Category: Minutes

Aug 6th,2025 Mindbridge Meeting Minutes
In attendance:Jess and Tony Penticoff; Michele, Jon, and Rhianna Maakstead; Jenny Carhoff; Sheril Bongenrief, Adam Bowers, Amanda Bowersox, Alex Ward, Gillian Grochala, John Johnson, IlissaSue McClelland, Sam M, Chris Danerogil, Robin, Chealsey, Steve, Zero, Candice, Jim Castleberry, Kate Heckel

1. Treasurer’s Report (Jon): Up 58k
2. IT Officer (Tony): N/A
3. Storage Manager (Carhoff Alliance)
   1. Rebuilt grid wall storage area
   2. Lock broken getting new lock
   3. Reminder, nothing enters the storage locker without being marked, NO exceptions
4. Convention Reports-All conventions are looking for additional help.
   1. ICON (ICON 49.5 – Oct 11th 2025/ICON50-2026)
      1. Registrations have been ramping up
      2. If interested in staff or have other questions contact: info@iowa-icon.com
      3. If interested in Volunteering contact:info.icon.mb@gmail.com
   2. Gamicon (March 6th to 8th 2026)
      1. Next Staff Meeting Sun Aug 10th at 6Pm at Tim’s house at 271 Wiley Blvd NW Cedar Rapids, IA and online
      2. Events are open and starting to come in
      3. Merchant organization
      4. Bag Check, Jenny has volunteered
      5. Program Book organizer
      6. Hall Costume contest organizer
      7. If interested in volunteering, staff or have other questions contact: info@gamicon.org
   3. AnimeIowa (July 31th – Aug 2nd, 2026)
      1. Feedback Form Here
      2. We had a good attendance
      3. Need to ask about getting Charity Donation matched
      4. Post Mortem will be Sat 20th Sept
      5. Bills are being taken care
      6. Any AnimeIowa related grievance should be emailed to StaffRelations@animeIowa.com
      7. Volunteering please reach out at Recruitment@animeiowa.com
      8. If interested in volunteering, staff or have other questions contact: execs@animeiowa.com
5. Other Projects
   1. Game Library – Michele
      1. At Anime Iowa
      2. 206 games check outs
      3. 106 unique game checkouts
      4. 147 unique users
      5. Party games the most checked out
      6. Next Year Gen Con falls on the same weekend as AnimeIowa
         1. Will need people to help set up and run Game Room
   2. Video Game Library
      1. At AnimeIowa
      2. Video Game Library Assets & Finances
         1. We ended up with 3 new Switch 2s, and have 6 new TVs.
         2. We traded one Switch, a PS2, and an XBox 360 in for more Switch 2 Pro Controllers.
         3. We acquired a Guitar Hero controller and games for the PS2
         4. We got rid of one old TV that was broken after AnimeIowa.
         5. Installed Street Fighter 6 DLC on the PS5 and all four PS4s
      3. Video Game Library Planning
         1. We need more staff, both for the Library in general, but also at our cons (AnimeIowa and Gamicon especially).
         2. The feedback form for after AnimeIowa is currently live, with 1 response so far: Here
         3. If people are interested in assisting the Video Game Library, they can reach out to info@videogamelibrary.org
      4. Some technical issues popped up, but fortunately workarounds were able to be made.
         1. The Street Fighter 6 tournament went well, but the Mario Kart 64 time trial only had two participants.
         2. A new room layout was tried which was overall successful.
         3. If anyone wants to see the checkout data, it can be viewed here: Checkouts
         4. Overall, 382 hours, 15 minutes, 30 seconds of total gameplay (not including SteamDeck, arcade unit, or DDR/Guitar Hero since those don’t require checking in/out a badge to play). This compares to 291 hours, 32 minutes, 38 seconds from AnimeIowa 2024.
         5. Overall, 554 checkouts, which is an increase to the 515 checkouts from AnimeIowa 2024.
         6. Huge thank you to Andy who ran the AnimeIowa Video Gaming Department and made all of this possible.
      5. Need assistance with running Video Game Library please contact Adam
   3. TrekFest – Jenny Carhoff & Alex (June 26-28th, 2026)
      1. Information to follow soon
      2. If interested please contact Jenny at mommayaya911@gmail.com subject Trekfest
   4. Book Group
      1. August 21st – General discussion on books that we have read at 6 PM, Edgewood Rd Panera, Cedar Rapids
      2. September 18th – Magician’s Lie by Greer Macallister, Location TBD
      3. November will be Wicked by Gregory Maguire: We will be talking about the book and watching on of the parts of the movie, Location TBD
   5. Anybody wanting to become Mindbridge Members
      1. Gillian Grochala -is now a member
6. Old Business
   1. Board Member update: Sheril has been reelected, term to end at AI in 2028
   2. Pens are still needing to be ordered.
   3. Pronoun ribbons need to be ordered.
      1. Tabletop gaymers would be interested in working with us on bulk orders
   4. Board authorizes Jon to look into Badge wallets
7. If there are any problems or questions address them to Amanda from now until Sept 3rd, 2025 meeting Email mindbridge-bod@googlegroups.com
8. New Business
   1. Vote to approve the Mindbridge Treasurer (Jon Maakestad) to reinvest the monies to our CD’s#1009, 1010 back into a new CD from Green State Credit Union when they mature on August 13, 2025
      1. Approved by Mindbridge Membership
   2. Proposed update to grievance by-laws
      1. Any AnimeIowa related grievance should be emailed to StaffRelations@animeIowa.com
      2. See attachment for proposal
      3. Will review at Sept meeting, to vote on in October
   3. 5th Street Social Saturday 9th, 2025 4-10pm in Coralville at US Bank between 5th and 10th

