HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - AIPCA Meeting Minutes from January 16, 2025Ames International Partner Cities Association
January 16, 2025
Meeting Minutes
Attendees: Michael Abrams, Jessica Fincham, Laura Hansen, Marina Kraeva, Nicki Mackey, Karla
McCollum, Valerie Stallbaumer, Katrina Harden-Williams
1. Call to Order: 5:32pm by Karla McCollum
Jessica Fincham welcomed to our association. She works with international students at ISU
with the SEVIS program.
2. Approval of November minutes
a. Motion to approve by Michael, seconded by Nicki. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Treasurer Report by Laura
a. Account balance as of 01/06/2025--$5,494.37.
b. Center Grove Orchard was paid for the entry and meal vouchers.
c. Zeffy system of membership payment was tried out successfully.
d. Motion to approve by Nicki, seconded by Marina. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Project of making cranes with JASI. Peggy Kem is the honorary consul from Japan.
a. Discussion about where to hang thee cranes for Iowans to see.
5. Karla summarized some recent changes with the Iowa International Center (IIC)
a. The Iowa Economic Authority in the International Trade office now manages the State
Partnership.
b. Karla and Chuck Safras are volunteers with the State Partnership for Yamanashi.
c. Yamanashi students come for the dental program at DMACC.
d. We can submit requests for funding from the State Partnership; i.e. for the wine festival.
6. Karla had to leave and asked that we discuss the newsletter. Marina took over as host.
a. Members turned in their reports of the October visit by the Japanese. Editing will be
done by Laura. Nicki will send out the final version to all of us via Google docs.
b. It was suggested that we get more comments from the Iowa students who went to Japan.
Katrina offered to have a student submit their summary of the experience.
c. Members were asked to submit photos for the newsletter by January 24.
d. Someone should check with Cindy Hicks to learn how to finalize the newsletter for
distribution.
7. Kosovo as a possible city partnership. We probably need for more association members to
coordinate with another partner city. Only consulate of Kosovo is in Des Moines.
a. An ISU professor travels to Kosovo frequently.
8. Update of Wine Festival by Michael Abrams
a. We should start small—maybe plan for 80-100 people. Maybe a “Paint & Sip” idea.
b. We need a date, venue, and fundraising. Need to know the import/export rules.
c. Yoko in Des Moines and a person at UNI are helping with communication etiquette.
d. We will need license, insurance, and servers.
9. Marina designed and printed thank-you cards for the October Japanese-Ames events.
a. Nicki offered to send some to Red Granite Farm, Reiman Gardens, and Ames businesses .
b. Marina has sent some to the Middle School staff and some High School teachers.
10. Valerie, acting secretary, had to leave at 6:45pm. The meeting adjourned shortly after.