Honey Bee Ambassador Program

The TVBA Honey Bee Ambassador Program equips young people who are enthusiastic about honey bees share their enthusiasm by educating their community about bees and beekeeping.

Duration
The program generally extends for one calendar year, but time extensions to complete the program may be granted at the discretion of the TVBA Scholarship Committee and the TVBA Board.

Eligible Applicants:
Honey Bee Ambassador applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 21. Applicants under 18 must have consent from a custodial parent or legal guardian.

Applications:
Applications must be turned in by the applicant (and their custodial parent or legal guardian, if applicable), in person, at any TVBA event August-Nov of the previous calendar year. Accepted applicants will be contacted in December and begin the program in January.

Program Requirements

• Ambassadors must manage a colony of bees during the year of their participation in the program.
• Ambassadors must attend at least 75% of all TVBA monthly educational meetings during their participation in the program.
• Ambassadors must attend at least two events or meetings of beekeeping associations (local, regional, state, or national) other than TVBA.
• Ambassadors must speak at one or more TVBA events on topics of their choosing, subject to approval by the TVBA Ambassador Program Chair.
• Ambassadors must speak at five or more community events in the area, promoting the TVBA Honey Bee Ambassador Program and educating the public on bees and beekeeping. Events to be subject to approval by the TVBA Ambassador Program Chair.
• Ambassadors must achieve Apprentice Level in the Texas Master Beekeeping Program.

Presentations
Speaking engagements are to be coordinated in conjunction with, and/or approved by, the TVBA Ambassador Program Chair.

Appropriate Attire
Honey Bee Ambassadors must wear business casual attire or appropriate bee/beekeeping themed attire to all speaking engagements and TVBA events.

Expenses
Travel to and from approved speaking engagements is eligible for reimbursement from TVBA at the standard IRS reimbursement rate. Travel to other events is not reimbursable. Texas Master Beekeeper Program testing fees to be paid by TVBA. Select educational materials for use at events to be provided on loan from TVBA.

Completion Award
Upon completion of the program, ambassadors will be awarded a certificate of completion. Ambassadors who complete the program in good standing and show effort above and beyond the minimum requirements may also be eligible for scholarship award money to be applied to the educational pursuit expenses of their choosing.