Beekeepers Association of Southwest Florida

MINUTES

MINUTES
Beekeepers Association of Southwest Florida
General Membership Meeting
Wed., July 16, 2008, Conference Room, Lee County Extension Office

Present: 8 members, 1 guest

Preceding the meeting, a new U-F public educational video featuring the value of Florida managed bees from pollination & honey production. It also highlighted the history of Africanized feral bees in the Americas and their dangers to Floridians, including how to respond to their aggressive defensiveness and available resources in an emergency.

The business meeting started at 7:05p.m.

Minutes of the June 25 minutes were read with two corrections: 1) Mango Mania dates - July 12-13; 2) Attribution to V-P Riggs on report of possible lifting of state bottling/health restrictions. Moved by Dennis Riggs, seconded by Tom Allen to approve minutes with noted corrections. Motion carried.

Treasurer's Report - Virginia Riggs indicated that with expected fee credits from Bank of America the current balance was $321.60. It was moved by Tom Allen, seconded by Dennis Riggs and carried that the report be accepted.

OLD BUSINESS
Publication of BASF Roster - V-P Riggs clarified that with current Privacy Rights law, dissemination of a BASF membership list with addresses, phone numbers and e-mails would not be possible (Currently, only BASF officers have this info.). A "release" of private information form would be drafted and once signed and executed by a significant number of members such info. could be published on the BASF website and possibly accessible only by BASF members. If a member opts not to sign, their name and info would be excluded from the roster, Riggs added.

NEW BUSINESS
Written monthly meeting announcements - Concern with inadequate notification to members of upcoming meetings led V-P Riggs to request that Ext. Agent Roy Beckford and Sec. Ron Weisburg be in contact 2 weeks prior to all future meetings so as to mail printed postcard reminders to all who are not able to access the BASF website's meeting notices.
Riggs further suggested that members with internet access to the BASF website search for and click on the purple Yahoo tile towards the bottom of the website. This opens up a registry which allows interested individuals to sign up for an automatic meeting notice, a forum to ask beekeeping questions (such as where to buy queens), share bee-related photos and current experiences. The BASF chat site is closely monitored by State bee inspectors and U-F bee research personnel in the efforts to keep advised of developments in the field and to authoritatively answer questions about current events occurring on apiary diseases, legislative matters and other bee issues. To register for the Yahoo site requires creating a e-mail names and password.

Volunteers needed - V-P Riggs reported many requests for BASF assistance or speaking engagements. Any members who are willing to be on a speakers bureau list or assist in responding to requests and questions from the public should contact him by e-mail.
Examples cited were: Speaking before grade school groups such as 4-H or science classrooms, and a presentation at Manatee Park on July 29-30 on the importance of and how to deal with bees.
Dennis Riggs as BASF webmaster also detailed a new click-on "tile" on the BASF website which hyperlinks to a how-to-join page including a printable mail-in application.
An animated cartoon on the website was also demonstrated.

NEXT MEETING - Ext. agent Roy Beckford said Wed., Aug. 20, 6:30p.m. is the next available slot for the monthly BASF meeting at the Lee County Extension office.
Beckford also said he has received inquiries on how to make donations to the BASF. V-P Riggs said he would sign up PAYPAL to the BASF website to accommodate future donors. He suggested that the Secretary draft a mission statement.

Sept. 25 Bee Production Workshop - Beckford asked for collaboration from the BASF on a full-day U-F/Lee County workshop on Bee Production. He added that the conference might be ideal for attendance by Cape Coral and Lee County policy makers to gain understanding and awareness of the scope of the local bee industry and assess possible strategies on dealing with Africanized feral bees. Public awareness could also be increased by the event. He proposed forming a public education/public relations committee to draft a promotional flyer.
Possible publicity outlets were discussed. The extension office has a press/media contact list. Tom Allen also suggested contacting "On the Move," a Cape Coral periodical for more exposure. Breeze Newspapers support was likely but News/Press coverage was likely to result only from some persistence.

Speakers for the event might include U-F's Drs. Jamie and Amanda Ellis and local beekeeper and national bee authority, Dave Mendez.

