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Just why do you have to be a Wisconsin resident to be a member of the WGA?? I am a member to both the Minnesota and Michigan State Association’s. The reason being that it’s closer for me to hit caches there.
There are many caches from Minn. that have put out and do caches in Wisconsin. Why exclude them?
I know there is a team from Illinois that does most of there caches in WI.
Maybe this subject needs to be addressed huh?
Anyone can join the WGA. You can live on the moon even. The only difference is that WGA members from Wisconsin get the WGA Member forum title, and WGA members from outside Wisconsin get the WGA Friend forum title. I think that is the only difference.
Bec
Actually, you do need to be a WI resident to be member, but this does not prevent anyone from participating in WGA activities.
Think of it like this- by having only residents as members we are able to easily tell agencies such as the DNR or other land managing bodies that we have “X” number of WI tax-paying members who are active within the association. Numbers such as these have meaning to governmental organizations.
@cathunter wrote:
Actually, you do need to be a WI resident to be member, but this does not prevent anyone from participating in WGA activities.
Think of it like this- by having only residents as members we are able to easily tell agencies such as the DNR or other land managing bodies that we have “X” number of WI tax-paying members who are active within the association. Numbers such as these have meaning to governmental organizations.
Not gonna buy that. There is also a thing called tourism, which geocaching is a part of. As for the DNR,why do non-resident have to pay extra for hunting and fishing licenses. Do know how many Twin Cities folks are in norther Wisconsin on the weekends? Do you know how many people from the Twin City region have cabins and 2nd homes in this area?
Same reason I have to buy an out-of-state fishing license to fish in Minnesota and Illinois
Here is my recollection from when we authored the bylaws:
We wanted to represent WI Geocachers. We hoped to be the voice for Geocaching in WI. By limiting our membership to WI residents, we have the ability to say we speak for the citizen geocachers of Wisconsin. We felt this would be important, and I believe it is, when we meet with government officials.
Our “members” represent citizens and taxpayers of the State of Wisconsin. When we meet with government officials, I’m sure they would be more concerned about addressing the concerns of Wisconsin citizens, not visitors.
Additionally, when filing for tax exempt status under 501(c)(7) “Social and Recreation Clubs”, the federal code calls for “Limited Membership”.
The membership in a social club must be limited. To show that your organizatin has a purpose that would characterize it as a club, you should submit evidence with your application that there are limits on admission to membership consistant with the character of the club.
This came up after the bylaws were written, but they seem to come into play.
With all that being said, we welcome people from everywhere. You do not need to be a Wisconsin resident to visit our website, or become registered to post messages on the forums. You DO need to be a resident to become a “member”, which has voting rights.
Personnally, I see no reason to change the residency requirement.
WGA friends are able to participate in Cache of the Month!
Bec
The only thing I find unfortunate is that instead of an entire series being nominated, its limited to ONE cache from the series thats in WI.
Its a bummer really – Our DaVinci Code caches should really be experienced as a set, and I hate seeing them ‘divided up’ just because we split them between states.
A series, is a series, is a series…. its all just minor stuff.
Thats a little silly though. I dont see at all why any Cache of the Month NEEDS to be a WI cache – as long as its chosen, nominated, and voted for by WGA members, any cache should be eligible.
Just as we live in IL and do most of our caching in WI, there are WI folks who LOVE some caches in IL. (Likewise of course)
I just think its unfortunate that a good cache DISCOVERED by WGA members cannot be COTM. (And I do understand this is WISCONSIN Geocaching Association, but its the cachers that count, and the experience – not the locale.)
I’ll risk getting your Irish up there Paula,
I think Wisconsin Cache of the Month should be restricted to caches wholly contained within Wisconsin borders. We have a Cache of the Month, Minnesota has a Cache of the Month. GONIL may someday work in that direction as well.
“Favorites” lists and the ability to post our recommended caches on the forums all cover other options such as cross border series. I don’t believe a change in the guidelines is warranted.
Well.. If GONIL did it, I too would recommend the caches simply be chosen by GONIL members.
Why limit the ‘best’ caches in your region to your own state? You miss some of the best that way, IMO.
A member nomination would be enough, and if GONIL ever supports the idea, I would say the same likewise.
After all, the goal is finding and recognizing quality caches FOR members to do, not just the ones that reside on the members side of the state line.
Whatever happened to raising that Cheddar Curtain Roger?? LOL
I thought we annexed your property into Wisconsin a while ago Paula 😆
One of my favorite caches is in a cave in New Mexico. If we voted simply as a WGA member and not for a cache specifically placed in Wisconsin, I’d nominate that one for COTM. Would anyone bother to go find it? It is a great cache. But so what? It’s in another state – let them nominate it.
If you have a great cache that is out of Wisconsin, please use the Recommended Caches section of the forum. I visit it whenever there is a new post and get great suggestions.
I travel every now and then, so I’m always looking for the best out “there”
Bec
Hey, but the WI cachers NEAR MN may want to see one nominated! Its closer for many WGA members to hit some out of state caches than some further north. Seriously. Some of the nominees many of us have never heard of, or are as likely to travel to as an exceptional one IN IL or MN.
Moot point, I guess, but I had to speak my mind. I personally think it would be neat to see a club’s ‘eligible’ list be only that the MEMBER who nominates it be a club member – and not worry so much about the state the outstanding cache is in.
Minnesota has their own COTM contest, so there is really no need to nominate a Minnesota cache for the Wisconsin honor. Maybe you should discuss this with the PTB in GONIL…
I agree with ya Cheeshead… I live close to the MN. boarder and always thought of trying to become a member there. Well, you probably know why I kind of gave up on being a memeber there. BUT I BE WITH YA ALL THE WAY. I think that it shouldn’t matter where ya from. You want it you got it….
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