Source attachment: 2018_1_19_MSBA_BOD_minutes_final.doc
Minutes of the Executive Board Meeting
January 19, 2018
USDA/ARS Beltsville Bee Lab, Building 306 BARC-EAST, Beltsville, MD
MSBA President, Jim Fraser called the meeting to order at 7:00PM
Attendees: In room: Jim Fraser, Kim Mehalick, Toni Burnham, Robert Crouse, Allen Hayes, Barry Thompson, Carl Guerci (proxy for Deborah Hewitt), Susan Warner, Clyde Strang, Marc Hoffman, David Clark,
On phone: Fred Smith, Patti Wong, Ben Cooper, Jerry Worrell, Martin Posse, Richard Crane, George Meyer, Phil Frank (non-voting), Michael Mehalick (non-voting).
Review and Approval of the Minutes. Motion to approve Clyde Strang, seconded by Allen Hayes, the motion passed.
Reports by the Officers
President – Jim Fraser: welcome to new Board.
Treasurer - Robert Crouse. We have switched to Accrual Basis from Cash Basis accounting procedures. BOD members will receive new format of Treasurer’s report (2 files attached to email: BOD 180119.pdf and BOD 180119 Financial Report Dec. 2017.pdfi) instead of spreadsheet. It is possible to request the latter. This report shows that we lost $3,617.22 in 2017. Much of the loss is related to increased speaker fees and travel. See report below.
Secretary & Editor – Toni Burnham: Draft agenda for February 17th meeting distributed (final attached to email). Updated club leadership and BOD information has been provided to the webmaster. Backups of official documents now consolidated with Robert Crouse’s complete set.
For the newsletter: BeeLine is in preparation, best if issued 3 weeks out from next general membership meeting, two weeks minimum. Official contributions already solicited, several contributions from other writers in hand. The winter newsletter includes outreach to county clubs to update officer, contact information (completed).
Website: (From Phil Frank.) Membership process now online, no paper membership form in newsletter.
Vice-President – Kim Mehalick: Keynotes for February include Dr. vanEngelsdorp, Dr. Grozinger of PSU, latter to be confirmed. in addition to good information on club leaders and contacts, would also like BeeLine to be issued early enough for sharing with/promoting to clubs that only meet every other month so that they can include that information in their newsletters as well. Looking to book keynotes out through the next two years in order to facilitate earlier announcement of meetings and their promotion. The dates are set, and Kim is able to share them. June meeting flexes based on speaker availability, being set now for either the second or third Saturday of June 2018. Recording lectures is based on speaker permission and a volunteer to record, not consistent. Toni will publish a request for a volunteer in BeeLine.
EAS Report – Patti Wong: EAS 2018 will be in Hampton VA. Plans to reach out to UMD Communications students after classes start to create 5-6-minute potential promotional video for the conference as class project. If so, can be emailed out to the clubs. Coordinate with Karla Eisen (both emailed to introduce).
Jim: Any Maryland table at EAS? Maryland is overdue for EAS sponsorship, maybe 2021? Academic sponsor required? MSBA does not have one, not required by EAS.
Upcoming Programs
Winter Meeting: February 17, 2018 at Harford Community College (See Vice President’s Report). Room has been substituted to Darlington Hall. Long and narrow, adequate capacity, will need three screens, they have gear and know how. Kitchen area, lobby for vendors, second floor with elevator. Has AV, microphones. Mann Lake, Dadant, only two confirmed, Jim Fraser will confirm others. Ten maximum. James and Andrew firm for refreshments, Subway or perhaps another option (Jim will explore). College does not need to know.
Honey Harvest Festival in October 2017. A success both in terms of attendees (about 10-11,000) and beekeeper volunteers from several clubs, especially Montgomery County. Festival was at Brookside Gardens, they are opting for another theme for the day in 2018. It is also time to bring this to another place in Maryland. Eastern Shore Beekeepers interested in moving it there. Dick Crane connected to Marc Hoffman for information and support, possibly in Chestertown. Small to start, likely to grow. Lorenzo Langstroth is associated with Chestertown!