State of the Local Industry - Pres. Councell said there have been overwhelming local swarm calls because of the rain. Many C.C. swarms are gravitating to L.C.E.C. utility poles (300 swarms - best current estimate). Pres. Councell said he placed traps on poles at west end of C.C. Parkway and had 4 different colonies within hours. At present, no budget or policy by L.C.E.C. for removal to protect adjacent residents from swarms. But a case for city funding might be made, indicated Councell, as the entire community benefits from feral swarm removal.

Tom Allen said the C.C. Friends of Wildlife might be approached to fund purchase of bee traps assuming the feral swarms could be requeened, boxed and sold. General consensus was, that with the cost of travel, labor, new queens, and marketing expenses, there was not sufficient margins to make the rehab/resale effort feasible, even with volunteer help and a free place to put nucs temporarily. Local market for package bees w/queens in nuc is approx. $50., said Councell.

There being no further business, it was moved by Dennis Riggs, seconded by Tom Allen at 7:55p.m. and carried that the meeting be adjourned.

A member experiencing spotty brood patterns asked the membership about availability of quality mated/clipped and marked queens. Sources mentioned included: Curtis Honey, N.C.; Kelley Bees; Koehnen queen bees, California; and Purvis Bros. An internet search likely would assist in reaching any of these.

MINUTES
Beekeepers Association of Southwest Florida
General Membership Meeting
Wed., June 25, 2008, Conference Room, Lee County Extension Office

Present 16 members, 2 guests.

Pres. Councell opened meeting at 6:45p.m. with a workshop session, featuring disease-laden honey combs. He passed all a sample comb harvested within the hour and 6-8 years old. He pointed out live SHB and Varroa mites on larvae, vacated swarm cells on the outer edge (supercedure cells would have been on centers of the combs). He pointed out that the swarm cells were vacant as the first-born queen had removed the developing queens. He also said that if a keeper is installing a new queen in a healthy hive, all swarm cells similarly should be destroyed.
He also showed smaller-cell comb sections which were Africanized. He further noted that Africanized drone cells were indistinguishable from European drone cells, sizewise.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Cape Coral Citation - Pres, Councell reported the hive cited as an offending "visible storage container" had been moved to a less visible backyard location and code enforcement has ceased pressing the matter. He said no beekeeping ordinance exists in C.C. or Lee County. Collier has an old ordinance from an in-town agitated hive incidence long ago but it has not been enforced in recent history. V-P Riggs reminded members that model beekeeping ordinance guidelines are available on the internet if needed.

Mango Mania - Pres. Councell welcomed members to utilize a part of his reserved space at the Festival, July 23-13 at the German-American Club, Pine Island, C.C. to merchandise their honey/bee products.

Potential Lifting of State Honey Bottling/ Health Dept. Restrictions - V-P Riggs reported substantial progress in efforts at the State level to exempt first 1,000 gallons of hobbyist honey bottling. The new initiative started after legislative reviews of the staggering detailed costs incurred by a typical hobbyist in complying with current law. Progress on this likely change will be reported at next month's meeting and on the State Assn. website reports by Malcolm Sanford.

All present concurred that our BASF State Rep. Carroll Rhodes be encouraged to support such proposals while attending any 2008 State Ass'n. meetings. (no motion),

Membership directory - Whether published electronically or in print, a directory could likely not be printed unless members were polled by mail for a release to publish personal data. (No motion). Info on all registered beekeepers is already on internet, per V-P Riggs.

Several members offered to merchandise beekeeping supplies at future meetings for the convenience of members. This could lower the impact of rising shipping and handling since the member/merchandiser could buy in volume at discount and sell ideally at catalog prices less shipping, assuming strong member support.
Alternatives were discussed with other members. One suggestion was a bee supply stand at the Naples Flea market near Collier County Fairgrounds. V-P Riggs offered a free on-line standing ad for such a distributor/member as part of the BASF website.

Taste of Lee - Pres. Councell were again reminded of the Taste of Lee as a honey merchandising opportunity event. It will be held Sat., Aug. 9, 9a.m.-2p.m. at the Riverside Community Center, Ft. Myers. Call Extension office to register.

A member, Alex Michel-Brown, asked on how to avoid the complexities of establishing a legally-compliant honey bee services and products "business" which allowed for income and property tax deductions. One member suggested becoming a compliant registered plant nursery, but inspections would follow. Income tax and property tax agricultural exemptions were further discussed.

