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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - AIPCA Meeting Minutes from April 16, 2026MINUTES AMES INTERNATIONAL PARTNER CITIES ASSOCIATION Electric Meeting, Zoom April 16, 2026 Call to Order Chair Karla McCollum called the meeting of the AIPCA to order at 5:42 p.m. In attendance were Karla McCollum, Marina Kraeva, Laura Hansen, Katrina Williams, Eric Smidt, Tim and Deb Lentsch, Nicki Mackey, Valerie Stallbaumer. Cindy Hicks and Charlotte Marqueste were absent. Approval of Minutes Move by Hansen, seconded by Mackey, to approve the April 16, 2026 minutes. Vote on Motion: 9 – 0. Motion carried unanimously. Approval of Treasury Report Two $1,000 checks were sent out; one to each Eric Smidt and Elena Brown for being volunteers on the upcoming student trip to Koshu, Japan. $2,397.82 will be sent to Katrina Wiliams, who has organized the trip and will be leading the trip. Moved by Kraeva, seconded by Mackey. Vote on the motion 9- 0. Motion carried unanimously. Koshu Committee a. Ames trip to Koshu—Eric Smidt, of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, was introduced as one of the adult delegates to the Koshu, Japan trip on June 29 — July 6, 2026. It was also reported that the ISU Daily (newspaper) did an article on the Koshu— Ames relationship. Next, the Daily will do an article on the Podujevo— Ames relationship. b. Williams said that a “Meet and Greet” for the student -delegates and their families and the two chaperones was held on April 7. Activities occurred that allowed students to get to know each other. Specific information was shared about behavior expectations and what items should be brought on the trip. c. The schedule for the Koshu City Youth Delegation visiting Ames has been set for September 17 to 22, 2026. A few ideas were discussed about activities to schedule for the visiting Japanese youth delegates. Also, we discussed possible transportation options. d. Hansen said that the request for host families was sent out and this application form was first sent to the parents of the Ames students going to Koshu, Japan this year. Kosovo Committee a. On March 30, 2026 a planning meeting between Ames and Podujeva was conducted. On March 31, 2026, the monthly Podujeva committee meeting was held. The three areas of discussion were: Business and Economic Development, Education and Academic Exchange, and Culture, Youth, and Community Engagement. b. McCollum said that the trip of Ames Delegates to Podujevo will probably be in September and that she will let us know the details. Winefest a. It was decided that a smaller wine tasting event should be planned ahead of time so that details can be worked out for a larger event, possibly held at the same time as the Ames Octagon Festival. b. An additional topic was the idea of creating murals in downtown Ames somewhere to represent each of our partner cities. Eric Smidt said that he will try to find possible building that may be used for these murals. c. Stallbaumer added that she was working with a business in Koshu that wanted to design a fragrance mixing sources from Koshu and Ames. The fragrance could be used as a room diffuser and also sold at the Winefest. Discuss Bylaws a. Some people had to leave early but McCollum and others reviewed the details of the updated Bylaws that have been suggested. Adjourn As more people had to leave, including Stallbaumer, the secretary, the meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m., with the remaining people still discussing the updated Bylaws.