Board members are elected by the general membership at the annual October meeting. All other positions are appointed by the President or the Board. The Board is comprised of elected Officers and three Trustees, who each serve two-year terms. We greatly appreciated the efforts put forth by all of these volunteers to keep the Association functional in supporting the local beekeepers and community.
WSBA 2020 BOARD AND APPOINTED POSITIONS
The President chairs all Association meetings and is the main point of contact for the Association. Additionally, the President represents the Association to the public and to other organizations such as the Washington State Beekeepers Association.
Sandy says, "My passion for honeybees began over 30 years ago, in a Southern California backyard apiary, with an old school Dutch beekeeper. I received my Master Beekeeper certificate through Washington State Beekeepers Association in 2017. My husband Dennis and I have anywhere between two and twenty two hives each year. We moved to Kitsap County (Tracyton) from Spokane in October 2018."
Sandy Fanara - 509-994-7649
The Vice President provides support to the President and in the absence of the President assumes the duties of the President.
Dana Schack - 360-779-6288
The Secretary records the minutes of WSBA Board meetings and maintains the membership roster.
Steve says, "I live in Port Orchard with my family on our small homestead, where we take care of various animals and of course, our bees. I am going into my third year as a beekeeper, and learning something new from these amazing creatures every day."
Steve Hickman - 360-865-0700
The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining the WSBA's finances and provides an accounting to the Board.
John writes, "I started keeping bees back in Baltimore, MD five yeas ago, and much to my amazement found that I really enjoyed it and am fascinated by the bees. When we moved to Gig Harbor three years ago, I checked out three beekeeper clubs and found WSBA the friendliest and best organized. I am looking forward to doing what I can to help the club."
John Sasser
Joe started beekeeping in 2017 in order to improve bee health in the Key Peninsula area and to help Sophi with her hives. This quickly grew into a passion, and Joe started volunteering at the WSBA apiary every chance he could. By the fall of 2017 he agreed to fill the vacant Trustee position on the Board, helping with education, web design, and apiary management.
Additional members of the Board assist the Officers to help set and meet the longer term needs of the Association and its membership. They are listed below as contacts for the Association
Joe Gwynne - 253-448-5171
Trustees and Officers comprise the Board to help set and meet the longer term needs of the Association and its membership.
Dr. Gordon Cromwell, M.D. - 360-731-0525
Past President - Sophi Gwynne
The Past President is a voting member of the Board and provides continuity and insight on previous Association activities.
Sophi began beekeeping in 2017, and served as WSBA President for two years, shouldering many roles within the Association despite being allergic to bees! Her organizational skills are stuff of legend.
Sophi Gwynne - 253-448-5191
Apiary Manager - Jeff Hall
The Association maintains a Teaching Apiary of honeybee colonies in various hive styles to support hands-on instruction for education classes, resources for queen rearing, demonstrations of hive manipulation skills, and to support a broader understanding of the management of honeybees. The Apiary Manager makes sure that the Apiary is well maintained for the health of the bees, and volunteers are encouraged to participate. Any required use of the Apiary should be coordinated with the Apiary Manager. If, as a WSBA member, you have suggestions to improve operations or events at the Apiary, please contact the Manager, who is always looking for assistance in maintaining the Apiary and getting it ready for classes. This is a great way to learn. If you have the time, please give her/him a call to volunteer your services.
Jeff Hall -- 360-689-5255
Communications Editor - Lauren Funk
The Communications Editor is a multi-media job. Besides digitally publishing an online newsletter of events, activities, and informational articles for distribution to WSBA members, the Communications Editor also helps the Webmaster update and manage the WestSoundBees.org website calender and pages. The Communications Editor is also a supervisor of the West Sound Beekeeper Association's Facebook Group page.
Lauren Funk - 951-415-4071
Volunteer/Mentoring Coordinator - Lauren Funk
It is the responsibility of the Volunteer/Mentoring Coordinator to recruit, manage, direct, and document mentoring and volunteer activities within the WSBA. Mentoring is an important act of service by experienced beekeepers to the newly-trained members, and hours are recorded for application for Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master Beekeeper certifications. Volunteers are always needed to support educational, social, and organizational activities in the Apiary throughout the year. We run on volunteer service.
Lauren started keeping bees in Spring 2019. Originally from California, Lauren has lived in Poulsbo for two years where she works in public health; in her spare time Lauren enjoys knitting, taking day trips, and finding new coffee spots.
Lauren Funk - 951-415-4071
The Librarian maintains the Association's library resources, acquires new library materials, and promotes this collection to the membership at Association meetings. The Librarian also maintains a supply of educational visual aids geared towards members who wish to present beekeeping to the community.
SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS:
Garden Gnomes: Shaari Unger - 360-779-3898
COMMITTEES:
Education Committee - Janet Finley - 360-277-7665 - WSBAEducationCommittee@gmail.com
The Education Committee organizes and coordinates the classes and training events provided by the West Sound Beekeepers Association.
Journeyman Study Group - Sandy Fanara - sandrafanara1963@gmail.com
The Journeyman study group will help concentrate and coordinate the efforts of members interested in obtaining their Washington State Journeyman Beekeeping certificate. The focus of the group is in gaining and sharing beekeeping knowledge and skills beyond the beginner level.
Fair and Events Committee - Brenda Smith - 360-698-4101
The Fair and Events Committee will organize the associations efforts to support community outreach opportunities for the Association. These would include supporting a booth or display at fairs and other public or private events. Current events and fairs supported include the Kitsap County Fair, Ecofest, and Makerfest
Grant and Scholarship Committee - Vacant
The grant and scholarship committee administers the scholarship and grants programs for the Association.
Queen Rearing Group - George Purkett - 360-895-9116
The Queen Rearing Group organizes and coordinates our Association led queen rearing activities. These include grafting sessions at the Association apiary, presentations of queen rearing topics to the group and to the membership, hosts queen rearing and advanced beekeeping classes as Association fund-raisers, develops and disseminates queen rearing information and experiences within the Association, and oversees sales of surplus queens and nucs. Another goal is to produce superior, locally-adapted queens. Also helps propagate the stock provided by the WSU's Queen Breeding and Research Program.
Webmaster - Joe Gwynne - 253-448-5171
The Webmaster maintains the Association's website making updates and changes where necessary. Please notify him/her when changes are needed.
