This topic contains 6 replies, has 7 voices, and was last updated by 
AuntieNae 8 years, 11 months ago.
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The WGA has events throughout the state every year and some parts of the state have been neglected. Where do you physically reside and what do you plan to do to get the distribution of events more equitable across the state?
The Commander
I am from Oshkosh and understand the feeling that the events aren’t spread across the state. Seeing this year’s chili feed in Fond du Lac made me happy that I might get a chance to attend. In recent years, I’ve had to work quite a few weekends and haven’t been able to travel the distance to enjoy a lot of the WGA sponsored events.
That being said, my weekends have started to free up, and I would like to explore more of the state, and I think this is where the WGA can help. If you look at the map of WGA members, most are located in Southeast Wisconsin, therefore it seems logical to hold events near the most memebers. On the other hand, if the goal of the WGA is to get people to cache throughout the state, maybe holding events away from where the majority lives would get them exploring new places.
Now onto logistics. You don’t want a winter event being held somewhere without an enclosed shelter, and I don’t think a chili feed would work if you don’t have electricity for the crock pots. Some places naturally lend themselves to great events, and others offer difficulties that have to be overcome. I think a good place to start would be to start working on a database of the state parks and their amenities. Once great event hosting places are noted around the state, the WGA should reach out to members nearby these promising locations and see if anyone is interested in hosting events there with WGA support. If someone truly wants an event in their neck of the woods, I would expect them to help be part of that solution. Member participation would be the biggest part of making an event in the far reaches of the state successful.
Another idea that I have noticed was brought up in the forums seveal years ago, and resurfaced recently. The idea of dividing the state up into quadrants and having representation from each on the board. The board member from each quadrant would be assigned an event to host. Every year would be a different event so that all areas of the state could be experiences in the different seasons. This seems like a long shot, since there seems to be a lot of resistance to dividing the state, but it does lend itself to equal division of events.
Obviously the pancake breakfast is not going to leave West Bend unless the Ca$h Bash ends. This should be a flagship event that all members should want to make great, since it shows people from around the world the WGA. As far as events around the state are concerned, we should strive to make them just as great, no matter where they are held.
My posts should in no way be considered as the views or opinions of the WGA or its Board of Directors. All posts made under my name are my personal opinions only.
I live in Milwaukee, and find it very unfortunate that any area would feel neglected. That shouldn’t be the case. I’m somewhat a newbie, but I do like that every year the picnic and campout are in different areas of the state, and the following year they are also in the opposite corners from the previous years as well. I’m guessing that this was not always the case.
For me, I like to travel, and have the ability to do that, but understandably not everyone does. Perhaps a poll can be taken prior to the events for the next year. Give the members a voice in helping to pick where events are held. Have them offer suggestions of what they’d like to see and if there hasn’t been an event in a certain area within two years definitely make that area a priority.
There is a map also available where members can add their location. I’m not sure if this is completely being utilized as much as it could, but getting a good sense of where the members are, I think can also help make sure that the events are spread across the state.
~ **~ All posts are my opinion and do not in any way reflect the opinion of the WGA Board of Directors ~**~
I am in Kendall south central of the state and logistics of the event at times have hampered us from attending. As for future events possibly look at some areas where events have not been been recently. We have to keep it mixed up some while keeping a eye on pavilion space room for caches and what the area has to offer us as cachers and future cachers. We should look into areas where cacher numbers are down and try to get a event there and get the word out to get a 101 going in the town and/or even the school district. Another idea the BOD could pick a handful of places they wish to host a event and maybe have the members vote on the spot that they would like. At some point we have to visit all areas of the state.
All opinions, comments, and useless drivel I post are mine alone and do not reflect the opinions of the WGA BOD.
I live in Kaukauna and feel lucky that most events are only a few hours drive for me. But I would love to have more “excuses” to pack the tent, fill the gas tank and drive!! This may sound somewhat backwards, but I would like to see us focus some of our energies on the lesser member- populated areas of the state. I envision working with the local chamber/s and city officials to bring a WGA sponsored event to these areas to raise awareness of Geocaching and the WGA to drive membership. If the general public is not made aware of the WGA and what we have to offer, how can we win them over as members? By using social media, the WGA website and word of mouth we need to campaign to get interest in “pinning” our home locations and focus on the lower concentration areas.
Disclaimer : All posts are the opinion of the poster and do not in any way reflect on the WGA Board of Directors
I am out in Mukwonago, which is close enough to see that the Waukesha area is populated with cachers more than any other parts of the state. We also are a family that doesn’t like to camp at the same location every time we camp, yet we do return to locations because we enjoy them that much we need to see more of that area. Like picking a camping location for an event, availability and accommodations need to be looked into before deciding. Like locations choices for WGA events. I feel we do need to expand and visit more of the different locations WI has to offer. Basing a location by a poll is not always the best answer but it does help give feedback. Holding event near the extreme populated areas of cachers isn’t always the best as well, because of the caching impact. Geotrails, the nonCITO oriented cachers, so on.
I currently reside in Waukesha but have traveled to practically all corners of the state as a WGA BOD member and attending WGA events. The practice has been to rotate the campout and picnic between the 4 regions on a schedule to make it the most equitable. If you track the history of the event locations, I believe this is being done. I have personally been to the following: Interstate, Governor Thompson, Lake Wissota, Kettle Moraine South, Bong, Lapham Peak, Governor Dodge, Mirror Lake, Hartman Creek, Pike Lake, Brunet Island, High Cliff, Horicon Marsh, Black River and Peninsula. (I think I named them all here ..) I have only missed Pattison due to the distance and not being able to take off work to get there and back, Wildcat and Rocha Cre due to family weddings. So in my tenure as a BOD member, I have actually only missed 2 WGA events .. and looking back further, since becoming a member back in 2004, I have not missed very many of the events overall.
The practice has been to hold the Lonely Cache game event at a location most central to the players, and the Chili Event at a location central in the state that has the kitchen facilities necessary at an affordable cost.
I believe there is a perception that areas of the state are being missed but in reality, history says otherwise! I would need further clarification of how members are feeling slighted by the event locations to better answer your question.
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