Pres. Councell advised members of his appearance within the week on a national CBS Morning Show bee health interview. He also had several other speaking engagements, one July 1 in Naples, involving Rotary Club, Botanical Gardens.

Next Meeting - To be scheduled for Wed,., July 16, 6:30p.m. If no objection, 2009 meetings could be held the 3rd Wed. each month, per Roy Beckford, Councell said.

Commercial Kitchen availability - The adjacent Extension Office's facility will be completed by next year and available for honey bottling before each monthly meeting. Pres. Councell to donate a steam kettle for the bottling process.

Treas. Virginia Riggs was absent but members were reminded next years dues will be payable Dec. 1, 2008, after which they will be considered delinquent per bylaws.

An anonymous donor/artist was reported to be interested in creating and donating a crystal art piece to be auctioned of with the proceeds to be given to the State Assoc. and designated for bee conservation, education and research on the current demise of honeybee colonies. The donor asked for creative concepts. Sec. Weisburg suggested the State Assoc.'s new logo be forwarded to the artist.

Pres. Councell finished his report by announcing that Davis Barnes, IFAS lab head would be available to speak to BASF members at a future meeting. State funds are not budgeted for overnight stays, so presumably his lodging expenses would need to be covered locally. No action taken at this time.

Following the president's report, minutes of the May 21, 2008 meeting were read. It was moved by Mr. Riggs, seconded and carried that they be accepted as read. There being no treasurer's report, no old business, new business or committee reports, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10p.m., Moved, seconded and carried.

MINUTES
Beekeepers Association of Southwest Florida
General Membership Meeting
Wed., May 21, 2008, Conference Room, Lee County Extension Office

An announcement was made about the Sat., Aug. 9 first ever Taste of Lee local food- fair type event. It would provide an opportunity for BASF members to exhibit a "sampling and sales" honey table from 9a.m.-5p.m. at no charge. Those interested may contact Ron Weisburg 656-0781 or RCVOYAGER@hotmail.com for more details on reserving space.

Related to this development, Pres. Councell encouraged all BASF beekeepers to attend a Cape Coral city council hearing at City Hall, Mon., June 2, 6p.m. on the increasing incidences (now about 5 per day) of feral bee swarms found in water meters throughout the city. The need exists for either a city employee or contracted specialist with appropriate budgeting to deal with the incidences as there was much fear of the swarms, bee stings, and allergic reactions by meter readers and the residents as well as those in day care and convalescent care facilities. The consensus was that this was not a difficult problem to manage with the resources and personnel available -- similar to managed response to stray dogs and alligators.

Sec. Ron Weisburg said he had received word from Dr. Jamie Ellis (U-F) that the prerequisite 6 modules of bee training and exams would be offered on-line in the near future for those who were State apprentice beekeepers wished to attend to Advanced Beekeeper course next March in Apopka. This prework can simply be done at home rather than completed at the local Extension Offices. More details to follow.

Dave Mendez and Pres. Councell commented on an article in a recent edition of SPEEDY BEE which said U.S. Sec. of Agriculture Ed Schafer has an unsupportive opinion of the urgent need for additional funding for bee disease research (because of CCD). Mendez pegged the current Ag. Dec. as biased towards major commodity oriented big grain crops and not attuned to bee dependent vegetable/fruit/nut crop industries which heavily utilize pollination services.

It was suggested that a sample letter be drafted to be sent to U.S. officials on the need for immediate funding for CCD/bee disease research before it is too late.

State Health Codes affecting honey bottling -- Several states are enacting legislation to exempt beekeeper's first 250 gals of honey from restrictive bottling requirements. If enacted in Florida this would go a long way to freeing small-scale Fla. beekeepers from the complexities of State Health laws, suggested Roy Beckford. Support from State Representatives must be actively sought by BASF members and others throughout the state if this is to occur.

Tom Allen said he is looking for ideas on marketing honey> Suggestions were:
* Create awareness and future demand by initially giving it away to neighbors and friends.
* Offer honey for sale at Ft. Myers Farmers Market, Thurs mornings.
* Place a "Honey for Sale" sign (per Fred Howard) in front yards
* Roy Beckford said that the Lee County Extension Office commercial Kitchen (adjacent to our meeting room) was 90% completed. Once finished, the kitchen could be used by BASF members to avoid Health Dept concerns with home bottling. Simply bring raw honey to monthly meetings and bottling it in the kitchen afterwards.

