Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – Monday, 1 November 2021

Wilson County Beekeepers Association President Carey Mitchell called the November 1 meeting to order at the Ward Ag Center.  Thirty-five members and guests were in attendance.  Minutes of the October meeting were approved as posted in the last newsletter.  The reported checkbook balance is $xxxx.xx.

Carey thanked everyone for the birthday wishes and cards.
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Old Business Discussed:

• TBA elections were held with the following results: President—David Hale, Executive Vice President—Howard Kerr, Secretary—Lee Ann Mayhall, Treasurer—Eric Watson, and Regional North Middle TN Vice President—Roger Stewart
• Short Course is being held November 2-4 from 6:30 to 9:00. We have filled the class with 40 students (34 are new to WCBA) and 10 mentors.
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New Business Discussed: 

• TBA is holding a virtual Conversational board meeting on November 2. Delegates should have received invitations.  There will be an in-person board meeting on November 13 at the Expo Center here on the grounds.  Anyone is welcome to attend, but only delegates will be able to vote and speak.
• As per our bylaws, when a member passes away, we donate a book to the public library. As JD Vantrease lived just outside Wilson County, ‘Honey from the Earth’ was donated to the Watertown library and one was purchased for the club’s library.  Beautiful pictures.
• WE are planning on doing the Christmas Dinner…the date is December 13 (one week later than usual) and RSVP needs to be done by December 10. The club is providing the ham and turkey and drinks.  Volunteers Dale McCleskey and Freddie Stroupe offered to prepare the turkeys.  Each family is asked to bring a covered dish AND a dessert plus a wrapped gift (value up to $10.00) for those that want to play in the gift swap.  Jessica volunteered to bring the rolls and butter.
• A wooden nuc/tool box was donated to WCBA by past member Bill Huseman. We will be raffling it off for $1.00 per chance with proceeds going to our chosen charity.  You do not need to be present to win, and Petra will be glad to take your money tonight.
• This year’s charities…we have three new charities added to the list. Chris Herron added Carry the Load and Beth McClain added Hives for Heroes.  Ballots were circulated with members to select one.  The one that has the highest votes will be the Christmas charity and the second highest will be for our June picnic,
• The moment everyone was waiting for…the annual election. This year we have an actual ballot for six offices (three TBA Directors and three Alternates).  There are four names for each slot, but only three places.  Members were asked to make their selections on the ballot to be tabulated during the meeting.
• An approval and motion to accept the bylaw changes as posted in the previous newsletters and emails. Vote was unanimous.
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Leonard’s Monthly To-Do

• Get ready for Winter
• Remove grass and weeds from around your hives (if you haven’t done it during the growing season)
• Be sure to weight your hive covers and put in entrance reducers (be sure and check to see that you don’t have any mice trapped in the hive)
• If you feed, start your program with a 2:1 syrup or damp sugar
• Start cleaning and painting equipment for next year
• Think about treating with Oxalic acid when the bees are in a loose cluster
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What’s blooming (at our house) that the bees are working:

• Asters
• Autumn Olive
• Ivy
• Smartweed
• Vitex
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Program:  Sue Dickhaus had an informative and entertaining program on making lotions at home with hive products.
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Election Results:

           President—Carey Mitchell
Vice President—Leonard Walker
Secretary/Treasurer—Petra Mitchell

Directors:  Philip Chapman
Jessica Dodds
Jenny Lamb

Alternates:  Chuck Benson
Jamie Irons
Leonard Walker

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Newly elected positions take place January 1, 2022…per bylaws.

These ladies agree to stay on with their current jobs and we appreciate all of the work they put into them:  Jennifer Ferguson—Librarian, Sarah Poss—Newsletter Editor, and Jenny Lamb—Social Media Queen

Our Christmas Charity selected was Wounded Warrior Project.  We will be collecting monetary donations.

Our Picnic Charity (June 2022) we had a tie, so we will be collecting monetary donations for both Carry the Load and Hives for Heroes.  It will be your choice.

Announcements: 

• Petra has craft books on the back table for sale…final sale…$1.00 per book
• November 2-4—Short Course 6:30 – 9:00 nightly
• November 13—TBA in-person Board Meeting
• December 10—Christmas RSVP
• December 13—Christmas Dinner

Door Prizes:

• Vitex bushes—Norma Jean Stroupe, Steve Brewer
• Hive Tool—Jenny Lamb
• 6 month ABJ—Caroline Brewer
• Queen Excluder—Ronnie Woodard
• Gloves—Tricia Davis
• Mouse Guard—Allen Ferguson
• Frame Rails—Sheril Ray
• Plant Pot (donated by Susan Crawford)—Becky Brazier
• Kelley Mug (donated by Jessica Dodds)—Chris Herron

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The meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm.

The Club’s current checkbook balance is $_______________

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Respectfully submitted:  Petra Mitchell, Secretary/Treasurer
Wilson County Beekeepers Association
November 2, 2021

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