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

RCS BOD, November 2, 2021                                                                                                        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 September / 2021 – Approved   6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved, 6-0

    4.    2021 Projects:

a.     Additional concrete work to complete sidewalks on field 1 station 8 to 4 and from stair case sidewalks to semi-circle on all skeet fields. – 8/4/21 Completed

b. level the skeet fields. T.B.D.

c. paint skeet houses. Completed

d. paint propane tank. Completed

e. new skeet markers. Completed

f. access road

. Completed

g. new tractor. Completed

6. 2021 Events.  All events Completed

7. New Business:

1. Virus guidelines – Keep as is.

2. Meeting with NIRPC Board T.B.D.

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

4. Skeet league – starts November 27^th

5. Silver Dollar Shoot.  T.B.D.

a. Handgun Safety Course –   Josh West from NIRPC   Cancelled

 b. Trap tutorial spring 2022

c. Handgun league Completed

 d. Cathedral Baptist School Trap team, in discussion

I. Bird dog demo, spring 2022

8. Projects for 2022

a. Rebuild trap houses,

b. quote for shed at 5-stand

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting December 7, 2021                                                                                          Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary

President’s Message

(November 2021)

I want to thank George and Sue Ketter for running the handgun league. They did a great job in making it fun and challenging. Let’s hope and beg that they will do another league next year.

The handgun safety course has been cancelled due to a lack of interest. I want to thank Josh West (CEO Northern Illinois Pistol and Rifle Club) for offering to conduct the class. If there is interest in the future, we can plan another class.

The 2022 invoices for due will be mailed during the first week of December 2021. Payment is due by February 1, 2022.

There have been issues with the trap voice calls not responding to voice commands. Randy Scott and Bob Liphart have adjusted all of the voice calls on both trap fields and they are now working fine. There should be no need to call for the bird multiple times. Thanks Randy and Bob.

Bowling pins used for targets have been found on the pistol range. I want to remind everyone that the only targets allowed are paper targets and the club provided steel targets. No bottles, cans, jugs, watermelons, etc. are allowed.

The BOD will be planning for next years projects and events. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The following is a summary of the major projects that the club has done since 2015 to make your club one of the best in the area.

• Building $4,740.42
  • Toilet $1,150.00
  • Air Conditioner $2,769.21
  • Kitchen Floor $821.21
• Grounds $45,251.33
  • Sidewalks $23,885
  • Extend parking lot $9,206.40
  • Mower $8,808.93
  • Picnic Tables $ 3,351.00
• Skeet $45,321.20
  • Promatic Traps $32,695.85
  • Skeet House & Stairs repairs $5,576.35
  • Stair’s Concrete Pads $7,049.00
• Trap $13,399
  • Pat Trap $8,450.00
  • Voice Calls $4,949.00

• 5-Stand $7,339.70
  • Traps $4,220
  • Radio Controls $3,119.70

Major Project Spending Total – $116,051.65

Four-Man Skeet Teams: Rockford Skeet Winter League

• Four shooters will comprise a team. The team must shoot together as a squad with at least 3 members for an event score. One of the four members will carry out the duties of captain
• All shooters must be members. League fee is $5.00 person (20.00 per team) Member are responsible for logging and paying for targets
• The handicaps are based on 12 gauge. A smaller gauge may be shot but no special handicapping will be given.
• Event rounds will consist of one round of regular skeet and one round of skeet doubles at all stations. Each member of the team will shoot 25 regular targets and 25 doubles targets for a 50-target score which is then handicapped. The skeet doubles round will consist of a round of doubles (24) with a single high-house target (1) after the final doubles pair on Station 2. Trap adjustments cannot be made after the start of the event.
• All NSSA rules apply, except the gun malfunction limit is waived. Try to enlist a puller/score. It is the team/shooters responsibility to verify scoresheet for accuracy and initial prior to leaving the field. The score sheet stands as final record upon acceptance from the puller/referee –
• Team score for the event round is the sum of the 3 highest handicapped scores. If all four members shoot, the lowest handicapped score is scratched. The maximum team score per event round is 150.
• Each team must complete at least five event rounds to be included; the maximum team score for the season is 750 (150 x 5).
• After completing the required five event rounds a team may continue shooting to improve its score. The score of the last re-shoot must stand and any one of the previous scores is to be deleted, maintaining the aggregate score for five event rounds.
• Team winners will be determined by the total of the team’s best four handicapped scores plus their last shoot handicapped score

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.

2021 Club Projects

• Skeet field 1 cement sidewalk from station 4 to station 8 and walks from all skeet fields high houses to the stairs – completed
• Skeet and trap House maintenance – Completed
• Paint propane tank – completed
• Replace skeet field markers – completed
• Replace air conditioner – completed
• Purchase new lawn tractor – completed
• Build access road – completed

2021 Events

• All events have been completed

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