Attendees: ## in person, 5 online

Updates from the board

  • Nathan, President
    • You don’t need to be a member to join our meetings!
    • Changes at the apiary
      • Freedom Farmers received money to do improvements, hopefully getting two portables and permanent toilets, but they are putting them in our current apiary location
      • Arranged for a new, better location that we will level out and prepare as the permanent home of the apiary
      • After the current portable is torn down, it will become the base for our structure
    • Inspire Olympia – another round of money coming that will add to our saving up for that structure
    • Applied for a Whole Foods kids grant
    • Our member Evergreen student has also applied for a grant from Franz Bakery and potentially will apply for another one regarding pollinator native plants
    • Do we have a member who is an employee of AGR and knows about any opportunities there?
    • Elections tonight for the Treasurer position
  • Secretary
    • Time to renew for 2026? Not yet! We’re having trouble with the website reCAPTCHA. We are working on it, and will let you know when it’s working and folks can renew.
    • No meeting next month – Potluck is postponed to January meeting.
  • Treasurer
    • In great shape thanks to the grants that we’ve been able to acquire
    • Grant account – $13,596; Checking account – $5,512; Savings account – $2,089
  • Vice President
    • Not much happening at the apiary – did mite treatment, still need to get quilt boards on them – currently 19 hives
    • Still some clean up work at the storage unit happening
    • Q: Have you considered insulation on top instead of quilt boxes? Would recommend for any hives that are not in HiveIQs.
    • Will make splits in the spring and hope to sell some to OBA members
  • Education
    • Had a really good apprentice level class
    • Very nice last class where we had a pizza party!
    • 14 of the 20 completed the class and received their certificates.
  • Outreach
    • No events this month
  • Membership
    • 150-ish members currently
    • Will put out the call for renewing membership after the kinks are worked out online
    • Encourage you to reach out to rent the vaporizer for mite treatments – so easy to use!

Election for Treasurer

  • David has been Treasurer for 4-5 years (serving on the board for much longer than that!)
  • A couple of people have put up their hands;
    • Charlie – currently the Treasurer of the Alpaca Association, familiar with QuickBooks, wants to pay back, will help with his Journey level required service points
    • No one else present running
  • Vote – all in favor! Charlie is our new Treasurer. We will transition at the January meeting.
  • Other opportunities available to volunteer:
    • Apiary
    • Tools to organize volunteers
    • Social media team member

Raffle items

  • Langstroth 10-frame shallow with frames half filled with wax
  • Beeswax
  • Beekeeping book
  • T-shirts
  • Bumper stickers