Source attachment: 2017_9_29_MSBA_BOD minutes.doc

DRAFT
Minutes of the Executive Board Meeting
September 29, 2017
U of M Carroll County Extension Office, 700 Agricultural Center Dr. Westminster, MD 21157
Prepared by Allen Hayes

MSBA President, Allen Hayes called the meeting to order at 7:10PM

Attendees: In the room: Bob Crouse, Allen Hayes, Clyde Strang, Susan Warner, Brenda Klaunberg, Jim Fraser, Bill McGiffin and Fred Smith,
On the phone: Barry Thompson, Deborah Hewitt, Jerry Worrell, Martin Posse, David Morris, David Taylor, Tim McMahon, Ben Cooper, Paul Dill and Crystal Lehmanking. Toni Burnham could not participate but provided her proxy to Allen Hayes.

Review and Approval of the Minutes. Motion to approve the minutes proposed by Barry Thompson, seconded by Jerry Worrell, the motion passed.

Reports by the Officers
President – Allen Hayes: A group of volunteers from MSBA staffed the bee booth at the Maryland State Fair on August 30. For our efforts we will receive 1/11 of the profit the booth makes for the 11 day run of the fair.
Treasurer - Robert Crouse: Bob reported that we now have 830 members. For the Treasurers’ financial report, see attached.
Secretary & Editor – Toni Burnham was unable to attend but asked Allen Hayes to report that she would like to be relieved of the website and newsletter duties. Martin Posse offered to help with the website.
For the newsletter: She wants to include a feature that talks about our county clubs. Therefore, she will be contacting club presidents both to update leadership/election info and to request a line or two concerning basic questions (area covered by club, how long club has been operating, main issue or interests of club members). MSBA is always interested in news or announcements from county clubs.
Vice-President – Jim Fraser reported that he still needs a Keynote speaker for the November 4 meeting. The rest of the presenters are in place. The winter meeting will be at Harford Community College, Bel Air on either Feb 10 or 17. The normal rental fee will be waived. Keynotes for this meeting will be Christina Grozinger from Penn State and Dennis vanEngelsdorp from the U of Maryland.
EAS Report – Tim McMahon stated that over 600 beekeepers attended EAS this year in Delaware and that over 100 of those attending were Maryland beekeepers. EAS 2018 will be in Hampton VA.

Upcoming Programs

Fall Meeting and Honey Show: November 4. MDA Headquarters, Annapolis

Old Business

Honey Harvest Festival: Chairperson Marc Hoffman was unable to attend. Allen Hayes reported that this year’s event was very successful with good weather and a very large crowd of people attending. Thanks to those MCBA and MSBA members who volunteered their time to make this event a success.
New Winter Meeting Location: Bob Crouse has been working with Harford Community College and they are providing a venue with a separate room for vendors at no cost. While they prefer we do not serve refreshments, they will allow us to do so if we keep it low key. The space is the Chesapeake room which is a space we used for a summer meeting many years ago.
Solar Site Support: We have given our support to this effort. We will not provide any funds.
ETO Chamber – Toni Burnham reported to Allen Hayes prior to the meeting that she now has the support of three organizations namely the Bee Informed Partnership, the USDA ARS Bee Research Lab and The University of Maryland, all willing to write letters in favor of the EPA approving MSBA to use ETO.

New Business
Imirie and Free State Award Nominees. For the George Imirie “Excellence in Beekeeping Education" Award, Allen Hayes nominated Mike Embry. Seconded by Crystal Lehmanking, passed.
There are two nominees for the Free State Beekeeper Citizenship Award: Karen Rennich for her assistance in providing speakers for MSBA meetings and for her interaction with the staff at the UM securing space allowing us to hold our summer meetings there. Ben Cooper was also nominated for his work in getting House Bill 177 concerning Black Bears passed this year. Discussion followed and it was noted that we have selected two people to share this award in the past. Clyde Strang moved that we select both Karen Rennich and Ben Cooper to share the Free State award this year. Brenda Klaunberg seconded, motion passed.
Nominations committee for MSBA elections. Jim Fraser volunteered to chair the committee, Susan Warner offered to help. Allen Hayes said that Toni Burnham also offered to serve on the committee also.
Prince Georges County Zoning Restrictions on Beekeeping: David Morris reported it was recently announced the county is considering that undesirable restrictions be placed on beekeeping in PG County that would make it illegal for many existing beekeepers to continue. MSBA President, Allen Hayes is invited to a BUMBA Meeting on October 5 to offer the support of MSBA to aid in stopping any further restrictions being placed on PG County Beekeepers.

David Morris has suggested a change be made to honey show judging criteria concerning photograph entries. The current wording says just says bees which has allowed photos of bumble bees to be entered. He is suggesting a change to say Apis Mellifera rather than bees. More discussion is needed to implement this; it was tabled until the next BOD meeting.
Ben Cooper of the Allegheny Mountain Beekeepers Association asked if his association can sell raffle tickets in order to raise funds for their club at an MSBA general meeting. The answer is an overwhelming yes. MSBA has always supported local associations in their fund raising and other efforts. The funds for this effort will aid service veterans suffering with PTSD to become involved in beekeeping, similar to an existing program in West Virginia.
Phil Frank, a Montgomery County beekeeper and computer wiz has offered to help MSBA change over our current method of handling new and renewal memberships to one that is more sophisticated and easier for our Treasurer to use. MCBA has adopted this system and is very happy with the result. MSBA treasurer Bob Crouse believes it will be a vast improvement over our current procedure. Some software use details need to be worked out. Martin Posse volunteered to assist with the further investigation of implementing this.
Ben Cooper reported that Harry Mallow, a long time Western Maryland Beekeeper and MSBA member has passed away.

A motion to adjourn was made by Jerry Worrell and seconded by Clyde Strang, the motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:42 PM.

Next Board Meeting: (Suggested) Friday, January 5, 2018. FYI: Both the ABF and AHPA conferences will be held January 10 to 13, 2018. Some MSBA BOD members may be attending these events.

Maryland State Beekeepers Assoc, Inc.
Dedicated to beekeeping in Maryland since 1908

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