The following are the minutes of the Beekeepers Guild of Southeast Virginia’s Board of Directors Meetings arranged in chronological order beginning with the most recent meeting. BOD meetings are held at 7 PM on Thursday prior to the membership meeting at the Ag. Trailer, intersection of Holt Dr. and Shea Dr., Chesapeake, VA 23322, except for February 6, June 5, August 7 and December 4, 2014.
May 2015 BOD Meeting
The Board of Directors Meeting was held May 7, 2015 at the Ag Trailer in Great Bridge from 6:30 pm to 8:40 pm. Board members present were Rick & Pam Fisher, Dave Kvello, Nick Delphia, Bill Gregory, Gene Richley, Dennis Heidenthal and Tom Poole. Laura Charles and Rick Franklin also attended the meeting.
Future Board Meeting dates for 2015 are, Jun 4, Jul 9, Aug 6, Sept 10, Oct 8, Nov 5, Dec 10, 2015. All meetings are held at the Ag trailer except for Jun 4, Aug 6, and Oct 8.
The following topics were discussed:
Queen Order – 80 ordered, Carniolans delivered, Italians arrive May 12th or 13th.
- Field Day – Saturday, April 11th – went well with no issues.
- Chesapeake Master Gardener Plant Sale – the event was OK but there was low attendance.
Upcoming Events Planning:
- Gosport Art Festival – May 9 & 10, 2015 – all volunteer slots are filled.
- Extractaganza – July 11, 2015 at Deep Creek Ruritan Club is confirmed. Should include induction of new officers
- Honey Bee Festival – August 22, 2015 at NBG (10 AM to 4 PM) “Ban Ignorance –Not Honey Bees” is this year’s theme. First Planning Meeting – Thursday, May 14th at 11 AM in NBG Admin Bldg. BOD invited.
- Fall Beginning Beekeeping Class, August 27th, September 3rd, & September 10, 2015 from 7 to 9 PM
- Holiday Social – Monday, December 14, 2015.
Save Our Bees domain name – Laura Charles donated her dot.com web site to the club to point toward the guild’s web site to direct people searching for beekeeping clubs to our web site.
Residential Beekeeping in Chesapeake:
- Planning Commission meeting – Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at 6:45 PM
- City Council Meeting – Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 6:30 PM
Nominating Committee Report – Rick Franklin reported on the progress of the Nominating Committee and the potential candidates for all vacant positions.
Community Partner List – Hunt Club Farm – Dave visited the farm and they want an additional observation hive on the property which Dave will provide. Dave suggested asking about putting the Guild’s name on the building near where the hive will be located.
“Bee Aware, Not Afraid” Donation by Alanna Miller. The Club will recognize Alanna for her gift, by providing her with a honorary club membership.
Guild Equipment – Ulster Hives – Dave suggested that we order two additional Ulster hives to support future events. One will go to Clee Grasmick and one will stay with Nick Delphia
Nuc Program update – 96 total: 62 mediums; 34 deeps.
Nuc Prices – Suggesting pricing was discussed.
Scholarship Committee update – Not awarded this year; no applicants. Will open to Virginia Beach next year and then area-wide in subsequent years.
The next Board of Directors meeting to be held June 4, 2015 at Why Not Pizza in Greenbrier.
April 2015 BOD Meeting
The Board of Directors Meeting was held April 9, 2015 at the Ag Trailer in Great Bridge from 6:30 pm to 8:25 pm. Board members present were Rick & Pam Fisher, Dave Kvello, Nick Delphia, Bill Gregory and Tom Poole. Laura Charles also attended the meeting.
Future Board Meeting dates for 2015 are: May 7, Jun 4, Jul 9, Aug 6, Sept 10, Oct 8, Nov 5, Dec 10, 2015. All meetings are at the Ag trailer except for Jun 4, Aug 6, and Oct 8.
The following topics were discussed:
Queen Order – 80 ordered, 12 remaining. Carniolans arrive the last week of April, and the Italians, the first week of May.
Review: Gathering of the Guilds. Dave mentioned that the event went well and the attendance was good.
Upcoming Events Planning:
- Field Day and graduation luncheon – Saturday, April 11, 2015 HRAREC (10 AM to 2 PM)
- Refreshments –Clee Grasmick, Betty Anne Ward (80 adults, 7 children)
- Woodenware workshop – Dave Kvello & Andy Westrich
- Open Hive Demos – Rick & Pam Fisher
- Chesapeake Master Gardener Plant Sale – Friday, April 24, 2015 (7:30 AM to 6 PM) and Saturday, April 25th (8:30 AM to Noon)
- Sign up genius
- Seed bombs will be available.
- Seed sales?
- Gosport Art Festival – May 9 & 10, 2015
Residential Beekeeping in Chesapeake – Currently there is a 30 day delay for further ordinance development. Planning Commission had a last-minute ordinance change and another proposed ordinance from Commissioner Perry.
Club honey pricing – A price of $10 per pound was agreed upon for club sponsored events.
Guild Equipment (festival supplies) – The club will need to purchase additional equipment for public exhibits which have been supplied by the Fishers in the past.
Nuc Program update – 95 total: 60 mediums; 35 deeps.
Scholarship Committee update – No response from Portsmouth, sent to Suffolk.
