2024 Annual meeting minutes

Rockford Skeet Club Annual Meeting
3/23/2024

President Sam Valenza called the meeting to order at 9 am.

The minutes from the 2023 annual meeting were reviewed and approved by the
members present.

Dave Zierke , treasurer presented the financial position of the club for 2023.
As of 12/31 /2023 the cash assets totaled $69,455.
Gross income for 2023 was $65,393 while expenses were $75,805.*
Net income showed a deficit of $10,413. This included maintenance cost to the parking
lot and repair from storm damage to trees on the property of approximately $8,000.
● Increases were highlighted in the following expenditures last year
● Targets up by 12%, Insurance up by 38%, Accounting up by 14%

Accordingly, the 2024 budget was presented as approved by the board. It provides for
expenditures based on 2023 actual expenses as well as installation of a target
management system discussed below.

The current cash assets of RSC are $97,103 as of 3/23/2024

Club Projects were discussed.
A card reader target management system will be installed at a general cost of $15,000.
A committee has researched the systems available and would expect about a 20%
savings in unaccounted for targets thrown. The system will allow for each member to
have a unique digital card with a running total of paid for rounds. Systems were
discussed to allow for broken targets and malfunctions.

The chair solicited input and comments from the members present. A consensus was
reached that implementation of a system was in the club’s best interest, and that the
technology as used by members at other locations they shoot at is not difficult to use.

The skeet houses are in need of repair from water damage to the siding. This is
pending and scheduled as weather permits.

The website update is in progress.

2024 events were presented.
Spring cleanup day: 5/28/24
Fun Days: 6/8/24 and 9/7/24 will include invitations to NIRPC and Cathedral Baptist
Venue tutorials: Trap 6/15/24 Skeet 7/13/24 5 stand 8/17/24
Landfill lunch date is 9/20/24

New Business
2024 election results: Sam Valenza elected to 2 year presidency
Caleb Davis elected secretary
Mike Buckman, Steve Wiltgen, Bill Shold board members

Rounds price will increase from $5 to $6 beginning May 1, 2024. Discussion ensued
highlighting two consecutive years of cost increases absorbed by the club prompting the
increase. Competitive bids are used for purchasing targets.

Water supply to the club was accidentally severed by work crews along Lindenwood
Road. The club has been furnished portable toilets, hand wash stations, and will get a
temporary water tank provided as a result. The club will also be provided with a new
850 foot well in the May 2024 timeframe. NIRPC as landowner is finishing the legal
documents. The club has not incurred any expense from the interruption of water
supply.

Cathedral Baptist trap team will again use the club facilities for the spring competitive
season. A sign identifying RSC as their home range will be displayed. The club has
donated money to be used for team jerseys. Members at large are encouraged to make
voluntary donations to the youth shooting sports.

Dave Zierke has contacted several other area high schools who may be interested in scholastic shooting teams. Rockford University has also been contacted. President Valenza noted that the youth demographic as well as their parents is a focus of membership efforts.

The club will be offering club hats and club shirts for sale during 2024.

Leagues are being offered in pistol (Starting 3/30) and 5 stand/sporting clays (Starting
5/15) George Ketter and Bill Shold are heading up the leagues respectively.

The meeting was opened for general discussion and questions.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:52 am.

Respectfully submitted,
Bill Shold as acting secretary

President’s Message – March 2024

President’s Message

(March 2024)

A work crew along Lindenwood road has broken our water line to the club house. Therefore, we will not have a working water line to our club for 2-3 weeks. The company has installed porta potties and hand washing stations. One station is located near the club house and the other is located by the storage barn. Please do not use the club house bathroom until water service is restored.

The remote for skeet field 2 is still missing. If you were out to the club on February 29 and/or March 1 and shot on skeet field 2, please check your shooting bags, shell pouches, and vehicles for the missing remote. If found, return it to the club ASAP and notify me at 815-721-1417 or email me at sam.valenza@att.net. A spare remote is now functional on skeet field 2.

A handgun league will start on Saturday March 30. If you have any interest in participating, please contact George Ketter at geosueket@gmail.com.

Also, a 5-stand/sporting clays league between our club and Rock Ridge is being formed by Bill Shold. See below for information and schedule.

Rock Ridge and Rockford Skeet Sporting Clays and 5-Stand League $225, includes 10 weeks of shooting, dinner at our last shoot, and a weekly shell raffle.

