This topic contains 19 replies, has 13 voices, and was last updated by 
JimandLinda 9 years, 2 months ago.
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Jim ‘ s proposal has merit and should be considered. Also agree with his view that the annual board meeting is important.
Zuma
I know this sort of model has been discussed over the years, including during my brief tenure on the BOD. If I’m not mistaken, it meets with resistance, because it would divide the state.
It seems that the state is sort of divided, anyway, as evidenced by Facebook groups like Chippewa Valley or The Wild Bunch, which is where things happen for the folks living in those parts of the state.
It might be a good concept to revisit as the organization’s evolved.
Again sorry for bringing up a topic that had more to do with redefining officer duties vs complete overhaul of the BOD itself.
Reviewing the 2014, 2015 BOD notes (IDK which year it was) we decided as a group to keep the set up as it is but work to share the duties of events in a more balanced way. There was a general lack support to change as much would involve either 1 or 3 yr terms to balance out to get the new system in place. No one was interested in a 3 yr term. Huge commitment and if someone wished to go a second term then there was 6 yrs put in and no one was open for that.
Dividing the group into quadrants also felt like dividing the state, leading to separatism. We did not want to get into a NWexit (okay playing on the BREXIT in the news) or whatever. Not a way we thought would be a good way to go. We just got past the “No WGA event up North” worries from pervious years by having the Fall Picnic at Pattison SP last year and mended some fences with the Up North crowd. Now we even have 2 BOD from Up North (Team Northwoods and lostcheq).
In 2016 we have a new BOD paired with a Veteran to learn the ropes for setting up events. Lack of participation and being integrated is not an issue with this current group, we have more of an issue finding enough to keep everyone busy as everyone “touches” every event. This group is full of Get ‘er Done people.
The rally cry for the current group goes kinda like this: We are “Committed and Involved” and I hear that from everyone at least once a month.
Look at the map for current BOD and see where we cover. So far, no complaints on sharing duties. We are all a part of this. Yeah, personal things have come up already in 2016 for people but we all made a decision to work through it all together and are pretty content with the set up.
As a bit of a side note but all tied into the BOD set up, in 2015 we did a couple Google Hangout meetings to trial it and now in 2016 we have BOD meetings “face to face” through Google Hangouts plus the website forums and the Facebook Messenger sessions to keep everyone plugged in. We have found these a great way to not loose touch with each other and the upcoming tasks we needed to take care of (events, coins, pathtags, merchandise).
Does the future mean we won’t change how the BOD is set up…naw, we have to remain open to the possibilities that there could be a better way but right now we do not want to change.
Following the signals from space.
Drinking my morning tea and just catching up on a few recent postings on the forum. Personally – I would hate to see the state divided as I always feel in anything the whole is greater than the sum of our parts. I have observed greater distribution of Board Members from around the state recently – and it seems that the current board members – as stated in a previous post – are very active, very involved and very committed. I am very thankful and appreciative of their time, energy, ideas and efforts. Serving on the BoD is not my “cup of tea” – and so I want to do everything I can to support and encourage those who give of their time so selflessly. I love that WGA events are rotated around the state – and no – I cannot always make it to each event – more often than not – this is because of a scheduling conflict – not distance. Let’s be honest – most veteran geocachers will travel great distances to find a geocache that satisfies a challenge, fizzy, jasmer, etc. Not only that, we will spend money to do so. I recall making a trip to Power Island (Michigan) four years ago to get a cache needed for my Jasmer. This involved a long drive, overnight at a hotel and a boat rental. I did not think twice about this – and most veteran geocachers are the same. In closing I just want to personally say thank you to every member of the current WGA BOD. You are all amazing and I am glad you each volunteer to do what you do – so that we – them individual members of the WGA – can enjoy so many different events and opportunities. Not only that – I appreciate that you make the WGA members aware of volunteer opportunities. Mr. LN and I will be volunteering at the 2016 WGA Wild Cakes & Stampede Sausages (GC6KQ92). This will be our third year in a row helping out with the Pancake Breakfast and we are happy to contribute. I am sure the organization and structure are not perfect – but then neither are any of us! I have just observed that the current BOD gives 110% to make sure that the rest of us can enjoy this great sport of geocaching. Enough now – new puzzles to solve…..and new places to bang my head when I can’t figure out how to solve said new puzzles.
The views expressed here are that of myself only and do not necessarily represent that of the WGA board.
THE WGA would continue to be a statewide organization. If Districts were formed, it would be for elections and Event responsibilities. Nothing really changes; it just guarantees that all geographic areas are represented by 2 Directors. If a District has no nominees, the at-large Directors represent them.
As it is, the structure of representation is very diversified…right now. What happens when it is time to hold the Campout in NE Wisconsin and all the BODs are from the southern part of the state? Will the BOD act on what is in the members best interest, or pick an alternate sight because it’s too far to go, a vote was taken online, and a majority of Directors acted on THEIR best interest instead of the members?
I have been a member of 2 other state organizations that have districts/counties as their structure. There is actually MORE unity in the members, as they get involved in their district’s events. This leads to leadership roles in the district, which hopefully leads to the BOD (if voted into office by the members).
It may sound complicated, but the Association would run more smoothly if Director responsibilities for Events were known ahead of time instead of all 9 agreeing (or trying to agree) on Event locations at the annual BOD meeting. Rushed decisions, without member input, can come back to haunt the WGA, which can discourage membership.
Sorry to preach, but I’ve put some thought into this for several years and want to see the WGA continue to grow.
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