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The WGA Board is pleased to announce the minting of limited edition Wisconsin Geocoins.
Geocaching.com accidentally issued us 75 extra tracking numbers. When we brought this to their attention they said we could have them if we used them. To make use of these 75 free tracking numbers, the Board decided to create 75 “limited edition” Wisconsin Geocoins.
These coins look much like the original coins, but instead are colored silver with gold accents. On the Heads side the “state” is gold, and on the tails side, the deer is gold. “Limited Edition X of 75” is engraved on the edge of the coin, with X being a number 1 through 75, further adding to their collectability.
These coins are not for sale. What does the Board plan to do with these coins? They will be used for rewards and special gifts. Not used as rewards for finding the most amount of caches, etc, but as special thanks for service to the Wisconsin Geocaching Association.
Those who are awarded a Limited Edition Coin will also receive a “Certificate of Appreciation” signed by the current board members.
We hope these coins will be cherished and sought over, and a show of thanks for outstanding service to the WGA.
Tidbits of information:
Are they trackable on Geocaching.com?
Yes. All of the Limited Edition coins are trackable.What do they look like?
Here’s A PictureCan a person be nominated to receive a coin?
Yes. We want to reward people who have spent a significant amount of time and/or effort helping out the WGA. If we don’t know about them, we cannot give them a coin.How did the WGA pay for these coins?
A portion of the profits from the sale of the standard WGA geocoins was used to cover the cost of production for these coins.
“There are two kinds of hunting: ordinary hunting and grouse hunting.”
-Aldo Leopold, A sand county AlmanacBrian
WGA President
Grousetales at wi-geocaching dot com
KC9GMW[This message has been edited by jvechinski (edited 01-21-2006).]
This is fantastic!
I can think of a few people that I would considered and nominate!
Kudos to the current board!! That’s taking advantage of a situation!! I look forward to seening one!!
~Cache On!!
~Bill
I have two questions:
Who actually paid for these coins?
Will board members automatically reward theirselves with some of them?
I really question a non-profit organization using funds to purchase rewards and wonder if it is even appropriate.
Since the concern of funding WGA is always something stressed to the membership, why not auction them on EBay or sell them at a premium price. Couldn’t these profits be better utilized to help fund GPS units for educational programs or fees and staples for the picnic and campout.
Your plan benefits too few of the many that geocache in Wisconsin. Lets start thinking of ways to benefit everyone, present and future.
quote:
Originally posted by wzbt03:
I have two questions:
Who actually paid for these coins?
Will board members automatically reward theirselves with some of them?
I really question a non-profit organization using funds to purchase rewards and wonder if it is even appropriate.
Since the concern of funding WGA is always something stressed to the membership, why not auction them on EBay or sell them at a premium price. Couldn’t these profits be better utilized to help fund GPS units for educational programs or fees and staples for the picnic and campout.
Your plan benefits too few of the many that geocache in Wisconsin. Lets start thinking of ways to benefit everyone, present and future.As dark as it may be, I can sometimes appreciate the way you look at things Jeff.
I’m sure the BOD understands it would be innappropriate to award themselves or each other coins. However, I would think it appropriate to issue a coin to a departing board member at the end of their term.
I tend to think that this is one of the few times you will ever see WGA funds used for awards or prizes. Normally prizes and such are donated to the association, but in the case of something custom like a WI coin, a donation obviously would not be likely.
I’m not sure what you mean by your statement “the concern of funding WGA is always something stressed to the membership”, as I don’t remember it ever being a topic of discussion. If our membership became aware of some “great thing” that we should do as an association, I’m sure we would have no problem raising funds for it.
I’d really like to hear ways we could “benefit everyone, present and future.”
It’s easy to throw out ideas, but what actually benefits everyone is questionable.quote:
Originally posted by Cathunter:
I’m sure the BOD understands it would be innappropriate to award themselves or each other coins. However, I would think it appropriate to issue a coin to a departing board member at the end of their term.
Isn’t that the same thing as them awarding themselves? If in fact the decision has been made to “reward” people with the coins, why can’t board members get them? If in fact they have done some wonderful things for the WGA or Geocaching in general, then why not give them one.
One example I can give without even thinking is the person who has worked so closely with the DNR that they have changed their minds about geocachers and no longer view us as a complete threat to the parks. We have even helped them by doing a seed collection. This same person worked long and hard to re-open the City of Madison Parks to geocache hides, and oversees all hides within the parks system. If these things don’t qualify “HER” for a coin, then NO ONE should be “rewarded” with one!
And what about the former board member who worked so hard to gain incorporation status for the WGA?
And what about the former board member known as the Mother of WI Geocaching? She’s taken us to some of the most beautiful, as well as historic places in the state with her cache placements!
I’m sure each of us has someone we feel deserves to be “awarded” a coin, and if in fact the “awarding” of coins is they way it ends up going, then I hope every aspect of caching and working with the WGA is taken into account.
Once someone is nominated, are the names going to be put in a bowl and drawn from? Will the body of the WGA vote on who gets them? Will the WGA BOD vote on who gets them?
