The election of Tom Schmidtz as the new chair was a significant focal point of the meeting. With the Vice Chair opting to remain in their current role, Schmidtz was nominated and unanimously confirmed. The Commission also addressed the vacant secretary position, considering Ellie Sweeney for the role, but decided to defer the election until the next meeting to allow time for city council consideration.

A topic for the commission was the preparation for the 2025 exchange program. Members discussed launching an advertising campaign in November, with a focus on reaching potential applicants during the Thanksgiving break. This timing was seen as strategic, with one member emphasizing the importance of engaging students while they are home. Efforts to involve local high schools and colleges were prioritized, with approval for City Administration to send out notices through USPS mail or email.

The commission explored avenues to expand community involvement, particularly by encouraging local residents to become host families for incoming trainees. There was a push to increase the “friends group” associated with the Commission. This outreach included leveraging local media to promote the Sister Cities programs. Ideas such as interviews with past host families to share their experiences were proposed, utilizing platforms like local newspapers and community events to highlight personal stories.

In addition, the meeting discussed a proposal to offer recreational opportunities for inbound trainees from sister cities. A suggestion to include a park and recreation punch card for their use was met with strong support and unanimously approved.

The commission also accepted a historical artifact, a replica of the ancient Lion Man carving, introduced by guest Dennis W. The artifact will be displayed in city hall, with plans for Mr. Mack to present it to the city council. This gesture underscores the commission’s dedication to cultural exchange and historical appreciation.

The meeting addressed the application timeline for outbound trainees, with some members advocating for an extension from six to eight weeks to improve outreach and application collection. While opinions varied, the consensus was to start marketing efforts soon, particularly targeting academic institutions to inform potential candidates.

Efforts to revive the German language camp were also discussed, contingent on finding an instructor. The commission expressed interest in preparing a framework document to aid in discussions with potential instructors.