Rockford Skeet – 50 5 Stand: 5/15, 5/29, 6/12, 6/26, 7/10

Rock Ridge – 50 Sporting: 5/22, 6/5, 6/19, 7/3, 7/17

Rock Ridge: 14755 E Edson Road, Davis Junction

Rockford Skeet: 8104 Lindenwood Rd, Rockford

Top 8 scores will be taken, allowing for 2 missed weeks or 2 throwaway scores. Shooting every Wednesday night beginning at 5 from May until July. We will have a random drawing of 50 shells for shooters in attendance each week. To sign up, contact Andrew (815-382-1232) at Rock Ridge or Bill (815-978-8686) at Rockford Skeet

At this time, we don’t have any volunteers to run a trap league. If you are interested in running a trap league, contact me at sam.valenza@att.net.

Twilight Tuesday skeet will start April 16 at 7 pm. Come out and enjoy a couple of casual rounds of skeet under the lights. Low key and open to all ability levels. All shooting ends by 9 pm. Invite your friends for the first and third Tuesday of the month. Heck, why not invite a prospective new member?

The Cathedral Baptist High School trap team will be shooting at our club on Tuesday’s starting April 2 through May 28 and on Thursdays starting April 18 through May 30 from 4 to 6 pm. Therefore, the trap fields will not be available to club members on these dates and times.

Our lawn crew is in need of a couple more helpers, if you are interested in joining this team, contact Steve Wiltgen at 815-761-3531 for more information. Please consider as we need the help.

Since my last message regarding bringing in professional shooting instructors for our various venues, very little interest has been shown. Therefore, we will not pursue this any further at this time.  

The annual meeting is rescheduled for March 23 at the club starting at 9 am. No shooting will be allowed until the meeting is adjourned.

As a reminder, please turn the furnace down to 60 degrees if you are the last to leave the club.

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

815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-631-9366, 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.

2024 Projects

  • Install card readers
  • Repair skeet houses

2024 Events

  • Annual meeting – 3/23/2024
  • Cleanup day – 5/18/2024
  • Fun days – 6/8/2024, 9/7/2024
  • Tutorial – trap 6/15/24, skeet 7/13/2024, 5 stand 8/17/24
  • Landfill appreciation lunch – 9/20/24

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

BOD Meeting Minutes – March 2024

RCS BOD, March 5th, 2024                                                                                                     

  • PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, Al Perry, Bill Shold, Steve Wiltgen, Caleb Davis, Mike Buckman, Dave Zierke
     Todd Hendreys

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

2.     Minutes of February 2024 – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved, 6-0

4.    2024 budget – Passed as changed 6-0

New Business:

  1. Club hats – yes 6-0  
  2. Gun raffle in spring.    Getting tickets made
  3. Shooting lessons – No
  4. Target price increase – getting quotes
  5. Club ammo for events – yes 4 cases

Projects for 2023

  • Card reader systems – In the budget for 2024
  • Repair skeet houses – Jay Schaack

2023 Events

  • Spring cleanup – 5/18
  • Fun days – 6/8 and 9/7
  • Landfill lunch – 9/20     
  • Venue Tutorials, Trap 6/16, Skeet 7/13, 5stand 8/17
  • Annual meeting – 3/23

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting April 2   2024                                                                     

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary       

President’s Message – February 2024

President’s Message

(February 2024)

A handgun league will start in March. If you have any interest in participating, please contact George Ketter at geosueket@gmail.com. Also, a 5-stand/sporting clays league between our club and Rock Ridge is being formed by Bill Shold. If you are interested, contact Bill at williamshold@gmail.com. There is also some discussion on forming a trap league. I will provide more information when available.

The Cathedral Baptist High School trap team will begin shooting in the state trap league at our club in late March through early June. This will be their third year at our club. If you would like to make a donation to help cover their costs, please contact me at sam.valenza@att.net. The club will be donating towards the purchase of team jerseys. Welcome back Cathedral Baptist shooters and coaches.

The board is discussing bringing in professional shooting instructors for our various venues. But first, we need to know if anyone is interested in attending these sessions. There will be a cost to the members. If you have any interest, please contact Dave Zierke at dzierke@comcast.net.  

The annual meeting has been rescheduled from March 9 to March 23.

Some of our houses are rotting at the base and will be repaired in the late spring. Member Jay Schaack has volunteered to take on this project. Thanks Jay.

