Attending were: Eleanor Tessier, Doug Atkins, Idria Knecht, Rick Knecht, and Jean Miller, and James Zdepski.

President's Report

• State Meeting Issues: 

  • The state filed an insurance claim for the stolen honey. Anyone who suffered a loss should be receiving an insurance check.

  • The budget for the state winter meeting was discussed. Their budget was reportedly $10,000, with just over half being spent on food for 140 people. Considerable shock was expressed by NW members.

  • Eleanor attended Dewey’s presentation, noting it was good for beginners and intermediates.

• Upcoming Meetings:

  • Jean Miller discusses a recent meeting on 03/30/25 at Mercer County Community College with Dewey, highlighting the value of his beginner-friendly talks.

  • Eleanor Tessier talks about upcoming meetings, including the spring meeting at Mercer Community College and the fall meeting.

Treasurer’s Report

• Rick presented treasurer’s report: $36,400 ending balance

  • Income: $1,000 for short course, $144 for February dues

  • Outgoing: $115 for candle making supplies, payment for Zoom invoice

  • Outstanding: $110 for calendars and $16 for short course materials

• Board approved purchasing a 9-month CD for $15,000 at 3.75% interest rate

• Membership report: gained 8 members total (7 primary, 1 secondary)

Outreach Activities

• Northwest Outreach activities reported: Short course completion, honeybee presentation at Catholic church

• Earth Day event at Echo Hill with observation frame

• Upcoming Red Mill event with Vanessa and Laura

• North Hunterdon High School wants to start a bee club and may request funding

  
  

Communications and Survey Results

• Idria presented survey results on topics members want to learn about

  • Top requested topics: “Why did my hive die?,” Plants for Pollinators, mite treatments, and overall activities calendar

  • Other topics: top tips from old-timers, microscopy, hive inspections via GoPro

• Discussion about creating welcome kits for new members

  • Proposal for a bear honey gift for new members when they attend their first meeting

• Idria to update website with current beekeeping laws (outdated 2017 content found)

Membership and Mentoring

• Discussion about membership communications and welcome packages

• Decision to send welcome kits to new members with invitation to collect honey bears at meetings

• Mentoring program briefly discussed; currently managed separately by Kevin

• No updates on apiary management due to cold weather

• March meeting recap: good attendance (approximately 40 people)

• Doug presented on splits with hands-on demonstrations

Upcoming Meetings Planning

• April meeting to cover mite management at Route 12 building

• Jean, James, and Doug to present different treatment methods, including VSH queens

• Field Day scheduled for April 26 with multiple instructors

• No weeknight meeting planned for May

• June picnic confirmed with Alice for June 28

• Discussion about finding a speaker on bear biology/fencing for the picnic

Hive Mind Event Planning

• Tameeka secured North Hunterdon High School for Hive Mind event on November 1

• Venue includes cafeteria and theater with minimal cost (approximately $300)

• Decision to form a subcommittee to focus on Hive Mind planning

• Special meeting scheduled for April 27 at 5:00 PM to nail down agenda and speakers

• Current speaker count: three confirmed with potential for more

County Fairs and Organizational Branding

• Eleanor submitted Warren County Fair application and booked Tim Schuler for Monday honey show

• Insurance was sent in by Vanessa

• Honey show rules may need tweaks from last year’s major overhaul

• Discussion about display case improvements with honeycomb design

• Plans to order honey sticks around May 1 for fairs

• Plans to re-order tie-dye club shirts about the same time

• New initiative approved: Club polo shirts with embroidered logo for a more professional appearance

• Preference for dark colors due to practicality at events