Speakers and Events Forum

[NWIN Beekeeper]

I am in a unfortunate situation where I can't attend a bee club meeting down state.

I was really looking forward to it, as Jerry Hayes was speaking for the Indiana State Club.

This got me thinking a bit. [ouch]

I appreciate that folks take their valuable time to go to these events and usually have to drop $5-$10-$20 to attend. 

But... does everyone get around to enough of these that maybe if there was a forum area devoted to it, would people take the time and effort to do a little write up on their experience and maybe a few points that they learned? 

It would be an educational exchange that would go beyond local and state bee clubs lines and perhaps introduce a few new ideas to enhance our survival (and our bees too).

Some of other reasons that I raise this idea are:

1. It would create a reference area for WHEN these events happen year to year.
2. It would create a central and searchable location about the speakers and topics.
3. It would be year round database of reference (in case you want to prepare for next month beekeeping events wintering, feeding, nucs, pollination.)
    a. Topics discussed in the spring may not be the same discussed in the fall.
4. It would demonstrate the modern internet beekeeping community takes notice of these significant people.
5. It would create more references for success or failure than just the contributing say-so of the forum members (likely more credible).
6. It would bring to light some 'regional' techniques that may not be found in books.

Its easy to read to a bee journal mag in the bathroom and forget the topic you read.
But when someone that you deal with day-to-day on the forum gives you an interpretation, it has more significance. Especially if that member has any degree of experience.

I wouldn't want the forum to take the place of actually going (people watching football with the idea of just reading about the meeting later), I would just hope it could help those that can't go because of extreme distance or unreasonable travel expense for a short meeting.

Kick around the idea and tell us your thoughts.
I know there will be pitfalls, but the rewards could be significantly more important.

-Jeff

[sean]

I totally agree

[Brian D. Bray]

Good concept, it's kind of like suggesting each state or region have it's own forum for beekeepers to exchange information over.

[beemaster]

Creating a NEW FORUM - the Title (example) Beekeeping by State (or Country) if our International members would like - could be a single MAIN FORUM with 50 state titled forums on that forum main page.

Then simply go in each/any and start local meeting info, anything that seems relative to your local beekeeepers. Would something like this help? We STILL DON'T HAVE ALL 50 STATES HERE - ugh, maybe the last hold-outs might find there way to the forum if coaxed a little - lol.

Let me know if you think this will help - also guys, remember to use the CALENDAR FEATURE to announce events, you can go into GREAT DETAIL about the even in the topical connection to the calendar.

If I'm missing what you'd like to see - then please explain it more clearly, in terms I can create a forum from - thanks :)

[KONASDAD]

I recently attended two very educatuional seminars conducted by NJBA. I did share what I took from the seminars. I put them in the apropriate forums. One entitled bee viruses and one about fall and spring feeding. My point, people already do pass on what they have learned, but I WOULD NEVER SAY NO TO AN ADDITIONAL AREA for a new forum. I have been thinking about asking for a new forum myself. For those members who are either executive members of clubs, or are highly involved in clubs sharing ideas on how to increase membership, foster healthier beekeeping practices, increase bee knowledge amonsgt younger folks at schools and the like. Get new people into beekeeping etc. I could go on.
One truism about beemaster, no one on this site has ever said no to me if I PM'd them and given me anything they had to help me help club members. Great experiences all around.
So two new forums please...

[indypartridge]

I am in a unfortunate situation where I can't attend a bee club meeting down state.
I was really looking forward to it, as Jerry Hayes was speaking for the Indiana State Club.

Sorry you couldn't make it. It was a good meeting. Jerry spoke in the morning on CCD, but it was really more like a "State of the Bees" address. In the afternoon, he spoke on Africanized bees, and what Florida is doing to try to manage the situation. Both were very good.

I appreciate that folks take their valuable time to go to these events and usually have to drop $5-$10-$20 to attend. 

Plus a tank of gas. Plus lunch. Plus raffle tickets (we had 2 raffle items: nuc and Indiana queen). Plus buying Jerry's book so you can get it signed. Plus the auction (where you always end up buying something for way too much). And then there's the vendor tables....

But... does everyone get around to enough of these that maybe if there was a forum area devoted to it, would people take the time and effort to do a little write up on their experience and maybe a few points that they learned? 

I think that's a good idea. Maybe I would have taken notes if I had thought about doing a write up afterwards.