Illegal to kill bees? Questions were raised about statements made by Caloosa Nature Center staff that killing bees is illegal. Consensus of members was that killing a wild colony is not illegal as that is the position of the State bee inspectors under Jerry Hayes. Roy Beckford is to research status of the State Act for Protection of Beneficial Insects and report back on legal standing.

Imported pollen -- Dave Mendez reports that the importation of pollen (80% from China) is legal but feeding it to U.S. bees is illegal.

Training workshop on receiving new queen bees -- Carroll Rhodes gave a presentation on handling, clipping & marking queens . Included were colors/year CODES: (WHITE - YEARS ENDING IN 1 OR 6, YELLOW 2 & 7, RED 3 & 8, GREEN 4 & 9, BLUE 5 & 0). Tips included -- "Don't reuse queen cases because traces of old pheromones can trigger death of attendants or queen."

Door prizes were presented. There being no further business, it was moved by Tom Allen, seconded by Cathy Herrin and carried at 8:30p.m. that the meeting be adjourned. Refreshments served.

Next meeting is scheduled for Wed., June 25, 6:30 p.m.

MINUTES
Beekeepers Association of Southwest Florida
General Membership Meeting
Wed., May 21, 2008, Conference Room, Lee County Extension Office

BASF President Keith Councell previewed at 6:15p.m. the second part of the Ed Weiss "Introduction to Beekeeping" video which dealt with extracting and bottling honey, as well as winter and spring preparation (northerly state style).

He called the General membership meeting to order at 6:45p.m. with 26 members in attendance.

Minutes of the April 23 meeting were read by the Secretary. It was moved by Tom Allen, seconded by Kathy Herrin that the minutes be accepted as read. Motion passed.

Treasurer's Report -- Virginia Riggs reported a balance of $241 and five new members after a total of $80 collected in dues and $34 disbursed for printed checks. It was moved by Dennis Riggs, seconded by Tom Allen that the Treasurer's Report be accepted. Motion carried.

Regarding the video, a question was asked about the need to sterilize honey before bottling. The consensus was that bacteria was not a major concern because it could only be on the surface of the honey but heating to delay crystallizing was often appropriate.

Old Business -
A question on frequency of queen replacement was asked with answers varying from six months to two years. Carroll Rhodes suggested performance in brood and honey production and bee attitude were important practical considerations. State apiary officials recommend the shortage intervals (twice a year) because of concerns with Africanization risk.

New Business -
Members were updated on a very recent ordinance citation for a beehive on the residential premises of a state-certified Cape Coral beekeeper (He was cited for an unauthorized "outdoor storage container" (to be removed in 5 days). After considerable discussion and an update by Roy Beckford who had been contact with the C.C. city attorney's office, the consensus was that education of the Cape Coral decision makers was needed on the benefits and best practices of State-certified beekeepers (who have a right to farm) versus the current feral bee problems manifesting themselves in C, C, water meters.   President Councell indicated he was assembling a committee including Extension Agent Roy Beckford and Tom Allen (C.C. resident) to discuss the matter with the city officials to enhance their understanding of the standards and scope of responsible beekeeping in the city.

Related to this development, Pres. Councell encouraged all BASF beekeepers to attend a Cape Coral city council hearing at City Hall, Mon., May 26, 6p.m. on the increasing incidences (now about 5 per day) of feral bee swarms found in water meters throughout the city. The need exists for either a city employee or contracted specialist with appropriate budgeting to deal with the incidences as there was much fear of the swarms, bee stings, and allergic reactions by meter readers and the residents as well as those in day care and convalescent care facilities. The consensus was that this was not a difficult problem to manage with the resources and personnel available -- similar to managed response to stray dogs and alligators.

Sec. Ron Weisburg said he had received word from Dr. Jamie Ellis (U-F) that the prerequisite 6 modules of bee training and exams would be offered on-line in the near future for those who were State apprentice beekeepers wished to attend to Advanced Beekeeper course next March in Apopka. This prework can simply be done at home rather than completed at the local Extension Offices. More details to follow.

