President’s Message

(February 2014)

2013 was a banner year for the club. Our financial position was the best ever and our membership was at an all time high of 261 members. The end of the year financial reports is posted on the bulletin board in the club house. Below is the Treasure’s report by John Bailey

Treasurer’s Report

2O13 was a great year for the Rockford Skeet and Trap Club. The Board members, President Sam Valenza, Vice President Larry Ohda, Secretary Sam Parkinson, Treasurer John Bailey, Directors Harley Shepherd, Greg Baylander and Jim Demaria are commended on their outstanding fiscal responsibility and 2013 accomplishments.  During the end of the year briefing the Club’s Accounting Firm, Premier Accounting, reported the Club had an outstanding year and a job well done. The Club was seven thousand dollars under budget. When you consider all the 2013 accomplishments, this has been a noteworthy year. There have been so many just to name a few. Upgrade and overhaul of the following has been accomplished: all trap and skeet machines, Club member’s professional skeet and trap machine maintenance training, Skeet house cement walkway, handgun range startup, new skeet remotes, skeet houses second coat of paint, new Pat trap, new skid jack, and establishment of skeet and trap machine spare parts inventory, Those are some, but I’m sure not all of the 2013 accomplishments. Our Treasury is in great shape because of the hard work and dedication put forth by our Members and Board. It has been a pleasure working with a Board which understands the needs of all our shooting disciplines and can allocate funds to these needs and stay within the budget. This year (2014) will be another great year.

John D. Bailey, Treasurer

February 1 was the last date to pay 2014 dues and we had a 92% renewal rate and stand at 240 members. Normally we expect to lose 8 to 10% of our members as a result of moves, deaths, illness, financial, etc. Please note that we will no longer be providing renewal date stickers. You can remove your old 2013 stickers if you would like.

The electronic ballots and paper ballots (for those that do not have email) will be sent Feb. 15 with a closing date of March 15. Results will be announced at our annual meeting on April 5. You might ask why so long between the meeting and the end of the election. Well, I screwed up and not thinking, scheduled a vacation at the end of March. Per the bylaws the meeting has to be held on the last weekend of March or scheduled thereafter to an alternate date.

Harley Shepherd has decided to retire from doing the receivables for the club after accepting this temporary position, eight years ago. Terry VanDenBoom will be taking his place. A transition date has not been set but it will probably be some time after the annual meeting. I will let you all know when the date is set. I and the BOD would like to thank Harley for an outstanding job in keeping our receivables in order which has contributed to our financial success. Also, thanks to Terry for taking on this very important task. I’m confident that we are in good hands.

If you haven’t noticed, the handgun range is really taking shape. The side berms are nearly complete and the back berm should be done soon. Construction of the shooting stations will commence in the spring

Rockford Skeet Club Concealed Carry Policy

Since concealed Carry is now lawful law in Illinois, club members who are residents of Illinois (or any Illinois carry approved state) and have the appropriated license, can lawfully carry a handgun in a concealed manner on club property. All handguns are to be concealed at all times on club property

The following are concealed carry classes offered by Aurelio DeLaRosa. The signup sheets are in the club house on the back counter.

1. Date: 02/12/2014, Legal 6pm- 10pm, cont. 02/16/2014, Range, 1pm- 5pm = 8hrs. Location: Rockford Skeet and Trap, Rockford, IL. Cost $10
2. Date: 2/13/2014, 8am– 5pm (8hrs) and cont, Legal on 2/14/2014, 8am- 12pm (4hrs). Location: 3261 Forest View Rd, Rockford, IL, DeLaRosa Submission Wrestling Academy.

Range Qualification 2/14/2014, 1pm-5pm (4hrs). Location: Rockford Skeet and Trap, Rockford, IL.  Cost $200

1. Date: 2/19/2014, Legal, 12pm- 4pm, cont. 2/21/2014, Range, 12pm- 4pm = 8hrs. Location: Rockford Skeet and Trap, Rockford, IL. Cost $100
2. Date: 2/22/2014, 8am- 5pm (8hrs) and cont, Legal on 2/23/2014, 8am- 12pm (4hrs). Location: 3261 Forest View Rd, Rockford, IL, DeLaRosa Submission Wrestling Academy.

