Source attachment: 2008 MSBA EB 20081121 Minutes.doc

Minutes of the Executive Board Meeting
7:00 PM, November 21,2008
Maryland Farm Bureau Headquarters,
8930 Liberty Rd, Randallstown, MD 211330, 410-922-3426
Recorded by David Morris, Secretary.

Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Steve McDaniel, MSBA President.
Officers present at the meeting:

Steve McDaniel, President
Jon Bealer, Treasurer
David Morris, Secretary
Carol Johnson, Past President
Marc Hoffman, Director
Robert Crouse, Director
John Moyer, Editor (by proxy to David Morris)
2d VPs
Jerry Fischer
Jody King
Adam Finkelstein
Wayne Esaias
Toni Burnham (via teleconference)
Matt Redman (by proxy to Marc
Hoffman)
Members present at the meeting:
Bill McGiffin
Guest at the meeting:
Cassandra Costley (interest in solitary bees)

A quorum was in attendance.
Reports of the Officers
Secretary's Report: Steve McDaniel presented the minutes of the Board meeting of September 19,2008. David Morris was unable to attend the meeting and Steve McDaniel recorded the minutes. Corrections noted
Motion by Carol Johnson, second by Wayne Esaias, to accept the minutes of the September 19, 2008, board meeting, with corrections, passed by unanimous voice vote
David Morris presented for review the minutes for the General Membership meeting and elections of November 1, 2008. Corrections noted were that Past Presidents David Bernard and David Simmons were not present at the meeting as originally recorded.
Motion by Carol Johnson, seconded by Wayne Esaias, to accept the minutes of the November 1, 2008, general meeting, with corrections, passed by unanimous voice vote.

Treasurer's Report: Jon Bealer:
Revenues
Dues: $4,070.00
Grant from Maryland Fair Board: $1,000.00
License Plates: $270.00
Donations/Auctions: $3,130.00
Interest $189.49
Centennial Festival & Dinner $1,833.17
Label Sales $77.50
Total Revenues: $10,570.16

Expenditures
Meetings:
* Guest speaker travel expenses and honoraria: ($2,066.61)
* Rent of facilities: ($74.20)
* Donuts, coffee and soda: ($286.45)
Total Meeting Expenditures: ($2,427.26)
Newsletter:
* February: ($858.76)
* June: ($528.88)
* November/December
Total Newsletter Expenditures ($1,387.64)
Annual Honey Show: ($953.91)
Dues/donations paid to fraternal organization: ($2,585.00)
Centennial Festival & Dinner ($1,331.55)
Awards ($200.00)
Expenses (stamps, repro): ($492.26)
Fees/Taxes ($30.00)
Total Expenditures: (9,407.62)