Dave Mendez and Pres. Councell commented on an article in a recent edition of SPEEDY BEE which said U.S. Sec. of Agriculture Ed Schafer has an unsupportive opinion of the urgent need for additional funding for bee disease research (because of CCD). Mendez pegged the current Ag. Dec. as biased towards major commodity oriented big grain crops and not attuned to bee dependent vegetable/fruit/nut crop industries which heavily utilize pollination services.

It was suggested that a sample letter be drafted to be sent to U.S. officials on the need for immediate funding for CCD/bee disease research before it is too late.

State Health Codes affecting honey bottling -- Several states are enacting legislation to exempt beekeeper's first 250 gals of honey from restrictive bottling requirements.   If enacted in Florida this would go a long way to freeing small-scale Fla. beekeepers from the complexities of State Health laws, suggested Roy Beckford. Support from State Representatives must be actively sought by BASF members and others throughout the state if this is to occur.

Tom Allen said he is looking for ideas on marketing honey> Suggestions were:
* Create awareness and future demand by initially giving it away to neighbors and friends.
* Offer honey for sale at Ft. Myers Farmers Market, Thurs mornings.
* Place a "Honey for Sale" sign (per Fred Howard) in front yards
* Roy Beckford said that the Lee County Extension Office commercial Kitchen (adjacent to our meeting room) was 90% completed. Once finished, the kitchen could be used by BASF members to avoid Health Dept concerns with home bottling. Simply bring raw honey to monthly meetings and bottling it in the kitchen afterwards.

Illegal to kill bees? Questions were raised about statements made by Caloosa Nature Center staff that killing bees is illegal. Consensus of members was that killing a wild colony is not illegal as that is the position of the State bee inspectors under Jerry Hayes. Roy Beckford is to research status of the State Act for Protection of Beneficial Insects and report back on legal standing.

Imported pollen -- Dave Mendez reports that the importation of pollen (80% from China) is legal but feeding it to U.S. bees is illegal.

Training workshop on receiving new queen bees -- Carroll Rhodes gave a presentation on handling, clipping & marking queens . Included were colors/year CODES: (WHITE - YEARS ENDING IN 1 OR 6, YELLOW 2 & 7, RED 3 & 8, GREEN 4 & 9, BLUE 5 & 0). Tips included -- "Don't reuse queen cases because traces of old pheromones can trigger death of attendants or queen."

Door prizes were presented. There being no further business, it was moved by Tom Allen, seconded by Cathy Herrin and carried at 8:30p.m. that the meeting be adjourned. Refreshments served.

Next meeting is scheduled for Wed., June 25, 6p.m.

ABBREVIATED (Non-Concise) MINUTES ~ Beekeepers Association of Southwest Florida (BASF)

Date: April 23, 2008 ~ General Membership Meeting

Conference Room, Lee County Extension Office

BASF President Keith Councell opened the meeting at 6:30p.m.

Present - 38 members, prospective members, and guests

A video, "Introduction to Beekeeping, Step by Step Guide," by Ed Weiss was viewed, with the second segment, on honey production, to be shown at the beginning of the May meeting.

President Councell announced that surplus handouts (catalogs, educational advisories, etc.) from the recent UF Bee College were on the back table for distribution.

Minutes of the March 5 meeting were read by Sec. Ron Weisburg. Moved by Tom Allen, seconded by Ron Weisburg and carried that the minutes be accepted.

Treasurer Virginia Riggs reported 14 beekeepers applied for BASF membership in March with nine also paying State Assoc. dues. Total of $275 collected and an account with Bank of America had been opened. Of these funds, $135 was forwarded to the Florida State Beekeepers Assoc., leaving $135 in the local account (Many others were applying for membership at the April meeting).. The Treasurer's report was accepted (moved by Ron Kurtz, seconded by Tom Allen, & carried).

Vice-president Dennis Riggs asked by membership if there was any old or new business. President Councell announced that the May meeting would include a session on queen raising. Extension agent Roy Beckford said that, with current meeting room availability, the next meeting might be tentatively scheduled for Wed., May 21, 6:30p.m. (Confirmation to be posted on BASF website: swfbees.com). Roy will work with BASF officers to define a fixed schedule for the remainder of this year and 2009, so members can plan their attendance accordingly.