Next meeting will be Wed Sep 3 ,2025 @ 7pm online and in person at the Penticoff house 6914 Amhurst Dr Cedar Rapids, IA

Mindbridge Meeting Minutes AnimeIowa

1. Treasurer’s Report (Jon): Need to actively start training new MB Treasurer
2. IT Officer (Tony): N/A
3. Storage Manager (Carhoff Alliance): One lock broke. Might have to be replaced. Temp lock
4. Convention Reports – All conventions are looking for additional help.
   1. AnimeIowa (July 24th – 27th, 2025)
      1. Volunteering, please reach out at Recruitment@animeiowa.com
      2. If interested in volunteering, staff or have other questions contact: execs@animeiowa.com
      3. Charity $3742
      4. Reg numbers 2670 tentatively
      5. Looking for help in all departments
      6. Staff perks
         1. Food vouchers
         2. 15 hours gets free badge
   2. ICON (ICON 49.5 – Oct 11th, 2025/ICON50-2026)
      1. Working on getting everything together
      2. If interested in staff or have other questions, contact: info@iowa-icon.com
      3. If interested in Volunteering contact: info.icon.mb@gmail.com
   3. Gamicon (Feb 28-March 2nd, 2025)
      1. Over 300 scheduled games
      2. Perk of Volunteering
         1. Raffle for game
         2. Cheaper to attending
      3. If interested in volunteering, staff or have other questions contact: info@gamicon.org
5. Other Projects
   1. Game Library: Michele
   2. Video Game Library
      1. Need 3 or 4 more staff
      2. Ideas can be put onto our Discord or e-mailed to info@videogamelibrary.org.
      3. Need assistance with running Video Game Library please contact Adam
   3. TrekFest Jenny Carhoff – If interested please contact Jenny at mommayaya911@gmail.com subject Trekfest
   4. Book Group: August 21st Dragons of Ordinary Farms by Tad Williams 6 PM, Edgewood Rd Panera, Cedar Rapids
   5. Anybody wanting to become Mindbridge Members
6. Old Business: If there are any problems or questions address them to Sheril from now until Sept 3rd, 2025, meeting Email mindbridge-bod@googlegroups.com
7. New Business
   1. Board Member update: Sheril has been reelected, term to end at AI in 2028
   2. Pens are still needing to be ordered.
   3. Pronoun ribbons need to be ordered

Next meeting will be Wed Aug 6th, 2025 @ 7pm online and in person at the ARC in Iowa City ARC 2401 Towncrest Dr 2401 Iowa City, IA. Across the street from the church of the Nazarene, two blocks from the old building.

