Southcentral Alaska Beekeepers Association
Meeting Minutes
By: Ben Johnston
Monday, February 25, 2007
Officers Present:
Ed Marshall, Vice President
Tang Johnston, Acting Secretary
Ed Marshall called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm
Balance in Treasury: $2,683.42
Bills:
Bill from Victors for newsletter expenses: $47.74
Herb Putney made a motion to pay the bill, Bill Bartee seconded, the motion passed.
Old Business:There was discussion on how much to pay for prize money for fair winners. Tang pointed out that there would not be income from the SABA bee class this year, which is usually around 7-$800, and also that without the membership increase from the classes there would be fewer membership dues paid. Dawn Cowan, State Fair Superintendent, spoke about the vote that was taken by the membership in November to increase the prize amounts to $25 for first place winners and $50 for Judge’s Choice. She estimated the amount paid out in prizes for the three divisions could run as much as $900, instead of the usual $190.
After discussion, Norm Trudell made a motion to go back to the previous fair prize amounts of: $10 each first place winner and $50 for Judge’s Choice winner. Jack Anderson suggested using money from the Honey Sales Booth account by increasing the expenses to reflect 1.2% to cover the fair prize expenses if needed. The motion by Norm Trudell was amended and the motion passed.
Members were asked to join the SABA Mentor Program and sign up to help out new members and beginner beekeepers. The sign up sheet was passed around and people were asked to indicate if they were interested in mentoring. If anyone is interested in helping they can also email Tang at: or SABA’s email address:
New Business:
Ray Reynolds spoke about the upcoming Bee Class put on by Tom Elliott, SABA member and president of Alaska State Beekeeping Assoc. in Anchorage. Tom’s class will be held three consecutive Thursdays in Anchorage, starting on Feb. 28th.
SABA member, Joe Carson will have a Bee Class in Anchorage on the 22nd of March.
SABA member, Rosy Thompson, in Soldotna will also be putting on Bee Classes.
Information on the classes can be found on SABA’s website:
Bee Orders are being made by three SABA members this year: Steve Victors, Joe Carson, and Jack Anderson. Steve’s order is sold out, but Joe and Jack still have bees available as of the meeting. They can be contacted at: Joe Carson 336-7779 and Jack Anderson 272-7736
Tang announced that Steve would have a shipment of supplies coming in around the 7th of March and would have supplies for sale after that date. Location of places to purchase supplies will be announced and published on SABA’s website.
Joe Carson sells supplies and products, his info is on SABA’s website: Bee Supplies
Joe Soltis is custom making bee equipment, he spoke about his products, and his order forms and prices can be found on SABA’s website: Bee Supplies
A guest speaker was present. Larry Connor from Michigan was visiting his daughter in Anchorage and spoke about his visit and a little on beekeeping and wintering methods. Larry has written several books and talked about his books and had books and CD’s available for purchase.
Drawings were held for: Two bee plant stakes, and two homemade honey soaps.
Ed Howard brought a delicious honey cake to share, and there were honeys for tasting from Claus’ hives in Germany and Evan Keanaaina’s hive in EagleRiver.
Members present: 44
Herb Putney
Holly DiMeglio
Claus Wenzler
Ed and Colette Marshall
Jack Anderson
Rick Fouts
Scott & Doris Nichols
Tina, Brock, Thatcher, Nikira Lane
Tom Elliott
Bonita Aderman
Ray Reynolds
Laurie Hulse
Barb Turner
Ben & Tang Johnston
Ron Sturgeon
John & LaRae Gray
Dan Bale
Norman& Jeannette Trudell
Judy Moss
William Bartee
Dawn Cowan, Elic and Georgia
Veronica Keanaaina
Evan Keanaaina
Wayne Fenn
Joe Soltis
Lee, Darlene,Hannah Calbick
Nick Markus
Margaret Dennis
Cliff Heckathorn
Kirk Scott
Ed Howard
Alice Wegh
Guests:17
Larry Connor
Linda Gorum
Pam Hawkins
Jason Kenma
Michael Coon and daughters
John Kalakis
Melissa Markell
Kira Bird
Tracy Wilson
Bob Gengler
Gwen Schneider
Ali Schneider
Jessica Borg
Katarina Borg