Range Qualification 2/23/2014, 1pm-5pm (4hrs). Location: Rockford Skeet and Trap, Rockford, IL.  Cost $200

1. Date: 2/27/2014, Legal, 1pm- 5pm cont. on 2/28/2014, Range, 12pm- 4pm = 8hrs. Location: Rockford Skeet and Trap, Rockford, IL. Cost $100

2014 Club Projects

• Handgun range – approved and in process
• Construction of a 5 stand deck – approved
• Electrical power and cameras for the 5 stand and      handgun range – under consideration

2014 Club Events

• Annual meeting – 4/5/14
• Cleanup day – 5/3/14
• Landfill lunch – 9/9/14
• Bragging Rights Shoot – 10/11/14

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club

BOD Minutes of 13 January 2014

PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, Larry Ohda, John Bailey, Sam Parkinson, Gregg Beylander and Harley Shepherd

ABSENT:  Jim DeMaria

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 5:00pm

1. Approval of minutes of meeting of 12/2/13       5-0
2. Treasurer’s report – attached by reference
3. Club projects
   1. Hand gun range – in process
   2. Construction of 5 stand deck – spring project
4. Conceal carry classes
   1. 1/19 8-5, 1/25 1-5, and 1/26 12-4
   2. 1/20 8-12 and 1/21 8-12
   3. 1/28 8-4:30 and 1/29 8-4:30
   4. Regular shooting will not be affected
5. Election – nomination period still open
   1. President and Secretary 2 year terms
   2. 3 Director positions, 1 year term
6. New Business
   1. 2014 budget – in process of being developed, ready for next meeting
   2. Aged receivables – very little not collected, notification will be made
   3. 2014 project suggestion

i.  Electrical power for 5 stand and rifle/pistol range

ii. Security cameras for 5 stand and rifle/pistol range

7. 2014 upcoming events

1. Annual meeting – Saturday, March 29 0900
2. Clean up day – Saturday, May 3 0800 – 1200
3. Land fill lunch – Tuesday, September 9 1200
4. Braggin’ Rights shoot – Saturday, October 11 – 0900
5. Open House – open, no date established

8. 2014 membership dues – coming in, now over 180

9. Covers for 5 stand machines.  $85 each, total of $425  Approved 5-0

10. Conceal carry club policy – being developed

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 1755

NEXT MEETING:  MONDAY, 3 February, 1700

Respectfully submitted:  Sam Parkinson, Secretary

President’s Message

(January 2014)

The 2014 dues invoices for $125 have been mailed. Payment is due by February 1, 2014. There is no grace period as in prior years. Dues received after February 1 will not be accepted and reapplication for club membership ($175) will be required.

If you are interested in running for the Board of Directors for the positions of president, secretary, and three directors or want to make a nomination, please contact Gino Nizzi at 815-482-3135 or e-mail him at mxkied2@comcast.net. Nominations are due by February 1, 2014 and elections will be held in March 2014.

Club member Aurelio DeLaRosa has been certified by the State of Illinois as a conceal carry instructor and will be offering the following classes to club members.

8 Hour Class -Weekday Class

Date: 01/20/2014, 8am- 12pm (4hrs) and 01/21/2014, 8am- 12pm (4hrs)

Location: Rockford Skeet and Trap, Rockford, IL. Cost $100

16 Hour Class, Weekday Class

Date: 1/28/2014, 8am- 4:30pm (8hrs) and cont. on 1/29/2014,8am- 4:30pm (8hrs)

Location: Rockford Skeet and Trap, Rockford, IL. Cost $200

16 Hour Class, Weekend Class

PART 1: 1/19/2014, 8am- 5:00pm (8hrs)

Location: 3261 Forest View Rd, Rockford, IL, DeLaRosa Submission Wrestling Academy

PART 2:  Cont. on 1/25/2014, 1pm- 5:00pm (4hrs) and 1/26/2014, 12pm-4pm (4hrs)

Location: Rockford Skeet and Trap, Rockford, IL. Cost $200

*Attention* If you require a 12 hour course please attend the morning session of Part 1 for the Weekend  class

If you have any questions email Aurelio at teamcomani@gmail.com.

2014 Club Projects

• Handgun range – approved and in process
• Construction of a 5 stand deck – approved
• Electrical power and cameras for the 5 stand and handgun range – under consideration

If anyone has any suggestions for additional projects or comments, please let me know.

2014 Club Events

• Annual meeting – 3/29/14
• Cleanup day – 5/3/14
• Landfill lunch – 9/9/14
• Bragging Rights Shoot – 10/11/14

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club

BOD Minutes of 2 December 2013

Present:  Sam Valenza, Larry Ohda, John Bailey, Sam Parkinson, Harley Shepherd, Gregg Baylander

Absent:  Jim DeMaria

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 5:15p.m.

