BOARD OF MANAGERS MEETING
February 4, 2006
Jerry Latner’s Home, High Springs, FL.
Elmore Herman, President, called the meeting to order at 10:20 a.m.
Association
Representatives in attendance: Central
Florida (Mickie Westervelt),
Gary
Ranker
Calvin Wilcox
George DeMarino
Lee Del Signore
Greg Brown
Laurence Cutts
Jerry Latner
Joann Latner
David Webb
Bert Kelley
Carolee Howe
Tom Glisson
David Miksa
Andy Miksa
Jerry Turner
David Westervelt
Mickie Westervelt
John Westervelt
Jerry Hayes
Bill Merritt
Margaret Merritt
Doug Mcginnis
Roll
call to obtain quorum; 4 associations represented for voting purposes (
President
Herman provided a copy of the bylaws with reference to the board of managers
and voting participation. It was
recognized that only those appointed by local associations could vote at board
or managers meetings. The Executive
Secretary had sent out forms to all associations for nominations of
representatives. No responses had been
received from
After some discussion, it was thought that the full bylaws need revision. A committee appointed by President Herman was established to present suggested revised bylaws at the next meeting. Committee members include, Calvin Wilcox, Mickie Westervelt, Bert Kelley, and Laurence Cutts.
The idea of having a board of managers meeting by conference call was brought to the floor. President Herman has contacted an outfit that is willing to set up a call for $.18-$.25 per minute. The Executive Secretary has researched the situation at http://freeconferenc.com. Vice President Webb will look at his phone service, which also includes this kind of functionality. The use of teleconferencing is not specifically stated in the bylaws as a means of holding meetings; a motion by Mickie Westervelt to look at the situation was withdrawn in favor of recommendations to come from the bylaw revision committee. The general feeling seemed to be that the next meeting should include some form of conference calling technology.
Report of the Executive Secretary. January Newsletter produced; 4,000 copies of membership brochure printed for distribution at State Fair and elsewhere.
In
its last meeting the Board of Managers put $4,000 into its research budget, which was to aid researchers
in purchasing bees and equipment that would
be necessary as part of any research effort. The idea was that this small amount would be
better utilized this way than in attempting to fund research proposals
themselves. President Herman received
two letters requesting funds, one from David Westervelt
for $4,000 for research being carried out by the Division of Plant Industry and
another from Dr. Glenn Hall, IFAS,
Motion by Bert Kelley to provide $2,000 to Dr. Hall for his research. Seconded by Calvin Wilcox, passed. This money will be held in limbo until the final disposition of Dr. Hall’s research program is determined (see discussion below).
Motion by Greg Brown, seconded by Calvin Wilcox, to provide the remaining $2,000 to David Westervelt for DPI research. Passed. This will be matched by a generous contribution from David Miksa.
There was a general discussion on disposition of the bee research money ($150,000) that was appropriated by the legislature during its last session. This money was distributed by the Florida Department of Agriculture’s Division of Plant Industry. A list of 10 projects receiving funds was handed out by Jerry Hayes and David Westervelt. These included:
Dr.
Glenn Hall expressed disappointment in not being funded. He asked for $122,000 to continue his
research project, but was turned down.
Since he lost funding elsewhere as well, this has forced him to
seriously consider closing his research program on finding genetic mechanisms
for Varroa tolerance, which has been going on for
several years, even though he has recently received $16,000 from the National
Honey Board and an equal sum from the California Beekeepers Assocation.. Other factors include the retirement of Dr.
John Harbo at the Baton Rouge Laboratory, a major
collaborator. Although the collaboration
is expected to
continue, the fact that
There was general
discussion about the disposition of the funds provided by the legislature,
given Dr. Hall’s experience. Some were upset because the money was perceived as
being raised for mite research and a good chunk went to other areas. Those lobbying heavily for the funds,
including legislators who had been primed by beekeepers to see mites as a
threat, thought all the funds would go to mite research. But the official labeling of the money was
broader and so was appropriated for other concerns (Africanized honey bees, wax
moths). It was suggested that this was
appropriate use of the funds and that especially Africanized bees could not be
ignored as they proved a potent, even more important threat to the long-range
future of the
There was also concern about the process for disbursing research funds. There was little if any beekeeper input. Although queried at the last technical council meeting about these funds, no listing of projects nor process had been provided to the council about proposals and how they would be evaluated. Many believe that at that meeting, officials of DPI indicated that money for Africanized honey bee would come from elsewhere, not the money received by the industry from the legislature. Given the concerns over this funding, there was discussion about how the money that is being solicited this year ($800,000) will be allocated. In addition, there was discussion about how the results of the projects being funded would be communicated to the beekeeping industry.
Motion by Bert Kelley, seconded by Calvin Wilcox that the Executive Secretary write a letter to DPI Director Richard Gaskalla requesting that a formalized process be developed with input by the industry (Honey Bee Technical Council) concerning disposition of research funds received due to lobbying by the bee industry. Passed.
Farm
Bureau day, a major lobbying opportunity for commodities, will be held March
21, 2006,
The
Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association will have its annual meeting 17-19 2006
at the Ritz Carleton in
Jerry Hayes reported on Africanized honey bee finds, which are on the increase, especially in south
Citrus
canker eradiation has now been abandoned in
Bert
Kelley said that he had most of his volunteer slots filled for the state fair,
but some during the week were still needed.
Call him phone 863-644-6944, e-mail KelleysApiaries@aol.com if you would
like more information on volunteering.
May 18, 2006 is official Honey Day at the Fair. Mr. Kelley has found a chef in training to do recipes during the
day in keeping with the tradition established
by other commodities. He proposed
hiring the person for $300 plus the food needed (approximately $100) as a
budget item to come from line 9 item in the
Association’s budget adopted last November in
Mr. Kelley said research showed that an umbrella liability insurance policy was in place by the State Fair authorities so the Florida State Beekeepers Association would not need one for this event. However, he thought it prudent to obtain one for other activities the Association is engaged in, particulary aparies run in the Association’s name. He suggested coverage of a $ 1 million, which should cost about $350. Mortion by Mickie Westervelt, seconded by CalvWilcox, that a policy be purchased. Passed.
Break for lunch; barbecued chicken, coleslaw, beans and great desserts, coordinated by Joann Latner. Thanks to the Latners for their great hospitality. At least thirty people were in attendance, suggesting the old adage “feed them and they will come” still contains wisdom.
Meeting
adjourned at 1:15 p.m. in anticipation of the next meeting on the new honey
cooperative being contemplated in
Respectfully submitted,
Malcolm
T. Sanford
Executive Secretary
.