Source attachment: October Minutes.pdf
Minutes of Executive Board Meeting
Friday, October 24, 2025, 6:30pm
Online via Zoom
MSBA President Mary Laura Fitzgerald called the meeting to order at 6:32pm
Attendees:
Mary Laura Fitzgerald, Toni Burnham, Valerie Wampler, Fred Smith, David Schultz, Kim
Mehalick, Lisa Marie Ghezzi, Monica Schmitt, Rob Yochem, Matt Gagle, Len Greig,
Diane Wellons, Scott Edie, Clyde Strang, Phil Frank, Cybil Preston, Allen Hayes, Bill
Glover, Harry Dutcher
Review and Approval of the Minutes of the May 23, 2025 MSBA Board Meeting. Valerie
Wampler moves to approve, Monica Schmitt seconded.
President: Mary Laura opened meeting with thanks to all during her term as President.
Vice President: David Schultz’s message was a recognition that people like the new
compact program.
Treasurer: Lisa Marie shared January 2024 – October 2025 profit and loss statement
and went over all details of income and expenses. She shared a 2024 and 2025
comparison of income and expenses with all the details she has been able to unearth
for 2024. She mentioned professional services and litigation were the highest
expenses. Discussion was also on the 3600 to UMBC for MSBA meetings and how
does this compare to other locations. Montgomery College is free except for IT support.
Discussion on meeting room expenses with the Board and suggestions to look into
other places, why we weren’t at Hartford (winter, snow, under development), look at
Eastern Shore location (Lisa Marie to talk with Anna). Lisa Marie went over income and
expenses for the classes organized by the Education Committee and Kim Mehalick
reminded the Board that classes were to break even and not be fund raisers. Bill
Glover asked is we are up to date on taxes for State and Federal. Lisa Marie shared we
are and 2025 is due for filing in May.
Lisa Marie has proposed making future treasurer presentations follow an established
fiscal year from January to December which would entail a Board meeting in January
and later club presentation. Discussion was held to potentially move to 4 MSBA
meeting since technology can support more online participation. Toni mentioned that
participation is still low for online attendance. Phil Frank suggested maybe we can
advertise more to increase participation. Toni reminded that moving to more meetings
is easily done as it is designated by Executive Board. No decisions about date changes
or more meetings was made.
Lisa Marie asked opinion on current format of expenses/income presentation and what
she should present – how much detail. She is going to develop a one pager for handing
out or sharing at the sign up. Phil Frank suggested it be posted online in the member
only section and then available for sharing to membership. Bill Glover suggested Lisa
Marie check PNL statement formats to see a more efficient presentation.
Lisa Marie recommends investing in three 20K bonds, staggered date-wise for maturity.
Tone reminded us that the Treasurer can decide and does not need a Board Vote. Lisa
Marie said she would consult with Mary Laura and David before making any
investments proposed.
EAS Director: Clyde Strang, shared EAS 2026 will take place in Louisville, Kentucky.
Mary Laura asked about size as the 2021 conference center seemed very small. Clyde
Strang said that the conference center has had construction and is larger, large enough
to host the full complement of EAS participants.
Clyde also had information on EAS research fund, based on past Board’s questions for
transparency. EAS will share research needs and areas and MSBA can choose
direction for research investment funds to support for full transparency. Kim shared that
UMBC is going to have a bee lab run by Zach Lamas and has asked to be more
involved with UMBC and MSBA and it would be nice to support MD research locations.
Honey Show: Jim Fraser not in attendance and all were reminded he is the
Superintendent for MSBA Honey Show and Cybil Preston is Superintendent for MD
State Fair. Valerie Wampler shared that she sent Jim and Cybil a proposal to add an
Arts and Crafts section in the MSBA Honey Show. This would cover craft (knitting,
sewing, etc), lotions/soaps, woodworking and miscellaneous. Clyde also suggested
adding a beer category to the mead section. This would be for 2026 Honey Show and
would be up to Honey Show Superintendent to propose, implement, advertise.
Secretary and BeeLine Editor: Toni Burnham shared that she has great articles and
submissions for next Beeline. There has been a transition and she has taken over
control of the MSBA Facebook page and getting good results. The President can form
a committee on administration and future use of Facebook.
Upcoming Program: David Schultz shared that Fall 2025 is set with Lisa Marie
sharing her Apimondia Poster results, David will be speaking, main speaker is Zach
Lamas. There will also be the Honey Show and Elections.
February Agenda is not set but the location might be in Catonsville.
In June, MSBA will be involved/collaborating with ASMB for their 50th celebration with
Dewey Caron. Diane Wellons is heading up committee and David Schultz, Kim
Mehalick, Matt Gagle expressed interest in joining that committee and working with
Diane.
ABF Contact: Lisa Marie Ghezi agreed to continue as MD representative.
Education Committee: Kim Mehalick will be working on schedule to repeat NUC and
Splits class, Queen Rearing and Beeswax Workshops. She shared two new concepts
that she will be working with Committee for 2026/2027 presentation – Mead and Beer
Making with Honey and Short Seminars in the Business of Beekeeping to cover
Business Plan, contracts, insurance, State requirements.
A recommendation for a future class was made on Mite Management to cover all
possible treatment options in detail. This is similar to class that Larry Truchon did. Kim
said she would talk with Eric Malcom as this seemed like a good extension option and a
potential to get vendors of each product to participate in presenting.
Kim asked for any ideas to be shared and anyone interested in serving on Education
committee to contact her. Lisa Marie asked to be included in Education committee.
Time Check made by Toni – as we need to be done by 8pm.
Litigation: Rob Yochem shared that they won the case to have Bees in Baltimore City.
One winning comment was due to SLF honey in the fall. The attorney who worked with
Rob said he would be happy to be the Bee attorney for any other needing assistance.
Nomination Committee: This is the time for elections and there needs to be a
committee. Mary Laura, David Schultz, Valerie Wampler and Robert Yochem all
volunteered.
Awards: George Imrie award for Education. Clyde Strang nominated Valerie Wampler
for her participation with MSBA and the classes she developed and teaches MD wide
and the work she is doing the Howard County Detention Center starting and mentoring
inmates with their Bee Program. Motion made, vote held and approved.
Free State Beekeeping Award nominations. This is Public Facing work. Lisa Marie
Ghezi was proposed by David Schultz for her AFB and Apimondia survey/poster
presentation. Kim Mehalick proposed Jim Fraser for his many years and the number of
roles he has served in MD beekeeping. A recommendation was made to present Jim
Fraser with a Lifetime Achievement Award similar to one given to Jerry Fisher. Bill
Glover shared criteria for a Lifetime Achievement Award. Valerie Wampler proposed
language of the achievement award. Monica Schmitt moved with David seconding the
Lifetime Achievement award for Jim. (note: Valerie promised to get Hive Tool engraved
for Jim)
Motion made and approved for Lisa Marie Ghezi for Free State Award.
New picture/video gallery offering posting on MSBA website; Marian Ianuzzi had asked
for place to share pictures/videos that can be used by MD staff in
presentations/educational. Valerie to reach out to Marian for more information and a
suggestion of Facebook images to see if that would meet requirements for Marian’s
goal.
Maryland Farm Bureau Conference Representation: Fred Smit is primary but
secondary was needed. A look back in old minutes and backup was Kim Mehalick but
she can’t attend this year. Robert Yochem has agreed to be second.
Meeting closed at 8:27.