Event caches – Info on planning events

[MajorBrat]

quote:

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Originally posted by Team Deejay:
…This would be when the cache description owner field reads “West Dogpatch Parks Department and Barber Shop”, but when someone clicks the “show profile”, they get the profile for Team Deejay…

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Why not just list the owner as: Team Deejay and “West Dogpatch Parks Department and Barber Shop”…? That would show the Team and also state that they had help.

quote:

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Originally posted by GrouseTales:
Example F:
…If the nature center is hosting the event, then “no”…

If they want to attract new blood to geocaching with a “Beginner’s Geocache Workshop” the local paper or a spot on the 6:00 news might be more appropriate. Those searching the cache listings and would find their event cache area already beyond the scope of their event.

The survey also suggested such fees were seen as excessive, unless there was more then just a class, say an overnite stay.

They can still hold the event as they see fit, it just wouldn’t be listed on the GC.com website.

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****I just cut and pasted this from a “Parks Department” (also listed as owner, a WGA member) event listed on GC.com:

New to Geocaching? You must register with the

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Parks, Recreation and Forestry Dept to participate in this workshop. Families are most welcome, please indicate all names on the registration form so we know how many people to expect. Please see the link above to the department webpage and Winter Activity Guide (see page 21). $10 Residents of City of

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(per family) / $15 Non-Residents (per family)

***And this one:
New to Geocaching? You must register with the

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Parks and Recreation Dept to participate in this workshop. Families are most welcome, please indicate all names on the registration form so we know how many people to expect. Please see the link above to the department webpage and Winter RECREATOR Activity Guide (see page 24). $10 Residents of City of Greenfield (per family) /$15 Non-Residents (per family) Advance registration is required, please download and submit a registration form to the Parks and Recreation office prior to the workshop. The

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Parks and Recreation office is open from 9 AM until 6PM, Monday through Friday. Registration forms can be faxed with credit card payment.

Isn’t this exactly what you’re talking about Brian? In fact, there are several events listed on the Groundspeak site right now which are being done in this same fashion.

Side note…some of the “hosts” are not only logging their own events, but also the temps, and on top of everything else, they’re drawing a paycheck from the Parks Department while they’re there. Sounds kind of cra–y to me! But then haven’t we all said, “If only I could get paid to cache!”?

MB

[This message has been edited by MajorBrat (edited 02-23-2006).]

[GeoPink]

quote:

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Originally posted by Grousetales:
I know this has been done several different ways in the past. It’s a learning process for everyone, including the admins. I think I’ve let some stuff slide in the past that probably should have been questioned.

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He already admitted that he’s been lenient in the past. Those that currently have events listed that are questionable should consider said event the last one approved like that.

As far as getting paid to geocache… one of the UW’s, I forget which, has a one credit course on geocaching. How’d you like to be the professor for that one!

[edit] removed potential firecracker

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Team GeoPink – Co-conspirators to make the world a better place…
– Jeff Rahmlow
WGA President
geopink at wi dash geocaching dit com

The comments and opinions above are those solely of Team GeoPink (arcangl7) and are not those of the WGA, the WGA board, or its other fine members.

[This message has been edited by arcangl7 (edited 02-23-2006).]

[MajorBrat]

quote:

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Originally posted by arcangl7:
He already admitted that he’s been lenient in the past. What more do you want?

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First, thanks for the reply Jeff. All I wanted was to know if this is what Brian meant, so calm down.

quote:

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Originally posted by arcangl7:
As far as getting paid to geocache… one of the UW’s, I forget which, has a one credit course on geocaching. How’d you like to be the professor for that one!

