Source attachment: 2025_01_30_MSBA_BOD minutes.docx

Minutes of Executive Board Meeting
Thursday, January 30, 2025, 6:30 PM
Online via Zoom

MSBA President Mary Laura Fitzgerald called the meeting to order at 6:41 PM.
Attendees:
Mary Laura Fitzgerald, Fred Smith, David Schultz, Lisa Marie Ghezzi, Valerie Wampler, Toni Burnham (with proxy for Kim Mehalick, Michael Mehalick and Ben Cooper), Regina Andrew, Rob Yochem, Matt Gagle, Brad Luff, Darlene Goehringer, Mike Raide, Harry Dutcher, Len Greig, Crystal Lehmanking, Scott Edie, Lauren Pascarelle, Jan Day. Non-voting: Allen Hayes.
Welcome to new 2025 Board members.
Review and Approval of the Minutes of the October 18, 2024 MSBA Board Meeting including vote requested by BOD for November 6, 2024 on Imirie and Free State Awards, litigation support (see detailed appendix below). Valerie Wampler moves to approve, Robert Yochem seconds, motion carries. Minutes of the General Membership Meeting on November 16, 2025 approved with abbreviated financials provided at that meeting. David Schultz moves to approve, Robert Yochem seconds, motion carries.
Reports by the Officers
President – Mary Laura: No report, excited for upcoming meeting, paperwork completed.
Treasurer – Lisa Marie Ghezzi: In process of closing out 2024, Has confirmed that MSBA 2023 taxes were filed and our 501(c)3 status is in good standing with IRS and the State of Maryland. Tax exempt status has been applied to the t-shirt sales program. License plate program is now running again with MVA support. Is processing payments and creating a clear audit trail. Will be approaching the board concerning assets that are earning no interest, with an eye to investing options.
Vice President – David Schultz: February 25 Winter Meeting at UMBC agenda is set. “Lunch and Learn” format has been used to shape agenda/reduce meeting time requirement and retain attendees after lunch. David requested BOD guidance on honoraria for speakers Danielle Downey/ApisM, Alyssa Crittenden/UNLV: receives support for $1,000/each. Though the latter speaker requested a charitable donation, MSBA will pay honorarium directly as usual. Time has been allotted for Lisa Marie Ghezzi on ABF and MSBA elections, Cybil Preston on Apiary Inspectors Report.
June 7 Meeting at UMD/College Park: Karen Rennich is retiring, and Dennis vanEngelsdorp is on sabbatical, so our point of contact is Eric Malcolm, but reservation system does not allow us to request this early. June meeting speakers are in the works, including Chris Rosario, State Apiary Inspector from Guam, Dave Dobbs on rendering beeswax.
November 15 Meeting at Montgomery College: Michael Mehalick has reserved extremely successful Montgomery County auditorium for November 15, 2025. We receive Montgomery College free except for IT support.
EAS Director – Not present. For reference, next EAS Conference is scheduled for July 27-August 1 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey at the Double Tree Hotel and Conference Center.
Secretary & BeeLine Editor – Toni Burnham. Upcoming BeeLine newsletter appears to be a strong edition. Topics include NAHBE, ABF. Contributions of articles from County VPs/clubs strongly encouraged.
Website: New, public website feature of recipes from Valerie Wampler sourced from years of MSBA Honey Shows, as well as recipes for lotions, soaps, balms, and furniture polish: searchable, sortable, and accompanied by images. Public access to the information supports publicity for the club and member honey sales. Valerie is receiving editorial support from Marian Iannuzzi.

