Mind Your OWN Beeswax : Alamo Beekeepers Leadership Development Program--WE NEED YOUR HELP!!

Alamo Beekeepers Leadership Development Program

Over the last few years we have seen a significant growth in the AABA. Some of this is due to the recognition among consumers for the need to protect bees because of the important role that they play within our food production system. Others will cite the back-to-nature movement among consumers who grow their own food.

Several years ago the AABA leadership team discussed the need to develop and mentor the next generation of leaders for beekeeping in South Texas.

Volunteer organizations need a mix of talent to function. The AABA leadership team would like to expand our pool of talent by sharing what we have learned. We also seek to bring new ideas and expand our outreach programs and need to have members who are ready to step up if personal or family illness or job relocation impacts key AABA programs. The assumption of most newbie beekeepers is:

I need to become an expert beekeeper before I could even think about assuming more
visible role within the AABA or any other organization.
I do not have the time

Knowledge of beekeeping is essential if you are teaching or mentoring a group on the art/science of beekeeping but a successful program also requires a host of other volunteer talent. For example:

San Antonio Rodeo Advance Logistics – site inspection; equipment checks, booth setup, communication with SA Rodeo leadership, honey purchase, honey bottling and transportation, booth set up, scheduling booth personnel, AABA web site update, live bee sourcing and transportation, bee display switch outs, booth signage, sales receipts, booth breakdown and storage, AABA accounts update (financial) etc.

AABA Field Day Advance Logistics – program development, site inspection, contracting for security and insurance, speaker sign-up, vendor logistics, sign-in; name tags, parking, bee nucs and packages - vendor delivery and support logistics, meal logistics, site cleanup, AABA accounts update (financial) etc.

Membership Logistics – meeting members and visitors list, name tags, raffle tickets, auction items to support the scholarship program, membership list maintenance.

AABA Newsletter – editor and support team to plan content and newsletter execution and delivery

IT Support – refinement of the AABA website; website re-design

Publicity/Education – development of bee educational materials for public/private schools
You can see from the aforementioned list that you do not have to be a “bee expert” to play a key role in supporting current programs. We want your input on what we can do
better and your ideas for new projects/programs that you think the AABA should be more involved in.

Food/Refreshments – purchase of food/supplies for the AABA meetings in Helotes and the AABA Field Day; kitchen coordination and delivery of pot-luck meals; clean-up.

All of us are busy in one way or another. Beekeeping is not a full-time job for vast majority of the AABA members. We enjoy the fellowship and the opportunity to share our knowledge with others. If you have an interest we can find a role for you that will fit your schedule.

Please email me at merissa.stricker@gmail.com and an AABA leadership team will contact you to discuss what type of volunteer activity that you would like to participate in.