WGA Premium Membership

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 11:08 am

A while back there was some discussion on a premium WGA membership category. At the time, suggestions about benefits centered around bumper stickers or nametags. Nothing significant.

I’d like to revive that discussion with something a little more substantial – a geocoin, produced and sold by the WGA.

The Premium Membership would be a one-time fee. Say $50. (It is a fund raiser, afterall!)

The geocoin would be of a design that indicates WGA membership. One side of the coin would be a fairly open area for the individual to have a personalized engraving entered there. Such as cacher name, date started caching, etc. Perhaps the membership fee could include the WGA have the personalized engraving done.

The coin would be trackable, with it’s own icon on the system.
As such, when you meet and log a person’s coin, it could be used as a way of knowing how many other Wisconsin cachers who have met.

The coin might have a hole, so that a chain could be run thru it, and the coin worn around the neck at events. The chain might also be part of the membership package.

The coin design? Well………..

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 12:51 pm

Heck...I'd pay the $50 to get the coin and be a premier member!!!!

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 1:05 pm

Hey FuFu: We all don't make as much as you do. I think that 50 smackers is to high. My be 25 dollars. Then again my wife says that I am just cheap.Thats just my two cents worth.

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 1:28 pm

benny... you spent too much on "Gabby".... that's why you're broke. shoulda got "Mavericks" brother. Gotta save some for the membership ya know! Razz

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:13 pm

I am Game. Where do I sign up. I want two. I think the 50.00 is about the highest that some members will want to go. I don't think it is out of line though. I look at it this way. I geocache, so I don't go to bars and give them my money, so what else do I have to spend it on. Like they always say. Spend it while you are here, as you can't take the cash with you. Unfortunately though, with the amout of stuff that I have accumulated over my 25 years, I may need a Luggage rack on the Hearse as well as a Triple Axle Covered trailer!!!!!!! I am in the process of moving, and you never know how much you have until you have to move it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Justin

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:42 pm

Yup, me too!

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 4:05 pm

Before the WGA holds another fundraiser, I think there should be some indication from the board what the money will be used for. At the summer picnic, the treasurer's report indicated we have several thousand dollars in the till. As a non-profit organization, we shouldn't keep raising money if we don't have a purpose in mind to spend it on. Just my 2 cents. BTW, I think the board is doing a great job. They all seem to be very dedicated to the sport and the organization.

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 4:32 pm

I think it's a fantastic idea! Where do I sign? I like the idea of a one time membership fee too. I wish there was that option for GC.com Exclamation

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 6:12 pm

I am in college and surving off my meager work-study. I vote $20. wink

-katy-

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 8:35 pm

I guess I would do either the $25 or $50 if it was a one time deal. I like the idea and concept. And to get a coin to boot, heck of a deal! Very Happy

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 10:39 pm

kbraband wrote:

Before the WGA holds another fundraiser, I think there should be some indication from the board what the money will be used for. At the summer picnic, the treasurer's report indicated we have several thousand dollars in the till. As a non-profit organization, we shouldn't keep raising money if we don't have a purpose in mind to spend it on. Just my 2 cents. BTW, I think the board is doing a great job. They all seem to be very dedicated to the sport and the organization.

Whatever happened to that bench donation idea?

On topic: as a one time fee, then I don't think $50 would be out of line. Especially if the coin could get engraved.

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 4:12 am

1. As mentioned before what will a premium member benefits actually be? This was discussed at length before.

2. This poll is skewed it lacks the input for anyone to vote against. – It says “I don’t care about others, I want a premium club and only want to hear from others who want in the elite group.”

3. kbraband pointed out there is money in the treasury so why is a membership needed? Leads back to question 1.

4. If you’re going to make a coin, an expensive token, what is the projected administrative cost of membership that will utilized from the membership?
Example – I give $50 but only $15 actually is saved since the coin needs to be paid for.

5. As mentioned before in last post what are members going to expect in time?

6. Should a member have certain privileges at campouts and the picnic?

I feel some these need to be addressed here so people know what they are voting on. Unless, it’s just all about the title of being a PREMIUM WGA MEMBER.

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:46 am

I'll add to Ken's and PCFrog's points.

With a non-profit corporation (I'm assuming we are incorporated), especially one that does not have much in the way of ongoing expenses, it is somewhat risky to raise money without a plan for spending it. I am on the board of another organization that almost lost its non-profit status due to such activity. I think that, rather than a one-time fee, the board should determine what our "normal" expenses are, then, if desired, have "premium" membership fees set to cover this cost. I suspect that most active members would be more than happy to pay their share. Alternatively, we could just have an annual Geo-coin project and price the coins such that sales will generate enough profit to cover our annual expenses.

Similarly, if we want to do a bench or other charitable donation, rather than taking it from existing funds (although that is certainly ok), we could do a one-time (or annual) "raise money for a bench" program, maybe with kickoff and closing events. The key is that you cannot just keep raising money without spending it and stay non-profit.

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 3:00 pm

marc_54140 wrote:

I’d like to revive that discussion with something a little more substantial – a geocoin, produced and sold by the WGA.

While I understand there are many WGA members who collect and trade goecoins, I'm not fully convinced this would be the proper reason/incentive for having a premium membership. I suppose the word substantial has different meanings to different folks. Personally, I think the premium member status should be a title that would be earned and not bought. Volunteering time at WGA event, participation in CITO events, or some type of activity that is beneficial to the geo-community at large. Then the premium title would hold a much more respected position other than a bought one.

I have to agree with Ken & PCFrog that there needs to be a plan for what the funds are going to be used for. Perhaps a new poll question..."What should the WGA spend it's money on?"

I was saddened to see the pancake breakfast before the picnic idea shot down due to lack of human resources. With only 2 WGA events a year, it would of been nice to utilize the griddle. Another disappointment was seeing the water supply run out. Perhaps some of these funds could be used for for supplies for the events, instead of counting on donations.

The bench donation project is another great idea. I think separate fund raising events for something like this would work well for two reasons. First, it provides the opportunity for those who are interested, to donate to a specific item, with the added benefit of showing the WGA's willingness to give back to our parks and forests. Secondly, it could be held in the local areas where the donated bench would be placed. Persons in Green Bay for example, wouldn't be donating for a bench placed in Milwaukee.

Another idea would be a discounted price for State Park stickers. I'm not sure how this could be implemented, but it is certainly a cost most of us spend willingly anyway. It would be a good way of showing the DNR the positive impact Geocaching has on it's revenue base.

Let's hear from more of you....what would you like to see the WGA spend money on?

~Commander Bob

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 3:32 pm

Commander Bob wrote:

Another disappointment was seeing the water supply run out.

~Commander Bob

Gotta agree with you there! We broght 2 cases of water to share, and figured there would be enough for everyone. So when we started our day, we packed 3 bottles for the first leg. We came back after a late lunch (about 2:00) and the water was gone. Had to drink that NASTY water from the fountain. Crying or Very sad