Redwood Falls Sportsmen’s Club
Membership Meeting – January Minutes
Jan 8, 2025 Redwood Falls American Legion 7pm
Present: Larry Weidell, Steve Whittet, Tom Ellig, Jeremy Waknitz, Tom Balko, Jamie Gegner, Dale Cramer, Tom Morley, Amy Curtis, Pete Weis, Heather Koffler, Becky Bruns
Minutes
December minutes read and accepted.
Treasurer Report
Larry shared the following report.
Checking $55,368
CD $25,844
Cash on Hand $172
Total $81,384
Membership
2024 Membership: 458
2025 Membership to Date: 9
Banquet
Banquet Date & Location
The Banquet Committee collected information on the RACC availability and pricing. St. Catherine’s rental fee for 2024 was $300. RACC rental fee for 2025 is quoted at $345. Benefits to the RACC included better sound, better technology, more open location. Benefits to St. Catherine’s include history, there were a few helpers that came to help out with serving after church was over, etc.
M: Amy Curtis motioned to try the RACC for 2025 banquet.
S: Heather Koffler seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
Discussion settled on April 4th as the best date available for the Banquet due to other community events, planting, etc.
Banquet Raffle Ticket Prizes
Banquet Committee decided on the following prizes for the raffle tickets using their $4000:
- Sav 220 – Runnings
- Ruger American G2 243 – Runnings
- Smith & Wesson FPC – RVAA
- Glock 43 MOS – RVAA
- SilencerCo Sparrow 22 – RVAA
- Ruger 10/22 – Runnings
Banquet Committee requested $1000 additional budget for the following items:
- Crossbow – Runnings – to be purchased in conjunction with Redwood County Pheasants Forever funds ($1000)
- 30 cal Silencer – RVAA
M: Tom Balko made a motion to approve the $1000 additional budget for the Banquet Committee prizes.
S: Tom Morley
Motion carried.
Other Prizes Previously Purchased:
- Browning Buckmark – Runnings
- Case of Ammo – RVAA
- Charlie Nelson donation – Dale confirmed this
- Possible Dave’s Appliance donation – Dale stated that he has spoken with Mike
Amy Curtis requested an additional $350 for firearm purchase for the Veterans Table.
M: Jeremy Waknitz made a motion to approve the $350 budget for firearm purchase for the Veterans Table.
S: Becky Bruns
Motion carried.
Banquet Finances
| Item | Budgeted | Actual |
| Raffle Guns & Silencer | $4000 | $3290.95 |
| Knives | $33.80 | |
| Case of Ammo | $245.81 | |
| 30 cal Silencer | $700 | |
| Crossbow | $300 (Club) $1000 (PF donation) | |
| Buckmark | $322.11 |
Action Items
- Larry will secure the RACC for the Banquet set for April 4th
- Larry will get raffle tickets printed with the firearms listed that were proposed by the committee
- Committee will secure crossbow and silencer for additional prizes
- Larry will order food (less turkey, more pork)
Bylaws Committee
Tom Ellig shared that the Bylaws committee has met several times, brought the drafted bylaws to member review by posting on the Club website, sharing via email and sharing via social media, and has received feedback from members via those mediums. One member shared some very interesting feedback with references to a number of statutes for consideration.
The committee opened the floor for in-person member feedback on the current bylaws draft. Consideration was given to several topics including 6 board members versus 7, the role of the President (non-voting member unless there is a tie), and ensuring the best interests of the club through examination of the dissolution references.
Action Items
- Committee will meet again to review member feedback and prep the bylaws for legal review.
- Committee will investigate securing legal oversight.
- Larry will reach out to MN Gun Owners Caucus to inquire about legal guidance.
- Committee will communicate updated timeline expectations
Pistol Range Expansion Committee
Morley, Cramer and Waknitz were present from the committee and provided a report with an outline of wetland credit costs. Several options were discussed. Pete Weis projected you might need approximately 4,000 cubic yards of fill for the berms and building up the range. Target height for the berms was 14’ on the last range build.
Action Items
- The committee will coordinate with the Defensive Pistol committee and Jerry Ludwig/Ron (youth) to get recommendations on specs.
- Committee will investigate and present 3 options to the next membership meeting:
- A plan using wetland credits
- A plan not using wetland credits
- A plan moving the existing berms back and not using wetland credits
- The committee will also request estimates for dirt work from Mike Rasmussen.
Firearm Safety Course
Jamie Gegner was present at the meeting and reported that he hasn’t gotten together with Jerry yet for advisement and planning of the 2025 courses. He’s anticipating that the in-person course will be held as it has historically been held which would mean it would take place in March/April.
Action Items
- Jamie will connect with Jerry on dates for the 2025 class
Transmission Line Damage Committee
Amy Curtis reported that a blog has been created focusing on the need for projectiles to impact the berm and emphasising that members not place targets part way down the shooting lanes. Those present reviewed the blog post. Heather Koffler will also send out the blog post via email for those interested to review as well. It was also mentioned that the intention is to share this article out while being mindful of the sensitive nature of the situation. The article will be shared on social media and via email once approved and fully published on the website.
Amy and Heather also presented a draft of Member Guidelines. These guidelines would be used to help members understand expectations of behavior at the range and encourage safety. The drafted Member Guidelines document consists of a compilation of the current signage at the range as well as a number of other range guidelines. Once completed, guidelines will be available on the website as well as be included in an onboarding series of emails for new membership purchases.
Action Items
- Committee will field feedback from members Here are the links to the materials that were shared at last night’s meeting. Please share any feedback with myself and Amy by Tuesday, January 14th and we’ll get it updated.
- Committee will update proposed Member Guidelines and share with the group at the next meeting
- Committee will further develop a plan to share and build out the safety information with the membership.
- Committee will begin sharing the All shots need to impact the berm blog on social media and via email after feedback time has closed and updates have been made
Website
Heather Koffler presented a proposed sitemap for the new website provided by RV Tech Solutions. Little feedback was given. Heather will move forward with development of the website in conjunction with Amy Curtis.
Action Items
- Heather will continue to work with RV Tech Solutions to move the website forward.
Picnic Structure Improvements
Ron Matthews was not present at the meeting. Item was tabled to the next meeting.
Action Items
- Ron will provide quotes for running electric along with a structure quote for grant request.
Club Affiliations
Larry Weidell provided report that the CMP Affiliation and the NRA Affiliation have been renewed.
CMP Affiliation offers members to purchase firearms (M1s), ammunition and other items from the CMP store. Cost is $35 annually.
NRA Affiliation offers additional grant opportunities for club applications. Cost is $65 for a five year membership.
Next Meeting
Regular membership meetings are scheduled for the second Wednesday of the month October through April. Next meeting is Wednesday, February 12th at 7pm at the Redwood Falls American Legion.