MAY 2005

Back row: Arlene Schwartzenbach, Laurel Kurtt, Cheryl Jensen, Lavon McEnany, Shirley Walker, Ann Bock. Front row: Donna Matthias, Dottie Roiseland, Audrey Leisingr, Judy Torgerson,

The Cedar Bend Investment Club was organized in the fall of 1995 and is still going strong with mostly "original " members. It began with a member reading about the Beardstown Ladies. Through her enthusiasm, the rest of us became interested too. We read the book, we watched the tape, and soon we were on a roll. We have a commitment to make this a long-term club. We all feel really fortunate to be together in this group. Our club has such a good time; we get along so well and agree to learn all we can. As a result, each of us has increased her awareness of the world's of business and politics.

Our club consists of ten partners. We have a president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary, some of whom have served the entire time since we organized. We seem to be content with the arrangement. We are dedicated investors and seldom miss a meeting. Each member adds $20 per month to her investments. Funds are held in an account and we don't necessarily invest each and every month. We reinvest dividends as well as the proceeds of any sales.

We meet monthly in homes, or while "eating out" together. Of course, a dessert treat and coffee are our first order of business, and we can catch up with each other's personal lives. We are busy with jobs and families, and yet we can manage to keep on learning without jeopardizing our daily responsibility. Occasionally we invite a speaker from the area and sometimes we meet with other nearby clubs and share ideas.

Despite the roller-coaster market, our club's portfolio is showing an average annual total return of almost 10%. One of our greatest challenges is to decide when to sell. We also try to buy at the best possible time and not just when we are excited about a new stock.

Our membership in NAIC is a definite plus to our club and a learning tool for each of our members. Some partners have their own portfolios through NAIC. We bring the latest BetterInvesting Magazine to each meeting. Sometimes we also bring recent copies if we want to make a point or suggest a new stock. Our membership in NAIC gives us the opportunity to get such information from one source.