Source attachment: 2017_01_27_MSBA board minutes.doc

DRAFT
Executive Board Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2017 7:00pm
ICF International
7125 Thomas Edison Dr #100, Columbia, MD 21046

Call to Order – 7:10 PM by MSBA President, Allen Hayes

In attendance:
In Person: Toni Burnham, Robert Crouse, Wayne Esaias, Jim Fraser, Allen Hayes, Deborah Hewitt, Elizabeth Hill, Brenda Klaunberg, Bill McGiffin, Clyde Strang, Barry Thompson, and Susan Warner. On Phone: Janet Bardzik, Ben Cooper, Marc Hoffman, Crystal Lehmanking, Tim McMahon, George Meyer, David Morris, Cybil Preston, Linda Thompson, Fred Smith, David Taylor, and Jerry Worrell.
Review and Approval of the Minutes: Friday, October 14, 2016 BOD Meeting
Minutes were presented, some corrections submitted between distribution and meeting. Motion to accept by Clyde Strang, seconded by Jim Fraser, motion passed unanimously.
Reports by the Officers
President – Allen Hayes
MSBA Trophies have been updated, for example to include Linder winners for 2011 and 2014 (Best in Show). Logistics for upcoming Winter Meeting: Keynote will be Larry Connor, other speakers to include Cybil Preston, Mark Gingrich, Nathalie Steinhauer and additional from BeeInformed Partnership, Toni Burnham. Larry Connor will be needing pickup from BWI: Jim Fraser volunteers. Larry will have books to sell: Toni will cover his table while he speaks because she will be selling t-shirts as well.
Treasurer - Robert Crouse (report attached): Checking account currently at $3,628.24. W MSBA has 659 members, 352 of whom are annual. Four new Life Members have joined, 95 completely new members as well. Monies collected for the Apiary Inspectors Fund have been paid. MSBA has received $1,008 from the Maryland Fair Board for 2016 and 2017, reflecting a calendar year change. MSBA is required to have an audit this year by the ByLaws. This year’s auditor has an MS in Finance rather than a CPA. Is critical of our bookkeeping. Would like to see records changed to a “business” format rather than existing approach using Excel spreadsheet, which is easier for us but also harder to detect mistakes. Would like all 2017 t-shirt sales data to be updated and sent. Bob has got a copy of Quicken which will meet this requirement, but plans to continue working with Excel as well. State tax iprocess is online now. Expects more members to join in February
Secretary/BeeLine Editor – Toni Burnham
Upcoming newsletter to include coverage of FDA antibiotic regulation change, CMBA Kabler Award, MSBA t-shirt sales, EAS, Honey Harvest Festival, and usual agenda and speaker bios. Newsletter costs are declining (about $125 for 200 hard copies (including 50+ for distribution at Fall meeting) and $60 for postage. We are down to 120 hard copy recipients.
Website is successfully handling T-shirt orders. We are down to our last 16 shirts, limited sizes.
Members are encouraged to submit materials for inclusion on the web site.
Vice-President – Jim Fraser
June 16, 2017 Spring Meeting is at the University of Maryland. Speaker recruitment underway. Bob ruse recommends inviting Logan Yearsley of the Maryland Fair Board to give a talk. Would like to move date of November meeting as November 11th is Veterans Day. Idea: get a group of beekeeper veterans (Toni knows two). George Meyer moves to change date. Board agrees to try to move to 11/4 at Maryland Department of Agriculture.

EAS Director – Tim McMahon
EAS 2017 to take place in Delaware, organized by Dr. Delaney. Has provided a newsletter article to all clubs, scheduling presentation to every club, has been to three since beginning of year, speaking at 2/11 MSBA meeting. Seeks volunteers for EAS, lots of Maryland speakers on agenda. EAS 2018 to take place in Virginia.

