The 1st annual membership business meeting of the Lone Star Beekeepers Association was held on October 27th in Waxahachie.
Below are the unapproved meeting minutes of that meeting.
LONE STAR BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP BUSINESS MEETING
October 27, 2018
Location: Tuscan Slice Restaurant, Waxahachie, TX
Meeting called to order: 7:54 pm
In Attendance: Bruce Bonnet, Pres., Julie Whitmire, Tres., Christi Baughman, Sec.,
Members; Rex Smith, Ryan Giesecke, Dennis Gray
Guest; Michael Bush, Paul Brunner
The Membership Committee Reported
Regular Members: 16
Legal counsel for LSBA recommended a qualifying questionnaire be added to regular member application process because of IRS requirements. Reasoning is due to IRS requirements that members have some financial interest in beekeeping.
The Treasurer Reported
Cash on account: $576.83
Long term Indebtedness for formation fees: $2600
The President Reported
- 501c6 Status – Receipt acknowledgement of FORM 1024 application for of 501c6 recognition status has been received from the IRS. If there are no further inquiries from the IRS, then recognition will be complete by Jan. 2, 2019.
- FARFA (Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance) has decided it is too resource limited to pursue changes to Ag Code Chapter 131 for the 2019 legislative session and has asked if Lone Star Beekeepers Association would like to take the lead.
ALUVE (Agriculture Land Use Valuation Exemption) Committee Report – Ryan Giesecke, chair reported the mission of the ALUVE committee is targeted to educate county appraisers and serve as a resource for landowner and beekeepers seeking Agriculture Land Use Valuation under beekeeping provisions
NEW BUSINESS
The Secretary moved to adopt the position that LSBA supports the Texas Master Beekeeper Program. The motion was seconded and then laid on the table.
Member Ryan Giesecke moved to adopt the position that LSBA supports beekeeping education. The motion was seconded and approved as moved.
The motion to adopt the position that LSBA supports the Texas Master Beekeeper Program motion was then taken from the table. The motion was approved as read.
The Secretary moved to adopt the position that LSBA opposes the planned introduction by the USDA of the non-native flea beetle for the purpose of controlling the spread of the Chinese Tallow tree. The motion was seconded and approved.
The Secretary moved to adopt the position that LSBA supports the notion that the Texas Apiary Inspection Service plays an important role by providing Certificates of Inspection and permits. There being no second, no further action was taken.
Member Ryan Giesecke moved to adopt the position that LSBA is against the labeling practice stating that unadulterated Honey has added sugar under consideration by the US FDA. The motion was seconded and approved.
The Secretary moved that LSBA supports the repeal of Chapter 131 Section 43 of the Texas Agriculture Code, PERMITS FOR INTRASTATE SHIPMENTS. The motion was seconded and approved.
Member Ryan Giesecke moved that LSBA pursue the repeal of Chapter 131 Section 43 of the Texas Agriculture Code, PERMITS FOR INTRASTATE SHIPMENTS during the 2019 Texas legislative session. The motion was seconded and approved after discussion.
Meeting adjourned: 8:50 pm