1. Approval of minutes of 4 November 2013 – Approved 5-0
2. Treasurers report – accepted, attached by reference
3. Club Projects
   1. Hand gun range – insurance purchased for $102 per year
   2. Electrical power for 5 stand/hand gun range – laid over
4. 2013 events – all completed
5. Conceal carry instruction – use of club and pistol range
   1. First class begins in January, taught by club member
   2. New range, while not completed, can be used for this purpose ONLY
   3. Use of clubhouse for classes will be authorized
6. Elections for 2014
   1. Office of President, Secretary, and 3 board members seats open
   2. Instructions on how to nominate/run will be published by President
   3. Members interested in running can also check bylaws for more info
7. New Business
   1. Trap House number 2’s motor is being/has been repaired
   2. 2014 membership letters sent
   3. 5 stand design and cost:  Motion to allocate an amount not to exceed $4000 Motion approved 5-0
8. Business of members – none

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:00P.M.

NEXT MEETING:  MONDAY, 6 January, 5:00p.m.

Respectfully submitted:  Sam Parkinson, Secretary

President’s Message (December 2013)

It has been another good year for our club. As I do every year, the following are the events and projects that were completed during the year. Events: held an

Open House, Braggin Rights Shoot, and provided lunch for the guys at the Land fill. Projects: Installed new skeet field remotes, started construction on handgun range, created new badges, painted skeet houses, painted bathrooms and kitchens, joined the Illinois Rifle Association, purchased a new Pat Trap, overhauled all skeet and trap machines, established machine maintenance crew, concealed carry instruction for club members, and increased membership to an all time high of 261.

The handgun range is again receiving dirt for the berms. The side berms are about done and the back berm still needs to go higher. It is anticipated that the berms will be completed by the end of this year or in January at the latest. Construction of the shooting stations will begin in the spring with an estimated completion date of early summer. No shooting will be allowed on the range until it is completely done and individual training has been conducted.

As previously reported, club member Aurelio DeLaRosa has been certified by the State of Illinois as a conceal carry instructor.  In January, he will be posting a signup sheet for club members interested in taking the training. Classes will be conducted in the club house and on our handgun shooting range. The range will only be used for concealed carry training and is not open to any shooting until it has been completed. Please note that anyone caught using the range for other than the concealed carry course will be subject to having their membership terminated.

The following winter shooting rules are affective immediately:

• 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 on fields that have not been cleared of snow. Doing so will compact the snow and make it difficult 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.

The 2014 dues invoices for $125 have been mailed. Payment is due by February 1, 2014. There is no grace period as in prior years. Dues received after February 1 will not be accepted and reapplication for club membership ($175) will be required.

A deck for the 5 Stand venue has been approved by the BOD. Construction will start in the spring. We are looking for volunteers to help build it. If you are interested please contact Todd Hendrey at 815-739-6979 or email him at waahooo7@comcast.net .

Club Projects

• Handgun range – in process
• Electrical power and cameras for the 5 stand and handgun range – under consideration

2013 Club Events – all events have been completed

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club

President’s Message

(November 2013)

We had an incident on skeet field 2 when a pellet ricocheted off of a target and struck a member, who was standing behind station four, in the face. Fortunately no serious injury was inflicted. This is a reminder that safety glasses are to be worn at all time when outside of the club house.

As previously reported, club member Aurelio DeLaRosa has been certified by the State of Illinois as a conceal carry instructor. He is offering the course to club members at reduced rates. Details have been sent in a separate email to club members.

Thanks to Bob Raley for replacing three stressed trees at no cost to the club.

I would also like to thank Gary O’Neill for chairing the election committee over the last several years as he is stepping down. Gino Nizzi has agreed to take over his position. Thanks Gino.

The umbrella heater for the trap shooters located under the overhang of the barn has been fixed. The instructions for lighting it are on the heater. Do not bring the heater into the barn as it will produce unwanted moisture during cold weather. Also be sure to turn it off when done shooting.

The 2014 dues invoices for $125 will be mailed the first part of December. Payment is due by February 1, 2014. There is no grace period as in prior years. Dues received after February 1 will not be accepted and reapplication for club membership ($175) will be required.

There is nothing to report on the handgun range as we are still waiting for more dirt to build the berms.

Club Projects

• Handgun range – in process
• Electrical power and cameras for the 5 stand and      handgun range – under consideration

2013 Club Events – all events have been completed

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club

BOD Meeting Minutes of 4 November 2013

PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, Larry Ohda, Greg Beylander, Harley Shepherd, Jim Demaria, John Bailey

 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT SAM VALENZA AT 5:00 PM

Approval      of minutes of 7 October 3meeting – Approved 5-0

1. Treasurers      Report
2. Club      Projects

• Hand gun range – In progress, anticipated conclusion in 2014
• Electric power for 5 stand and hand gun range – on hold
  • Concealed carry – Club member Aurelio Delarosa has been certified by the State of Illinois as a concealed carry instructor and has offered to train club members at a reduced rate. Details to be emailed to the membership.

