Source attachment: 2022_01_21_MSBA_BOD minutes.docx

Minutes of Executive Board Meeting
January 21, 2022
Online via Zoom

MSBA President, Fred Smith called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.

Attendees:
Fred Smith, Kim Mehalick, Jim Fraser, Toni Burnham (with proxy for Jan Day), Stefanie Ottenstein, Deborah Hewitt, Larry Truchon, Ben Cooper, Carl Guerci, Greg Gentry, John Knapstein, Regina Andrew, Russell Sprangel, Brad Luff, Harry Dutcher, David Schultz, Michael Mehalick, Crystal Lehmanking, Christian Christoffers, Greg Gentry. Non-voting: Cybil Preston, Phil Frank.

Review and Approval of the Minutes of the October 22, 2021 BOD Meeting and the November 13, 2021 General Membership Meeting. Ben Cooper moves to approve, Stefanie Ottenstein seconds, board votes to approve.

Reports by the Officers
President – Fred forwarded a survey to all seeking funding for Apiary Inspectors and received a good response. There is also support for pollinator friendly roadside plantings. Christian Christoffers had experience with Federal Highway Administration. Fred has been asked for planting recommendations, is seeking a contact within MSBA with expertise: Fred will connect Christian. Cybil Preston and Ben Cooper also ask to be connected, Ben has connection with non-invasive seed sources from previous local projects.
Treasurer – Stefanie Ottenstein: MSBA’s balance sheet on December 31, 2021 is up $13,000 over December 31, 2020. Dues and donations are somewhat down. Meeting expenses were down due to virtual meetings. We have a cost of $1,100 to King AV for our successful hybrid meeting in November. John Knapstein points out a notable increase in t-shirt sales since he assumed responsibility. MSBA has $86,708 on deposit. The books show $1,800 in equipment assets from 2017 which is comprised of refreshment, screened tent, banners, and other gear which has largely depreciated. The ETO chamber is no longer on our books. IRS rule no longer require MSBA to maintain assets valued at less than $2,500 on our books, they may be expensed.
Vice President – Mary Laura Fitzgerald: Arrangements for February 12 meeting at Harford Community College are complete, featuring speakers Dr. Cameron Jack and David Burn. Dr. Williams being deferred to November 2022. Still confirming June speakers at UMD/College Park. UMD site holds 100-125 when full, but historic June attendance (in competition with apiary work) and availability of hybrid option indicate that capacity is still adequate going forward.
Secretary & BeeLine Editor – Toni Burnham. As usual, board members are encouraged to submit regional news for the BeeLine. Secretary will be reaching out to 2nd VPs for increasing communication channels between local and state clubs.
Upcoming Programs:
• 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. Lewis Bartlett, Kamon Reynold at UMD
• Fall Meeting November 12, 2022, Stephen Repasky, Dr. Geoff Williams at MDA

