New membership programs?

Joined: 2003-09-10 Posts: 1263 Location: Bristol WI

I was thinking that while some folks rightly like the fact that WGA membership is free, we are also missing out on a way to generate funds and market the association.

Perhaps we should have a "Premium Membership" available? For a fee, a "welcome package"- I.E- letter from the prez, advice from the approvers, bumper sticker, geo-coin, or other incentive(s), like a private "premium member forum" on the website could be made available.

I'd be interesting in hearing other members opinions on this, followed, by the official stance of the BOD on such an idea.

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:25 pm

I like the idea of an optional Premium membership. As I benchmarked other caching sites, none seem to charge for a membership, but then they don't offer a package like you have suggested either. Myself, I love having items related to my hobby, such as pins, patches, bumper stickers, t-shirts, sweatshirts etc.

A slight twist on the Premium membership might be to offer serveral levels. The cacher can then choose the "Package/Level" he or she would like, depending on the items offered. It doesn't have to be numerous levels, but maybe at least 3???

GREAT idea/concept Cathunter!!

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 6:28 am

I say sorry up front….

Sorry…

But I personally fully disagree. To charge a membership fee for premium members then turn around and spend such monies on letters, bumper sticker, premium member coin, and the a like defeats part of the purpose of the fee unless the fee is going to be very exorbitant. Secondly what else are Premium members going to want for their added contribution? Premier parking and camping spots, designated tables at shelters, special name tags from everyone else.

I could go on but not wanting to turn this into a social order issue or make it have a VERY negative tone. I just think it would lead too much separation in an association where few actually actively participate.

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 7:39 am

How can we make this work, or won't it?

pcfrog sees a problem here that he did not see with groundspeak's premium membership. Do we need to add more to the mix to make it more attractive? What does gc.com offer that makes the difference. Some of us are already making sizable contributions to the organization and some have been doing this for quite a while. Others make very small contributions or none at all. And, yet there is no distinction; who does what. Some need no recognition for their contributions, others would like a little return. How can we float the greatest number of boats?

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 7:53 am

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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 8:26 am

quote:
Originally posted by Trudy & the beast:
How can we make this work, or won't it?

pcfrog sees a problem here that he did not see with groundspeak's premium membership. Do we need to add more to the mix to make it more attractive? What does gc.com offer that makes the difference. Some of us are already making sizable contributions to the organization and some have been doing this for quite a while. Others make very small contributions or none at all. And, yet there is no distinction; who does what. Some need no recognition for their contributions, others would like a little return. How can we float the greatest number of boats?

GC.com supplies a service. Pay for membership to GC.com you get added service and features.

Paying for premium membership on GC.com does not define you as being better or worse off than any other cacher. It just for those who like to get the added service.

WGA is a comunity/association what service should premium members get?

From what I read from this is premium would get nothing other than a higher social order while the rest have to ride in the back of the bus. This is my concern a distinct division among members would be created. As FuFu pointed out it could even be broken up into 3 groups: the Rich, the middle class, the poor.

The special WGA geocoins are to be what rewards those who contribute more to WGA than those who don't.

Edited to make my concerns more clear.

[This message has been edited by pcfrog (edited 02-10-2006).]

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 8:51 am

quote:
Originally posted by pcfrog:

I say sorry up front….

Sorry…

But I personally fully disagree. To charge a membership fee for premium members then turn around and spend such monies on letters, bumper sticker, premium member coin, and the a like defeats part of the purpose of the fee unless the fee is going to be very exorbitant. Secondly what else are Premium members going to want for their added contribution? Premier parking and camping spots, designated tables at shelters, special name tags from everyone else.

OK.. maybe it's what we are CALLING it. Sometimes it's all the wording or name. I see the dilema PCfrog. That does make a lot of sense. If we offered a Premier membership, then people should receive a "Benefit" NOT an "Object" Or maybe "Benefits & Objects"

Maybe something like {JUST tossing out ideas}:
1. 20% Discounts on WGA products via CafePress. {or whatever % the BOD might think they could do}
2. Work with Army surplus stores around the state, to offer a Discount to WGA Premier members.
3. A Discount when purchasing WI GeoCoins.
4. Maybe the creator of the site can come up with Premier options which can be available on this site, as with GC.com.

Some ideas which provide a Benefit & an Object if they choose!! Don't know if any of these are possible but if we don't ask we won't know...RIGHT??

Heck.. I'll pay extra for Spellcheck option. ROFLMBO Ok ok.. I WON'T go there again!!

{Edited because I DIDN'T use WORD & Spellcheck. BunnyFuFu is lazy.. it's her day off}

[This message has been edited by Cache_boppin_BunnyFuFu (edited 02-10-2006).]