P&L $1,162.54
Notes: Some expenses from Centennial celebration not yet paid
Program Report:
Winter Meeting
February 21, 2009, Howard Co. Fair grounds
Principle speaker: Jeff Pettis?
Spring Meeting:
June 20, 2009, Irvine Nature Center
11201 Garrison Forest Road Owings Mills, MD 21117 443-738-9200 HYPERLINK "http://www.explorenature.org"www.explorenature.org
Principle speaker: Dr. David Fletcher
Summer Meeting and Honey Show:
September 26,2009
Oregon Ridge Nature Center, 13555 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030
410-887-1815· TDD/Deaf 410-887-5319
HYPERLINK "mailto:info@oregonridge.org"info@oregonridge.org HYPERLINK "http://www.oregonridge.org"www.oregonridge.org (speakers TBD)
Steve McDaniel reported there is sufficient room in the building to hold both the Honey Show and a meeting. The CMBA annual honey festival is the following weekend. It is not recommended that the two events coincide due to the high traffic level for the CMBA event. Hives are available on the grounds for outdoor demonstrations like was done in June 2008. The weather should be cooler in September; the heat was a factor for the summer meeting held there.
The consensus of the Board was in agreement with this meeting arrangement.
Fall Meeting: November 21,2009
MD Dept. of Agriculture, Annapolis
(speakers TBD)
MSBA Board Meetings
The Board selected four meetings dates for 2009 .
January 23: Howard Co. Fairgrounds (subject to confirmation)
May 22: (location TBD)
Aug 21: (location TBD)
Oct 23: (location TBD)
MSBA Newsletter: editor, John Moyer
John Moyer could not attend; Steve McDaniel reported from notes sent by John. The minutes of the September 19 meeting noted the withdrawal of the service provided by the MDA to mail the December "Beeline" to all registered Maryland beekeepers, due to costs and budget constraints on the MDA. The MDA also is cancelling the annual "Open House" and the postage paid return envelope for beekeeper apiary registration. The MDA Inspector, Jerry Fischer, reports 1320 registered beekeepers will receive a renewal notice.
John Moyer reported the cost for MSBA to mail 1320 newsletters, at $0.42 each is $555; printing, $0.45 per newsletter, is about $600; total cost for a December or January newsletter would be close to $1200. He recommends an early January mailing to promote the February meeting, and notes membership forms need to be included.
Jon Bealer reported that he had not received any payments for advertising in the newsletter. The Secretary reported that an Advertising Fee Schedule for camera ready art was established at the January 21,2000, board meeting. A separate policy for MSBA members was established at the April 4, 2004 board meeting that allows members to have one free ad per year.
Action: The secretary will provide a copy of those minutes to the Treasurer and Editor.
Suggestions were made to encourage members to accept emailed newsletters or a link to a special site; to encourage members to submit articles to the newsletter.
Questions raised were: if we distribute a 10 page printed newsletter and a 20 page electronic file newsletter, should we charge a different rate for the ads that only appear in the electronic version (fewer recipients, can be ignored in the printing process). MSBA doesn't have an advertising rate for full page inserts; what is an appropriate rate?
Steve McDaniel appointed a committee on newsletter advertising to review the advertising rates and recommend changes. Members are Jon Bealer (Chair), John Moyer, Bob Crouse and David Morris.
CONTINUING BUSINESS:
Nominations Committee: John Knapstein
Vacancies: The third Directorship is vacant.
Charles and Montgomery County VP positions are vacant. David Bernard is canvassing MCBA to nominate a candidate. Jerry Worrell is canvassing ASMB to nominate a candidate
Awards: Jody King
Accepting nominations for George Imirie Education Award 2009, Free State Beekeepers Award 2009. A notice for nominations will be placed in the "Beeline".
The engraving problem we had with our awards was that the engraving company set aside our order to do a larger order ahead of our work.
Public Events
MDA Open House is cancelled for 2009 due to MDA budget constraints. Brookside Gardens Honey Festival= Toni Burnham did a terrific job on the festival and received the appreciation of the board for her work. She declined to organize a new festival for 2009.
Motion to hold a 2009 Honey Festival failed to receive a second.
No plans have been made and no organizer has been identified.
Honey Show
The board extends its appreciation to Allen Hayes for handling the Honey Show on short notice. A Chair is needed for 2009. Bill Troup is willing to continue as senior judge. The Secretary has a copy of notes and directions for running the Honey Show originally prepared by past Honey Show Chairmen Bart Smith and David Morris.
The President appointed a Honey Show Committee to review the planning of the show and to create an electronic exhibitor entry process. Members are Jon Bealer (Chair), David Morris and Bob Crouse.
NASA Scale Hive program: Wayne Esaias
Wayne Esaias reports the best price for scales is $259 from Northern Tools (www.northerntools.com). He will be able to purchase four scales from the donation from MSBA. To save on shipping costs Wayne will pick up the scales at the store in Richmond, Va. To save on sales tax, Wayne will use the MSBA tax-exemption number to purchase the scales. The scales are planned for beekeepers in Western and Eastern MD; Garrett, Allegheny and Cecil counties, and one from the eastern shore other than Queen Anne's county (to complement scale hives monitored by David Smith and Mike Embry). A location in southern Calvert or St. Mary's counties is also needed, and will get a 5th scale. He will be contacting county VP's to help arrange this. Wayne also has spoken to the Virginia State Beekeepers Association and to groups in Pennsylvania. Virginia has indicated they may support the project.
Howard County regulations: Wayne Esaias