Old Business
• Education Committee, Valerie Wampler: March 8 Beeswax Workshop for 25 students at $50 to take place at the Maryland Agricultural Resource Center in Cockeysville. Will focus on how to create/enter winning fair entries for three types of beeswax products. Kim Mehalick: February 1 Nucs and Splits Class at UMD/College Park is fully subscribed, $50 per student. Queen Rearing Class is scheduled for May 3 at Mission Beelieve in Taneytown, fee $125, all day class for 22 students.
• December 2024 Apiary Inspector Letter Mailing Complete, Cybil Preston informed us that MDA distributed 4,700 copies of the annual Apiary Inspectors Fund support letter that is included with the apiary registration renewal form. MSBA once again composed a compelling, entertaining letter that drives both Apiary Inspector Fund contributions and MSBA membership renewals. MDA will make a follow up registration mailing without the letter later this winter.
• Maryland Farm Bureau Report, Fred Smith: MSBA dues are paid, invoice to go to Treasurer. Right now little beekeeping material is on their agenda. Next year there is potential for more info on planting of interstates. Was able to discuss beekeeping with Secretary of Agriculture, who enjoyed EAS and honey he received.
New Business
• Meeting Refreshment Volunteer Needed: BOD members suggested healthier food be included in future refreshment program, potentially member contributions brought to meetings. Rob Yochem volunteers to do refreshments. Requests background info from outgoing volunteer regina Andrew. Discussion of sourcing from local bakers, expenses, budget. Numbers concerning amounts and history worked out.
• Raising License Plate Fee, Lisa Marie Ghezzi: Current fee is $15, and that seems unlikely to cover costs, though further analysis might be required. There is also a one-time state fee of $30. Lisa will offer a potential price change after further study. No vote.
• MSBA Representation at American Beekeeping Federation (ABF), Lisa Marie Ghezzi: Lisa and Fred Smith are current representatives. January conference was high value! ABF appears to be moving to include more backyard beekeeping versus its history with commercial beekeeping. Lisa’s term runs through 2025, Fred’s term is through 2026.
• FOR DISCUSSION, Potential change to meeting structure/Zoom, Toni Burnham: Can the board reconsider the option of Zoom attendance at in person meetings? In person is crucial for November honey show, member meeting. Should MSBA vary in person with Zoom meetings, but not do both? Matt Gagle suggests recording in person meetings, then providing the recordings online. Zoom only costs less on speaker travel. Several members support pre-meeting Zoom social hour. Lisa Marie and Valerie suggest 2 in person and one Zoom only meeting, possibly June. Other BOD members remind that we are already experimenting with compressed meeting schedules. Board suggests attempting varied in person/Zoom/in person schedule for 2026. Rob Yochem suggests poll of members on their needs and preferences; committee including Jan Day to help with survey and Toni Burnham to provide website access and newsletter promotion formed, Lisa Marie Ghezzi seconds, motion approved.
• Queen Anne’s VP position, tabled.

President requests a motion to close the meeting: Valerie Wampler makes motion to close, Mike Raide seconds, motion carries, meeting concludes at 8:08 PM.

Appendix A: Summary of November 6, 2024 BOD Vote to confirm Imirie and Free State Beekeepers Award, Support for Baltimore Beekeeping Litigation
Call to order: November 6, 2024 6:35 PM
In attendance: MaryLaura Fitzgerald, Fred Smith, Kim Mehalick, David Schultz, Lisa Ghezzi, Valerie Wampler, Russell Sprangel, Toni Burnham (with proxy for Jan Day), Monica Schmitt, Scott Edie, Michael Mehalick, Rob Yochem, Diane Wellons
Imirie Award: Nominees are Monica Schmitt, Russell Sprangel, David Dobbs, Maureen Jais-Mick. Monica Schmitt receives highest total votes (4). David Schultz moves vote be accepted, Valerie Wampler Seconds, all approve.
Free State Beekeeper Citizenship Award: Nominees are Phil Frank/Frank Linton (jointly), Maureen Jais-Mick, David Dobbs. Phil Frank/Frank Linton receive highest vote tally (5). Valerie Wampler moves that vote be accepted, MaryLaura seconds, all approve.
Additional Support for Baltimore Beekeeping Litigation: Amounts suggested in survey $5,000, $2,500, or match of funds raised by Baltimore Club. David Schultz moves for $2,500 figure, Lisa Marie Ghezzi seconds, approved with one dissent.
• Motion to close by Scott Edie
• Seconded by Lisa Marie Ghezzi seconds
• All in favor, meeting closes at 6:48 PM