General Meeting (October 2017)

The Capital Regional Beekeepers Association (CRBA) meets on the second Thursday of every month.

This meeting usually starts with a beginner’s corner 30 minutes before the regular club proceedings start around 7pm.

Agenda

• 6:30pm – New Beekeeper Corner (lower meeting room) – Barry D
  The supra-colony: what does it look like in October and how does it act
• 6:30pm – Intermediate Beekeeper Exchange (upstairs next to the stage)
  Questions and answers to common problems
• 7:00pm – Main meeting (upper hall)
  • Welcome – Barry D
  • What to do in October – Larry L
  • Motion to amend Article 13 of the Constitution and By-laws – Irene T
  • Summary of outyard activities – Derek W
  • Small group registration – Bob W
• 7:45pm – Ventilation, Insulation and Sheltering – Tara B
  A round robin discussion and presentation by four beekeepers “overwintering Langstroth and top bar hives”
• 8:15pm – Just so you know… – Barry D
  • November Potluck Dessert and Social
  • Ban Monsanto’s super poison – Nairn H
  • Other members
• 8:30pm – Social: Coffee, tea and treats
• 9:00pm – Close

Minutes

Minutes taken by Nairn Hollott.

The meeting was conducted by Vice-President Barry Denluck in the absence of President Bill Fosdick.

Barry welcomed everyone then discussed some of the problems renters of the premises are having such as lighting, storage, kitchen facilities. There will be a meeting with other renters to discuss these with hope of changes.

Larry Lindahl discussed what to do to get hives ready to over winter and what to do to prepare for next year.

Rupert Rode presented and explained the changes proposed for Article 13 in the Association’s By Laws. A motion to accept the changes was proposed by Alanna Morbin, seconded by Eric Davies. The motion was carried. Rupert explained that the Associations’ financial books will be reviewed annually by two members of the Association who are not on the Executive. A call was made for a second member to join Evan Machin to review the Association’s financial books for 2017/2018. Kim Tiles offered and was accepted. The review will take place in February 2018.

Derek Wulfe reported on the outyards. He asked anyone who had not yet paid the outyard fee to do so. It was very good year with members reporting up to 200 lbs of honey per hive. The yard will be used for one more year before another location is sought.

Barry reported on the number of people who had signed up for the regional groups. People signing up must be members of the club and agree to have their contact info put on the website so other people in the same region can make contact to discuss beekeeping concerns. Sheets were available at the meeting for anyone wishing to sign up.

Tara Beninger, Don Lambert, Werner Grundlingh and Heinz Kaemmerer led a lively discussion about what to do to ensure hives are well ventilated moisture free and warmduring the winter. Various methods and equipment were discussed and displayed.

Nairn Hollott discussed two items about factors that could affect bees. The first is a new herbicide developed by Monsanto and the second the affect of rising carbon dioxide levels on the protein and mineral content of pollen. Information about these will be put on the website.

Karen Grundlingh informed the members that she wishes to step down from managing the club’s Facebook page and invited someone else to take on the task.

Barry closed the meeting and invited everyone to enjoy the after meeting chat time.