HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - AIPCA Meeting Minutes from September 18, 2025Ames International Partner Cities Association
September 18, 2025
Meeting Minutes
Attendees: Marina Kraeva, Kicki Macki, Jessica Fincham, Laura Hansen, Valerie
Stallbaumer. Karla McCollum is out of the country till September 25.
Marina started the meeting at 5:38pm. Nicki moved to approve the minutes and
Marina seconded the motion.
Laura gave the Treasurer Report. She said that the money for the October 16 event is
not available until after it is over. Also, we are waiting for a check from the City of
Ames that Cindy Hicks has now. $2,000 is for the Podujeva event on October 16.
Valerie moved to approve the Treasurer Report and Jessica seconded it.
So far, 25 people are signed up for the October 16 Wine-Tasting event—21 are paid
members, four are AIPCA Board members. It was decided that two people would be
allowed at the event for every paid member.
Voting was held over which venue should host the event—Alliance office or Clouds.
Board members present voted unanimously that Clouds should be the venue. There
will be a $200 down payment for the reservation. The City of Ames will pay $600
toward the reservation.
Jessicas suggested that a “donation box” be added to the invitation. Laura suggested
sending the invitation to all people on the email list and invite them to join our
membership. The City of Ames has the AIPCA membership sign-up in their website.
Laura will send out two invitations. One to all paid members. The second to all others
to let them know that they can become members.
Discussion turned to planning for the Koshu student exchanges for 2026. Jessica found
out that airport transportation by Executive Express was $600 each way. An SUV
holding 3-4 people was $223 each way. Realistically, we thought 16 people plus
luggage was a good number of visitors to plan for.
It was noted that Koshu is having a Festival on October 20. Jessica will receive a video
about the history of the Ames--Koshu partnership from Mayor Haila to send to them.
Marina ended the meeting at 6:50pm. (Other business can wait until November.)