Carroll Rhodes, BASF State Representative, announced that a shipment of European queens from Hawaii was expected shortly; price was approx. $20 each. He asked anyone interested to contact him immediately.

Vice president Riggs underlined the opportunity for members to use the BASF website (swfbees.com) which is continually updated on salient events/news in beekeeping that directly affect SWF beekeepers.

Open discussion ensued on various happenings. Ron Weisburg suggested the president include in each future meeting a brief update on local bee news as he was uniquely in touch with many local apiaries and rescues on a daily basis.

Current Haagen Dais ice cream website encourages youth towards beekeeping and its importance, a NEWSWEEK interview of Keith Councell, and an article in the N.Y. Times were referenced by various members.

David Mendez, local member and National Vice-president of the American Beekeepers Federation and a national director of PROJECT APIS M., noted that pollen patties are a sure way to grow strong levels of SHB beetles. He suggested Permathrin to eliminate fire ants & beetles. He said an inexpensive, but effective trap to keep SHB in check is corrugated-plastic sign material, immersed in soapy water and then installed in the hive entrance. 70-80 trapped beetles is the typical yield upon regular inspection. Greased PVC pipe legs prohibit hive access to ants, another said.

It was moved by Tom Allen, seconded, AND APPROVED THAT A DIRECTORY OF MEMBER NAMES, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBERS BE COMPOSED AND DISTRIBUTED.

Discussion centered on Legislative support/USDA research funding matters.

David Mendez referenced a letter from U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (Calif.) which generated the signatures of 53 Senators to the Sec. of Agriculture, asking for accountability and help with bee research. Sen Nelson (Fla.) signed the letter.

Many Florida legislators generally appear to not be knowledgeable about the importance of bees in this highly-agricultural state. Beekeeper Mendez referenced a recent meeting with an assistant to U.S. Congressman Connie Mack as an example of bee issue unawareness. Knowledgeable and supportive exceptions exist such as State Rep. Tim Mahoney. BASF member letters to our U.S. Senators, and state legislators was encourage. Mendez reported that the State of Florida spent $300,000 on bee research last year. ARS spends $7 million/ a year. Their national CCD projects are by design long-range-oriented and are not apt to reacting to what is happening in the fields now. State apiary research head Jamie Ellis is being asked to improve bee disease diagnostic methods. Florida, with its full-time chief inspector and a stable of field inspectors, is the ideal setting for research and real-time diagnostic testing, measuring and compiling statistics on incidences of nosema, varroa mites, etc. No one is doing this. Florida should be the national leader. Only part of research should be morphometric; bee attitude, not just genetics, is most important

It was noted that at the national level, Florida beekeepers have only one vote , which is through the national delegate of the FSBA State association .

Locally Roy Beckford spoke of good rapport with the Lee County Commissioners and State Rep. NickThompson on bee issues which, he said, should be further cultivated by BASF members.

Through an open polling, a local problem with absconding colonies was noted. Also noted was a low-to-none citrus nectar yield this year locally as 2008 citrus blooms were few.
Concern about state-prescribed systemic pesticide applications of 9-10/year to control citrus greening was an expressed concern. One beekeeper said cumulative concentrated levels of specific toxic elements in his apiary's honey are 3-4 times levels higher than that found in the botanical materials sprayed by local farmers and foraged by the his bees, Because of the high influence of the citrus industry, the state protocol is decimating many natural predators of pests and affecting bees health. When bee colonies die, something is wrong. Gaining the attention of State and national legislators on this issue is imperative to swing back the pendulum.

Several members underlined these concerns of intense use of pesticides (rather than use or find natural predators ) to solve agricultural problems. One noted - "people and bees are co-dependent.

A local rare fruit gardener/visitor inquired on whether the complete swarming of a long-time feral "friendly" colony on her property was a good or bad thing.

Members were reminded of the State's "Good Beekeeping Practices" program and its emphasis on requeening. Keith Councell and Carroll Rhodes are good sources of quality queen and package bees it was noted.

There being no further business, it was moved by Dennis Riggs, seconded and carried at 8:30 p.m. that the meeting be adjourned.