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 9:06 am

quote:
Originally posted by pcfrog:

From what I read from this is premium would get nothing other than a higher social order while the rest have to ride in the back of the bus. This is my concern a distinct division among members would be created. As FuFu pointed out it could even be broken up into 3 groups: the Rich, the middle class, the poor.

Goodness...I didn't think of it that way. I definately would NOT want to split up a group like that. Was just thinking that depending on the items a cacher would want they could get a different level.

Glad we moved on to the "Benefits & Objects" idea instead!! Thanks PCfrog!

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 9:39 am

quote:
Originally posted by Cache_boppin_BunnyFuFu:

Maybe something like {JUST tossing out ideas}:
1. 20% Discounts on WGA products via CafePress. {or whatever % the BOD might think they could do}
2. Work with Army surplus stores around the state, to offer a Discount to WGA Premier members.
3. A Discount when purchasing WI GeoCoins.
4. Maybe the creator of the site can come up with Premier options which can be available on this site, as with GC.com.

Bingo ----

This would be what membership could offer without creating a division between the members.

I personally have to ask one question that seems to keep coming up in various was in different post and this one as well.

How much money does the WGA need?

To me this is very import to realize because it the main point behind it all.

(These are not to be answered here just for thought in reference to the question)
Now I know this is in that “Treasures Report” but how much is the WGA expending and how much does it raise?
What is the general yearly cost to operate?
How much funds are in the treasury?
What projects is/are the WGA involved in that require a yearly fee?

I wonder this because if the WGA has the money and ends are being meet do we really need fees to being with. However if ends are only being meet because a few people are putting in $50-100 dollars at time then a fee might be justified.

I do know the WI geocoin generated funds for the WGA but don’t know how long it will last since I don’t know the consumption rate.

I’m not against a fee for membership I’m against what membership might mean.

Starting a membership fee can be a lot more work and needs to be reviewed if the work is worth the fee. FuFu suggestions noted above are nice but the board members have to realize that would be their work to make and maintain these perks.

The WI geocoin was one way to generate a sum of funds for the WGA and possible can be done again but it must remain in the back of our heads at how long will that way of fund rising last.

I might ponder and think about these things more than I should being just a member but that is my nature.

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 9:55 am

quote:
Originally posted by pcfrog:

I might ponder and think about these things more than I should being just a member but that is my nature.

I see it this way PCfrog...an organization is creative because of ALL the people involved WITHIN it. WE, the members, ARE the WGA. Soooooooo ponder away!

I am of the same nature!!

Maybe we're twins. Hmmm a frog and a bunny... twins..LOL That would be an interesting sight to see!

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:06 am

quote:
Originally posted by Cache_boppin_BunnyFuFu:

Maybe we're twins. Hmmm a frog and a bunny... twins..LOL That would be an interesting sight to see!

Man that is something I dont want to think about again. Hmmm sure would you like to have bunny with the frog legs. Well how does it taste. Well it taste like chicken. Ok back to the topic at hand. Sorry just had to say something.

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:11 am

[This message has been edited by pcfrog (edited 02-10-2006).]

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 11:19 am

Love the photos!

quote:
Originally posted by pcfrog:
...
I personally have to ask one question that seems to keep coming up in various was in different post and this one as well.

How much money does the WGA need?

...

That is a good question..

First we need to determine how big our organization is going to grow. We are still a very young organization. it wasn't very long ago (Jan 03) when we had our organizational meeting at the Tristing place in Germantown. There were only about a dozen of us there maybe a few more.

Then we need to determine what our future needs are going to be (Web hosting is currently being donated). We haven't attempted a long term budget yet. For the short term, we have been doing well. This has been due largely to the generosity of a handful of people who haven't been tooting their own horns nor complaining about the burden they have been carrying.

The geocoins by the way, was the first real profitable exercise of our organization. Numbers are available by personal correspondence with the treasurer. The treasurer's report should be released to the membership shortly after board approval (Feb 19).

To give you a short answer...
How much money does the WGA need?
I don't know.

~tb

[This message has been edited by Trudy & the beast (edited 02-10-2006).]

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 11:20 am

For a Preminum Membership fee, I'd be happy with a bumber sticker that says "I support WGA" or something similiar.

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:01 pm

I'm curious; does the financial report break down where the money comes from? I have seen the donation box at the picnic and until the Coin $ came into the spotlight I had never thought $ came from anywhere but from the donation box. I donate to the box whenever I see it as I feel the organization is important even if only to have a forum to get thoughts and ideas addressed with local peers.

As for differing levels of membership, I have to disagree with the notion. If you want to donate, do so. If you want swag, I think the site still supports a way to order it.

I would like to point out that there is no “Donate Here” button on the main page. I’d like to see one. No one is twisting arms, but an unobtrusive Pay Pal button could help raise funds if they are needed to accomplish association goals.

*EDIT for poorly demonstrated writing skills

[This message has been edited by Lostby7 (edited 02-10-2006).]