The American Royal Announces Over $1.3 Million Given Back To The Community In Support Of Its Mission
Monday, February 27, 2006
Kansas City, MO- The American Royal formally announced a contribution of over $1.3 million in financial support dedicated to fulfill its mission in 2005. The financial support, including the giving of scholarships and educational awards, the development and execution of educational programs, the fulfillment of community-requested donations and the distribution of competitive awards, prize monies and premiums, was reported by a newly formed volunteer task force at the association’s annual meeting.
Over three hundred supporters of the American Royal were on hand to be the first to learn of the task force’s findings and the association’s giving to fulfill its purpose in 2005. Neal Patterson, Chairman and CEO of Cerner Corporation and American Royal Chairman of the Board of Directors and Jim McNair, Vice President of Life Sciences, Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri and American Royal Volunteer Committee Member and Board Member, announced the findings.
“Last year, we set out to define our impact to the community and we embarked on an economic impact study and master planning initiative,” said Patterson. “Those studies reported that the Royal currently has an economic impact of over $62 million to the community and, with the right improvements to the facilities in the future, has the opportunity to more than double that impact.”
“Last fall, the American Royal formed a new volunteer task force with the objective of narrowly defining the organization’s purpose, studying the association’s financial giving toward that purpose and reporting on those findings,” continued Patterson. “Today, we are pleased to unveil the task force’s findings.”
“The American Royal’s ‘purpose task force’ co-chaired by Dana Nelson and Bryan Beaver, developed a focused purpose statement to provide scholarships, education, awards and competitive learning experiences that reward hard work, leadership skills and agrarian values,” said Jim McNair. “We (the task force) studied the organization’s financial giving and defined the categories of giving to include: scholarships and educational awards, competitive awards, prizes and premiums, educational programs and community donations. With over $1million in giving toward this purpose, the American Royal gives back an impressive 24% of its total revenue toward the fulfillment of its mission.”
“While the financial measure of the scholarships, prizes and educational opportunities is impressive, the competitive learning experiences of the over 10,000 exhibitors in American Royal events this year is truly rewarding,” continued McNair. “These individuals, of all age groups, enjoy experiences that boost their self esteem while providing the entire community the enjoyment of witnessing these events and participating in their growth and development. These social contributions to our community shared by family and friends are just as important as the financial measures that have been listed. This is true wherever the competitor placed in their event.”
The American Royal’s annual meeting brought together American Royal members (Governors), volunteers, sponsors and supporters to celebrate the success of the 2005 season and to kick off the start of the 107th season. George M. Guastello, II American Royal President and CEO reported on the highlights of the 2005 season.
“The 2005 season was a glowing success,” said Guastello. “This year the barns were full with competitors from 43 states. The livestock show had 2,167 cattle, 583 hogs, 636 lambs and 156 goats; the American Royal Horse Shows had strong increases in entries and horses and we were again voted top horse show of the year for our UPHA/American Royal National Championship.
“As the American Royal continues to grow, our impact to the community and our giving toward our purpose will grow along with us,” said Guastello. “We want to thank all of you, our competitors, exhibitors, riders, sponsors and especially our volunteers for your contributions to the success of the Royal. Without you, it would not be possible to break and set records as we have this year.”
As part of the Annual meeting, Mary Ann Powell, Volunteer Committee Chair remarked on the impact of the American Royal Volunteer Core. “In 2005, over 1300 American Royal Volunteers logged over 13,500 hours in support,” said Ms. Powell. “Tonight we recognize nine of those volunteers who gave over 200 hours each in support.”
The American Royal Annual meeting closed with remarks from the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Neal Patterson outlining goals for the future.
The American Royal, a not-for-profit organization that benefits youth and education, is now in its 107th year and celebrates our region’s rich agricultural heritage through competition, education and entertainment. The American Royal, one of Kansas City’s premier fall events, annually hosts the world’s largest barbecue contest, one of the Midwest’s largest livestock exhibitions, one of the top five ranked rodeos in the nation and is home of the national championship horse competition.
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