Old Business
MSBA Membership update – see Treasurer’s report.
ETO Chamber – Toni Burnham has met with Phil Davidson, Dennis Howard, and reps from both MDA Pesticide Regulation and the State Chemists Office. All very friendly to this MSBA project. They walked her through the process and advised on application, fee, and certification structure. Some history of the service when offered through MDA was shared. All very willing to help. Suggested that MSBA solicit letters of support for the exception, and these have been successfully requested (not yet drafted) from USDA-ARS/Beltsville, the BeeInformed Partnership, and the Maryland Farm Bureau. Issue may revolve around sourcing ETO at the very low concentration required for woodenware fumigation. Telephone meeting with Meredith Laws of EPA indicates that they are aware of sources and may refer. Applicator license is a separate issue, and they may be able to refer us to existing applicators. However, the certification process and fees are not onerous (less than $500 including possible member travel) and their staff is happy to help. Current status: Toni must complete EPA paperwork and submit.
MDA/DNR Rules Re: Shooting Bears that attack hives: Ben Cooper advisees that the Allegany Farm Bureau has received a presentation and has accepted the bill. Hearing in Annapolis on February 15 1 PM. Ben encourages participation. One beekeeper in Frederick County lost all their hives. Dels. McKay, Buckel sponsoring. Seeks letters from associations in support. Marc Hoffman clarifies that this is not a new law, but a classification. Ben contacting clubs. David Morris asks if there is an indemnification program for bear losses. Ben shares that it has not been funded. David asks if this language has a precedent in indemnification law. DNR is not cooperating. Toni agrees to mention bill in upcoming BeeLine.
Proposed FDA Rule Making Re; Antibiotics and Bees: Cybil Preston to hold meeting on subject 2/1/2017 9AM to noon at MDA, Room 101. Meant for veterinarians. She indicates that the rule is still in play, hoping for cancellation. Dr. Jay Evans and Dr. Dennis vanEngelsdorp will be present. Will send press release for inclusion in BeeLine.
Web site update: see Secretary’s Report. Beekeepers must call to reserve.
MSBA T-Shirts Shipping: Still selling well. Impossible to predict sizes! Toni is authorized to sell t-shirts that have been washed at meeting for a discount.
Winter Meeting Location: Jim Fraser has been looking at many locations, including some in Baltimore City, Washington County Fairgrounds, Baltimore City Community College. Board agrees that city location is not optimal. Washington County booked. Tim McMahon suggests that a wider variety of locations are available at a higher rental rate, club can certainly afford $1000 for its most highly attended meeting. Maggie Mills suggests vendor fee to support. UMD has a conference center as well. Marc Hoffman notes that MSBA used Apiary Building for meetings in past. Need to renew contacts to explore.

New Business
Empty Frederick County VP slot: John Klapac has volunteered, Bill McGiffin knows of additional candidate. Election tabled until Bill confirms. Board must vote when next quorum, probably at Winter Meeting.
Nomination Committee for MSBA Elections: Debbie Hewitt has begun. Two directors needed: Steve and Maggie. Suggestions welcome.
Susquehanna Young Beekeeper Grant: Susan Warner seeking ideas. Howard County has a program they could look at. Can board identify opportunities of this sort? Please include article about Susquehanna Beekeepers Association in next BeeLine. Howard County provides trophy and cash prize for 4H Honey Show winner. MSBA perhaps should solicit more 4Hers. Jerry Worrell shares that ASMB has a drawing at its short course. Perhaps a scholarship to local short courses from MSBA as program. Marc mentions that there is a 4H facility in DC, perhaps Brenda Kiessling. Might have access info. Boy Scouts have Entomology/Insect Study badge.
Maryland Farm Bureau Specialty Crops: Steve McDaniel, does agency have information on bee losses due to pesticides?
EAS Beekeeping Checklist: Can it be added to web site?
Value of Honeybees in Maryland Brochure: Was highly values, needs an update. Elizabeth Hill indicates that this is not difficult. Can ask BeeInformed for data.
Resolution for Honey Bee Research: Toni suggests that MSBA consider passing a resolution in support of continued funding for Honey Bee Research in the upcoming administration. Must be drafted. Moved by Toni, seconded by Barry Thompson. Passes unanimously. Committee members solicited.
Maryland Farm Bureau: Marc notes that it is 100 years old, MSBA is a founder. Ben Cooper worked with them in the right way by getting local FB support. Has received appointment to Maryland State Specialty Crops Committee.

Meeting Adjourned: Barry made a motion to adjourn, Clyde seconded. The meeting adjourned at 8:44 PM,

Next Board Meeting: (Suggested) Friday, May 12, 2017

Maryland State Beekeepers Assoc, Inc.
Dedicated to beekeeping in Maryland since 1908

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