Monthly Meeting Summary
Monday, April 20, 2026, 7:00pm - Lakes Activity (Senior) Center, Spirit Lake
Meeting was called to order by Terry Yarns at 7:03PM with the Pledge of Allegiance. Attendance was 24.
Motion to approve the Treasurer Report as presented was made by Suzie Kalsow and seconded by Scott Chambers. Carried.
Secretary Report – No formal meeting in March so no minutes presented
Treasurer’s Report: presented by Kaylene Kinlen. Summary of previous month’s bank activity was presented.
Beginning Balance as of 3-23-26 $2,202.30
Receipts ActBlue Donation 24.01
Wal-Mart Return of Poster Boards 8.50
Hobby Lobby Return Poster Boards 29.17
Total 61.88
Expenses Lakes News Shopper Advertising 174.67
Total 174.67
Ending Balance as of 4-20-26 $2,089.31
Motion to approve the Treasurer Report as presented was made by Suzie Kalsow and seconded by Scott Chambers. Carried.
Items of Business for Discussion:
Rachel Gravert running for Iowa Senate District 5 as an Independent gave a short presentation. She is a public school teacher at Harris-Lake Park.
Upcoming Key Dates:
District Convention 5/2 Ft Dodge
State Convention 6/13 Des Moines
Sizzler 8/11 Spirit Lake Expo Center. May meeting will be devoted to organizing the Summer Sizzler.
5 Delegates will be attending the District Convention: Kaylene Kinlen, Terry Yarns, Karen Sterk, Natalie Wilkinson, Patrick Kelly.
Communications Plan. Jen Johnson gave a presentation on Strategic Plan 2026. Making GOOD (Grassroots-Operations-Organizing-Development).
Included in the presentation:
The Governance Calendar. Centralized Tracking. Two-Person Buddy System. Standardized Reporting.
Heightened Visibility & Branding. Consistent Presence. Digital Content Engine. The “Mobile Office” Concept
Organizational Structure. Create “Action Cells” and their Responsibilities.
Strategic Messaging Pillars. Messaging should focus on issues that impact every Resident: Fiscal Accountability. Environmental Stewardship. District Issues. Smart Growth.
Immediate Action Steps (next 30 Days). Audit the Boards. Meeting Blitz. Volunteer Social.
Other Notes: Add TikTok. Snapchat. Community Outreach. Literature.
IDC Coordinated Campaign. Terry Yarns gave an update on this.
Karen Sterk had 3 items for consideration.
There is a fee of $30 per Delegate at the District Convention. Motion made/carried. Michael H/Kim A.
Consider that we have the monthly meetings at other towns in the County.
County Attorney should be a non-patrician position. Consider Bethany Brands for the position.
Motion to adjourn was made by Karen S/Jessie H. Carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:28 PM.
The next meeting is Monday, May 18, 2026, 7:00pm. Spirit Lake Senior Center
Don Breuker, Secretary