Concise minutes of the meeting on the Beekeepers Association of Southwest Florida (BASF)

Date: March 5, 2008

Venue: Lee County Extension conference rooms
Attendance: 19

• 6:30 – 6:50 PM – Refreshments

• Commencement – 6:50 PM

• Roy Beckford called the meeting to order and introduced the members of the Steering
Committee who were all present with the exception of Tom Allen.

• Present were: Mr. Keith Councell, Mr. Ron Weisburg, Mr. Dennis Riggs and Mr. Roy
Beckford.

• Roy turned the meeting over to Dennis Riggs. Mr. Riggs announced the next order of
business to be the nomination of and election of an association president.

Nominations for President:

1. Mr. Keith Council – Nominated by Otto Parisho, seconded by John Adams
2. Dennis Riggs – declined nomination

• Votes were cast for Keith Councell. Vote was unanimous.

• Keith Councell was elected to the position of President of the Beekeepers association of
South west Florida.

• Chairmanship of the meeting was turned over the newly elected President. Election of
officers continued.

Nomination for Vice-president:

1. Mr. Dennis Riggs - Nominated by Ron Weisburg, seconded by Scott Edson

• No other nominees were proposed. Vote was unanimous. Mr. Dennis Riggs was elected
to the position of Vice-president of the Beekeepers association of Southwest Florida.

• All other nominations to the executive body was done according to the constitution and
by-laws accepted on February 7, 2008.

Position of Secretary: Mr. Ron Weisburg
Position of treasurer: Mrs. Virginia Riggs
Position of Representative to the State Association Board of Managers: Mr. Carroll Rhodes nominated in absentia and was consulted by phone. Mr. Rhodes accepted nomination and the vote was unanimous.

• Having elected officers, the order of business as mandated by the by-laws was followed.

• Membership dues were collected by Virginia Riggs and receipts were issued.

• Minutes of the last meeting was shown on the PowerPoint screen, read by all, and
C. Cowert made a motion to approve. This was seconded by Dennis Riggs.

• A full beesuit was raffled off – Donated by the Agriculture Agent, Lee County
Extension Service. Mr. Scott Edson was winner of the raffle.

• The date for the next meeting was announced (Changed to April 23rd consequently)

• The website swfbees.com was shown by Mr. Denis Riggs who also informed the group
about the taping of an interview by Roy Beckford and Dennis Riggs for the Fox 4
Morning Blend Television Show.

• Dennis Riggs moved to adjourn the meeting. Bill McCauley seconded. The meeting
adjourned at 7:54 PM.

Date: November 28, 2007

Venue: University of Florida, IFAS, Lee County Extension Service, 3406 Palm Beach

Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33916

Minutes taken by: Roy Beckford, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, Ph: 239-461-

7512, e-mail: fbeckford@leegov.com

- Commencement: 6:45 PM
- 27 persons in total attended; 20 males, 7 females.
- Introduction and brief address by: Roy Beckford
- Group introduced themselves and gave a brief background on level of participation in beekeeping and apiculture
- Keith Councell gave a brief update on the delay of Mr. Bert Kelly and Mr. Gary Ranker of the State Association. They were stuck in traffic on Interstate 75.
- Roy Beckford asked attendee Mr. Ron Weisburg to speak to the group about the possible direction the association could take. Ron Weisburg has expertise in association development
- Roy Beckford suggested, as a start, that the group select a core planning committee to direct the development stages of the association until officers are selected at the next meeting
- 7:58 PM - Mr. Kelly and Ranker arrives.
- Mr. Kelly addressed the group and gave pointers on ways to commence the association
- Questions were fielded to Mr. Kelly on membership issues, dues, adoption of by-laws; direction other association chapters have taken
- Mr. Gary Ranker addressed the group and provided print material as models for a constitution and by-laws
- Mr. Ranker suggested that the name ‘Southwest Florida’ may be in use as the previous chapter may be ‘asleep’ and therefore still in existence.
- Six (6) persons were chosen to form a steering committee to implement the association and determine the next meeting date. The six are: (with area of expertise and contact information following their names)

Mr. Tom Allen – By-laws and constitutional writing
Mr. Ron Weisburg – Association and organizational development
Mr. Dennis Riggs – E-mailing and website development
Mr. Keith Councell
Mr. Roy Beckford – IFAS information, mailing list development
Mr. John Ringland

- The meeting adjourned at 10:22 PM