Executive Meeting (February 2025)

Minutes

Meeting started at 7:13 pm In attendance: Bill Cavers, Mark Polle, Bill Hadden, Cindy Parker, Don Lambert, Christina Klimaschka, Mary Quayle, Heather Welsford Regrets: Amanda Johnson, Cathy Totten, Bill Fosdick, Janet Fontaine, Laure Newnham

1. Financials
   1. Club Insurance: Heather reported that this year our insurance underwriter has required a more detailed explanation of our services, which will lead to an increase in our premium cost; last year it was $700, this year it will cost at least $1,100 with additional costs likely as the cost to underwrite the outyards and our swarm control services are still pending. Regardless of club insurance, we will need to stress to members using the outyards that they should carry personal insurance; this is available through BC Honey Producers Associaion for a $50 membership fee plus $90 insurance fee.
   2. Additional costs: Heather reported that there have also been substantial increases in the cost of our Canada Post box and our membership in Volunteers Canada
   3. Motion: To allocate up to $1,600 for Club insurance. Moved by Bill Hadden Seconded many places, passed unanimously.
2. March Meeting
   1. AGM
      • Financials: Heather/Mary working on them. The books balance, and the financial reports will be ready in time.
      • Executive Positions elections: Swarm Line, Treasurer, President, Second VP, Director at Large
      • Membership Dues: Over 90% of members are now renewing their memberships on line, and PayPal keeps $1.50 of each payment, and our costs for a number of things are going up substantially this year. While we could afford to keep the dues the same, there was discussion about whether it would be better to defer a fee rise in favour of a larger one in future, or to have a gradual increase over time. Motion: to recommend to the membership at the AGM that annual membership fees be raised from $32 up to $35. Moved by Bill Hadden Seconded widely, passed unanimously.
   2. March Agenda
      • Main meeting: Paul Kelly of U of Guelph Honeybee Research Centre on Buckfast Bees
      • Beginners Corner: Don TBD / Hive equipment
      • Intermediate Corner: Christina K /Splits
   3. April Meeting: Discussion about topics, Don volunteered to do a combined Beginners, Intermediates, and Main meeting presentation on Swarms and Splits

Meeting Adjourned: 7:40pm