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That would be awesome! but is that a GC.com thing, or just the concept of the sport?

quote:

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Originally posted by arcangl7:
[edit] removed potential firecracker

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Oops…too late! Not to worry though, with everything that goes on on these boards, your “less that thought out comment” is minor. Thanks for the laugh WGA Board President

MB

[GrouseTales]

quote:

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Originally posted by MajorBrat:
****I just cut and pasted this from a “Parks Department” (also listed as owner, a WGA member) event listed on GC.com:

New to Geocaching? You must register with the

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Parks, Recreation and Forestry Dept to participate in this workshop. Families are most welcome, please indicate all names on the registration form so we know how many people to expect. Please see the link above to the department webpage and Winter Activity Guide (see page 21). $10 Residents of City of

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(per family) / $15 Non-Residents (per family)

***And this one:
New to Geocaching? You must register with the

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Parks and Recreation Dept to participate in this workshop. Families are most welcome, please indicate all names on the registration form so we know how many people to expect. Please see the link above to the department webpage and Winter RECREATOR Activity Guide (see page 24). $10 Residents of City of Greenfield (per family) /$15 Non-Residents (per family) Advance registration is required, please download and submit a registration form to the Parks and Recreation office prior to the workshop. The

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Parks and Recreation office is open from 9 AM until 6PM, Monday through Friday. Registration forms can be faxed with credit card payment.

Isn’t this exactly what you’re talking about Brian? In fact, there are several events listed on the Groundspeak site right now which are being done in this same fashion.

Side note…some of the “hosts” are not only logging their own events, but also the temps, and on top of everything else, they’re drawing a paycheck from the Parks Department while they’re there. Sounds kind of cra–y to me! But then haven’t we all said, “If only I could get paid to cache!”?

MB
[This message has been edited by MajorBrat (edited 02-23-2006).]

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There are all sorts of “events” that have been popping up lately. After seeing some of the fees being charged lately, I’ve been forced to start paying more attention to the particulars of the events. I personally don’t understand why there is a need to charge such fees for classes. If I was hosting a class, it think I could do it for “free”. If I couldn’t, I probably wouldn’t host it. But hey, that’s just me

Events used to almost be automatically approved. Now I’m forced to start questioning the details. Many of these will take longer to approve, if they actually get approved.

It seems like “events” have been starting to stray away from the social events of the past.

[MajorBrat]

Thanks Brian. I know a lot of people that will be glad to hear these are being watched now. Many of us have wondered about them for a LONG time.

post edit:
this came through twice…strange, eh?

[This message has been edited by MajorBrat (edited 02-23-2006).]

[GeoPink]

fixed

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Team GeoPink – Co-conspirators to make the world a better place…
– Jeff Rahmlow
WGA President
geopink at wi dash geocaching dit com

The comments and opinions above are those solely of Team GeoPink (arcangl7) and are not those of the WGA, the WGA board, or its other fine members.

[marc_54140]

“There are all sorts of “events” that have been popping up lately. After seeing some of the fees being charged lately, I’ve been forced to start paying more attention to the particulars of the events. I personally don’t understand why there is a need to charge such fees for classes. If I was hosting a class, it think I could do it for “free”. If I couldn’t, I probably wouldn’t host it. But hey, that’s just me.”

In my opinion, the logical place to be holding geo-caching workshops is in conjunction with nature centers and parks departments. After all, they have the open spaces ideal for geo-caching. Ok, so now they will serve as ‘locations’, instead of ‘hosts’.

A ‘fee’? Well, none of these places operate for free, so a fee or donation was not asking much. Actually, I have never heard of any attendee ever questioning this. It’s minor, and is a nice way of saying thank you.

So, I guess for future events, I will be hosting them solo, and charging a minor fee to cover my expenses. But I will also donate something, as a way of saying thank you.

[GrouseTales]

Nothing wrong with holding the workshop at a nature center or park. It just might not meet GC.com’s definition of an “Event”. In which case it should be advertised elsewhere.

[MajorBrat]

Ever feel like you’re talking in circles Brian? Glad it’s not just me that’s catching grief these days. Sad that some people just don’t get it, no matter what is said.

Perhaps next time we host an event, instead of a tip can, we’ll put out a donation can and ask for $ to help cover the gas we used to get there. And then there are laundry costs for the soap, softener, electricity to run the washer/dryer, and let’s not forget the water heater we used to ensure we had on clean clothes…gotta pay for that household gas as well.

As for our meal, well, we’ll just eat and leave when no one is looking. We hear that’s acceptable practice at events in WI.

Yes, this was posted as a joke. It’s simply a way of showing how silly one’s reasoning can be when it comes to “hosting” and event.

WHY in the world would you charge someone to attend an event where there is only you, a room, a computer and some lights that go off when you ask them to?