Old Business

• February 2022 Meeting Arrangements. Thank you to John Knapstein for continued link to Harford Community College (HCC). HCC is ready and willing for us to come with a mask requirement at the present time, requires use of their AV team, maximum of $300 for use of their team. Those in attendance and those attending via hybrid means will be asked to register as continuing ed students in order to provide support to HCC for hosting us. Both keynote presenters will be in person, and MSBA is covering their costs. MSBA’s Phil Frank and Mark Dykes will work together on the Zoom connection. Secretary, webmaster and Mailchimp admin will make sure members know that masking is an HCC requirement. Mary Laura will make sure questions from Zoom chat are asked of speakers.
• Education committee: (Kim Mehalick) COVID pandemic issues and protocols led to the cancellation of MSBA classes in 2021. For 2022, a Nucleus Colony and Splits Class is scheduled for February 26 from 9:30–4:30, not yet announced but limited to 45 students. Cost of the class is about $1,000. Proposed fee is $50 to break even, registration on our website for members only. All teachers are confirmed or backups available, website registration ready. Requests that registration be announced at meeting, in newsletter and in email to members. Honey Judging Class will be held in May. Committee is still working to offer a Honey Extraction Class. “Nuc Buying Questions” page for website has gone through multiple reviews and comments, one edit accepted from the Board, and new version will be placed on website.
• MSBA T-shirts: 155 t-shirts in stock, 60% medium, large or extra-large. Roughly half are long- and half are short-sleeved. Selling well at local meetings and late 2021. Expects good sales at February meeting. Phil would like to update website for current inventory, John will email inventory spreadsheet to Phil.
New Business
• Puerto Rico Update: (Crystal Lehmanking) MSBA offered support to Puerto Rico beekeepers after hurricane and earthquake (damage that damaged both bee colonies and forage in collaboration) with Mann Lake, sending UltraBee supplements. Learned history of Africanization and gentle hybridization of local bee stocks. Number of colonies managed has rebounded. MSBA worked with University of Puerto Rico on distribution. Possible extinction avoided. Main report: our part in this positive outcome was significant, especially for beekeepers in the south of the island. Will provide an article to the BeeLine after checking it in translation with experts in Puerto Rico. Crystal is asking whether the stocks include imported bee stocks: anecdotal experience that European queens are quickly overrun with varroa. There are special bees in that gene pool, Africanized but gentle, role of European stocks unclear.
• Maryland Farm Board Policy on beekeeping: Jim Fraser and George Meyer propose more funding for Apiary Inspectors and Pollinator Habitat with more specifics and financial support. Jim and George will consult with Cybil Preston in order to develop appropriate suggestions. MSBA endorsement is perceived as important. Local clubs with potential issues for Annapolis should reach out to Jim and George. Mike Mehalick mentions NASA sale of land in Prince Georges to protect habitat and native bees, though it is difficult to match with MFB role.
• Apiary Registration/MDA Mailing completed by Kim Mehalick and Cybil Preston. Maryland Department of Ag employees from other departments got it done in 3 hours. Large mailing required use of a variety of stock colors. This mailing drives memberships and donations. A high number of email renewals (650) as of today. Debbie Hewitt said there was some newbee lack of clarity on how to fill in form. Cybil confirms it is OK if slightly off.
• Nominating replacement EAS Delegate: Patty Wong unable to serve due to injury, we need a delegate for remainder of term this year. This is a board nominated role, not a member elected position. Discussion of EAS Delegate responsibilities from Cybil. Jim Fraser and Clyde Strang willing to serve. Delegates are term limited: person who takes this slot will be limited to one more term. With understanding that all interested parties will be invited to attend appointment discussion for EAS delegate to appointed for full term in August, Toni moves that Jim Fraser be nominated as interim delegate. Debbie Hewitt seconds. Motion carries. Toni will write letter to EAS with MSBA delegate choice.
• Speakers Bureau for Website: Jim Fraser is interested in organizing MD Master beekeepers into a speaker’s bureau to support club programs and other activities. Phil Frank volunteers to support him via MSBA web site. Perhaps could include material promoting MSBA, presentations that members can use.
• Open Frederick seat, Washington County rep search: One open seat after November election, Greg Gentry serving but no longer in Washington County. Asking members of the Board to use their network to recruit nominees. Jim Fraser will reach out to Frederick. MSBA Board has ability to make interim appointment. Greg commits to continuing to share MSBA info with Washington County communication channels.
• Migration of website: mdbeekeepers.org has successfully been moved to Bluehost, increasing number of simultaneous connections, speed. Very few glitches. New mdbeekeepers.org mailboxes must be configured.
• Boosting collaboration with 2nd VPs: Toni Commits to building easier, convenient channels, in collaboration with Maureen Jais-Mick, to increase communication via 2nd VPs of MSBA news to clubs, and club news and needs to MSBA.
• Support to Baltimore City club: Bill Castro has devoted considerable resources to try to establish a stable Baltimore club. Does MSBA have resources that could help? We can offer website space. This agenda item is more to provoke thought and comment. Phil would like a dynamic site to be supported by locals not MSBA, a subdirectory that looks like a separate site. DCBA is planning to offer use of their Zoom license to support new meetings. Bill has mailing list of about 120 people.
• Restarting in-person BOD meetings: Just checking in on BOD preferences. Group desires to continue current online BOD meeting process. No motion required.

A motion to adjourn was made by John Knapstein and seconded by Debbie Hewitt, the motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.