Old Business
Website changes, Bob Crouse: Phil Frank has been working hard to set up, now simplifying the process for membership on the web site. Some struggle. 250 members by BOD meeting time, half brand new. 5 new life members. Bob reiterates that fees cost, so far $160+. Suggests two tier fee for those who pay online versus check. Reporting of membership lists will change: data viewable through system. Loading the system with renewals is more work, only this year. License plate and Apiary Inspector transactions still PayPal or check, separate. Kim: question re equity of asking those who cost more to pay more. Most clubs in state charge $20 for dues now. Phil Frank: software has a problem with calendar year membership, software would prefer 365 days from sign up. Varies from by laws. Bob sees accounting problem.
Membership report: Today, MSBA has 250 annual members plus life almost 300 life members. MSBA had a total of 831 members at the end of last year.
Prince Georges restrictions update: nothing new. Kim: attended meetings, officials stepped back. Non-beekeepers present supported BUMBA. Another boilerplate situation. BUMBA asked to do “what Montgomery County did.” Likely to be dropped.
ETO: Toni, started work last year, dropped the ball. MDA and EPA helping. Toni must re-focus. David Clark knows operators.
New Business
Support for New Jersey Beekeepers, Dick Crane: due to NJ Department of Agriculture new anti-bee rules? Jim: Outside group pressure not welcome. Jim confident that they will win. Bad boilerplate. Allen: Spoke with NJBA, some misinformation. NJBA not asking MSBA.
New Meeting Location: complete details for Harford in BeeLine.
Webmaster: Phil Frank doing all, used to be two. What if we lose Phil? Phil currently OK with soloing, would like more people for content. A dozen people have offered to contribute. 2 replies “too busy.”
BOD policies and procedures: Bob identifies that previous votes constitute bylaws, but they are out of date, sometimes irrelevant. No policies recorded since 2004. Officers should be provided with this annually. Motions also not recorded, maybe not necessary. If it is to be updated, Secretary must address? Bob willing to do, needs help. Has a database, not Google Docs.
Treasurer and Secretary have been maintaining complete document archive.
Officer pending limits: BOD members must have predictable limits in order for the Treasurer to be prepared with adequate funds in the right account. At the least, rules for notification of Treasurer. Will be on May Agenda.
Audit has been finished. See report below.
Recruiting new Treasurer: A SBA member will consider if paid. Not welcomed. Bob’s level of effort was not representative of requirements.
Farm Bureau: Marc Hoffman, MFB 102 years old, we are 110. Enjoys representing, becoming a familiar face. We have 2 votes at Annual Meeting. Urges an additional attendee, beekeepers should get to know local FB. BOD especially. They have beekeeping policies and professional lobbying which are important to us. Farm Bureau Day in Annapolis in February. Barry will go for MSBA. Local contact is only way to influence MFB policies. Permanent Advisory Committee now includes MSBA/Marc. Not an active committee, but issues can be raised.
DCBA Top Bar Hive Class March 10: Have recruited Dr. Wyatt Mangum, perhaps room for 10-20 MSBA members. Seeking National Geographic site. Is it appropriate for MSBA? Can MSBA endorse: allowed by policy to be in BeeLine if relevant to mission. Motion to endorse. Bob: if DCBA needs financial assistance, MSBA be willing to provide up to $1,000 if expense is documented. Seconded by Susan. Kim suggests $50 fee. Toni agrees.
Twitter? Facebook? Unmaintained. Delete account.
A motion to adjourn was made by Toni Burnham and seconded by Allen Hayes, the motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:44 PM.
Next Board Meeting: (Suggested) Friday, May 18, 2018.
Maryland State Beekeepers Assoc, Inc.
Dedicated to beekeeping in Maryland since 1908
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