Source attachment: 2019_10_11_MSBA_BOD minutes.docx

Minutes of the Executive Board Meeting

October 11, 2019

USDA/ARS Beltsville Bee Lab, Building 306 BARC-EAST, Beltsville, MD

MSBA President, Jim Fraser called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM.

Attendees:
In room: Jim Fraser, Kim Mehalick, Toni Burnham with proxy for Ben Cooper, Carl Guerci, Allen Hayes, David Clark, Pam Hepp, Maureen Jais-Mick, Stefanie Ottenstein, Susan Warner. Non-voting: Mark Dykes.
On phone: Pam Hepp, Deborah Hewitt, Martin Posse, Jerry Worrell

Review and Approval of the Minutes of the May 2019 BOD Meeting. Motion to approve by Kim Mehalick, seconded Susan Warner, the motion passed.

Reports by the Officers
President – Is interesting in learning how county clubs are doing. Is there assistance that MSBA can give to clubs that are struggling? Possible new club near Cumberland. Will work with Phil Frank to use web system to remind members of November 2 meeting date.
Treasurer – MSBA has $10,000 more than this time last year. Expenses are similar, contributions are a bit down. Contributors include dues increase, splits class income. There has been a $2,500 donation to Samuel Ramsey’s research and an extra donation to EAS. Honey Harvest Festival also created new expenses for printing, give-aways, cost of event.
Secretary & BeeLine Editor – Newsletter inputs sought. Seeks advice on a member communication idea: Dr. David Golden interested in collaborating with club to survey members on bee sting allergy, is board aware of any issue? Possible incentive to participate, potential for scientific publication at later date. Board requests no collection of medical/private information or suggestion of medical guidance from MSBA. Requires access control on website, other clubs could participate if they have that kind of control. Also, Allen Hayes notes that Howard County has become a “Bee City.” Will begin to do regular email inquiries to clubs in advance of each issue. Has tried to improve usability of online newsletter.
Vice-President – Kim provided a handout (copy at end of minutes) of currently scheduled events and keynotes, as well as proposed new classes. We are getting an enormous break on keynote honoraria. Is near completion of booking keynotes through 2021. Prepared a list of 8 potential advanced class offerings for 2020 and beyond. Moving Fall meeting to November 2 created a conflict with Howard and Montgomery County events.
EAS Report – Patti Wong not present. Jim Fraser reports that EAS in South Carolina was a big success, 25 from Maryland attended, next year in Orono, ME at University of Maine. Massachusetts is 2021. Mark Dykes bringing promo material to Nov. 2 meeting.

Upcoming Programs

• Fall Meeting, November 2, 2019: moved to accommodate Gene Robinson (keynote) schedule. Also talk and panel from Dr. David Golden (insect sting allergy specialist) as well.
• February 15, 2020: keynote Kim Flottum
• June 13, 2020: keynote David Tarpy
• November 4, 2020: keynote Randy Oliver (with additional workshops to be arranged)
• February 2021: still exploring
• June 12, 2021: keynote Jamie Ellis (also to include workshops)

