Source attachment: 2013_05-24_MSBA Minutes.doc
Executive Board Meeting Minutes - draft
May 24, 2013 7:00pm
Conference Room at CSC, Hanover, Maryland
Call to order 7:13 pm
Attendance: Wayne Esaias, Toni Burnham, Robert Crouse, Liz Filter, Bill McGiffin, Allen Hayes, Jody King, George Meyer, Tom Wilson, Linda Thompson, Steve McDaniel, Fred Sypher
and online: David Morris, Allison Abernathy, Janet Bardzik
Minutes: Approved with additions (last names)
Reports:
Treasurer: reviewed to date
Secretary: no report
Vice President:
Next general MSBA Meeting, June 15, 2013, 8:30 AM University of Maryland, College Park
Tentative schedule reviewed. Dr. Gene Kritsky –keynote. Professor and Chair of Biology at the College of Mount St. Joseph, Author of The Quest for the Perfect Hive
Inspector’s Report: not available
Beeline: full issue; need all submissions by the weekend
OLD BUSINESS
EAS Report – Janet Bardzik – two additional members assigned to Policies and Procedures committee. Dues question. Next meeting during August 5-9 EAS Conference in West Chester, PA. During MSBA general mtg, Janet Bardzik will encourage all beeks to attend.
Honey Harvest Festival – September 21, Patuxent Refuge Nat’l Wildlife Vistior Center - Linda Thompson suggested that another club take the lead from BUMBA to get more beek’s involved. BUMBA still willing to provide support as needed. Beek demonstrations to be held include open hive, artificial swarm, honey sales, harvesting, beek rodeo, film festival and guest speakers. Liz Filter will coordinate with Steve McDaniel. Letter to AA, Hwd and adjacent groups, and solicit at June MSBA mtg.
ETO Chamber (fumigator) – Paperwork complete, two more weeks to finalize sale. ETO will be delivered to Beltsville. Might need a little cleaning up (paint). Questions about trailer licensing and insurance.
Baltimore City regulations - Beth Passavant made a presentation (copy available) to Baltimore City Council May 13, with seven Balt Backyard Beeks in attendance including much support from Linda Thompson. Well received. But $80 fee is still law, enforced by Health Dept. With continuing education on economics and environmental, hope to get it at least redefined (per beek rather than per hive).
Membership – 726 (709 active) membership, most we’ve ever had. 217 did not renew (70 were class attendees) – reach out and find out why. License plate memberships still strong. 33 members used Paypal for dues. Donations option needs to be added. Consider increasing PayPal dues to cover PP service fee.
Md Farm Bureau – local beeks need to attend local FB meetings. Toni Burnham to promote dates to membership as available.
Bee Foraging – Allison Abernathy – researched lists of bee forage plants for Master Gardeners and found them dated or incomplete. Trying to develop reference lists that can be promoted for public spaces and developments. In the interim Toni Burnham and Allison Abernathy will develop links on MSBA website to existing such as Lady Bird Wildflower Ctr, U of Tx program (searchable), Pollinator Partnerships. David Morris will share Dr. Ayers studies.
New Business
Bee Forage Joint Project – Wayne Esaias proposed joint evaluation with National Plant Materials Center (NPMC) of bee forage materials including Black Locust. Wayne will invite NPMC to June meeting and write a letter to initiate collaboration.
Legislative initiatives – Toni Burnham will write article regarding Stormwater Abatement Tax (Rain Tax) to educate and encourage beeks to contact elected representatives to direct watershed restoration funds toward pollinator friendly plantings.
Insuring the Board – George Meyer outlined insurance issues at the association level and recommended coverage for board. Bob Crouse reviewed quote. Discussion and approval of insurance for the board and its activities. Bob C will procure.
Bee Deaths and Insecticide Motion – Steve McDaniel presented overview of neonicontinoids, the spread of use by homeowners on flowering trees and plants, and the EU’s recent ban. He proposed a motion supporting a ban on systemic insecticides. Discussion followed and topic will be included at the June MSBA meeting to develop official position.
Adjourn at 9:08pm
Next General Meeting Saturday, June 15, 2013 8:30am Univ of MD /College Park (Plant Sciences)
Next Board Meeting Friday, October 11, 2013 7pm
Maryland State Beekeepers Assoc, Inc.
Dedicated to beekeeping in Maryland since 1908
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