Source attachment: 2021_10_22_MSBA_BOD minutes.docx
Minutes of Executive Board Meeting
October 22, 2021
Online via Zoom
MSBA President, Kim, Mehalick called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Attendees:
Kim Mehalick, Fred Smith, Toni Burnham, David Clark, Ben Cooper, Erik Darm, Jan Day, Harry Dutcher, Mary Laura Fitzgerald, Jim Fraser, Carl Guerci, Greg Gentry, Deborah Hewitt, John Knapstein, Crystal Lehmanking, Brittany Llewellyn, Stefanie Ottenstein, Clyde Strang, Susan Warner, Gerry Worrell, . Non-voting: Cybil Preston.
Review and Approval of the Minutes of the May 28, 2021 BOD Meeting. Susan Warner moves to approve, Clyde Strang seconds, board votes to approve.
Reports by the Officers
President – Primary report topics are related to Education Committee and will be covered under old business.
Vice President – Fred Smith, See report under Upcoming Programs. November 13.
Treasurer – Stefanie Ottenstein: MSBA’s balance sheet is up $10,000 over last September due to the cessation of face to face meetings. Dues payments in 2021 are similar to 2020. Contribution levels are healthy, notably a recent donations of $156 to the Imirie Fund. With expenses, MSBA experienced net income of $8,900.
Secretary & BeeLine Editor – Toni Burnham. As usual, board members are encouraged to submit regional news for the BeeLine. The Board decided in May 2021 that we would plan future meetings until further notice as hybrids: in person and online. MSBA is still seeking purchase and pricing information for audio-visual gear to support future hybrid meetings, and this process is not complete. We have solicited and received a quote of $1,125 for equipment and services for the November 13, 2021 meeting from King Audio-Visual, which has supported meetings for years and is aware of our requirements. This allows us time to continue gathering information from clubs that have made successful purchases, getting trained on how to operate this gear, and also learning the technical situation at upcoming meeting sites in 2022. Because this bid is within the budget authority the BOD has given the First Vice President, this is offered as an update and we can move forward with his OK as given.
Upcoming Programs:
• Fall Meeting, Elections and Honey Show, November 13, 2021: Dr. Dennis vanEngelsdorp, Eric Malcolm, , Face to Face and Zoom (location TBD). Jim Fraser, Honey Show Superintendent. Doors will open at 8:00 AM for honey show entries, handled by volunteers from AABA.
• February 12, 2022: Dr. Cameron Jack and Dr. David Burns, Harford County CC. Finalizing process and costs with college (John Knapstein).
• Spring Meeting June 11, 2022: Dr. Geoff Williams, more TBA.
• Fall Meeting November 12, 2022, Stephen Repasky, more TBA
Old Business
• Upcoming meeting support requirements. We need to estimate in person attendance for coffee service and recruit a new volunteer for future meetings. Best estimate is 80/honey show. Michael Mehalick has volunteered to manage the lunch order. Jim Fraser will leave coffee/etc. equipment at end of November meeting. Toni should emphasize the honey show in both the upcoming BeeLine and the pre-meeting email., maybe with honey show tips. The honey show is well supported with Jim, Cybil, Carl Debbie and John among others. Entry forms and judging sheets must be available.
• Education committee: (Kim Mehalick) Progress has been made on two classes: Honey Harvesting and Comparison of a Package/Spring Nuc/Overwintered Nuc. Covid has interfered with being able to offer any classes. Materials for the latter class have been generated but require design support to create a presentation for class. MSBA plans to offer the Nucs and Splits Class again in late winter. Education committee welcomes volunteers, had 20 ideas for classes pre-COVID. Honey Judging will again be offered in 2022 when campuses re-open for face to face.
• MSBA T-shirts: Program has been handed off to John Knapstein by Toni Burnham. Price has been increased to $21 for a short sleeved and $26 for a long-sleeved shirt due to sales tax. Limited inventory has been increased by a 10/22/2021 replenishment of stock (both short and long sleeves). John has greatly increased sales, Toni will support in person sales at the November meeting to allow John to judge honey show. Will bring the cash he has collected to the November meeting. Treasurer will provide him with account number to allow deposits to bank in future.
• Website advice to nucleus colony purchasers: (Kim Mehalick and Deborah Hewitt) Based on BOD direction, Kim and Debbie have drafted list of questions that new beekeepers can ask nucleus colony producers, including frame size, queen source, inspected, number of frames, contents of frames. Based on board discussion, Kim will send out the document to the board for information. MSBA is not guaranteeing quality or advocating for sellers on our site. MSBA has no way of checking the registration, etc., status of members who offer nucleus colonies for sale on the site.
New Business
• Nominations Committee: Toni volunteers to lead nominations committee to produce slate of officers for MSBA Elections during the Business Meeting component of the November 13 agenda. Brit Llewellyn, MaryLaura Fitzgerald and Debbie Hewitt volunteer to make calls.
• Free State Beekeeper Citizenship Award: Two Organizations, Mission Beelieve and Fields for Valor, nominated. Board selects Mission Beelieve/Monica Schmitt-Rutledge by show of hands.
• George S. Imirie Education Award: David Schultz nominated for writing, educational programming, and apprenticeship activities. Board accepts nomination.
• Making hybrid meetings permanent: MSBA Constitution and Bylaws give the board broad powers to set up meetings and their content, including elections. Toni consulted with two lawyers to ascertain whether any changes or more specific requirements were necessary in order to proceed with hybrid meetings, both concurred that this would not be necessary. By board request, Toni will compare technology (Zoom poll, software, etc.) that may allow the voting to be accomplished more smoothly in a hybrid setting.
• Post honey show assistance: Stefanie Ottenstein requests volunteer support to review financials/payments at the conclusion of the Honey Show on November 13th, a requirement of the Maryland Fair Board. Susan Warner agrees to assist, with Toni as backup if necessary.
A motion to adjourn was made by Kim Mehalick and seconded by Gerry Worrell, the motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:34 PM.