November 10, 2009

The Board of Directors meeting of BGSV was called to order by President, Bob Montcalm, on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM, in the Agriculture Trailer on Holt Drive, Chesapeake, VA.

Officials present: President, Bob Montcalm; Vice President and Webmaster, Pam Fisher; Treasurer, Rick Fisher; Recording Secretary, Paul Kist; Nick Delphia, Public Relations; Judy Ferguson, Property Manager; Barbra Hickey, Newsletter Editor and Kerry Bass, Mentor Coordinator.

Members present:  Gene Richley

President Montcalm handed out a one-page agenda, which had as the first item of business the need for our monthly meeting minutes to be finished and presented within 7 to 10 days after the meeting. The deadline for newsletter articles will be the 25^th of the month for inclusion in the next month’s edition and publication will be targeted for the 1^st of the month beginning January 2010.  Barbra and Paul agreed to follow this timetable in the future.

Paul  will responsible for contacting the newspapers about publishing the date of our November membership meeting and Nick, as PR coordinator, will assume the responsibility thereafter.  Paul will provide the contact information for each newspaper to Nick.

The President then opened a discussion on BGSV’s spring Beginning Beekeeping Short Course which covered the following tentatively agreed upon issues or topics:

• Bob volunteered to chair the committee.
• The course will be taught over three Saturdays from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM (open hive demonstration if weather permits) at VA Wesleyan College, if available, perhaps on Feb 20, 27 and March 6.  Pam will contact Dan Margolies for availability of the room and apiary.
• Paul and another volunteer will develop a syllabus suited to the schedule.
• The course materials will be the syllabus, the MAAREC book “Beekeeping Basics” to be obtained from the state, and any pages we add later.
• Pam will contact speakers.
• Protective gear for open hives will come from members and we will ask Dan Margolies if the Wesleyan beekeepers club can also provide some protective gear.
• Course attendees will sign a waiver for the open hive time.
• Judy Ferguson will coordinate light refreshments to be provided by the club.
• Course fee will be $20 to $25 with a free four-month club membership until July 1, 2010.

The President next opened discussion on a club sponsored nucleus colony (nuc) raising program. The BOD decided that the club needs to organize a nuc program to reduce club reliance on out-of-state packages. Several members will be recruited to produce nucs for sale. Nuc producers will set their own terms and prices.  Gene Richley will serve as club coordinator, keeping a list of producers and those who want to purchase nucs. Nucs will have to be State inspected to comply with Virginia’s state Bee Law.

Discussion moved to the club participation in the Feb 5-7 Home and Flower Show and Pam volunteered to coordinate the club efforts. The key items discussed were the display, staffing for the long hours of the show, sales of honey and bee products, a children’s activity, and publications to promote beekeeping and our short course.

A study group for Qualified or Certified beekeepers may be set up if there are enough participants. Pam will coordinate this program. Locations and meeting times are to be discussed Nov 23. A poll to access member interest will be posted on the Web site.

Design of a shirt logo was left open for membership input at the Nov 23 meeting, where a club vote will be asked for various expenses and actions.  A poll of whether to implement a club logo or print shirts with only the Guild name will be posted on the Web site.

Anyone interested in any of the above programs should contact the person or persons named for more information.

The meeting was adjourned by the President at 8:46 PM.   Paul Kist,    Recording Secretary

Last Updated (Friday, 26 August 2016 14:16)