Meeting Date: January 14, 2003
Meeting Location: Trysting Place Pub
Meeting Attendees: See List Below

Meeting called to order by Ken Braband at 7:25pm.

Introductions
[*]All those present introduced themselves to the group.

WGA History
[*]Ken Braband outlined the history of the organization for those who hadn’t attended past WGA events. [Boring details omitted, refer to the “About Us” page on the WGA website.]

WGA Spring 2003 Campout
[*] WGA has planned a campout for the weekend of May 16, 17, and 18 at High Cliff State Park.
[*] The WGA has reserved two group campsites. One of the campsites will be used for RVs, and should accommodate several smaller RVs (popups, etc.).
[*] Because of the size of the park (much smaller than Governor Dodge), the number of temporary caches that can be placed is limited. The event planners are looking for suggestions for alternate activities that can be held during the campout.
[*] Registration for the campout has not yet begun, but an online form will be available in a month or two. Keep checking the WGA website for updates.

Periodic WGA Meetings
[*] It was agreed that regular meetings, most likely quarterly, were needed in order for the organization to grow.
[*] Meeting location.
o Several ideas were presented. In the end, those present agreed that rotating the location to different parts of the state was probably the best idea (it would get the most cachers involved, serve as an excuse to go caching elsewhere in the state, etc.). Possible location suggested included Madison, Wisconsin Dells, and Fond Du Lac, but location(s) chosen would depend on the availability of a local host to help set up the event.
[*] Meeting time.
o A number of people mentioned that meeting during the week was not a good idea and probably reduced attendance at this meeting.
o A Saturday morning meeting time was suggested by Ken, who had read about several other geocaching groups holding their meetings at this time. No complaints about this meeting time or alternative meeting time suggestions were made.
[*] Steph Folk suggested that two of the quarterly meetings be held during the planned WGA events (late spring campout and late summer picnic). The two other meetings would be held in sometime in the fall and the winter (or early spring).
[*] Ray Handley suggested that neighboring geocaching groups (Chicagoland Geocachers in particular) should be invited to future WGA meetings.

Newsletter/Web Site
[*] A monthly email newsletter was proposed. This newsletter would contain information about WGA activities, point out updated web site content (cache of the month and monthly article), etc. No one had any objections to this idea. It was not clear how the list of email addresses to send the newsletter to would be built.
[*] Several people mentioned that the Cache of the Month/Year voting system on the website would crash when votes were submitted.
[*] Ken conducted an informal poll of WGA website usage. About half the people present checked the site on a daily basis, but some checked it less than once a week. Ken urged all those present to start (or keep) checking the site regularly.

Cache Patrol
[*] The “Cache Patrol” or “Cache Rescue” concept that was proposed by Jeff Little of Hotdogs Off Trail (not present) was described. Basically, the Cache Patrol would consist of geocachers who volunteer to be responsible for caches in a particular area. When one of the caches in an area requires “emergency” attention (inappropriate items placed in cache, possibly stolen or damaged, log books/pens/cameras need replacing), Cache Patrol member(s) would take care of it. Jeff is still working on the details of the Cache Patrol concept and plans to provide a more complete proposal in the future.
[*] Formal or Informal? This question was discussed but not answered.
o Ray thought that the Cache Patrol should not be a formal group of people. Jeff Thorsen believed that posting information on the existing message boards (forums) could be used as a means to alert other cachers to potential problems with caches.
o Others believed that formally maintaining a list of Cache Patrol responsible geocachers (on either a county or regional basis) was the way to go. Mark Andersen requested that, in addition to a formal list, an email notification system be developed to inform Cache Patrol members that a cache in their area required attention.
[*] Ken thought the Cache Patrol would be another way to convince the DNR that they are able to go to the DNR for support and enforcement of their policies (not sure if he was talking about the formal or informal Cache Patrol).
[*] Steph Folk suggested that a list (“Mini Cache First-Aid Kit”) be developed and posted on the website that would help new cachers determine what extra items to bring along (plastic bags, log books, pens, …) to help them repair damaged caches they may find.