Mindbridge Meeting Minutes July 2nd, 2025

1. Treasurer’s Report (Jon): Up 21k
2. IT Officer (Tony): Doug has computers and will bring them to Katie H at AI
3. Storage Manager (Carhoff Alliance)
   1. If a key is needed contact Jenny
   2. Supplies for labeling pictures will be attached to the email
4. Convention Reports – All conventions are looking for additional help.
   1. AnimeIowa (July 24th – 27th, 2025)
      1. Next meeting is July 12 at 2PM at the Hyatt and online (last of the three mandatory meetings for staff)
      2. Locker load on July 24th at noon meet at Locker
      3. Damon has stepped down as Con Com due to personal reasons.
      4. We have money; we will have a Con.
      5. Marketplace is full
      6. Guest travel booked
      7. Resume to hotel by department
      8. Contract signed for Encore (electricity)
      9. We will have dedicated bandwidth for staff in addition to dedicated internet for marketplace and reg
      10. If interested in volunteering, staff or have other questions contact: execs@animeiowa.com
   2. ICON (ICON 49.5 – Oct 11th 2025/ICON50-2026)
      1. Next ICON meeting will be in August to avoid AnimeIowa. Monitor Discord.
      2. Bree Moore is an attending author: Author’s Website Here
      3. Attending Professional badge (same $25 price) created that collections some data
      4. Some discussion happened on Reddit about vending at ICON 49.5
      5. Convention listed at: FanCon Events
      6. Doug is working on getting ownership of the ICON Discord. Some possible options:
         1. password change of associated email
         2. submit request to have ownership transferred
         3. abandon and create new Discord
         4. move all functionality to Mindbridge ICON section
      7. FilmScene Friday night (October 10) movie is still possible. FilmScene has a possible arthouse Afrofuturism movie in mind. We should know more in Mid-August.
      8. There will be Karaoke on Saturday
      9. If interested in staff or have other questions contact: info@iowa-icon.com
      10. If interested in Volunteering contact: info.icon.mb@gmail.com
   3. Gamicon (Feb 28-March 2nd, 2025)
      1. Sunday July 13th 6:30pm at Tim’s house at 271 Wiley Blvd NW Cedar Rapids, IA and online
      2. Rhianna is going to be reg
      3. Filling positions for Staff
      4. Working on budget 2026
      5. Working on new hotel contract
      6. If interested in volunteering, staff or have other questions contact: info@gamicon.org
5. Other Projects
   1. Game Library: Michele
      1. Aug 23rd is going to be
      2. The TTG Room schedule for AnimeIowa is posted on the AnimeIowa Discord in the Tabletop channel.
      3. We have purchased a new RPG set: Inspirisles, Overisles, and Shapes of Adventure.
      4. Inspirisles is an award-winning tabletop RPG, made in collaboration with the Deaf community, promoting storytelling, empathy and Deaf awareness, is very inclusive, and is directed at teen to adult age, so is perfect for families. We probably won’t have anything ready to run by AnimeIowa, but the hope is to be able to run for library programs next year.
      5. If anyone is interested in seeing these books, please let Michele Maakestad know.
   2. Video Game Library
      1. Currently have two Switch 2s in hand, with a third one ordered.
      2. Currently have 4 TVs in hand, with two more ordered. Price was lower or as-expected thanks to an Amazon Prime deal.
      3. Some small expansions to the library of the games leading up to the convention.
      4. Plan on getting the Street Fighter 6 DLC on the PS5 and the PS4 Slim for a tournament that is planned to be hosted at AnimeIowa.
      5. Possibly planning on getting the Smash Ultimate DLC on the Switch 2 consoles.
      6. A pop-up banner was acquired thanks to the great assistance of Michele Maakestad.
      7. Video Game Library Planning
         1. Currently on track for AnimeIowa. Consoles will need updated, and some final small purchases will be made to support the new consoles.
         2. Planning on hosting our inventory alongside the Board Game Library, whenever that date is set.
         3. We are looking for more assistance with the Library. People who can assist with staffing the video game room at Gamicon is appreciated, but we are also looking for people willing to discuss strategic direction(s) regarding inventory and policy as well.
         4. If people are interested in assisting the Video Game Library, they can reach out at info@videogamelibrary.org
         5. Will have a feedback form/survey for people to fill out at AnimeIowa or online. A sign with a QR code will be available for people to do it online.
      8. Miscellany
         1. If people have ideas for names or decals to put on our consoles so we can distinguish them, we are open to suggestions. Ideas can be put onto our Discord or e-mailed to info@videogamelibrary.org.
         2. Need assistance with running Video Game Library please contact Adam
   3. TrekFest: Jenny Carhoff
      1. Happened
      2. Thanks to all help for crowd control
   4. Book Group
      1. July 17th General Discussion of books we have read at Edgewood Rd Panera 6pm
      2. August 21st Dragons of Ordinary Farms by Tad Williams
6. Anybody wanting to become Mindbridge Members
7. Old Business
   1. Liam Carhoff’s graduation party on July 4th
   2. If there are any problems or questions address them to Sheril from now until Aug 6th, 2025 meeting Email mindbridge-bod@googlegroups.com
8. New Business
   1. Cedar Rapids Pride is on July 12th
   2. Superman comes out on July 11th, would Mindbridge like to do a movie outing?
   3. Saturday July 12th Game Day at Tempest Games
   4. Saturday Aug 9th location TBD

