December 2013 BOD Minutes

The July Board of Directors meeting was held 5, December 2013 at 6:30 pm. Officers present were: Rick Fisher, Dave Kvello, Dennis Heidenthal, Gene Richley Pam Fisher, and Nick Delphia.

BOD meetings dates and locations were discussed for 2014.

The inter-club speaker idea was discussed. Seems to be a dead issue as no contact from other clubs has been forthcoming.

The BOD voted to purchase 2 sets of frame jigs and 2 sets of hive body assembly jigs from Colonial Beekeepers for a total of $60. They will be distributed to each property manager.

Spring queen order with Strachan Apiaries appears to be out of the question, as delivery would be in June. An attempt will be made to purchase queen cells regionally. Dave & Rick mentioned that they are going to try and make queen cells for sale in the spring.

Upcoming events where discussed. The Holiday Social and Winter Wildlife Festival are on track. A lot of discussion went into the Flower and Garden Expo, and how to make it work better with less work. Scaling back on the garden and focusing on more education were agreed on. Nick and Dave are going to work on a background for poster hanging.

A reorder of all guild documents is being made to prepare for an always busy spring.

An idea posed for a VSBA meeting will be attempted at the open hive demonstration. An equipment exchange/ Flea market will be held in conjunction with the open hive demo.

The beginning Beekeepers short course was discussed, on track. Registration is beginning. Cost $40 per person ($20 per additional person from same house hold with no additional reference materials.)

Advanced training was discussed, Swarm Prevention Nuc production (Hiedenthal/ Kvello) is being worked on for Jan, Queen rearing hands on (Fell /Tignor) for March/ April. Pest Management (Fell/Tignor) for June. Hive Products (Fisher/Hickey) for the fall.

Gene discussed the Nuc program with 9 sign ups so far.

The Scholarship committee got a lot of discussion, with Dennis championing the idea of expanding it to more cities per year. To do this the scholarship fund must be increased. Donations from corporate sponsors was discussed.

2014 education topics were discussed with some ideas for Dave to Act on.

The meeting concluded at 9:20

Minutes by Dave Kvello in Secretary’s absence