HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - AIPCA Meeting Minutes from March 19, 2026MINUTES
AMES INTERNATIONAL PARTNER CITIES ASSOCIATION
Electric Meeting, Zoom
March 19, 2026
Attendees: Laura Hansen, Dawn Larsen, Tim and Beb Lentsch, Charlotte Marqueste, Nicki
Mackey, Katrina Williams, Valerie Stallbaumer
Laura called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. Laura made a motion to approve the January
and February minutes with one correction—the Koshu City travel expenses from the city of Ames
is $3,000, not $3,00. Motion was seconded by Nicki. This money is to be given as $1,000 to
each of the three volunteers going on the trip. Itemized receipts must be given to Laura in order
to be reimbursed.
The two chaperones will receive $1,000 each and Karina Williams, who is leading the trip, will
receive $2,397.82 total, with the balance coming from the AIPCA treasury.
Laura summarized the treasury report with a balance of $6,746.89 which included one new
membership. She wrote up a more detailed summary to be included in the upcoming newsletter.
She emphasized that we should all become more familiar with the Zeffy online payment
application since that works well to pay memberships. Nicki moved to approve the treasury
report. Deb seconded it.
For the community grant update, there was no new updates. Laura reported that there are 32
paid members, with only one payment needed for a family. She also said that the email list we
have is not all paid members. Someone asked if we have a reason or i ncentive to have more
paid memberships. It was noted that only paid members are invited to the annual dinner.
Charlotte suggested that members could get a discount at the planned Winefest.
The Koshu committee reported that there are 17 student delegates going to Koshu, Japan this
summer. There will be a “Meet and Greet” arranged by the JASI (Japanese Society) for the
families of the delegates to learn more about customs and expectations for the students going
on the trip. The two chaperones going on the trip are: Eric Smidt, representing the City of Ames,
and Elena Brown, and Ames Community School District employee.
Discussion was shared about possible ways to help the students earn money for these trips.
Dawn Larson said that Fort Dodge students had a silent auction, grants, tee shirt sales, and
working at Pizza Ranch to help earn money. After the trip, students mad e presentations to any
community foundation that helped with the fund raising. Tim and Deb Lentsch said that they
would like to help with any fund-raising efforts.
The Podujeva committee submitted a late summary of their February 24 meeting. Cindy Hicks
wrote up the summary which will be presented separately. More discussion included how to
update our by-laws and how to increase our membership.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:40pm.