To increase participation at event, I think contacting local newspapers (perhaps radio stations or even regional publications) is a great way to get the word out.

Our newsletter — now that it is officially out — is a great way to reach geocachers who have registered with the WGA, but are not actively involved. I have been contacted by several people as a result of the newsletter. I would like to see the newsletter published on a monthly basis.

I think the WGA should hold more events, in more locations. This is a great way to get more people involved. I think we should be holding CITO events (especially with out adopted highways). I am a big supporter of the WGA having a regular winter event as well.

If we had regional representation, this would be another great way to get more geocachers involved. Geocaching meet and greets, as well as more formal events, like picnics and camping outing would be a great way to increase participation in various regions of the state.

Another way I think we might get more participation at events is to offer options in additon to hunting temporaries. At the 2007 campout we had garlic mustard pulling and lots of people helped out (THANK YOU!) We should always have volunteer opportunities available, at all events. I’d also like to see more speakers or presentations at events — on a variety of topics related to our pasttime. This could be a park ranger talking about the special features of the park, a fellow geocaher running a class on GSAk, or maybe even a representative from a local bat group to do a presentation on bat species in Wisconsin 😉 Offering option for geocahers is a way to ensure more people would want to attend.

Bec

This actually seems like 2 questions, which I think have very different answers.

Question 7a – How do we get more participation in WGA events? I do think part of the problem here is a lack of publicity. With these events, we post a cache page and list it on the website, but that is basically it. If there is a desire to get greater attendance (I’m not sure that we really want that), a little advertising will go a long way. Making contact with local and regional media, posting flyers around the facility where the event is held, and posting flyers at area outdoor and sporting goods retailers would bring in some additional attendance. Maybe the simple answer is to designate one person on the picnic team as publicity chairman and have him coordinate this.

Question 7b – How do we get more people into the WGA (or more accurately how do we get more active members in the WGA?) – This is a tougher one. I would say that nearly every active Wisconsin geocacher is already a member, along with many inactive ones. (If you have friends who aren’t members, well, get ’em signed up!) Of the 843 members listed, I’d estimate that maybe 200 are responsible for 80% of the forum posts, votes, and other activities of the website. This same group includes 100% of the people who volunteer for committees, hold events, and make other contributions to the game. This 200 is the group we want to grow. I’m not certain that there is anything the board can actually do to accomplish this. In reality, this responsibility falls on each of us to promote the WGA with people we meet at events and on the trails. This face to face communication is the most effective means of recruiting. I also agree that posting the links on cache pages is very helpful in recruiting the new geocachers, but with paperless becoming more popular, I’d guess that most of us don’t look at most of the cache pages, other than on a handheld.

As I outlined in my position statement, I think a WGA “Welcome Wagon” would be an effective way to raise awareness of the existence of the WGA among active geocachers who are not yet members. Welcome Wagon volunteers would contact geocachers in their area who are not WGA members or are new to the sport.

I’m pretty sure personal contact and/or a prod from a local geocacher will turn out to drive more non-member visits to the website. Though I have to say that putting the little WGA logo on cache pages via our “Spread The Word” campaign has produced good results… last month several thousand hits to the WGA site came from people clicking on that logo image.

As far as increasing participation in the forums, that is a personal call. Some people have a desire to communicate with other geocachers in the forums, and others don’t. All the organization can do is to make sure the forums remain “clean” and welcome/open to newcomers… no name calling, bickering, or “flame wars” like those sometimes found on the geocaching.com forums.

Regarding getting more people to WGA events, having more events in different parts of the state would certainly help with this. Some geocachers are unwilling to drive multiple hours to attend an event (and with gas prices so high, who can blame them?). But if there is an event that is “just around the corner” from them they are likely to show up. It may be worth experimenting with publishing information for some WGA events to a wider audience, via community bulletin boards, free newspaper and radio announcements, etc. in an attempt to lure complete newcomers to the sport.

mmmmmm….fluff