Source attachment: MSBA BOD March 13 2026 Draft MInutes.docx

Friday, March 13 2026
Emergency MSBA Board Meeting
Attendees: Valerie Wampler, Elaine Storm, David Schultz, Clyde Strang, Scott Edie, Allen Craft, Michael Mehalick, Lisa Marie Ghezi, Jenny Baumgardner, Phillip Frank, Mary Laura Fitzgerald, Len Greig, Diane Wellons, Mike Raide, Fred Smith

Meeting Start: 7:01pm, David Schultz

Discussion on combined ASMB/MSBA June Meeting. David shared Howard County’s Summer Picnic/50th celebration is the same day In June as the combined meeting. They can’t reschedule due to reserving the space the previous year. Reminder that MSBA Board meeting approved $1500 towards the speaker costs to include travel, hotel, engagement.

Elaine asked about establishing a budget for this meeting and future MSBA meetings. Per Lisa, we do not have the background budget info as the past treasurer did not provide past expense/budget info.

David proposed a committee be formed to discuss establishing budget for future meetings as well as including research into locations for meetings. Lisa Marie seconded. Committee is Elaine, Regina and Lisa Marie. volunteered to serve with Elaine. David asked for Elaine to chair on meetings and timing

Elaine led with discussion on providing funding to MD Regional Training Apiaries for the purpose of meeting costs if they wanted to participate in the UMD Sentinel Bee program. We haven’t seen any budget and number of apiaries requesting funding. To many unknowns to move forward with vote on this topic. Unknown if MSBA provided funding in the past, how much and following what criteria. Suggestion was to develop a grant application form to address asking for grant funding.

David shared he and Elaine were sent a grant proposal funding requests from Eric Malcolm. UMD Extension office proposes monthly a molecular sampling and diagnostics. A Motion was made by David Schultz to for committee to investigate proposed UMD Sentinel program, compare against existing programs, gather costs/interview UMD, make proposal on if/how much MSBA will offer as grants to clubs and process for applying. Lisa Marie seconded with all responding Aye. Lisa Marie to Chair with participation from Valerie, Clyde and David.

David proposed we postpone discussion on establishing a fund for Honey Bee Research. He shared the original intention is for MSBA to establish a research fund with application process to encourage research in our community.

A couple of MSBA members approached David on joining Smart on Pesticide Coalition and possibly providing financial support. Many MD Bee clubs have topics on pollination, pesticide impacts and share knowledge and research on an education basis. Michael shared his research into the organization and said there were 114 members but no clubs listed as members. Program is very involved with talking about pesticides and the impacts of pesticides but very little mention of bee culture, which is what our state organization is about. David said the idea of the state club is not to create division and exclusions but provide education. Fred asked what was meant by joining – are we going to have to provide a yearly fee. When he was President, this was a major controversy and the board voted not to join or provide funding. At that time, MSBA would provide information and let people make up their own minds and join/not join depending on their choices. Michael shared that the only items on the Coalitions site bee related is before 2021.
Valerie motioned that we follow what MSBA already established in regards to the Pesticide Coalition, that we share the information but MSBA does not join or provide financial support. Diane Wellons seconded and all voted Aye.

David Schultz adjourned the meeting at 8:01.

Tasks & Deadlines:
• June MSBA Meeting Planning (Venue & Attendance):
• Responsible: Diane Wellons (ASMB)
• Details:
• Confirm with Charles County Fairgrounds if holding the venue decision for another month is acceptable.
• Poll ASMB members to gauge attendance for the June meeting.
• Investigate the availability of a smaller room at the Charles County Fairgrounds and its maximum capacity (including standing/extra chairs).
• Obtain fire marshal capacity for the smaller room.
• Provide an update to the MSBA board within approximately one month.
• Timeline: Within the next month (before May meeting).
• MSBA Membership Survey (June Meeting Attendance):
• Responsible: Diane Wellons (with assistance from Phil, Bill, and Maureen)
• Details: Develop and send out a survey to MSBA members to gauge attendance for the June meeting.
• Timeline: Within the next two weeks.
• Dr. Dewey Caron's Expenses:
• Responsible: Storm, Elaine (and potentially others for transportation/hosting)
• Details:
• Solidify Dr. Dewey Caron's travel costs and arrangements.
• Explore potential alternative hosting/transportation arrangements for Dr. Caron (since Storm and Elaine are unavailable).
• Clarify parameters/budget for Dr. Caron's travel expenses.
• Timeline: To be solidified before the May meeting.
• Lifetime Achievement Award (Dr. Dewey Caron):
• Responsible: MSBA Board
• Details: Discuss and decide whether to provide a Lifetime Achievement Award (e.g., engraved smoker) for Dr. Dewey Caron.
• Timeline: Pending further discussion.
• Book Sales for June Meeting:
• Responsible: Diane Wellons, Bill
• Details:
• Create an online link for members to pre-purchase Dr. Dewey Caron's books at a discounted rate ($60-$65), with disclaimers about pickup at the meeting (no mailing).
• Include a question in the MSBA attendance survey regarding interest in purchasing books to estimate numbers.
• Timeline: Ongoing, in conjunction with the attendance survey.
Follow-up Actions:
• June MSBA Meeting Details: The board will revisit the June meeting details (venue, budget, Dr. Caron's finalized costs) at the May meeting after receiving updates from Diane.
• MSBA Grant Fund for Honeybee Research: This discussion will be added to the agenda for a future meeting (likely in a couple of months).
Decisions Made:
• Subcommittee for Future Meeting Budget & Venues:
• Members: Elaine, Lisa Marie, Regina.
• Mandate: Establish a budget for future meetings, review historical costs, find reasonable venues, and provide recommendations to the board.
• Timeline: Provide advice/recommendations to the board within 4-6 weeks. The subcommittee will remain active.
• Vote: Passed by Aye vote.
• Subcommittee for Teaching Apiaries / Sentinel Program Funding:
• Members: David, Valerie, Clyde, Lisa Marie.
• Mandate:
• Investigate the Sentinel Program and Eric's grant request in detail.
• Understand the costs and benefits of the program.
• Schedule a Q&A meeting with the University of Maryland representatives (Eric).
• Develop an application process for funding teaching apiaries, potentially linking it to Sentinel Program participation.
• Determine MSBA's potential contribution amount.
• Vote: Passed by Aye vote.
• MSBA Position on Smart on Pesticide Coalition (Reaffirmed):
• Decision: MSBA will not join or provide financial support to the Smart on Pesticide Coalition. Information will be shared, but individual members are responsible for their own participation.
• Vote: Passed by Aye vote, reaffirming a previous board decision.