Source attachment: 2020_01_24_MSBA_BOD minutes.docx
Minutes of the Executive Board Meeting
January 24, 2020
USDA/ARS Beltsville Bee Lab, Building 306 BARC-EAST, Beltsville, MD
MSBA President, Kim, Mehalick called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Attendees:
In room: Kim Mehalick, Fred Smith, Toni Burnham, Stefanie Ottenstein, Mary Laura Fitzgerald, Maureen Jais-Mick, Jim Fraser, Allen Hayes (proxy for Clyde Strang), David Clark, Clif Darby, Greg Gentry, Pam Hepp, Susan Warner. Non-voting: Robert Crouse, Fred Smith, Jr.
On phone: Ben Cooper, Carl Guerci, Deborah Hewitt, Crystal Lehmanking, Martin Posse, Dick Crane. Non-Voting: Phil Frank, Mark Dykes, Cybil Preston.
Review and Approval of the Minutes of the October 2019 BOD Meeting and November Annual Membership Meeting. Motion to approve by Kim Mehalick, seconded Susan Warner, the motion passed.
Reports by the Officers
President – Thank you for attending, all attending please identify themselves.
Treasurer – Passes copies of balance sheet, profit and loss statement. The financial numbers for 2019 are slightly down from 2018 due to some additional donations and expenses. The Apiary Letter was more than double in cost due to larger mailing pool (4,000) beekeepers and was taken in December rather than January (as in the past). This mailing is usually offset by the memberships and renewals it supports. Income from workshops was good, and t-shirt sales were positive. Donations are similar to prior years: dues income was a little down. January 2020 saw a substantial uptick in Apiary Fund donations: about $2,000 so far this year. MSBA has moved its checking and savings account to Wells Fargo, after considerable problems with Bank of America, with Certificates of Deposit to move later.
Secretary & BeeLine Editor – The all-online version of the BeeLine continues to improve, but there is still some dissatisfaction among members. There are continued requests for a printable version. Deb Hewitt has contributed an article, Kim, Cybil will work on their pieces. “Year End Wrap Up Email” as a new member communication that appears to be well received. Should we develop a member communication channel/policy that allows more contacts (outside of member administration) with members? Phil explains opt-in MailChimp (email management software) option. Kim proposes that the additional channel also be closely managed to keep traffic relevant to MSBA and other club events. Crystal notes that it would be helpful for big speakers booked by clubs. Board recommends signing up all members and providing an opt-out. Kim instructs us to try it. Treasurer notes that all communications, newsletter, MailChimp, etc. should include links to membership and donations.
Outreach to clubs on designated seats in nucs and splits class went out on time, providing t-shirts as door prizes for county beginners courses was warmly received. Nine clubs participated in class, that attendee is meant to share educational resources with club. A great intro to newbees and good for perception of MSBA. Request: update list of officers and directors on website. Redirect msba@mdbeekeepers.org to Kim. Set up officer email accounts.
Vice-President – Fred does not have report, refers discussion to “Upcoming Programs” item on agenda.
EAS Report – Patti Wong not present. EAS is scheduled for Orono, Maine. Make reservations now. Phil Frank is working on a phone app for EAS for Marylanders to use. EAS has one too.
Upcoming Programs
• February 15, 2020: keynote Kim Flottum. Dadant, Mann Lake, Maryland Honey Company, Snyder’s Apiaries, more will be present.
• June 13, 2020: keynote David Tarpy
• November 7, 2020: keynote Randy Oliver (with additional workshops to be arranged)
• February 2021: still exploring
• June 12, 2021: keynote Jamie Ellis (also to include workshops)
Old Business
MSBA Splits Class: Taking place January 25, sold out within several days. Proposes making the class an annual offering while demand remains at this level.