If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact Milt Schwanke at 815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-631-9366, 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.

2024 Projects

  • Install card readers
  • Repair skeet houses

2024 Events

  • Annual meeting – 3/23/2024
  • Cleanup day – 5/18/2024
  • Fun days – 6/8/2024, 9/7/2024
  • Tutorial – trap 6/15/24, skeet 7/13/2024, 5 stand 8/17/24
  • Landfill appreciation lunch – 9/20/24

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

President’s Messager – January 2024

President’s Message

(January 2024)

This is a reminder that membership payment for 2024 is due by February 1. Let me know if you did not receive your dues invoice by emailing me at sam.valenza@att.net. Payment has to be received by February 1, 2024 in order to continue your membership. Payment received after February 1, 2024 will not be accepted. In order to be reinstated, a new membership application will be required with a check for $200.00. Please let me know if you do not intend to renew your membership and send your badge and key to the following address. Any prepaid rounds will not be refunded until badges and keys are returned.
Caleb Davis
4436 Allendale Ave
Rockford Il. 61109

A new club house phone service has been installed. The phone number remains the same.

A committee will be formed to visit local private high schools this spring to investigate the possibility of any interest in forming trap, skeet, or 5 stand teams to participate in the Illinois high school shooting leagues. These teams will be modeled on the Cathedral Baptist High School team that currently uses our club as their home base. If you have any suggestions or contacts for area schools, please let me know.

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

815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-631-9366, 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.

2024 Projects

  • Install card readers
  • Repair skeet houses

2024 Events

  • Annual meeting – 3/9/2024
  • Cleanup day – 5/18/2024
  • Fun days – 6/8/2024, 9/7/2024
  • Tutorial – trap 6/15/24, skeet 7/13/2024, 5 stand 8/17/24
  • Landfill appreciation lunch – 9/20/24

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

BOD Meeting Minutes – January 2024

RCS BOD, January 16, 2024                                                                                                     

  • PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, Al Perry, Bill Shold, Steve Wiltgen, Caleb Davis, Mike Buckman, Dave Zierke
     Todd Hendreys

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

2.     Minutes of December 2023 – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved, 6-0

New Business:

  1. Change phone to VOIP – Completed  
  2. Gun raffle in spring
  3. Shooting lessons – TBD  

Projects for 2023

  • Card reader systems – TBD
  • Repair skeet houses

2023 Events

  • Spring cleanup – 5/18
  • Fun days – 6/8 and 9/7
  • Landfill lunch – 9/20     
  • Venue Tutorials, Trap 6/16, Skeet 7/13, 5stand 8/17
  • Annual meeting – 3/9

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting February 13th   2024                                                                     

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary       

BOD Meeting Minutes – December 2023

RCS BOD, October 5, 2023                                                                                                      

  • PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, Al Perry, Bill Shold, Steve Wiltgen, Caleb Davis, Mike Buckman , Dave Zierke
     Todd Hendreys

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

2.     Minutes of November 2023 – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved, 6-0

New Business:

  1. Combine waiver with guest logbook.   Completed
  2. Membership committee, working on new ideas
  3. New member orientation, 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month
  4. Tree removal – Completed 
  5. gutter guards – Completed
  6. Increase dues for 2024 – Yes 6-0
  7. Change phone to VOIP – 6-0
  8. Update application – yes
  9. Gun raffle in spring  

Projects for 2023

  • Card reader systems, looking into for next year
  • Seal coat parking lot – 6-0      Completed
  • Handgun heater fixed

2023 Events

           Spring cleanup – Completed

  • Fun days – Completed
  • Landfill lunch – Completed     
  • Venue Tutorials, Completed

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting January 9, 2023                                                                       

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary       

President’s Message – December 2023

President’s Message

(December 2023)

The club had another good year. The following are some of the projects completed: new skeet and trap lights installed, fallen tree removal, parking lot seal coated, fixed handgun range heater, new furnace, installed Wi-Fi, and installed gutter guards on the club house. The following are the events completed: spring cleanup, trap/skeet/5-stand tutorials, two fun days, annual meeting, and the landfill appreciation lunch.

The invoices for the 2022 membership due will be mailed out in the next few days. 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 $200.00.

The Northern Illinois Rifle and Pistol Club will be doing work this coming Saturday, December 9, at their front entrance gate from 9 am to 1 pm. Therefore, trap shooting will not be allowed during these work hours.  