4. 2013      Events – all events completed
5. New      Business

• Gino Nizzi is the new       Election Chairman
• Bob Raley replaced 3       stressed trees at no cost
• Sam Parkinson will be       paid $863.87 for mowing services
• 2014 dues invoices will       be sent out first part of December. No grace period for 2014.
• Jim Demaria, Greg       Baylander, and Harley Shepherd will not run for reelection

MEETING ADJOUNED AT 6:00 PM

NEXT MEETING:  4 November 2013

Respectfully submitted:  Sam Valenza, President

President’s Message

(October 2013)

The Braggin Rights Shoot was a success. For the fifth straight year., George Ketter won the overall championship. The trap shoot was also won by George, Skeet was won by Lance Vidlak after an 8 member doubles shoot off, and the sporting clays was won by Greg Baylander. Congratulations to all of you. Since George has won every year since the shoot’s inception, we may have to rename this event the George Ketter Shoot. Well on second thought maybe not. I would like to thank Larry Odha for the delicious chili, Jim Burrows for donating the drawing prizes, and Harley Shepherd for assisting me in collecting the money and recording the scores.

There is nothing to report on the handgun range as we are still waiting for more dirt.

Club member Aurelio Delarosa has been certified by the State of Illinois as a concealed carry instructor. He will be offering the course to club members at reduced rates. As soon as the program has been defined, I will send an email to all of you with the pertinent information.

The sporting clays venue has been changed during this past week. The plan is to change it into a 5-stand course before the snow flies.

Club Projects

• Handgun range – in process
• Electrical power and cameras for the 5 stand and      handgun range – under consideration

2013 Club Events – all events have been completed

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club

BOD Meeting Minutes of 7 October 2013 

PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, Larry Ohda, Greg Beylander, Harley Shepherd

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT SAM VALENZA AT 5:00 PM

Approval of minutes of 3 September 2013meeting – Approved 3-0

1. Treasurers Report – Approved 3-0
2. Club Projects

• Hand gun range – In progress, anticipated conclusion in 2014
• Electric power for 5 stand and hand gun range – on hold
  • Concealed carry – Club member Aurelio Delarosa has been certified by the State of Illinois as a concealed carry instructor and has offered to train club members at a reduced rate. Details to be worked out.

4. 2013 Events – all events completed
5. The Braggin Rights Shoot – George Ketter won the overall championship. Trap was also won by George, Skeet was won by Lance Vidlak, and the sporting clays was won by Greg Baylander, and Bernie Blaauw had the lowest score. Thank Larry Odha for the delicious chili, Jim Burrows for donating the drawing prizes, and Harley Shepherd for assisting in collecting the money and recording the scores.
6. New Business

• Procurement of Pat Trap previously vote on and approve 6-0
• Skid Jack previously voted on and approve 6-0

7. Four spare Beomat trap machines sold for $600

MEETING ADJOUNED AT 5:20 PM

NEXT MEETING:  MONDAY, 4 November 2013

Respectfully submitted:  Sam Valenza, President

BOD Meeting Minutes of 3 September 2013

PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, Larry Ohda, John Bailey, Sam Parkinson, Greg Beylander, Harley Shepherd and Jim DeMaria

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT SAM VALENZA AT 4:55 PM

1. Approval      of minutes of 5 August – Approved 6-0
2. Treasurers      Report – Approved 6-0
3. Club      Projects
   1. Hand       gun range – In progress, anticipated conclusion in 2014
   2. Second       Coat of paint on skeet houses – completed
   3. Electric       power for 5 stand and hand gun range – on hold
4. Concealed      Carry on club property – on hold pending State rules/requirements
5. 2013      Events
   1. Land       Fill Lunch – Tuesday, 17 September
   2. Braggin       rights shoot – Saturday, October 5
6. Machine      maintenance and training – Saturday and Sunday, September 7 & 8
7. Welcoming      letter to new members – in use
8. New      Business
   1. New       5 Stand chairmen – Caleb Davis and Dave Hendry
   2. Targets       – Motion to continue with Champion targets –  Approved 5-1
   3. NEA       Grant – we do not meet the criteria for the grant we looked at
   4. New       Shelves in barn for storage – completed
   5. Open       House – low attendance, three new members signed up
9. Request      for $225 to kill the weeks in 5 stand parking area – approved 6-0
10. Request      for $368 to do a week and feed on the rest of 5 stand area – tabled
11. Spare      BEOMAT machines – can we/should we sell if buyer is found?  Yes
12. Counter      for 5 stand machines?       Possible?  Will be researched      for next meeting

MEETING ADJOUNED AT 6:15PM

NEXT MEETING:  MONDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2013

Respectfully submitted:  Sam Parkinson, Secretary