Proposed Wisconsin DNR Geocaching Policy
[*] Some background of WGA’s involvement with the DNR about a geocaching policy was presented by Brian Jansen. Highlights include:
o WGA learned that the DNR might be working on a geocaching policy in June 2002
o Ken and Brian met with Sue Black (DNR Director of State Parks) in July 2002. They cleared up some misconceptions that the DNR had about geocaching. DNR suggested that the WGA propose a geocaching policy for consideration.
o A geocaching policy was drafted by the WGA and discussed after the 2002 Picnic. Based on comments received, the draft policy was revised and submitted to the DNR in October 2002.
o Ken wrote an article for the Fall 2002 issue of WRPA Impact magazine that described geocaching. This magazine is read by park managers (state, county, and local) in the State of Wisconsin.
[*] Permits to place caches
o Ken mentioned that he would like to see a system where permits were NOT required. DNR would like to see a policy that is strict (with permits), and relax it later on. Everyone at the meeting was in favor of starting with a relaxed policy (no permits) and making it strict only if issues arose.
o Permits would end up costing the state money (park managers would have to issue and keep track of the permits).
o If the state charged money for permits, it would be more likely be to be liable for damages/injuries due to geocaching (per Pennsylvania policy, which doesn’t charge for permits for this reason).
[*] Possible DNR geocaching concerns and how we address them:
o Inappropriate Items
o Cache placers really have no control over inappropriate items placed in caches.
o Could encourage other cachers to remove these items (possibly as trash as in “Cache In, Trash Out”) and the Cache Patrol, if created, could help remove inappropriate items.
o Off Trail Hiking/Environmental Damage
o Steve Bukosky mentioned that he had not witnessed any environmental impact due to geocaching.
o Request that geocachers report environmental damage if seen. It would be up to the cache placer (or possibly the Cache Patrol), to move or archive the cache.
o Several people mentioned that hard to find caches produce the most environmental damage. Steve suggested that cache placers use the hint to make sure that the cache can be found (keeping people from damaging the environment by looking too long and in too many places).
o Promote “Cache In, Trash Out” as a way that geocachers improve, not destroy, the environment.
o Keep Caches Out Of State Natural Areas And Historical Sites
o Everyone agreed that caches should be kept away from fragile archaeological and historical sites.
o Several people questioned whether caches really need to be prohibited in State Natural Areas. Hunting is already allowed in most State Natural Areas.
o Keep Non-Cachers From Thinking A Cache Is Dangerous (i.e a bomb)
o New policies on geocaching.com prevent placing of caches near sensitive areas (railroad tracks, dams, etc.) where a “suspicious box” would be more likely to cause concern.
o If park managers know geocaches are in their park and where they are located, it is much less likely that would become excited (and call out the bomb squad) when informed of a “suspicious box”.
[*] Brian took an informal poll inquiring whether people had asked for permission prior to placing their caches. Almost no one had asked permission, and the reasons given were either they didn’t know who to contact, or they were afraid of getting a “no” response because the person they asked was not familiar with geocaching.
[*] Enforcing the DNR’s policy
o The WGA has some enforcement powers through its geocaching.com administrator position. We can refuse or archive caches that don’t comply with the policy.
o Sara Swosinski suggested that it might be nice if cache placers had to take a course (online?) prior to placing/listing their cache (which would make sure the cache placer was aware of and understood the policy).
o Brian believed that if the Wisconsin rules/policy were to “pop up” when listing a Wisconsin cache on geocaching.com, people would be more likely to follow them.
[*] A question was asked about what will happen to caches that already exist in DNR controlled land once a geocaching policy is adopted (possible grandfather cause). Ken stated that the policy doesn’t spell out what will happen to these caches, and this will have to be discussed with the DNR.
[*] Ken and Brian will attend a meeting in Stevens Point on Tuesday, January 21 to discuss the WGA’s proposed caching policy with 10 DNR regional managers. Results of this meeting will be posted in the forums on the WGA website.

Miscellaneous
[*] Donations
o All WGA funding currently comes from donations made by geocachers at our events. Donated money was used to reserve the two campsites and a park shelter for the 2003 Spring Campout. Contact treasurer Joe Schnicke with any questions or comments about our where our funds come from or how they are used.
[*] WGA Online Store
o Jason Rusch reported that so far $400 in merchandise has been sold in the store. The WGA is not currently making any profit when these items are sold, but we could decide to do this in the future. Also, Jason would appreciate any ideas you have for new items (with different logos, etc.).

Meeting was at adjourned at 8:45pm.

Next meeting date/time and location is still to be determined.

Meeting Attendee List:
o Ken Braband (kbraband)
o Brian Jansen (Team GrouseTales)
o Jeremy Vechinski (jvechinski)
o Geoff & Sara Swosinski (GeoffnSara)
o Jeff Thorsen (jthorsen)
o Steve & Pat Bukosky (sbukosky)
o Bill Pulvermacher (Team Flushingrouse)
o Jason & Katie Rusch (Team Rusch)
o Bill & Debbie Rusch (The Searchers)
o Ray Handley (Trudy & The Beast)
o Lee Lansinger (Lee Lansinger)
o Bill & Steph Folk (Folk Trakers)
o Brian Geoffrey (Should’ve Bought Him The Tie)
o Mark Andersen (MRAndersen)
o Jonathan Gorton (Socko, Vincetti, + Mel)
o Randy Paske (RPaske)

[This message has been edited by jvechinski (edited 01-15-2003).]