The club house phone is not working and we have selected an alternate phone service. It should be installed during the next week or two. The club number remains the same.

The 5-stand will remain open this coming winter. To shoot this venue, the covers will have to be removed and the machines turned on. When shooting is completed, the machines will have to be turned off, loaded with targets, and the covers put back on.

WINTER SHOOT RULES

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 or snowing.

If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact Milt Schwanke at 815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-631-9366, 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.

2023 Projects

  • Club internet – completed
  • Replace furnace – completed
  • Install card readers – in process
  • Seal coat parking lot – completed
  • Repair handgun range heater – completed
  • Install gutter guards – completed

2023 Events

  • All events completed

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.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club

President’s Message November 2023

President’s Message

(December 2023)

The annual membership dues invoices will be sent out in early December and payment is due by February 1, 2024. As previously reported the board has approved an increase to our annual membership dues. As you all know, the cost of goods has gone up over the past several inflationary years. Targets prices increased by 12% over last year’s order. Also, we are experiencing increases in our fixed costs (taxes, insurance, utilities, etc.). Therefore, the annual membership dues will increase to $150 from $125 for 2024. If you elect to use the handgun range, that additional fee remains the same at $25.

The heater in the handgun range has been fixed and is available for use. Simply turn on the timer located on the back wall near the thermostat. Once the time runs out the heater will shut down after a cool down period. Thanks to Steve Wiltgen, Crag Bergbauer, and Mike Brost for developing a plan and fixing the heater.

The club house phone is not working. We are looking at an alternative phone service as the service we have now has had issues for several years in spite of several compliant to the service provider.

The club sponsored a table at the Winnebago-Boone County annual fundraiser for the Friends of the NRA Foundation that was held in October. The table sponsorship included a CZ 9mm pistol. We plan on selling raffle tickets for the gun prior to and during our fun day in June of next year. I will provide more information about the raffle and fun day at a later time,

The sporting clays Illinois North Zone Tournament was held June 2-4 at Rock Ridge. Club member Caleb Davis was champion of master class. Caleb also won the 28-gauge event in Class C. The Illinois State Championship for Super Sporting was held Sept 8-10 at Rock Ridge

and Caleb was State runner up in Master Class. Steve Howlett was Class D Champion

and Bill Shold was Class E Champion. Congratulation to Caleb, Steve, and Bill

Club member, Joe Vancura won the Illinois state shoot championship for 12-gauge with a 100X100 score and the state championship for 12-gauge doubles with a 97X100 score which included a 5 way shoot off. He also won the zone 5 .410-gauge championship at the Zone Shoot in Sauk Prairie Wisconsin with a 100X100 score. Congratulation Joe.  

Bob Liphart has decided not to be the chairman of the trap range effective immediately. Rob Tholin has agreed to take Bob’s position. Thank you, Bob, for all your service for the past several years. Bob has however, agree to assist Rob when needed. Thanks Rob, for taking on the trap chairmanship.

In September the club hosted the annual steak lunch for the landfill forks in appreciation for all that they do for us. It was well attended and the food was delicious.

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

815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-631-9366, 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.

2023 Projects

  • Club internet – completed
  • Replace furnace – completed
  • Install card readers – in process
  • Seal coat parking lot – completed
  • Repair handgun range heater – completed
  • Install gutter guards – completed

2023 Events

  • All events completed

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

BOD Meeting Minutes November 2023

RCS BOD, November 7  2023                                                                                                      

  • PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, Al Perry ,Bill Shold, Steve Wiltgen, Caleb Davis, Mike Buckman , Dave Zierke
     Todd Hendreys

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

2.     Minutes of August  2023 – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved, 6-0

New Business:

  1. Combine waiver with guest log book .   Completed
  2. Membership committee, working on new ideas
  3. New member orientation, 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month
  4. Tree removal –  Completed 
  5. gutter gaurds – Comleted
  6. Increase dues  for 2024  – Yes 6-0   

Projects for 2023

  • Card reader systems, looking into for next year
  • Seal coat parking lot – 6-0      Completed
  • Handgun heater  fixed

2023 Events

  • Spring cleanup – Completed
  • Fun days –  Completed
  • Landfill lunch – Completed     
  • Venue Tutorials,  Completed

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting  December 5 , 2023                                                                        Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary