North Central Pennsylvania Beekeepers Association
Minutes of Business Meeting on Saturday, May 22, 2021
Mitchell Park, Coudersport, P
The meeting was called to order 12:30 pm by President Dave Smith II.
Dave welcomed new members Richard Nelson, Doris Ann, Tim and Bonnie Wright. Nineteen current and new members were in attendance.
Dave reported that due to the Covid pandemic, meetings last year were lightly attended. No actionable items were voted on in 2020.
Dave submitted his resignation citing his wife Marlene’s recent death and his need to take over many of her duties at their restaurant. Tom Schweikart, vice-president, accepted Dave Smith’s resignation as president. Tom nominated Joel Caldwell for president. Dan Barrett seconded the nomination. The votes of the members were unanimous. Joel Caldwell is the new president of the club.
Joel thanked the members for their support. He stated that Dave Smith, Joan and John Bradley, and others had met with him over seven years ago at Pizza Palace Plus to charter the North Central PA Beekeepers Association due to the need for a club in our area of Elk, Cameron, McKean, Potter, and Tioga Counties. Joel was president, Dave was VP, and Joan was secretary/treasurer.
Joel stated that the first item on the agenda was the Swarm Call List which is maintained at the Penn State Extension Office by Sheila Gabreski. Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties in New York are on the list in addition to the five counties that the NCPA Beekeepers Club represents. Tim Wright reported that he would like to be added to the Swarm Call List, but first would like to shadow someone who knows how to capture a swarm. Kermit Sherwood stated that he gives the list to his local Police and Fire Departments.
The club website, ncpba.weebly.com, and its resources, including the Swarm Call List, was discussed. Bryan Perrin maintains the club website. Another website resource is a Mentor List of seasoned beekeepers who are willing to mentor novice beekeepers. The Club also has a Face Book Page which is maintained by Joan Bradley.
The next topic of discussion was the number of meetings the club should have every year. The constitution states that 8 members, including at least 1 officer, is needed for the club to have a quorum. After some discussion, Dave Smith made the motion to have 3 meeting per year minimum - one meeting each for spring, summer and fall with no meeting in the winter. Kermit Sherwood seconded the motion. The vote of the members present was unanimous to bring this change to the constitution up for a vote by the members at the club’s fall business meeting.
After some discussion about the recent death of active club member John Bradley and past-president Dave Smith’s wife Marlene, Kermit Sherwood made the motion to use club money of up to $100 for a book memorial on beekeeping at a local library for any active member or the spouse of any active member. Steve Langworthy seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Joel reported that he will contact both the Oswayo Valley Memorial Library and the Barbara Moscato Brown Memorial Library in Emporium to have these two memorials made for John Bradley and Marlene Smith.
Kermit questioned why the club no longer has beekeeping seminars. Joel reported that live trainings were on hold due to pandemic restrictions but the club will designate a committee to look into resuming the live seminars.
The next club meeting will be in July at Joel’s Apiary in Hebron Township on Kent Kenyon’s dairy farm. Joel reported that he has 6 colonies and 2 nucs. Joel will notify club members of the date and time in the near future.
No further business items were left to discuss and Joel Caldwell adjourned the meeting at approximately 1:30 pm.
Following the business meeting members discussed the past winter and how it affected colony survival. A hand poll showed that all of the members in attendance lost 50% or more of their colonies. Mite treatment strategies were discussed and debated.