Source attachment: 2020_10_09_MSBA_BOD minutes draft.pdf
Maryland State Beekeepers Assoc, Inc.
Dedicated to beekeeping in Maryland since 1908
Minutes of the Executive Board Meeting
October 9, 2020
Online via Zoom
Meeting permalink https://tinyurl.com/yd6uxxuh
MSBA President, Kim, Mehalick called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
Attendees:
Kim Mehalick, Fred Smith, Toni Burnham (with proxy for Ben Cooper), Bill Castro, David Clark, Clif Darby,
Jan Poston Day, Mary Laura Fitzgerald, Jim Fraser, Greg Gentry, Carl Guerci, Allen Hayes, Pam Hepp,
Deborah Hewitt, Maureen Jais-Mick, Crystal Lehmanking, Brad Luff, Stefanie Ottenstein, Clyde Strang,
Susan Warner, Patti Wong, Jerry Worrell. Non-Voting: Cybil Preston, Phil Frank (from travel).
Review and Approval of the Minutes of the May 2020 BOD Meeting. Motion to approve by Maureen Jais-
Mick, seconded by David Clark, the motion passed.
Reports by the Officers
President – Little to report due to pandemic shut down. Classes, etc., have been shut down since Spring
2020. Will continue discussion during new business portion of the agenda. Special thanks to Maureen Jais-
Mick for sharing online resources during this period. If local clubs or other organizations are offering online
meetings or talks that they are willing to share, please inform MSBA so that we can publicize via mailing
list. Please also share resources brought to your attention via MSBA with your local club. Members appear
to be appreciative of the Mailchimp service.
Treasurer – Stephanie Ottenstein: September 2020 balance sheet shows increase of $20,000 in cash over
September 2019 due to lack of meeting expenses. Profit and Loss sheet shows significant increase in Life
Members and benefit from increase in membership fee to $20, as well as workshop revenue from before
shutdown. T-shirt sales are the same, expenses are low. Insurance cost has increased by $20. We have
630 annual members and 250 life members. Donations are up due to multiple options for contributing on
website. No 2020 Maryland Fair Board payment as of yet, paid up through last year. We are likely to
receive this funding but 2021 may not be budgeted. Strategy of offering side workshops to offset cost of
higher-priced speakers discussed and affirmed, some hope for 2021 with attention to health guidelines that
may be in place.
Secretary & BeeLine Editor –All email addresses on the website have been changed to the format
role@mdbeekeepers.org to curtail continued spam and phishing attempts. These addresses forward
emails received to your existing email account without an additional login. Email cannot be sent from these
addresses. Exploring suggestion of moving all addresses to Gmail for additional spam protection. Board
members should rest assured that they will never receive a request for purchases of gift cards (or anything
else) from the association.
November BeeLine in preparation, does Mailchimp use make newsletter irrelevant? Board finds BeeLine to
be of continued value, still some wish for old format. Perhaps find usability assistance.
DRAFT
Maryland State Beekeepers Assoc, Inc.
Dedicated to beekeeping in Maryland since 1908
Vice-President – November Meeting will be via Zoom, with agenda to go out tomorrow. Program to take
place 9 AM to 12:15 PM. Randy has reduced his fee to $50 per hour (paid to
www.scientificbeekeeping.com) while online, deeply cutting our costs. Maureen moves that MSBA make an
additional contribution, bringing total to $500. Seconded by Allen Hayes. Motion passes.
Talks include “Reading the Combs,” Cybil Preston report, Mark Dykes research project update, and final
talk “Understanding Varroa and its Management. Will be hosted by the UMD Zoom license. Time for
elections must also be included.
For February 2021 Zoom program, Dr. Tom Seeley is firm, Landi Simone sending list of potential talks.
EAS Report – Patti Wong reports that EAS 2021 currently planned for July 26-30 in Amherst,
Massachusetts. “Save the Date” flyer sent to all Maryland clubs. Two MSBA Community members were
recognized by EAS this summer. Dr. Barry Thompson received the Divelbiss Award, Karen Rennich
received the Morse Award. Has emailed congratulations and awards should arrive by mail, picture not yet
received. BeeLine article and meeting recognition suggested.
Upcoming Programs
• November 7, 2020: keynote Randy Oliver
• February 13, 2021: Dr. Tom Seeley
• June 12, 2021: keynote Jamie Ellis (also to include workshops TBD)
Old Business
1. Class programs in 2020: All on hold at this time. “Nucs and Splits,” “Honey Judging” must be held face
to face. All day “Queen Rearing” class also postponed.
2. Mailchimp and Website: Phil Frank is tackling issue with graphics not loading properly with tech
support. Website will be updated with meeting and other information this weekend, and a Mailchimp
announcement will go out.
3. MSBA Bumper Stickers: Though a design has been selected, we will not be having face to face
meetings where the bumper stickers can be sold, so they have not been purchased.
4. Sting Allergy Survey Wrap Up: 129 Maryland and DC beekeepers participated (6 anonymously), but
pandemic curtailed opportunity for Dr. Golden to participate in test, follow on activities. Request to
make the promised drawing for a ventilated suit for participants. Randy Oliver will select winner from a
randomized list of participants during November meeting.
New Business
1. Nomination Committee for November Meeting Elections: Only two Directors (Maureen and Carl) face
term limits. Every seat is voted on, however. Toni will chair Nomination Committee with Mary Laura
Fitzgerald and Maureen Jais-Mick participating.