Wayne Esaias reported that an individual in Howard County has taken it upon themselves to report perceived violations of the zoning regulations throughout the county. An effort was made to ban or restrict beekeeping based on some complaint. Allen Hayes, David Titman, and Wayne Esaias have met with two County Council members and are very encouraged by their support and the efforts the council members are undertaking to research the importance of honey bees and how to best regulate honey bees in a way that allows the activity. Open government laws in Howard County require that any meeting of more than two council members must be held publicly. The three beekeepers will meet with the remaining three council members as soon as that can be arranged. The citation against the beekeeper has been placed on hold pending full Council review with the intent to make an exception for honey bees from the current regulation.
Africanized Honey Bee Management Plan: Wayne Esaias
Wayne Esaias provided a copy of a Pennsylvania "Beekeeping Best Practices" document that has been made into a draft MSBA Best Practices document. Jerry Fischer reported that the MDA Apiary Office has a Best Practices document and an Africanized Honey Bee Plan; he provided a copy of the Best management Plan to Wayne. Toni Burnham reported that she provides a “best practices for DC” guidance sheet for new beekeepers in DC. She will provide an electronic copy to the Secretary (received).
The President appointed a Beekeeping Best Practices Committee to review available best practices documents and make recommendations to the board regarding establishment of an MSBA policy, whether the policy would be to adopt the MDA plan, and to make recommendations for improvements to the MDA plan. The members are Wayne Esaias and Jerry Fischer as co-chairs, Allen Hayes and David Titman.
University of Maryland and Legislative relations - Marc Hoffman
Honey Bee Working Group efforts to fund research, professor, advanced Short Course
MAAREC meeting Oct. 20 report - Steve McDaniel
NEW BUSINESS:
EAS Director
David Smith asked that duties of the EAS director be placed on the agenda.. However, David Smith was not in attendance so no discussion was held.
New Committees: Steve McDaniel
Steve McDaniel proposes that MSBA establish several new committees to engage more members in MSBA planning and to better guide MSBA activities and policies. It was recommended that the most important committees be written into the Constitution or Bylaws as standing committees instead of ad hoc committees. New Committees proposed, some with appointed chairs and members, are listed below:
Publicity: Press releases, public notices, etc.
Finance: Chair: Treasurer Jon Bealer
Membership: (benefits and increasing membership)
History and Archives:
Education: (short course, speaker's bureau, ed. Publications)
Events: (Honey Festival, MDA Open House, State Fair)
Master Beekeeper program for Maryland:
Government Affairs: (state, local gov't: legislative, regulatory, zoning) Chair: Marc Hoffman
Business: needs of commercial beekeepers, sideliners, anyone who sells honey, bees, or hive products
Organizational Relations :cooperation with local clubs, EAS, VSBA, PSBA, MAAREC, NAPPC, etc.
Management and Research: latest findings on pest control, feeding, research, best practices
Science committee: Adam Finkelstein and Wayne Esaias
Maryland Farm Bureau: Marc Hoffman
Membership in the Maryland Farm Bureau allows a representative to attend and speak at board meetings but not to vote., and allows two votes at the annual meeting. Marc Hoffman reports the best way to get a state policy on beekeeping is to work at the county level. The annual meeting is held on Dee 7-10 in Ocean City. Registration is between $68-$85 depending on late registration.
Motion by Wayne Esaias, second by Jon Bealer, to authorize spending up to $500 total to send one or two delegates, to be selected by the president in consultation with Marc Hoffman, to attend the annual Maryland Farm Bureau convention in Ocean City as representatives of MSBA, passed by unanimous voice vote.
Yahoogroups, e-mail lists and e-workspace: Marc Hoffman
Marc Hoffman would like to discuss establishing two new yahoogroup email lists to facilitate MSBA business and participation by members. HYPERLINK "mailto:MSBAnet@yahoogroups.com"MSBAnet@yahoogroups.com would be for Maryland beekeepers, primarily members of the Maryland State Beekeepers Association, to discuss statewide issues about beekeeping. HYPERLINK "mailto:MSBABoard@Yahoogroups.com"MSBABoard@Yahoogroups.com would be for MSBA officers to discuss MSBA business. HYPERLINK "mailto:MarylandbeekeeperS@yahoogroups.com"MarylandbeekeeperS@yahoogroups.com already exists but the intent is to no duplicate this group. Several other e-workspace possibilities other than Yahoo were discussed.
Action: Steve McDaniel appointed an e-workspace committee. Members are Marc Hoffman (Chair), Adam Finkelstein, Jon Bealer and David Morris.
IRS Expenditure Test: Marc Hoffman
Motion by Marc Hoffman, second by Jon Bealer, proposed
"A Resolution to elect Expenditure Test for determining limitations of legislative lobbying.
Whereas, MSBA's 501 (c)3 status limits MSBA's ability to lobby for legislation; and,
Whereas, the IRS permits two tests of this limitation, the Substantial Part Test and the Expenditure Test (also known as the 501 (h) election; and,
Whereas, the Expenditure Test provides more certainty in administration, but must be positively selected by the organization; Now, therefore, be it resolved: that
The MSBA elects the Expenditure Test; and The Treasurer shall submit form 5768 informing the IRS of this election and shall take appropriate steps to comply with the requirements of this election.”
Discussion: How much may MSBA spend? We don't know until the election is filed. The advantage to the election is that it identifies how much MSBA may spend on lobbying, but does not obligate it as an expenditure and avoids the subjective "substantial part" test. MSBA can also elect to revoke the expenditure test. Reporting requirements should be no different than now, but lobbying related expenses must be identified and recorded.
Motion was approved by unanimous voice vote.
Adjournment: Motion, by Bob Crouse, to adjourn passed by unanimous voice vote at 10:30 PM.