Maybe Bob and I will host a Geocaching party (not event) at our house and charge people $ to recoupe the cost of the food/drink we have sitting out for them to partake of…hmmmmmmmmm…sounds fun!

[MajorBrat]

Now you’re talking! Good for you NSLP’s!!! http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=30219f58-e8d6-417f-b18b-2052db0427fa

That folks, is how it is done!

[NSLP1]

Thanks MB.

I really wanted to make sure that I could do our event at no charge to attendees.

Sometimes you just have to think abit outside the box for hosting an event. I was looking and everything that was nearby home did want to charge for facility usage.

I think I may have been able to have it at one of the Madison public libraries, and even had wireless there.

But it certainly didn’t hurt for me to ask at work. They said sure you can have a user group meeting here. Since I’m the network admin, I was able to get it all hooked up myself for providing internet connectivity for it. (with permission)

Looks like it went very well also. But we didnt’ get to cover too much of Cachemate, so we will be planning another one that will quickly cover the PQs this time. We will cover GSAK and Cachemate much more. (and provide detailed notes for the PQs for those still new to them)

[Cache_boppin_BunnyFuFu]

Well I guess for me to find someplace FREE to hold my classes, I’ll have to invite people to my home.

There is charge to use the local library room, the local cafe with wi-fi requires minimum purchases, the senior center charges for a room and doesn’t even have internet access, my work charges for outsider clubs, etc to utilize rooms.

So looking for a place to have a class, I would rather choose one that is not-for-profit, nature related and open on weekends, than trying to work in a space with the public walking through. We have limited resources in this area and spending time trying to find a decent place would take quite a while.

Now that a point has been made numerous times and have we beaten one butt ugly horse to DEATH, can we get onto OTHER important issues???

[marc_54140]

I am seeing the issue over fees for an event as a major hurdle that can not be overcome.

The Powers That Be have the upper hand, and feel there should not be a charge involved in an event. Never mind that some of these events are to introduce neo-cachers to the sport, or to help geo-cachers in adapting to all the electronic gadgetry.

So ……

[Cathunter]

Everyone has their own idea of what would be acceptable in taking on the expense of holding an event. I would never plan to hold an event without in turn planning to bear the burden of those fees.

Once the event is in progress, make the attendees aware of what the cost of the event was. Historically, in every case I have seen the attendees took it upon themselves to donate towards the cause. This violates no rule and makes good sense.

In any case, the common thinking should be that if one cannot afford to bear the expense related to holding an event, they should look to share the costs with another willing assistant or find alternative ways to reduce or eliminate the expense.

[Cache_boppin_BunnyFuFu]

quote:

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Originally posted by Cathunter:

In any case, the common thinking should be that if one cannot afford to bear the expense related to holding an event, they should look to share the costs with another willing assistant or find alternative ways to reduce or eliminate the expense.

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I agree with you 100% that if you can’t afford it don’t have it. I have had one major event so far that cost about $150 to pull of and yes, people were MORE than wonderful about donating. I never did mentioned to any of them, the amount I spent. For me it was the fun of having the event.

So why is it that we charge for classes??? Well.. I guess the way I see it… and this is ONLY an oppinion, is that ya get what ya pay for. If it’s a learning experience and there are minimal costs incured, then let it be known before hand and NOT an.. “Oh by the way.. it costs $___ for me to offer this to you.”

True, if you can’t afford to hold the event, then don’t!! But… then those who are knowledgeable in the areas of which classes are based, well… they sure the heck are not going to be holding numerous classes around areas and having to pay for it themselves. Unless they are lucky enough to find places that don’t charge fees. So…if those giving the classes can’t or shouldn’t charge, then they are not going to hold classes and where will that get this sport and the new cachers getting involved?? Let me tell ya, for those who are not paperless yet. A good paperless class has a poopload of info and quite technical.

I’m really NOT trying to be a B (rhymes with witch) about this. Just tired of having square marks on my forehead from banging my head on my keyboard.

Now that I beat that ugly horse one last time, I have a couple of questions to ask and I am NOT asking them sarcasticlly. These are heart-felt questions/concerns. I am going to send the questions over to the “Suggestions” Section, since I don’t want to throw this thread off topic too far!!

I will add the link after I get them posted. Thanks!!

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