Next meeting will be Wed Aug 6th ,2025 @ 7pm online and in person at the ARC in Iowa City ARC 2401 Towncrest Dr 2401 Iowa City, IA. Across the street from the church of the Nazarene, two blocks from the old building.

Mindbridge Meeting Minutes June 4th, 2025

1. Treasurer’s Report (Jon): Up $14 Grand
2. IT Officer (Tony): We have 4 functional laptops that have been updated. One is going to need a power cord. Board approved buying the cord
3. Storage Manager (Carhoff Alliance)
   1. Bought: Heavy Duty Padded Moving Blankets, Stick Click Black Gaffers Tape, 4 Rolls Premium Painters Tape, Blue Tape, Masking Tape, Self-Adhesive Index Card Holders, Clear Plastic Top-Loading Label Holders
   2. Still needs to buy stuff for the cage
   3. If anyone would like to schedule a time to go in and put the new tote cards on “their” totes, please contact me directly so we can get organized.
   4. Still has keys available
4. Convention Reports-All conventions are looking for additional help.
   1. AnimeIowa (July 24th – 27th, 2025)
      1. We have 85 staff members lots of volunteers
      2. Talking to Pip’N Panic regarding concerns
      3. The next Three meetings are mandatory meetings June 14, 28th, and 12th of July. Staff must attend one of the meetings.
      4. Working on booking flights for guest of Honors.
      5. Drag Show is on Friday 10:30pm
      6. Ball is on Saturday until Midnight
      7. Rave is on Saturday from Midnight to 2Pm
      8. If interested in volunteering, staff or have other questions contact: execs@animeiowa.com
   2. ICON (ICON 49.5 – Oct 11th 2025/ICON50-2026)
      1. ICON 49.5 ConCom approved Darby Harn as ICON 49.5 Author GOH. Darby will pay his own expenses, unless an ICON member wishes to donate money.
      2. ICON 49.5 will have a table at the Iowa City Book Festival book fair where ICON John Scalzi will rotate through for sales and signing.
      3. The Iowa City Book Festival is 80-90% certain they will have a SF author during ICON 49.5. The name is being withheld until an agreement is reached. Cross advertising will be done.
      4. ICON 49.5 is looking for volunteers to:
         1. Be liaison for Joe and Gay Haldeman.
         2. Be liaison for Darby Harn.
         3. Lead Farmer’s Market morning visit
         4. Lead Traveling Vendor Tour
         5. Coordinate ICBF book fair authors
      5. Social media pushes have started.
      6. An email will go out soon to the ICON mailing list.
      7. The ICON 49.5 website has been updated to include three donation levels ($50, $100, $500) for ICON 50. These donation levels DO NOT include a badge for ICON 49.5. Donors will be listed on the website, however.
      8. ICON is planning to start regular events, perhaps via Discord: film and TV series fan chats; author readings and discussions; watch parties; etc.
      9. Joe Haldeman will receive the Arthur C. Clarke Memorial Award during the International Space Development Conference, June 19-22, 2025.
      10. Jim C. Hines released his new book Kitemaster in May 2025: https://www.jimchines.com/2025/05/kitemaster-day-2/
      11. The June meeting will be announced via Discord and be online only.
      12. Folks want ICON to take place in October. That means waiting for the Iowa Football schedule to be released in December or January. Requirements for convention bids create this schedule for ICON 50 approval: (Dates would slide by a month if the football schedule comes out in January 2026
      13. 12/23/2025 – hotel contract negotiated, but not signed
      14. 12/24/2025 – bid submitted to Mindbridge
      15. 1/7/2026 – bid discussed
      16. 2/4/2026 – bid voted on by Mindbridge