Summary of Motions passed November 21, 2008:
Motion passed by a voice vote to accept the Minutes of the Board meeting of September 19, 2008, as corrected.
Motion passed by a voice vote to accept the Minutes of the general meeting and elections of November 1, 2008, as corrected.
Motion passed by unanimous voice vote to authorize spending up to $500 total to send one or two delegates, to be selected by the president in consultation with Marc Hoffman, to attend the annual Maryland Farm Bureau convention in Ocean City as representatives of MSBA,.
Motion passed by unanimous voice vote for the Treasurer to file an IRS application to elect the “Expenditure test for determining limitations of legislative lobbying".

Summary of Actions from the November 21, 2008 meeting:
Jon Bealer (Chair), John Moyer, Bob Crouse and David Morris were appointed to a committee on newsletter advertising to review the advertising rates and recommend changes.
The secretary will provide a copy of those minutes to the Treasurer and Editor.
Jon Bealer (Chair), David Morris and Bob Crouse were appointed to a Honey Show Committee to review the planning of the show and to create an electronic exhibitor entry process.
Wayne Esaias and Jerry Fischer as co-chairs, Allen Hayes and David Titman were appointed to a Beekeeping Best Practices Committee to review available best practices documents and make recommendations to the board regarding establishment of an MSBA policy, whether the policy would be to adopt the MDA plan, and to make recommendations for improvements to the MDA plan.
Marc Hoffman (Chair), Adam Finkelstein, Jon Bealer and David Morris were appointed to a committee on e-workspace.

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