swarm-list Mailing List: Re: WHO Doesn't Have Bees, and wants them? What cities are you in? What prevents you from chasing swarms?

[Nick Ashwa (nick.ashwa]

Hi Everyone,

It seems my earlier message of volunteers getting notifications is a hurdle. Swarm notifications via email often reach volunteers too late—especially for those of us only available on weekends or certain days. This delay limits the association’s ability to make the best use of its willing volunteers. I’d love to assist more often in areas like Danville, San Ramon, and Castro Valley, but the current setup makes it difficult to respond in time. And like many stated, it isn’t also fair for callers or the bees to wait 

I’d like to propose a simple “on-call system” to streamline swarm response and make better use of our collective availability:

1. Daily Sign-Up: Volunteers can sign up via Google form, or call or text the hotline coordinator each morning to indicate their availability window and the areas they can cover. These volunteers would be considered “on-call” for that timeframe, are on standby and ready to respond quickly.
2. Direct Notification: When a swarm is reported, the coordinator checks the day’s on-call list and contacts the nearest available volunteer directly via call or text.
3. Fallback to Google Group: If no volunteers are on-call for the area, or if all on-call volunteers have already been dispatched, the swarm alert can be forwarded to the Google Group as usual.

To help manage this:

• A simple Google Form could be used for volunteers to submit their availability and coverage areas in advance.
• Responses would be populated in a Google Sheet that coordinators can quickly check to call the on-calls for a certain region.  
• Contact details would be stored within the coordinator view-only tab to make it easy for them to find call info for on-call volunteers. 

I’d be happy to be on-call for weekends and days when I work from home, and I’d love to help pilot or set up this system if there’s interest. I believe this could help us respond faster, involve more volunteers, and strengthen connections within the association.

Looking forward to your thoughts!

Regards,

Nick Ashwa

On May 5, 2025, at 9:25 AM, realrambo--- via swarm-list <swarm-list [at] alamedabees.org> wrote:

 Yes.  now put yourself in the position of the callers , most of them have a repulsion for bees for one reason or anither .

Is it fair to them to keep them hanging for hours.?

Clearly NO ! the sawrm eill not stick around . 

I do have a problem with my phone , neither the carrier or the manufacturer have been able to fix .

Did not I miss on earlier sawrm ? certainly , there are thing far more important in life .

Getting a swarm from the hot line is a very nice asset for the Club , it does come with some limitations , however look at it from another point of view , without the club you would have had to buy Buy bee package starting at a couples hundreds dollars . 

It is not fair at all to shift the blame to volonteer who handle the calls , we should THANKS them.

     Catching a swarm is very much like catching a plane , you are in time everything s fine , you missed it well wait for the next one .

     Have you ever missed a flight , I have decades ago , the next one was 3 days later , I did not blame the airline , but myself i never missed a plane afterward that is almost 50 years later . 

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

On Monday, May 5, 2025, 8:35 AM, Bees & Beeks via swarm-list <swarm-list [at] alamedabees.org> wrote:

I agree with Susan.  It does seem the few individuals take bulk of swarms calls.  I understand for difficult or public places that requires experienced personnel but regular and easy swarms should be given longer so those who are not constantly checking or has spotty internet connection are given an opportunity.

Mimi

Sent from my iPhone

> On May 5, 2025, at 6:20 AM, susan--- via swarm-list <swarm-list [at] alamedabees.org> wrote:
>
> I really don't understand why we can't wait even 15 or 20 minutes for someone to claim a swarm, unless it's in a public place where people may be scared. It does seem like the same few people take most of the swarms; I wonder what they do with them all?
>
> Susan Kuchinskas
> 1-510-368-0455
> @susankuchinskas
> Kuchinskas.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: swarm-list <swarm-list-bounces+susan=kuchinskas.com [at] alamedabees.org> On Behalf Of Nick Ashwa via swarm-list
> Sent: Sunday, May 4, 2025 9:03 PM
> To: susan [at] kuchinskas.com
> Cc: Nick Ashwa <nick.ashwa [at] gmail.com>; Daisy Knutson <daisyshah [at] gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [ACBA Swarmlist] WHO Doesn't Have Bees, and wants them? What cities are you in? What prevents you from chasing swarms?
>
> Hi,
> Castro Valley. I’ve caught one swarm 2 years ago. Lost all bees over this winter, and looking for a fresh start.
>
> Work schedule makes it hard to catch over weekday/business hours, but can over the weekdays or when I work from home. Can cover Danville, San Ramon, Castro Valley, etc on the weekends if someone just calls or instant notifies.
>
> The email notifications are usually too late for me as someone already would’ve claimed them before the email even rings on my phone. Not sure how folks respond within minutes of an email being sent(any inputs).
>
> Would prefer like a group messaging system, or happy to be sign up to be on-call for weekends or other times. Can indicate list of areas that I can cover.
>
> Regards,
> Nikhil Jali
>
>> On May 4, 2025, at 8:43 PM, Daisy Knutson via swarm-list <swarm-list [at] alamedabees.org> wrote:
>>
>> 
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I am just getting into beekeeping and would like to catch a swarm. I am located in Oakland near Fruitvale. 
>>
>> The two reasons that prevent me from chasing swarms are my inexperience (only knowledge is from watching many YouTube videos) and I haven't got any beekeeping equipment as of yet.
>>
>> I would love to join someone in a swarm chase in the Oakland/Alameda/Berkeley areas.  However not sure how to go about with posting that. Or if anyone has equipment that I could borrow until I get my own.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Daisy
>> (510) 557-2275
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Safety first! No swarm is worth risking injury to self, or host.
>> Make sure you're familiar with the swarm catching guidelines at
>> <https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-catching-guidelines/>.
>>
>> To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, to learn how to
>> filter these messages, or to view the archives, see:
>> <https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-list-tips/>.

>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Safety first! No swarm is worth risking injury to self, or host.
> Make sure you're familiar with the swarm catching guidelines at <https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-catching-guidelines/>.
>
> To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, to learn how to filter these messages, or to view the archives, see:
> <https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-list-tips/>.
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Safety first! No swarm is worth risking injury to self, or host.
> Make sure you're familiar with the swarm catching guidelines at
> <https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-catching-guidelines/>.
>
> To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, to learn how
> to filter these messages, or to view the archives, see:
> <https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-list-tips/>.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Safety first! No swarm is worth risking injury to self, or host.
Make sure you're familiar with the swarm catching guidelines at
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-catching-guidelines/>.

To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, to learn how
to filter these messages, or to view the archives, see:
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-list-tips/>.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Safety first! No swarm is worth risking injury to self, or host.
Make sure you're familiar with the swarm catching guidelines at
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-catching-guidelines/>.

To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, to learn how
to filter these messages, or to view the archives, see:
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-list-tips/>.