HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - AIPCA Meeting Minutes from January 18, 2024Ames International Partner Cities Association (AIPCA)
Minutes of Virtual Meeting
January 18, 2024
Members in attendance: Cindy Hicks, Marina Kraeva, Karla McCollum, Michael Abrams, Nicki Mackey,
Valerie Stallbaumer, Katrina Harden Williams
Members absent: Calli Sandahl
Guest in attendance: Curt Youngs
Meeting was called to order by President Cindy Hicks at 5:33 pm.
Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting were deferred to the next meeting (due to the absence
of secretary Calli Sandahl).
Two items pertaining to the treasurer’s report were discussed: 1) Why are grant balanced listed
separately, and 2) some dues checks have not yet been deposited/cleared by payee’s bank (this needs
to be investigated) Marina moved and Nicki seconded approval of the treasurer’s report. Motion carried
unanimously.
President Hicks introduced Curt Youngs to members of AIPCA as the “local Kosovo expert”. She
explained that he has been involved with Kosovo since summer 2012, has made 20 trips there, and will
be working for an additional four years on a higher education reform grant funded by the US Agency for
International Development (USAID). He serves as the Iowa State University (ISU) liaison with Kosovo.
Katrina provided a middle school update. Ames presently has one designated sister city (Koshu City,
Japan), and a trip to Koshu is tentatively planned for July 2024. The date will likely coincide with the
Ames Community School District “dead week” for sports activities ((July 6-12? – need to verify). There is
an annual allocation of $7,000 - $8,000 from the City of Ames for AIPCA. In February 2024, the Ames City
Council will vote on the request for an increased budget. A question was raised about student
scholarships. President Hicks indicated that the Mayor of Ames will seek scholarship funding from other
sources. It is possible that local business and Ames community members may be willing to provide
money for student scholarships. Katrina will distribute application to all 7th and 8th grade students, as
well as to interested 9th grade students (whose opportunity was impacted by COVID).
A scouting trip to Podujeva, Kosovo was discussed. Karla has been to Podujeva (as has been Curt
Youngs). She described the nearby lake with kayaking and paddleboard opportunities, and the Kosovo
Security Forces (KSF) war memorial. A KSF cyber security competition (coordinated with ISU professor
Doug Jacobsen) was held there, and the region is known for its agricultural products. Michael stated that
it is important to identify specific goals associated with the scouting trip. Cindy mentioned the group
should try to coordinate timing of the trip with one of Curt Youngs’ upcoming trips to Kosovo – so that
he can participate in activities and meeting in Podujeva.
Karla discussed that Iowa Sister States has active engagement in Padua province in the Veneto region of
Italy near Venice and Verona. Padua is home to one of the oldest universities in the world (the
University of Padua - founded in 1222). It was the first to admit women for studies, and Galileo Galilei
taught there. It is a large public university (more than 72,000 students according to Wikipedia), and they
have strong degree programs in agricultural, forestry, and food sciences – which aligns them well with
ISU strengths. The university has a historical botanical garden where research is done on medicine and
agriculture. They share seeds and plants with others, and they have a 500-year-old palm tree. They have
bachelor’s degree programs in agricultural science and technology, animal science and technology,
environmental sciences, etc. There is an ISU campus in Rome that focuses on fashion, and the ISU
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has a student leadership program in Rome at the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). There are three contacts with the Veneto
municipal government, including Andréa (who was born in Padua) and Allesándra (a frequent RAGBRAI
participant). Padua is known for Prosecco wine, prosciutto ham, mozzarella cheese (made from water
buffalo milk), and pecorino sheep (a parmesan-like cheese made from sheep’s milk) . A group of farmers
from Padua attended the Fram progress Show and met with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.
Karla has mentioned that people from Padua could come for Bacon Fest in Des Moines and Bacon Expo
in Ames.
A question was raised if there is sufficient community interest (minimum of 3-6 people) and enough
time to support two new international sister city relationships (in Kosovo and Italy). AIPCA operates as a
volunteer organization. The suggestion was made to develop sister city committees comprised of
persons who are not AIPCA board members. The Iowa-Italian Center in Des Moines and the “Cytalia”
license plates seen locally were mentioned as evidence of existing Iowa-Italy relationships.
The need to widely advertise the opportunity to join and participate in new sister city committees was
discussed. The “city news” brochure that is enclosed with all utility bills was mentioned as one
possibility. Michael asked the question of the Mayor of Ames and the Ames City Council been consulted
about expansion of AIPCA activities. The need for outside grants, and other fund-raising options such as
GoFundMe pages, was discussed.
The annual newsletter was not able to be discussed. Callie was not present at either the November or
December meetings to discuss this, and she is absent tonight. Cindy will contact Callie to draft a plan;
they will ask board members for help. Potential items to include: a) Karla is a new board member, 2)
Japan trip with the Mayor and others, Allen Caldwell and government/student excghanges, Japanese
Club. Cnidy will send out an e-mail.
There will be a meeting next week with the mayor and Chamber of Commerce. The Japan-Ames
partnership will be discussed.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:33 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Curt Youngs