Communicating with the WGA Board

[rpaske]

Now, that the election is over let’s hear from the membership.
What are the goals you would like to see the board think about for the upcoming year?

[wzbt03]

I almost hate to reply to your thread Randy since quite a few people tend to cringe at some of my posts. However, I feel the need to continue to express my opinion even if some of my thoughts have been the subject of a few pointed jabs as of late.

My expectations are as follows:

1- A board who is more likely to express opinions rather then hide in the shadows on issues raised by members. Yes I know we have a few who speak but but I feel the entire board should log opinions on topics raised in the forums. Pro or con.

2- When the board is out of touch with the general membership, such as when event caches were being discussed as COTM, I would like to see more of what Brian did – Forum polls rather then board edicts.

3- I would like the board to be more of a sounding board back to Geocaching.com on issues the membership expresses.
I assume geocaching.com cares what WGA and it members think but do not know this for a fact.

4- Have the board lay out what it expects to accomplish and not have it be things that others are doing who are not on the board. Promoting geocaching with land managers is something that we all do. More specific items would be of interest.

I know what your thinking John, How can someone with such good intentions …….

I am keeping my day job, don’t worry.

[Cathunter]

I always enjoy your posts Jeff.

Stuff for the board?

1. IT- Update the web site. Add a links page that we can contribute to and assign a board member to approve/deny what goes on the page. Assign someone to keep the events page up to date. If money has to be raised/spend to do it, so be it.

2. IT- Set up an automated an e-mail system that sends a welcome message to new WI cachers.

3. Promote the site- Hold a monthly drawing.
There should be a well-written form letter that tells a bit about the WGA and our sport and requests a donation for our drawing or event. This could be used as a leader when dealing with our local business to request a donations. We can also get donations from Garmin/Magellan/Lowrance/ etc, etc, etc. Hold a monthly drawing via the website. Members can log in to the website daily to enter the drawing. To keep out the riff-raff, winners must be a WGA member with at least one WI cache find in the past 30 days. These prize donations could also be used at WGA events.

4. Determine the association’s positioning with Jeremy and Groundspeak. Take action to avoid what might happen if geocaching.com ceases to exist. The WGA should have it’s own server with cache records that would allow us to continue in some form.

5. Promote the Association. Sponsor a quarterly breakfast & CITO followed by caching. Have a WGA booth at large events such as sporting goods shows. Sponsor introductory classes at REI, Gander Mountain, etc. Fund and distribute WGA geocaching pamphlets for posting on bulletin boards in sporting good stores.

6. Set up a PayPal account and a mailing address where cash donations can be made year around. Look at what the board wants to accomplish for the year and estimate the necessary funding to do so. Determine if & when members should be rewarded or refunded for expenses incurred while performing WGA business. Make the decision as to if the association should/can continue to operate on voluntary donations. Do what needs to be done to fund our future.

Granted, all these ideas have room for much discussion and modification. The association needs work to grow or it will simply fade away.

[Author]

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