      17. 2/9/2025 – hotel deposit paid
      18. Would Mindbridge approve the ICON bid earlier without a hotel contract or firm date?
          1. If interested in staff or have other questions contact: concom@iowa-icon.com
          2. If interested in Volunteering contact: volunteering@iowa-icon.com
   3. Gamicon (Feb 28-March 2nd, 2025)
      1. Staff Recruiting meeting July 13th at Tim’s house at 271 Wiley Blvd NW Cedar Rapids, IA and online
      2. Staff Positions
         1. Merch coordinator
         2. Bag check Coordinator
         3. Publications
      3. If interested in volunteering, staff or have other questions contact: info@gamicon.org
5. Other Projects
   1. Game Library – Michele
      1. Adult Game day: Saturday, June 7 10am-4pm @ Coralville Public Library
      2. Family Game Night: Wednesday, June 11 6-7pm @ Coralville Public Library
      3. Family Game Night: Wednesday, June 17 1-4pm @ Hiawatha Public Library
      4. Family Game Night: Tuesday, July 15 6-7pm @ Coralville
      5. Friday July 18TH 6-8PM @ Hiawatha
   2. Video Game Library
      1. We managed to acquire one pre-order of the Nintendo Switch 2 back when pre-orders opened.
      2. We hope to get a second Nintendo Switch 2 on release day. At the current time and given the limited number of Nintendo Switch 2 games that will be available, these will likely be our only two Nintendo Switch 2 consoles for AnimeIowa.
      3. We are working to acquire several TVs to replace the aging TVs in the storage locker prior to AnimeIowa.
      4. Will be working to coordinate with the Storage Locker Team on how to best store these in the interim pending a rebuild of the TV cabinets.
      5. The Video Game Library now has an e-mail (info@videogamelibrary.org). Working on setting up the domain to forward to the Mindbridge page.
      6. Will be getting a bid from alphagraphics and other companies for a pop-up sign/banner like Registration has. Goal is to have this available in time for AnimeIowa.
      7. Need assistance with running Video Game Library please contact Adam
   3. TrekFest June 26th-28th, 2025 – Jenny Carhoff
      1. Jenny Carhoff is coordinating.
      2. Volunteers should email mommayaya911@gmail.com (mention trekfest in subject).
      3. Volunteers are needed for:
         1. Friday night autograph session: hours: 5-7pm; Mindbridge volunteers needed: 3 or 4; volunteers arrive by 4:30pm; volunteer stations: 1 outside; 1 inside at guest door; 1 at exit door
         2. Saturday post-parade line control: hours: 10:30am-1pm (times approximate); Mindbridge volunteers needed: 1-2; volunteer stations: 1 outside; 1 at exit door
         3. Saturday Mindbridge table & tent at museum: hours: 7am-2pm; Mindbridge volunteers needed: 1-2; volunteer stations: 1-2 at tent for setup, tabling, tear down
         4. Saturday parade
      4. If interested please contact Jenny at mommayaya911@gmail.com subject Trekfest
   4. Book Group
      1. June 12th Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon 6 PM, Edgewood Rd Panera, Cedar Rapids
      2. July 17th General Disscussion of books we have Read 6 PM, Edgewood Rd Panera, Cedar Rapids
6. Anybody wanting to become Mindbridge Members
7. Old Business: If there are any problems or questions address them to Lost from now until July 2nd, 2025 meeting Email mindbridge-bod@googlegroups.com
8. New Business
   1. Mindbridge is going to print new bookmarks and business cards
   2. Sheril’s board position is up for election at AI Mindbridge Supercon meeting
   3. Denny Lynch to send photos to JJ

Next meeting will be Wed July 2nd ,2025 @ 7pm online and in person at the at the Penticoff house 6914 Amhurst Dr Cedar Rapids, IA