Source attachment: 2023_10_20_MSBA_BOD minutes.docx
Minutes of Executive Board Meeting
October 20, 2023
Online via Zoom
MSBA President, Fred Smith called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM.
Attendees:
Fred Smith, Mary Laura Fitzgerald, Toni Burnham (with proxy for Ben Cooper), Larry Truchon, Clyde Strang, Jan Day, Scott Edie, Lisa Ghezzi, Len Greig, Carl Guerci, Brad Luff, Kim Mehalick, Mike Mehalick, Susan Polsky, Russell Sprangel (with proxy for David Schultz). Non-voting: Allen Hayes, Phil Frank, Rob Yochem, David Morris, Cybil Preston, John Knapstein.
Review and Approval of the Minutes of the May 18, 2023, BOD Meeting Russell Sprangel moves to approve, Mary Laura Fitzgerald seconds, board votes to approve.
Reports by the Officers
President – Fred Smith: welcome to the meeting, shares news of the passing of Skip Glenn, plans to attend Maryland Farm Bureau Meeting in December in Ocean City with George Meyer,
Treasurer – Stefanie Ottenstein did not attend. BOD discussion of actions to take due to problems in responsiveness and communication of elected treasurer. Funds still in place and one other BOD member, Kim Mehalick, has checking account access. Toni Burnham moves that sitting president and vice president as well as treasurer should be added to all bank accounts, and the outgoing president will be removed as standard operating procedure. Russell seconds, motion carries. BOD declines to take removal action, since new elections scheduled for next month.
Vice President – Mary Laura Fitzgerald: Our meeting space at Harford County Community College is not available until 2025 due to construction, though a less viable space is on offer. They are waiting on our reply: we have been treated well by them but dp not wish to proceed with this space. John Knapstein, who works frequently with HCC, shares that this will be understood by HCC. UMBC has expressed interest and proposed space at their modern life sciences building. The BOD expresses support for proceeding with discussions with UMB and will inform HCC of choice.
The November meeting is confirmed with Virginia Webb and Dr. Juliana Rangel at Montgomery College. Jim Fraser will be Honey Show Superintendent.
For the February meeting we have Garrett Slater as keynote (from the BeeInformed Auction). Seeking either Dr. David Peck or Bill Hespach as second speaker.
EAS Director/EAS Conference Update – David Morris. Some changes to food and beverage arrangements: those staying in hotel will have it included, lunch available to all at conference.Working on “Dine Around Town,” Allen Hayes is lining up conference speakers, Larry Truchon and Kim Mehalick are developing short course sessions. EAS team developing presentations and other materials that clubs can use to publicize events.
Sponsorships: local clubs may opt to sponsor different parts of EAS, such as a refreshment break or a speaker. Eas leadership is handling the financials for these. Russell Sprangel moves that MSBA set aside a budget line item of $15,000 in the 2024 budget for MSBA sponsorship of portions of the EAS Conference in Maryland, with MSBA’s president having approval authority for the use of these funds. Clyde Strang seconds, motion carries.
Secretary & BeeLine Editor – Toni Burnham
Upcoming Programs:
• Fall Meeting, November 11, 2023, Virginia Webb, Juliana Rangel (zoom) at Montgomery College
• Winter Meeting, February 10, 2024, Garret Slater, Harford County Community College
• Spring Meeting, June 15, UMD/College Park, in planning
Old Business
• Education Committee, Kim Mehalick: seeks to recruit new members after November elections. Nucs and Splits class will take place in January 2024. MSBA will develop a queen rearing class as a one day practicum around April 2024, Valerie Wampler has joined this effort. Previous plans for a harvesting workshop are canceled due to closure of partner organization/UMD Bee Squad.
• Speakers Bureau, Toni and Russell: Requires further updates to contacts, BOD members asked to contribute to effort.
• EAS update: See above.
• Zazzle sales, Jan Day: Going well, t-shirts are most popular items. Items are priced to break even, and club has earned “royalties” of $35.47. Has required no investment other than link from our website and no additional work since launch.
• MSBA Zoom account, Toni: Set up account with 150 seat capacity and it is ready for November meeting. Montgomery College will support Zoom session but Toni seeks member support. Matt Gagle is recommended.
• New Business
• Nomination Committee, Toni: Committee formed each Fall to develop candidates to stand for positions elected at November General Membership Meeting. Committee members contact existing BOD members, identify openings and new candidates, prepare slate. Mary Laura Fitzgerald and Lisa Ghezzi volunteer, Toni Burnham will chair.
• Imirie and Free State Beekeeper Awards, Toni: Toni nominates Charles DeBarber of the Filbert Street Community Garden for the Free State Award. Russell Sprangel moves that Charles receive the award, Mary Laura seconds, motion carries. Toni nominates the team of Kim Mehalick, Mike Mehalick, and Allen Storm for the Imirie Education award based on the Intermediate Beekeeping Course they have offered in four Maryland counties. BOD members discussed whether it is possible to award the Imirie multiple times to a single winner. Toni agrees to research but cannot confirm at time of meeting. Russell Sprangel moves to award as suggested, Larry Truchon seconds, motion carries.
• Yellow Legged Hornet Update, Cybil Preston: To be covered at General Membership meeting. Likely MSBA role in managing this pest next year.
• T-Shirt Update, John Knapstein: Orders sporadic, has 125 in stock. Has beefed up XL stock and feels they are ready for meeting. Bulk orders for members with special needs available direct from supplier.
• Threat to Baltimore Beekeeping, Rob Yochem (non-BOD member): An MSBA member deemed to be in full compliance with all bee regulations, support from Animal Control and the State Inspector has been ordered through a low level hearing to remove his bees, a threat to the legal right to keep bees in Baltimore, He seeks to appeal the matter to the next level of legal consideration and seeks MSBA guidance on finding counsel and potential financial support. BOD members suggest some additional contacts in the Baltimore beekeeping community (Lisa Ghezzi, Kim Mehalick). Toni will share the ruling with all BOD members (attachment). Larry Truchon moves that MSBA provide $1,000 toward legal fees incurred by Robert Yochem to appeal this ruling. Russell seconds the motion. Motion carries. Can MFB suggest counsel.
• Maryland DNR may ban beekeeping from its property, Toni: Toni has connected a concerned staff person with UMD and Pollinator Partnership resources. If this staff person is not able to change this regulatory decision, we may need to reach out to Maryland Farm Bureau to overturn. Additional scientific resources provided. May request an interim vote before end of year.
• Susquehanna Beekeepers have incorporated: 501C3 status expected by 2024.
A motion to adjourn was made by Fred Smith and seconded by Mary Laura Fitzgerald, the motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.