Honey Judging Class: Run by Allen Hayes, will take place in May 2 at UMD. Organizational teleconference and meeting to be scheduled in near future. Based on 2016, incorporating feedback. Would like presenters to receive honorarium of $200 each, potentially resulting in a net loss. Board does not have an issue.
Workshop programs with keynotes: for high profile or high-fee keynotes, MSBA is offering satellite for-donation workshops to defray costs. Kim Flottum in February will be first test of the concept. Randy Oliver and Jamie Ellis are likely to be far more formalized with full-day workshops. Allen Hayes and Stefanie Ottenstein concur with concept, note that most state associations charge for meetings.
Website: Phil Frank is having some issues with functionality of website but most users not noticing.
Additional classes/certifications: Mark Dykes, through Bee Squad offering Spring Management Class. Will take place 2/22 at UMD for $75.
Outreach to county clubs: offered free t-shirt, nucs and splits class, “please include us on info channels.” Very positive from those who responded. Counties took class opportunity seriously.
T-shirts: Toni: Entire stock is long sleeves at present. Over 600 t-shirts sold since program began. 100 more shirts on order. Average cost of a shirt is $9.82.
New Business
Mite Check Kits back in stock through Bee Squad. Available to clubs as well.
Synthetic comb/Debbie Hewitt: “Better Comb” synthetic wax product is pharm/food grade, pesticide free. But will adulterate beeswax. This could impact hive products but also wax foundation produced in future. Now comes in medium and deep, advertise it as easy to melt. Perhaps research application. May move between beekeepers unknowingly. Suggests that it be dyed. Will write article for Beeline and give presentation at next meeting.
Sting Allergy Survey/Toni: We have received 116 responses to date to the survey to be used by Dr. David Golden on beekeeper insect sting allergy. He has received responses, will let us know whether they are sufficient to proceed. Kim: please put article in Beeline. He is busy and cannot guarantee a date.
MSBA Bumper Stickers/Bob Crouse: has contact to produce bumper stickers. Samples of work circulated. Possible additional revenue source. Able to produce for $1.50-$1.08 each depending on size of batch. Previous bumper stickers have sold slowly. Kim suggests getting 200 and seeing what happens, Bob volunteers to manage and fulfill orders. Board wishes to see designs.
Board Member Email Addresses: Set up official email addresses that forward to personal email addresses, and substitute those on the website and in newsletter.
Beekeeping 101 Class in memory of Mike Embrey taught by Mark Dykes: Dick Crane reports sessions began in January at Chesapeake College and were oversubscribed and well regarded. Wye River Beekeepers organized registration. Beeline article.
Support for Puerto Rico Beekeepers/Crystal Lehmanking: PR beekeepers only 60% recovered from hurricane, have lost most of the rest due to earthquake. Beekeepers in desperate need of food for very special line of bees with benefits for all. 700+ colonies in the south in need of 2 lbs of Ultra Bee. Quote not yet available, probably $3,000 before shipping. Mann Lake willing to ship at cost, possible price break. Seek donations from members, can MSBA handle/promote, PR point of contact will receive, distribute. Meeting at table ok, how to make tax deductible. MSBA endorsement allows us to take donations as our project. Board members can also promote locally. Kim suggests raising as much as possible, will donate funds if not sufficient for shipment. Board will have to vote on purpose of that donation. Toni suggests gathering specific information and holding a board vote at February meeting if quorum is present. Crystal will mail quote to board and will write newsletter article.
ETO Chamber: No longer legally registered, parked with Bob Crouse. Stefanie suggests donating. Toni will ask Bee Lab, UMD, North Carolina, West Virginia if they are interested. Was reconditioned 3 years ago. Kim Mehalick moves that MSBA seek to donate the ETO chamber to the first beekeeping organization of any kind that is willing to take over ownership, beginning with local organizations and agencies. Recipient must arrange for delivery. Greg Gentry seconds the motion. Motion carries.
A motion to adjourn was made by Crystal Lehmanking and seconded by Carl Guerci, the motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.