2018 Charitable Awards Announcement

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Written by Jim Green

The 2018 RCRV Charitable Grant program received nineteen applications from local non-profit organizations, with the total requested funds close to $150,000. Each of the applications was focused on improving the organization’s ability to recruit and manage volunteers who support the mission of the organization. It is wonderful that the grant program received so much attention, but with only $15,000 to donate, not all requests could be honored. The grant evaluation committee met in late April and determined that six applicants would receive funding this year.

• Cedar Amateur Astronomers will receive $3,100 to create a volunteer management/scheduling tool and a brochure for recruiting additional volunteers. John Leeson sponsored this request.
• College Community Schools will receive $1,500 to equip a workroom at Prairie Creek Intermediate School specifically for volunteers. Terry Lamb sponsored Prairie’s application.
• The Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson County Regional Transit Authority will receive $1,000 to help recruit additional volunteer drivers for expanded services in Delaware County. Mike Wilson sponsored this request.
• The Jones County Volunteer Center will receive $1,000 for recruiting and training additional volunteers in programs such as Elderly Outreach Transportation, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), and Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). Gwen Duecker supported this application.
• Matthew 25 will receive $4,900 to purchase two tablets and a volunteer management & tracking program for use in its Transform, Housing and Home Renovation program. Bob Ocken sponsored this request.
• Waypoint Services will receive $3,500 for a pilot program for mentoring volunteers at three of its eleven sites that provide before and after school childcare and tutoring. Michael Pearson sponsored this application.

The RCRV officers expect to be able to present award checks to these six organizations at the June 20, 2018 Board Meeting.

The RCRV Charitable Grant program was established to allow RCRV and its members to recognize and reward deserving non-profit organizations in support of RCRV’s mission statement:

Rockwell Collins retirees connecting to identify and support volunteer needs in our community and beyond while enriching the lives of the volunteers.

The program is supported and funded through the Rockwell Collins Charitable Trust.

EIOLC Outdoor Planetarium

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A number of RCRV members are involved with Cedar Amateur Astronomers (CAA) in the operation of the Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center (EIOLC).

The partnership between Cedar Amateur Astronomers and Linn County Conservation recently received a grant from the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation for the development of an Outdoor Planetarium which will be located at the site of the EIOLC at 1365 Ivanhoe Road. An Outdoor Planetarium uses the actual night sky with a presentation about the visible objects in the sky using a green laser pointer. The audience sees a narrow green line from the presenter to the astronomical object so there is no confusion about what is being described.

Construction of the Outdoor Planetarium will begin this Spring and is expected to be completed by Fall of 2018. The design and specific location of the Outdoor Planetarium was determined as a result of trial presentations performed by CAA to identify the seating, lighting, and audio requirements for nighttime presentations. The permanent seating is planned to accommodate 50 to 60 guests. The picture on the right shows a bird's eye view of the EIOLC campus, with the oval on the bottom showing the location of the new Outdoor Planetarium.

Cedar Amateur Astronomers provides 12 free Public Events, and an average of 60 Private Events at the EIOLC each year for community organizations, scouting groups, church groups, public and private schools, colleges, and universities.

Information regarding CAA and events at the EIOLC is available at cedar-astronomers.org. This web site includes a listing of the 12 free Public Programs at the EIOLC during 2018.

The Apollo Moon Landing Celebration

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Written by Terald Lamb

• All space English voice audio and video transmissions have been on Collins equipment. 
• Collins equipment never had any operational failures in the space program. 
• Collins provided much of the tracking support for the space missions. (If you would like to see a good movie about the tracking support rent “The Dish”). 

2018 Charitable Grant Program

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Once again,  RCRV is continuing the annual Charitable Grant Program for local non-profit organizations.

Grant Funding is available through the Rockwell Collins Retiree Volunteers (RCRV) charitable grant program for calendar year 2018. Rockwell Collins, Inc sponsors this program.

2018 Focus Area: This year's community grant program will be available for non-profits that engage volunteers. Grants can be used for volunteer recruitment, retention and training to help the non-profit effectively and efficiently complete its mission.

Statement of Purpose: Allow RCRV and its members to recognize and reward deserving non-profit organizations in support of RCRV’s mission statement:

Rockwell Collins retirees connecting to identify and support volunteer needs in our community and beyond while enriching the lives of the volunteers.

The RCRV grant program offers up to $15,000 to deserving organizations. The minimum grant award will be $1,000.

• The programs will target organizations who wish to enhance the management of their volunteers. We are looking for non-profit groups that are providing innovative ways to recruit, train and retain their volunteer base, as well as identifying how RCRV members might be used to implement the programs and/or how they might benefit as volunteers with these new initiatives.
• The organizations supported by these grants need to meet the same qualifications as used by Rockwell Collins, Inc. for its charitable giving program. Applicants are requested to provide documentation of non-profit status.
• Applicants need to be recommended and endorsed by an active member of Rockwell Collins Retiree Volunteers.
• The application should be short and succinct; describing how both the funding and retirees volunteer resources will be used to support the focus area identified for this year’s grant program.
• Request for funds may include an open ended list of opportunities such as mini-grants for participation, transportation, or a staff position for organizations that support this year’s focus area.
• Applicants are encouraged to creatively apply for funds in collaborative ways.
• No more than one grant will be made in any year to a particular agency.

Grant application deadline is COB March 31, 2018.