Old Business

From the treasurer:
• Treasurers, Directors and Officers Insurance: Two quotes in hand. From our current insurer for MSBA liability, The Hartford: $744/year locked in for 3 years, $1 million liability (actually from SCU). Quote 2 is from Socius (FL), $450/year for 3 years, $3 million liability. This policy protects officers from being sued for their decisions in office. The other policy protects the club from suits related to club activities and facilities. Toni Burnham moves to accept the lower bid, Maureen Jais-Mick seconds, unanimous acceptance.
• Bank Transition Update: Bank of America is impossible to work with: constantly providing conflicting/changing requirements. Moving to Wells Fargo. Existing account was established with a name that does not completely match the association’s, was opened as a for-profit business, and we need to change all existing names on the account to new ones. Bank security protocols/regulations are preventing this. Will close 4 CDs, checking and savings accounts and move them to Wells Fargo.
T-Shirt Sales: Toni Burnham: working with the Treasurer, we have been able to order 100 long-sleeved t-shirts using our tax-exempt status, and have received a re-order bonus, saving MSBA $100 on this order. The order was placed using an MSBA credit card, for the first time not requiring a member to be repaid. Sustainable, efficient process. 105 long-sleeved and 65 short sleeved shirts will be available on time for Fall meeting. Send reminder to members.
MSBA Splits Class: Kim Mehalick ran with Mark Dykes. Demand outstripped available seats many times over. $25 fee for one day. Original class size planned for 45, took it to 50, sold out in one morning. Feedback highly positive. Made a small profit. We should raise price, offer again in January and March 2020, get a bigger room. Expanded class size would not have decreased quality. Complaints that not enough folks could get in. Attendees averaged more experienced (10 years).
Website: Phil Frank not present. Carl Guerci notes that we still have a Twitter icon, though board decided not to use Twitter.
Will gift cards be available for memberships at meeting? (David Clark) As a convenience, we are bringing some $20 gift cards for folks who want to renew but do not wish to use personal credit card. Jim will bring. Members are able to do this on their own. Example: Visa Gift Card from supermarket.
New Business
• Elections and Nominations Committee: Some discussions have been ongoing, but official committee should convene. Committee checks with sitting county VPs to ascertain willingness to continue, discusses and solicits candidates for executive board slots which are term-limited or with departing officers. Allen Hayes (lead), Toni Burnham (will run election), and Martin Posse agree to serve on committee. Key slots for next year are a new First VP and a new Director. Goals: to preserve institutional knowledge, upward progress of existing officers, bring in new interested members, represent all areas of Maryland.
• November Honey Show Arrangements: Jim Fraser has coordinated with Cybil Preston for judges, but we do not have a chairman. Anne Arundel Beekeepers arranging for volunteers. Stefanie Ottenstein has ordered ribbons. Allen Hayes is looking after trophies. Stefanie will be provided with names and totals for checks. David Morris will provide an Excel spreadsheet for this/Jim will email
• Re-Offering/Changes to Splits Class in 2020: (Kim Mehalick) Will be bringing student feedback to participating teachers. Positive overall on seven speakers /seven hours, low price of class. Would like to repeat in both late January and late February. MSBA has access to the same room or a slightly larger one in Plant Sciences via Mark Dykes. MSBA can enroll up to 70 students (each session). Consider raising class size and price due to perceived value of material and demand/$50. Winter best time due to instructor availability. Best to move quickly in order to coordinate with Parking Services, UMD room booking. Doublecheck instructor willingness for two versus one session.
• Re-Offering Honey Judging Class in 2020: Allen Hayes is willing to lead. Mark Dykes confirms UMD/College Park is appropriate, requests an email with proposed dates. May or June date suggested to be in advance of fairs. Class fee should remain low ($25) because building volunteer base for MSBA. Class does not produce certified judges (Cybil Preston runs that program) but it increases pipeline and participation. Requests article in February BeeLine outlining the Honey Judge Certification process, possible Cybil Preston presentation on topic in February.
• Future New Class Offerings: (See handout at end of minutes) Mark Dykes: Bee Squad offerings to include MiteCheck-affiliated “Train the Trainer” Program, seeking at least one member of each club to attend, currently planned to be free of charge but limited size. Seeking to provide each club with at least one mite check kit and one EZCheck shaker. Using half- to three-quarter day format, also organizing an equipment building class, planting for pollinators, and a varroa biology and treatments, some may be held on the Eastern Shore. Mark is seeking inputs from stakeholders like seed companies, varroa treatment manufacturers, grad students doing work in these areas. Sponsorships possible. Bee Squad is open to other topics, would like to have a 2020 schedule of 6 classes set by January. Jim Fraser suggests “running a beekeeping business.”
• Possible Maryland Master Beekeeper Certification Program: (Kim) Meant to feed EAS-level. Other states have. Requires a university affiliation. Does MSBA have a role in creating standards for club education offerings? Mark Dykes started one in TX/free education, inexpensive testing. UMD has expensive college classes. Believes that BeeInformed/vanEngelsdorp program would support/institutionalize if explained and MSBA is involved. Kim: money will be needed, grants not available until a year from now, offerings 18 months from now at earliest. UMD likely to help with testing. Toni Burnham: where would this responsibility reside within MSBA? We have added lots of members, who have increasing expectations of us. Kim: BOD should consider this over the next year. Debbie Hewitt: can there be a suggested beginner curriculum for local clubs? Jim and Kim: sharing information and ideas might work, rules would not. Secretary should reach out to clubs to gather whatever information clubs are willing to share and place on MSBA website. Mark Dykes: there are grants available for programs designed to reduce losses. Maureen Jais-Mick: this needs to be supported by an Education Committee, outside the BOD. Allen Hayes: Maryland club structure different/more independent than other states, other states’ offerings uneven.
• Maryland Farm Bureau Annual Conference: (Jim Fraser) Suggests Mark Hoffman and George Meyer, will put them in touch.

A motion to adjourn was made by Susan Warner and seconded by Maureen Jais-Mick, the motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.

Handout: Upcoming Programs and Classes (From Kim Mehalick):
MSBA Program Report out
In November
Gene Robinson
Honorarium $800
Airfare; 400
Food: 200
Incidentals 200
David Golden $200
Lunches for judges and speakers (10*$10)= $100
Total $1900

In February 2020:
Kim Flottum Bee Culture editor
Kevin Iglan, NJ

June 2020:
David Tarpy

November 2020
Randy Oliver (with three side meetings)

Feb 2021

June 2021
Jaime Ellis (along with three seminars)
Nov 2021
Looking at
Kith delaplane- genetics
David arnal
Jennifer barry , dr marla spivac spiva001@umn.edu
queen rearing class
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Potential advanced classes:
Nucs and Splits (repeated)
Judging certification
Dissection of queen
Microscopy
Native bees
Evaluating your hives throughout the year
Beekeeping gold- how to store those frames. Timing for Maryland

Setting up a Maryland certification system
• Include DC of course
• Must be sponsored by UMD, vanEngelsdorp