A number of Sierra members from Des Moines and the outlying groups will converge on the Oak Woods Learning Center near Saylorville Lake(See directions below) this weekend March 22 and 23. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> National Sierra representatives Martha Wellman from Florida and Don Goldbloom from Maryland will be consulting with the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club about various fundraising strategies, the first such in-state consultation on this needed activity. Our agenda looks like this: Saturday morning: Review of current efforts and basics; critical considerations of compliance, volunteers and campaign. Saturday afternoon: Chapter's fundraising strengths and weaknesses, the team, Case Statement, grants, pledge program, events. Sunday morning: Major gifts, chapter fundraising plan Both group and chapter members and leaders will benefit from this intensive look at the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities in Iowa fundraising. If you would like to participate either or both days, please email Jane Clark ( [log in to unmask]) or Jim Redmond ( [log in to unmask]). The club is furnishing breakfast and lunch both days so we could use a headcount. We promise that club fellowship will help us all plan for reaching our state conservation goals. Jim Redmond Northwest Iowa Group DIRECTIONS From Merle Hay Road at Interstate 35/80 intersection, go straight north about 2+ miles on Merle Hay Road. This will take you through Johnston. Pass under a viaduct and in a few hundred feet, there will be a stop sign at NW Beaver Drive. Turn left on Beaver, proceed past Hyperion Golf Course, past the jet airplane, and soon there will be two low-profile water towers on the right. Just past the water towers, turn right on NW 78th Street. NW 78th Street will take you past the National Guard Armory, down the hill and around the turn and over the "gorge" that is below the spillway of Saylorville Lake. Continue on up the hill to a stop sign. Straight ahead is the Oak Woods Learning Center. It is an older brown ranch-style house. There is a small "Audubon" sign on the front window. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]