District IX
Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
In April, two of our South Dakota associate vice presidents (AVPs), Arend Schuurman and Jim Tiller, attended the annual Sioux Falls Sodbusters Auction. Here is a report from Jim on this long-running event:
This is one of my annual pilgrimages. The Sodbuster auction keeps bringing me back for several reasons. It is well run by a great group of Sodbuster volunteers who make it easy to register, buy, and deliver sold items. Terry Brink, a professional auctioneer, has been a part of the auction for many years and is an integral part of its success. With his auction skills, nearly 350 items crossed the block in less than 5 hours, including a break for lunch. This efficiency attracts many buyers and sellers from a four-state area. Lots of buyers make for spirited bidding, which is the key.
A bonus was having the local Civil Air Patrol group volunteer their time to haul objects in and out, organize the items for timely sale, and generally add their muscle power to make it all happen.
A message for your club is the success this group has had working with the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in using this 18,000 sq. ft. space that more than accommodates the event as it grows and prospers.
Several years ago, a committee was appointed to investigate a larger space. Most clubs would not think to ask for such a large venue as the Sanford Center because of the cost, and, indeed, the first number given to the club was far outside of its price range. The committee was not deterred, and they were able to eventually work out a deal that was well within the club’s budget. It certainly helped when the club listed its involvement in the community including STEM activities with local youth.
Take this advice from the Sodbuster’s member Marv Rozeboom: “You have to ask and be persistent to achieve success.”
One of our clubs in District IX was hit by a tornado at the end of April. The Lincoln Sky Knights RC Club, in Waverly, Nebraska, suffered significant damage to their outbuildings and clubhouse, and their porta-potty was destroyed after it was picked up and dropped a few hundred feet away. There is a video you can find online (www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1wuPBHRi4Q) showing the tornado passing so close that just a few feet more, everything on-site could have been a total loss. The first 26 seconds shows the club field.
This club is home to one of our AVPs, Tyler Brown. We are thankful that the club didn’t sustain any more damage than it did, and even more grateful that no one was hurt.
If you know of a club that has similar troubles because of natural events in our district, such as floods, tornadoes, or fires, please let them know about the AMA Disaster Relief Grant because they could be eligible for up to $500 dollars from the AMA Foundation to help with repairs.
Brandon Koch
Vice President
amadmin@modelaircraft.org
Mandan ND
(701) 471-9575
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Craig Bastian, Casper WY; (307)577-6463; craigb1961@msn.com
Brian Blois, Winter Park CO; (720) 333-2720; brian.blois@outlook.com
Tyler Brown, Lincoln NE; (402) 617-0444; tylerzxc90@yahoo.com
Mark Dennis, Longmont CO; (951) 203-7776, MarkDflyer@gmail.com
Zac Heskin, Underwood ND; (701) 340-2039; zheskin23@yahoo.com
Rick McCaskill, Frederick CO; (303) 682-0440; rickm1947@aol.com
Zachary Roller, Rapid City SD; (605) 519-0815; zroller28@gmail.com
Arend Schuurman, Elkton SD; (605) 695-2122; arend.schuurman@gmail.com
Jim Tiller, Custer SD, (605) 390-3878; jilltr@hotmail.com
Terry Wiles, Harrisburg SD; terryscustom@yahoo.com
EVENT SANCTION COORDINATOR
Troy Hamm, Gardner KS; (913) 744-5745; funflyr@juno.com