2. Should Elections be Online? Kim suggests that we can operate elections in the same manner as in
person since we do not have secret ballots in face to face meetings. We can explore using the Poll
function: ask Mark Dykes to work with Phil to set up.
3. Free State and Imirie Award Nominations: Toni suggests Zac Lamas for the Imirie because of his
presentations to clubs both before and during the pandemic while busy with research. Greg Gentry is
DRAFT
Maryland State Beekeepers Assoc, Inc.
Dedicated to beekeeping in Maryland since 1908
nominated for the Free State Beekeeper Citizenship award due to his role in building up his local
beekeeping community while constantly sharing information between the community and the state
association, in both directions. He also attends EAS and shares that information with at both levels.
Creating this example of active connection and knowledge sharing among Maryland beekeeping is a
model for our organization and central to its mission. The Imirie Award includes a cash premium, the Free
State receives a certificate and their name is included on a trophy at MD Department of Agriculture.
MSBA has 4 trophies: 2 for the honey show, one for the Imirie, and one for the Free State. Jim suggests
“Virtual Trophy Case” for the website! Toni moves that MSBA award the Free State Beekeeper
Citizenship Award to Greg Gentry, and the Imirie Education Award to Zac Lamas. Jan Poston Day
seconds, motion carries.
4. Increasing the premium for the Imirie Award: $100 premium now in place for 15 years/low. Treasurer
notes that the fund which supports it (no longer a certificate of deposit) contained $5,700 in late 2019.
Fund receives about $100 in combined donations and interest each year. Jim Fraser moves that MSBA
increase the premium for the Imirie Award to $200. Debbie Hewitt seconds. Motion carries.
5. Farmers Market liability insurance available? Dick Crane seeks an affordable option for Maryland
beekeepers who want to sell but only need a few weeks coverage. Jim explains MontCo participation in
umbrella policy for fair. Can club provide coverage or access to an underwriter for a lower cost? Not at
this time.
6. President’s Letter for MDA Apiary Registration Mailing: Kim Mehalick will write letter to accompany
apiary registration mailing. MDA is requesting 3800 copies needed by November 6. Will be produced at a
Staples or Office Depot near Cybil Preston, MSBA pays. A big driver of membership for us. Toni will
provide Kim with samples from previous years.
A motion to adjourn was made by Kim Mehalick and seconded by Jerry Worrell, the motion passed. The
meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM.
DRAFT
4:21 PM Maryland State Beekeepers Assoc Inc
10/09/20 Balance Sheet Prev Year Comparison
Cash Basis As of September 30, 2020
Sep 30, 20 Sep 30, 19
ASSETS
Current Assets
Checking/Savings
Wells Fargo - Savings 46,003.77 0.00
Wells Fargo - Checking 25,296.99 0.00
Checking - BofA 0.00 7,069.72
Savings - BofA 0.00 9,091.36
PayPal 1,071.18 610.03
CD #2796 0.00 10,534.18
CD #4317 0.00 10,581.77
CD #7384 0.00 10,530.52
CD George Imirie Fund 0.00 5,693.55
Total Checking/Savings 72,371.94 54,111.13
Total Current Assets 72,371.94 54,111.13
Other Assets
Equipment 1,873.48 1,873.48
Total Other Assets 1,873.48 1,873.48
TOTAL ASSETS 74,245.42 55,984.61
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Equity
Retained Earnings 60,090.21 54,813.99
Net Income 14,155.21 1,170.62
Total Equity 74,245.42 55,984.61
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY 74,245.42 55,984.61
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4:20 PM Maryland State Beekeepers Assoc Inc
10/09/20 Profit & Loss Prev Year Comparison
Cash Basis January through September 2020
Jan - Sep 20 Jan - Sep 19
Income
Dues 12,062.79 9,499.23
Contributions
Dr. Sam Ramsey 463.00 0.00
Apiary Inspection Fund 2,081.00 1,242.90
George Imirie Fund 84.00 50.29
License Plates 186.81 287.40
MSBA Donation 2,150.79 476.04
Total Contributions 4,965.60 2,056.63
Program Service Revenue
Classes and Workshops 4,132.78 1,111.75
Total Program Service Revenue 4,132.78 1,111.75
Grant Revenue 0.00 846.00
Interest Income 3.73 37.76
Sales
T-Shirts 812.52 321.10
Total Sales 812.52 321.10
Total Income 21,977.42 13,872.47
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of Goods Sold 982.65 0.00
Total COGS 982.65 0.00
Gross Profit 20,994.77 13,872.47
Expense
General and Administrative
Affilation Dues 150.00 650.00
Computer and Software 106.49 68.99
Insurance 545.00 525.00
Miscellaneous 59.07 151.65
Bank/PayPal Fee 131.97 0.00
Printing & Postage 23.30 1,037.54
Total General and Administrative 1,015.83 2,433.18
Program Service Expenses
Classes and Workshops 600.00 720.96
Honey Harvest Festival 0.00 846.15
Meetings
Awards Given 0.00 175.00
Guest Speaker Fees 1,970.95 2,155.43
Refreshments 166.03 560.85
Meetings - Other 248.80 254.77
Total Meetings 2,385.78 3,146.05
Total Program Service Expenses 2,985.78 4,713.16
Donations
Apiary Inspection Fund Paid 0.00 3,055.51
Donations - Other 2,837.95 2,500.00
Total Donations 2,837.95 5,555.51
Total Expense 6,839.56 12,701.85
Net Income 14,155.21 1,170.62
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