News

April Meeting Recordings

On Tuesday, April 1, we had a Board Meeting at 6PM, and a General Meeting at 7PM.

Board Meeting

We did not have a quorum for the Board Meeting, so no official business was conducted. We did discuss:

• New Beekeeping Program at James Ranch
  Steve proposes a new beekeeping program at James Ranch, a juvenile detention facility in Morgan Hill. The group discusses the potential benefits and logistics of such a program, including teaching responsibility and calmness to the youth. They agree to schedule an initial visit to the facility on Wednesday at 10 AM to explore the idea further. The group also confirms volunteer arrangements for upcoming homeschool beekeeping sessions on Tuesday and Thursday of the following week, with Arthur and Steve attending Tuesday’s larger group and Jamie and Kurt handling Thursday’s session.
• Creating a Beekeeping Forum on Reddit
  Jamie proposes creating a forum for the beekeeping group, suggesting a subreddit on Reddit as a quick and easy option. The forum would allow preservation of information and encourage member involvement. Curt agrees that a subreddit would be easier than hosting on their website, but notes the need to populate it with content initially. The group discusses the differences between Facebook, their website, and Reddit for various types of content, with Facebook being best for current news and Reddit for more detailed questions and answers. They consider whether to make the subreddit public or members-only and discuss potential organization methods for the content.
• Beekeeping Club Updates and Strategies
  The group discusses various aspects of beekeeping, including social media presence, handling bees, and club activities. Arthur notes an increase in questions from members, which is seen as a positive sign of engagement. Steve mentions the club’s financial situation, explaining changes in nuke sales and suggesting selling full hives to generate revenue. The conversation then shifts to bee health, with Curt sharing an article about bee die-offs being less prevalent in warmer climates with diverse agriculture. Arthur discusses recent efforts in breeding bees for viral resistance, particularly in Cuba, as opposed to the focus on mite resistance in the US and Europe. The members briefly share updates on their own beekeeping experiences.
• Board Meeting recordings are available in the Members Only area.

General Meeting

• Chris Burnett is retiring from the Board of Directors as Recording Secretary. Anyone interested in this critical club role please drop an email to info@gilroybeekeepers.org.
• Beekeeping Challenges and Bylaw Changes
  In the meeting, Steve and Jamie discussed their beekeeping experiences, including issues with hive temperatures and the challenges of managing swarms. Arthur suggested that Steve might consider merging his hives to strengthen them. Victoria hared their experiences with beekeeping, including the challenges of moving hives and the importance of proper timing for such activities. The group also discussed the potential for queen issues in their hives and the importance of waiting for the right time to check for these issues. The conversation ended with Chris presenting changes to the bylaws for a vote.
• GBA Bylaws Amendments Presented
  Chris presents the amendments to the GBA bylaws, which include administrative changes, structural reorganization, and clarifications. Key changes include solidifying membership classifications, establishing a fiscal year, modifying initial dues payment rules, reducing quorum requirements, and formalizing online meeting options. The board meeting frequency is reduced from monthly to quarterly, and the board structure is modified to remove the past president position. New provisions include an apiary program, membership suspension rules, and the establishment of an Education Committee. The terms of office for board members are extended to two years, and specific procedures for elections, nominations, and referendums are outlined. Click here for details.
• GBA Bylaws Amendments Approved
  Chris presents amendments to the GBA bylaws, which the board has reviewed and approved. The members discuss the implications of the 3-month grace period for membership renewal on insurance coverage, with John clarifying that members are still considered active during this period. After some debate and expressions of gratitude for Chris’s work, the amendments are put to a vote and approved by the members present.
• Bee Colony Growth and Protective Gear
  Arthur provides advice on how to encourage bee colony growth, suggesting inserting new frames between active ones in a nuke and repeating the process as bees complete the comb. He also recommends feeding bees to stimulate growth and performing a mite check. The discussion then shifts to protective beekeeping gear, with Mark seeking recommendations for a high-quality suit to prevent frequent stings. Jamie and others recommend the Lyson full suit, highlighting its features like thumb holes in cuffs and metal zippers. The importance of washing bee suits regularly to remove alarm pheromones is emphasized.
• Beekeeping Hive Management and Relocation Strategies
  The discussion covers various beekeeping topics, including hive management and bee behavior. Mark mentions issues with aggressive bees and plans to introduce new queens to improve temperament. Arthur advises on requeening aggressive hives and emphasizes the importance of checking for queen cells before potential swarming weather. The group discusses moving hives, with Arthur suggesting removing the entire hive setup when relocating and feeding the bees afterward. Curt recommends placing obstacles in front of the hive entrance to help bees reorient after moving. Victoria asks about changing hive reducers, and Arthur advises basing the decision on hive population, suggesting a change when the hive is 70-80% full of bees.
• Beekeeping Updates and Wax Moth Discussion
  The meeting covers several announcements and discussions. Curt informs about upcoming homeschool group visits to the apiary, with sign-ups available on the website. Steve announces initial contact with William James Boys Ranch to potentially start a bee program there and invites interested members to contact him. Katie seeks advice on using a bottom board from a flow hive with potential wax moth issues, leading to a discussion on different types of bottom boards and preventive measures. Arthur offers Katie an 8-frame bottom board, and members share experiences and suggestions for dealing with wax moth problems.
• Click here to access General Meeting recordings.