Nominating Committee (A Nominating Committee consisting of a minimum of three members, one of which shall be a recent member (with written slate of officers to the members at the May meeting of that year. Furthermore, nomination committee members shall not serve consecutive terms.) 2014 members were – Donna Rae Barrow, Vi Bryan, Gene Jones; 2013 members were – Nancy Flanagan , Bill Kee, Donnie Norrell; 2012 members were – Ernest Buzzy, Dennis Heidenthal, Donna Stickrod
The next Board of Directors meeting to be held May 7, 2015 at the AG trailer in Great Bridge.
March 2015 BOD Meeting canceled due to inclement weather
February 2015 BOD Meeting
The Board of Directors Meeting was held February 5, 2015 at the Chesapeake Public Library in Great Bridge from 5 pm to 7:35 pm. Board members present were Rick & Pam Fisher, Dave Kvello, Nick Delphia, Dennis Heidenthal, Gene Richley, Bill Gregory and Tom Poole.
Future Board Meeting dates for 2015 are: Mar 5, Apr 9, May 7, Jun 4, Jul 9, Aug 6, Sept 10, Oct 8, Nov 5, Dec 10, 2015. All meetings are at the trailer except for Jun 4, Aug 6, and Oct 8. We met early to arrange materials for the upcoming Beekeepers Introductory Class.
The following topics were discussed:
Queen Order – 80 ordered, 60 sold.
Upcoming Events Planning:
- Refreshment – Joan Gregory will be assisting with the refreshments on the last 2 weeks.
- Door prizes – 6 each of the queen clip, bee brush, hive tool, one smoker, used copy of Hive and the Honey Bee, one swarm bucket
- Equipment for sale: Andy (2/21), Mark (2/28)
- Nuc box raffle each week (Nick)
- Field day & woodenware workshop April 11, 2015
Residential Beekeeping in Chesapeake –discussion centered around the new proposed Chesapeake ordinance that will put limits and stringent requirements on beekeeping, and how to approach and attempt to have this ordinance revised. Bill will put together a plan on how to potentially approach this issue, and submit to the board for review.
Group Pierco Order – will solicit member interest at the next meeting.
Guild Equipment – Extractor Delivery – should be in soon and will be sent to Kurt’s for storage.
Winter Losses – many attributed to Varroa mite issues. A presentation to the guild is planned for May to help mitigate this issue.
VA Flower & Garden Expo Review – The show was a big success and there was a large attendance.
Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife – October 3 & 4, 2015. Contacted Colonial Beekeepers to determine if they had interest in partnering for this event. This event draws a large attendance and provides many opportunities for the guild.
Nuc Program update – 30 have signed up.
Scholarship Committee update – Application information has been sent to the Portsmouth schools, applications are due April 1st.
Dave Kvello discussed potential future educational topics for the guild.
The next Board of Directors meeting to be held March 5, 2015 at the Ag. trailer in Great Bridge.
January 2015 BOD Meeting
The Board of Directors Meeting was held January 8, 2015 at the Ag trailer in Great Bridge from 6 pm to 8:35 pm. Board members present were Rick & Pam Fisher, Nick Delphia, Dennis Heidenthal, and Tom Poole.
Future Board Meeting dates for 2015 are: Feb 5, Mar 5, Apr 9, May 7, Jun 4, Jul 9, Aug 6, Sept 10, Oct 8, Nov 5, Dec 10. All meetings are at the trailer except for Feb 5, Jun 4, Aug 6, and Oct 8.
The following topics were discussed:
Queen Order – 80 ordered, 4 sold.
Upcoming Events Planning:
- Next Meeting
- Award gift certificates (2)
- Beekeeper of the year (one gift certificate)
- VA Flower & Garden Expo – Jan 30 – Feb 1st – The theme this year is Curb Appeal. Much of the discussion centered around what to include in the display for this year.
- Set up – teaching hive, extractor, Dave’s backdrop.
- Garden – limited this year.
- Hive products sales – included.
- Seed bombs – will be made at the event, since they are popular.
- Beekeepers Introductory Class – Dates are Feb 14, 21, 28, 2015, Field Day: April 11, 2015.
- Refreshment – Clee,
- Door prizes – 6 each of small, one smoker, more large items such as books. Also determine if distributors may provide some items for door prizes.
- Equipment for sale: Andy (2/21), Mark (2/28)
- Nuc box raffle each week (Nick)
- Field day & woodenware workshop April 11, 2015. Volunteers – maybe Dave & Andy
Guild Equipment: Extractor Purchase – Maxant electric extractor has been ordered for storage at Kurt’s. Kurt and Clee need easier way to track equipment. Nick volunteered metal tags to label equipment as to where it should be returned.
Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife – October 3 & 4, 2015 – This event has a large attendance and we have been approached to attend this year. It is free for non-profits; we will check with Colonial and attempt to partner for this event. Guild Member Jim Sexton has volunteered to chair the event.
Copyrighting “Virginia Honey Bee Festival” – discussion on if this is something we want to do so we can continue to be involved in this event. Rick will check on the cost for obtaining a copyright.
Refreshment Coordinator –Lanette will be leaving the area shortly, we need someone to take her place if we continue to have refreshments. We will request a volunteer at the upcoming meeting.
Group Hive Tool Order – a new hive tool was presented to the board to determine if the guild would have any interest in a group order. Will be presented at the meeting.
Nuc program update – 21 nuc requests currently, of which 13 are from last year.
The next Board of Directors meeting to be held February 5, 2015, location, possibly Pop’s Diner.