From communications at marinbees.org Mon Feb 2 23:37:49 2026 From: communications at marinbees.org (Jim Lawson) Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2026 22:37:49 -0800 Subject: [board] January/February Newsletter Message-ID: <6561E381-3CF0-49AB-AE6F-D88023A9768C@marinbees.org> Please find attached a draft copy of the January/February newsletter. Any comments or suggestions are welcome. I'd like to release this by tomorrow (2/3/26) evening. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 2026.01.31_Newsletter.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 170052 bytes Desc: not available URL: From communications at marinbees.org Fri Feb 6 01:06:14 2026 From: communications at marinbees.org (Jim Lawson) Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2026 00:06:14 -0800 Subject: [board] Notes from MCBA 2/5/26 meeting Message-ID: Here are my notes from last night's MCBA meeting. Our diverse membership (novice, intermediate) is partially what attracts people to the club, but it does make it difficult to plan activities that interest a majority of the membership. Lack of resources have frustrated those trying to push the club forward. A lot remains updone - Website updates, automated membership database. Is it the case that the Board is not using their power (for website changes)? What about establishing committees to perform some of the functions that currently are left to board members. What about getting together half an hour before the main meeting for a beginner meeting/socializing/chatting amongst members. In order to determine if officer positions would be a fit for anyone, we need job description for positions, and a list of the tasks for which we need help. Gerry talked about what other clubs are doing (Mt. Diablo, Alameda) - club apiaries - what pieces are available for doling out to members. - club officers may have long terms Jim for secretary (!)/Note taker. Some of the current board members have life/health impacts that interfere with the carrying out of their official duties - Jed challenged due to kids, etc, - managing membership is currently labor intensive - Jed was told this would be automated, but not yet - one board member's health issues Are dues for a calendar year? This information should be on the website, Volunteer Rob (chairs Marin rod & gun club) - willing to help. The president spends considerable energy managing expectations esp for swarm list. Beginner meeting at 6:30, informal, talk with other members. We're missing old members post pandemic - why? Tonight's attendees prefer the round table format. The buzz list is good for any question. People are content with it. Tristan has offered to help with social media. Members (Corinna) would like access to other member's contact info (email, phone). Corinna offered to be social chair. She suggested more potlucks. Jonathen would like a list of?Need bees" members. He offered to help organize. The other clubs share swarm list duties. We should have a small swarm committee. Robert talked about his dream: - procuring bees (good stock) for those in the club - studying/managing genetics - VSH - how to determine mite resistance? Mite checks. Prioritized list of what needs to be done. Instead of flying people in, provide remote speakers via zoom. The range of experience in Marin attracted Robert, but SF VP was able to delegate. How do other clubs deal with membership? Gerry: - east bay beekeepers outnumber those in clubs. - continuity in membership coordination How can we foster education in the club? Corinna: - connect with garden club - pollinator gardeners Robert: - nothing too high "faluting" in education. - where do new beekeepers get their information. Survey to go out with detailed job info for board positions, tasks. Email meeting notification. Cookies and tea at meetings - social director. Justin: - wanted to vote for officers at this meeting. Gerry - shared offices, ideas. Learn by helping. Club Apiary (Patrick) - new blood, kids. - place for workshops Marin art & garden center as club apiary. Public places are problematic - find a property where we could have multiple hives - mating yard - issue with spraying, stinging in common garden areas. - hive dives in different neighborhoods instead of common apiary - hive dives are limited to members - reduce risks People offering suggestions should be willing to volunteer for offices 591c3 requirements - could fall - Robert & Lynette - problem with retaining board members. Gerry - board members recruit their replacements Gerry: - don?t need to be a great beekeeper to be an effective officer. - board sanctions activity and records it in the minutes Quarterly potluck or combination hive dive / potluck. Schedule meetings a year in advance and publish on website. Can we set up for voting at next meeting? What do other members want? Have the club constitution on website ? la Alameda club. - do have a mission statement- add job descriptions. - tell members what assistance is needed. Most (all) attendees indicated they will come to the next meeting. They want to help. There were offers to take on responsibilities for events, membership, swarm list. Having moderators for the swarm list was suggested. Swarm reporting is critical. Swarm list good now. How is protocol enforced? Automate membership database. Gerry believes Mt. Diablo uses "Club Express" to manage membership.