Whew, we just got back from trying to “rob” the GSB “bank” (“GSB rejects funding bill for Ag Club,” September 11).

We were lucky to get out of there with still some modicum of dignity, or so the Daily would have us believe. This letter is to voice our side of the story, something that the Daily failed to provide.

Yes, the Agricultural Education Club asked GSB for funds to take an educational trip to the Chicago High School for Agriculture.

This trip was intended as an effort to provide our members with a valuable learning tool that will further them in their education as Ag teachers.

Chicago has a very rich and rewarding program that would be a benefit for the 14 students to observe.

Yes, a mistake was made in the bill. We failed to realize, with the new by-laws that were passed, that a full budget had to be included.

We have no ill feelings over this point. For the lack of a better expression, “we screwed up.”

To clarify one point that was made in the article, the Ag Ed Club has pursued other avenues of funding for this trip.

Ag Council, Educational Student Advisory Council (ESAC) and Student Affairs, as well as funds from the Club’s treasury, were all considered for funding opportunities.

They have committed similar funds in previous years, but they will all be at a lower percentage than last year.

This is why we asked GSB for funds, not just because they were “handing out money at the teller window.”

The Ag Ed Club requires a large amount of funding for transportation and lodging for conventions and tours that we attend in addition to our own fundraising activities.

We try to provide our members with an “investment” that will strengthen their learning experience here at Iowa State through the use of educational tours and diversity training.

Our mission statement says volumes about this:

“Preparing agricultural educators for tomorrow by promoting leadership and cooperation today.”

The Ag Ed Club does not intend to just simply get by on the “interest” from the “down payment” that we make in our members.

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Tim Felderman

Junior

Agricultural education

Agricultural Education Club vice-president

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Matt Wenger

Junior

Agricultural Education

Agricultural Education Club ESAC representative