@att.net. Payment has to be received by February 1, 2022 in order to continue your membership. Payment received after February 1, 2022 will not be accepted. In order to be reinstated, a new membership application will be required with a check for $175.00.

A new lease was signed with our landlord the Northern Illinois Rifle and Pistol Club (NIRPC) in December. The lease has six five year options and starts when our current lease expires on March 1, 2025 and continues until March 1, 2055. There is a three percent price increase with each 5 year option.

A very successful and productive meeting was held with some of our board members and some of NIRPCs board members to discuss insurance coverage, tax payment, Mutual club benefits, and our current overshoot agreement as well as a 5-stand overshoot agreement. I will keep you updated as agreements and plans are formulated. We plan to meet quarterly.

George Ketter has agreed to have another pistol league in the spring. More information will be provided as plans are finalized.

If any member would like to run or nominate someone for the Board of Directors positions of president, secretary, and the three directors for 2022, please contacts Gino Nizzi at mxkied2@comcast.net. Nominations are due by February 1, 2022.

A Safety offices meeting is scheduled for January 22 at 9:00am at the club for all certified safety officers. If anyone would like to become a safety officer, please join and we will get you started.

Winter shooting rules are in effect as follows.

• Trap and skeet fields and sidewalks are to be cleared of snow before shooting. Shovels are outside of the club house and in the storage barn. The snow blower is available for use and is located in the storage barn. Do not shoot op to remove. It is everyone’s job to pitch in to remove snow from the sidewalks and shooting fields.
• As always, gun cases are not permitted in the club house. Guns will be permitted, but it is strongly suggested that they only be kept inside if it is raining or snowing.

If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact Milt Schwanke at

815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-456-2871, or Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee.

2022 Projects

• Rebuild trap houses
• Remove clay targets on skeet fields
• Pistol range heaters

2022 Events

• Annual meeting – 3/23/22
• Club cleanup day – 5/14/22
• Club fun day – 6/4/22
• Landfill lunch – 9/16/22
• Club fun day – 9/24/22

Remember gun safety is our number 1 priority.

Rockford Skeet Club Mission Statement

The Rockford Skeet Club’s objectives are to encourage organized target shooting; to forward the development of those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team-play, and self-reliance which are the essentials of good sportsmanship. It is the duty of all members to contribute to the wellbeing, to protect, to grow, and to enhance the club and its members now and in the future.

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club

 RCS  BOD  ,  January 11  2022                                                                                                       PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, , Bill Shold , Al Perry,. Terry VanDanboom,  Randy Scott, Caleb Davis, Todd Hendreys

 1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30 by President Sam Valenza

2.     Minutes of December / 2022 – Approved ,  6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved , 6-0

A. New Business:

1. Virus guidelines –  Keep as is.

2. Looking for help with the lawn crew for 2022,  in process

4. Handgun range heaters ,  Getting quotes

5. Wound kits . Completed

6. Silver Dollar Shoot.  T.B.D.

a. Handgun league – In spring

 b. Trap tutorial spring – TBD

c. Bird dog demo  – TBD

d. 5 stand overshoot agreement , working with NIRPC

e. NIRPC lease. – Approved , and signed

f. Strategic plan and mission statement. Approved , in progress

g. No signs can be displayed publicly.  Unless board approved

h. Meeting with NIRPC  board , completed and went very well.

i. 2022 elections Sam Valenza, Caleb Davis, and 3 directors

j. Saftey officers meeting .   1/22/22           9:00 A.M.

k. Lawn care , Approved

8. Projects for 2022

a. Rebuild trap houses,

b. Clay removal              

2022 Events

1.Annual meeting –   3/26/22

2. clean up day – 5/14/22

Fun day – 6/14/22  –  9/24/22

Landfill lunch – 9/16/22

Club fun day – 9/24/22

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting February 8  , 2022                                                                                         Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis , Secretary

RCS  BOD  ,  December 2  2021                                                                                                        PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, , Bill Shold , Al Perry,. Terry VanDanboom,  Randy Scott, Caleb Davis

 .

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30 by President Sam Valenza

2.     Minutes of November / 2021 – Approved ,  5-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved , 5-0

4.    2021 Projects  – Completed

5.    2021  Events.  All events Completed

6. New Business:

1. Virus guidelines –  Keep as is.

2. Looking for help with the lawn crew for 2022,  in process

4. Handgun range windows , Approved & Completed

5. Wound kits . Approved & Completed

6. Silver Dollar Shoot.  T.B.D.

a. Handgun Safety Course –   TBD

 b. Trap tutorial spring – TBD

c. Bird dog demo  – TBD

d. 5 stand overshoot agreement , working with NIRPC

e. NIRPC lease. – Approved

f. Strategic plan and mission statement. Approved

g. No signs can be displayed publicly.  Unless board approved

8. Projects for 2022

a. Rebuild trap houses,

b. Clay removal              

2022 Events

1.Annual meeting –   3/26/22

2. clean up day – 5/14/22

Fun day – 6/14/22  –  9/24/22

Landfill lunch – 9/16/22

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting January 4 , 2021                                                                                          Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis , Secretary