I do like Jeff’s idea of selling them, at least a few of them on e-bay. Why not let the WGA put some $ in the bank? Perhaps their could be a WGA hosted event where the t-shirts are given away instead of being sold. Maybe the WGA could buy all the meat for the next picnic instead of everyone having to bring it. Maybe there would be enough $ left to buy some new name tag covers so no one who leaves with theirs on has to feel guilty about taking one home.
Just a few ideas…
[This message has been edited by CB&MB (edited 01-22-2006).]
Jeff you bring up many valid points. When I posted my original “excellent” I was in a euphoric state of mind. My only negative thought was could it end up a popularity contest. I then read your post and realized that I hadn’t completely thought everything out.
I do think it is an excellent idea. There are many people that promote the WGA as well as promoting geocaching within our state. Some of those that I think of off the top of my head are: administrators approving caches, BoD that spend their time and money (travel) during their service to the WGA, WISearchers (I believe) working with Madison to get caches authorized there and still willing to continue even after her service on the board ends, AuntieNae and her many geocaching workshops and recurring events, and cachers like BobCat, GizFinder, and Ecorangers who hide many caches so other cachers can get out and see more areas of the state. Of course these are only some of what comes to light right away.
Unfortuantly, those that volunteer do not get enough pats on the back, which I believe they so rightly deserve.
I am also shameful to admit that I believe a reward system may end up not being as objective as I would hope. That I feel that it is a real possibility that subjectivity and (sadly) personal interest may play a part in distribution.
I will be honest, I am not a fan of cache of the month because it is only based on those that participate on the WGA (key word: participate) forums/website. Popularity or campaigning can play a part on who wins that “award.”
So where I applaud our board for taking advantage of the situation I also add caution to the wind. I’m sure your hearts and minds are in the right place. I just throw out a warning that it could cause more problems due to human nature.
quote:
Originally posted by CB&MB:
Isn’t that the same thing as them awarding themselves? If in fact the decision has been made to “reward” people with the coins, why can’t board members get them? If in fact they have done some wonderful things for the WGA or Geocaching in general, then why not give them one.
I was not suggesting that no board members deserve a coin. My point was that the board should not be allowed to “give themselves a raise” without the approval of the membership.
All the examples you stated were of past or outgoing board members, which I stated, would be in a position I find more agreeable to accept an award.
As an alternative example-
What if board members were using WGA funds to pay for food, and drinks when attending board meetings? While they might indeed deserve some expenses be paid- shouldn’t the membership have a say in what and how much is deemed acceptable?quote:
Originally posted by Cathunter:
I was not suggesting that no board members deserve a coin. My point was that the board should not be allowed to “give themselves a raise” without the approval of the membership.All the examples you stated were of past or outgoing board members, which I stated, would be in a position I find more agreeable to accept an award.
I know that…I was agreeing w/ your statement to Jeff and giving some examples of why they would be just as strong a candidate for the “awarded” coins as any other member.
One word….Fantastic!
Thank you Cathunter.
Sometimes thoughts from the dark side can cause some excellent discussions.In reference to the WGA and funding, it has always been pointed out to everyone that we were very lucky that WGA is free and hence the need for donations at picnics and campouts.
Since I have never seen an accounting of the financial sitiuation of WGA and what they actually spend their money on, it is perhaps true that they no longer need donations. Good point Russ, maybe this is something from the past that I remember that no longer pertains.
On that note, is it possible for the WGA board to post the financial breakdown for us all to see?
quote:
Originally posted by wzbt03:
Thank you Cathunter.
Sometimes thoughts from the dark side can cause some excellent discussions.In reference to the WGA and funding, it has always been pointed out to everyone that we were very lucky that WGA is free and hence the need for donations at picnics and campouts.
Since I have never seen an accounting of the financial sitiuation of WGA and what they actually spend their money on, it is perhaps true that they no longer need donations. Good point Russ, maybe this is something from the past that I remember that no longer pertains.
Maybe I was taken out of context, but the WGA does operate on donations alone. We have been a bit over the “break even” mark in past years. There has been no additional push for more donations mainly due to the fact that we have not initiated any activities that would have brought on additional expenses.
I don’t know if membership being free makes us “lucky”. There are expenses that should be covered up front instead of after the fact. There are things we could be doing that would only happen if we could cover the cost. The real question is WHAT should we be doing that will be sure to make the future of geocaching better? Once this question is answered and agreed to, then we could work on ways to fund it.
One advantage to having no assets is that it makes accounting much easier.
10% of the original proceeds from the coin sale??? I would say the choice to mint the extra special edition coins was a no brainer!
(Pauses to wipe the brown off of nose)
Kudos!
quote:
Originally posted by Miata:
One word….Fantastic!I have no problem with any of the answers provided by Grousetails. I am not interested in trying to micro manage the affairs of WGA, and very much appreciate the efforts and integrity of those we elect to Board positions. We choose to affiliate with the WGA, we cast votes for the Board, let’s allow them to function as our Board and make the decisions needed to run WGA.
And if one or all of the Board end up with one of these coins, I think it’s a pretty small token of appreciation. I really like the coins I bought, and if the WGA made a little profit on them, great. I feel confident that the few funds available in the WGA coffers are being well guarded and well spent.
Thanks, Board members, I appreciate all you do.
Grandpa Jim
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