November 15, Board Meeting Minutes

The board meeting of Beekeepers Guild of Southeastern Virginia (BGSV) was called to order by President Bob Montcalm, on November 15th, 2010 at 6:55 PM, in Agriculture Trailer located on Holt Drive in Chesapeake, VA.

 Officials present: Bob Montcalm, President; Pam Fisher, Vice President and Webmaster; Rick Fisher, Treasurer; Gene Richley, Recording Secretary and Nuc coordinator; Nick Delphia, Public Relations; and Judy Ferguson, property manager.

 Bob Montcalm, President presented an agenda, which included the following major items of business: Short Course Planning; Text books; Guild education programs; Guild events calendar; Holiday Social; Additional social events; Guild guidelines for honey labeling; ABF conference in Galveston, TX; Nuc program guidelines; By-laws review and AHB issue.

 Pam Fisher presented the short course outline, as presented below:

 First Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011;

  • 8:30 – 9:00 AM – Registration
  • 9:00 – 9:15 AM – Welcome
  • 9:15 – 10:30 AM – Beekeeping Equipment
  • 10:30 – 11:00 AM – Protective equipment
  • 11:00 – 11:30 AM – Break
  • 11:30 – 12:30 PM – Honey bee biology and Q/A
  • 12:30 – Wrap up comments

 Second Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011

  • 8:30 – 8:45 AM – Welcome
  • 8:45 – 9:00 AM – Mentoring program
  • 9:00 – 10:15 AM – Pests and diseases
  • 10:15 – 10:45 AM – Break
  • 10:45 – 11:45 AM – Seasonal hive management
  • 11:45 – 12:00 PM – Wrap up comments

 Third Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011;

  • 8:30 – 8:45 AM – Welcome
  • 8:45 – 9:15 AM – Nuc program
  • 9:15 – 10:15 AM – Honey production
  • 10:15 – 11:15 AM – Break
  • 11:15 – 12:15 AM – Tales from the Hive (Video)
  • 12:15 – 12:30 PM – Wrap up comments

 The tuition for the short course was set at $30.00 for individuals (includes MRAAEC book) and $40.00 for individuals desiring the MRAAEC book and “beekeeping for Dummies”.  “BeeKeeping for Dummies” will be made available to students and Guild members for $15.00.

The cost of “beekeeping for Dummies” will be kept separate from the cost of the short course.  As presented above, it is optional for students upon registration and will be made available for purchase each Saturday.

 Pam Fisher reported that the course would count as 6 hours toward the educational requirements for the qualified level of the Virginia Master Beekeeper Program.

 Pam Fisher requested input for the Guild education programs.  She stated that the complete 2011 education program schedule would be published at a later date.

 Pam Fisher presented an update to the annual calendar of events. The next year annual calendar is as follows:

  • Wooden Ware Workshop – January 15 (confirmed)
  • Beginning Beekeeping Short Course – February 5th, 12th and 19th, 2011 (confirmed)
  • Home and Flower show – March 4 – 6, 2011 (to be confirmed)
  • Craft Show – March 18 – 20, 2011 (confirmed)
  • Open Hive Demo at HRAREC – April 9 (confirmed).
  • Gathering of the Guilds – April 2011 (to be confirmed)
  • Bon Secours Earth Day Fair – April 22 (to be confirmed)
  • Chesapeake Master Gardener Plant Sale – May 7 – 8, 2011 (to be confirmed)
  • Portsmouth Master Gardener Plant Sale – May 2011 (to be confirmed)
  • Chesapeake Jubilee – May 21 – 22, 2011 (confirmed)
  • Strawberry Festival – May 28 – 29 2011 (to be confirmed)
  • Extractaganza –July 9, 2011 (confirmed)
  • National Honeybee Awareness Day – August 20, 2011 (confirmed)
  • Hike for Heifer International – August 2011 (to be confirmed)
  • Community Garden Fest – September 2011 (to be confirmed)
  • Waterways Heritage Festival –October 8 – 9 2011 (confirmed)
  • Autumn Fest – October 2011 (to be confirmed)
  • Portsmouth Master Gardener Plant Sale – October 2011 (to be confirmed)
  • Holiday Social – December 2011 (to be confirmed).

 The Home & Flower show is expected to be a major event.  It was agreed a committee would be formed to plan for this event. This event is listed above.

 Pam Fisher reported the holiday social has been finalized and has been posted on the Guild Web Site.

 It was been requested that additional social events be added to the guild event calendar.  To satisfy this suggestion, it was determined to add a social event to be held in conjunction with the Open Hive Demo at HRAREC on April 9.

 Bob Montcalm presented Guild guidelines for honey labeling for consideration.

 Pam Fisher reported the ABF conference will be held in Galveston, TX where the Guild nucleus colony program and mentor program will be part of the Serious Sideliner Symposium.  Pam requested written guidelines for the nuc program and the mentor program, which she can take to the conference.

Discussion concerning the Guild nucleus colony program indicated that nuc guidelines should be developed.

 Bob Montcalm stated there was a need to update current Guild bylaws.  A committee will be formed to review and provide suggested updates to the bylaws.  Rick Fisher & Bob Montcalm volunteered for the committee.

 The agenda item sponsor for AHB issue was not presented.  Therefore, no formal action was taken.