Social Media

[zuma]

BakRdz suggested within the Web Committee forum that the WGA look at improving our presence in social media, including Facebook, Twitter and youtube.

We are not ready for a formal announcement yet, but I thought it would be worthwhile to give everyone an early heads up on this. I think we can anticipate a proposal related to this and progress in the coming weeks. Thus far, the board has not voted to do this or not do this, but one of the other will likely occur soon.

I am starting this thread so that all members can share their viewpoints on the matter, in addition to the Board and the Web Committee members who have been discussing it for a few days already.

Thank you for sharing your views, if you choose to do so.

zuma

[Cache_boppin_BunnyFuFu]

I use facebook…and like it very much. I can take or leave info as it comes up or I search for it. Facebook would be a good choice.

Youtube is OK. Lots of stuff about Geocaching on there already, but it wouldn’t hurt to have the WGA represented there.

Twitter I don’t think is a useful tool, as it seems to just be live messaging. I don’t see it’s usefulness for the organization, but……then again maybe I don’t know it’s full capabilities.

For me then,
Facebook – yes
youtube – neutral
Twitter – no

[kungfuhippie]

@Cache_boppin_BunnyFuFu wrote:

bunch of sensible stuff

Ditto! 🙂

[neonride93]

Twitter!!!!!!! I know ALOT of cachers on Twitter including Jermey, the founder of Groundspeak, Groundspeak itself is on there as well as a number other organazations around geocaching. Twitter looks like just mindless chatter but once you get passed the vast amount of information and focus on what you are intrested in it is an amazing tool. ALL of my sport, local, international, and geocaching news ( except the WGA ) comes from twitter.

[Lostby7]

Don’t really know what Twitter is about…I’d stick with regular web based stuff like Facebook…

[Team_Sandman]

I do Facebook, Youtube.. Dont know much about Twitter but would be open to it.

[Timberline Echoes]

Both of us are on facebook… don’t twitter or tweet..
TE

[geolivestrong]

Twitter more than likely has the ability to reach more people without having to do any advertising. I use all three of these media outlets, but find Twitter to be by far the most powerful in terms of information delivery.

[Barry Butrymowicz]

We use facebook, but twitter or u tube would be a NO

[gotta run]

What do you think the purpose/connection of Facebook would be to the WGA or the WGA website?

I’m thinking aloud here but you have the WGA site where everybody is anonymous using their geo-handle (ok, most of the regulars know who each other is). Facebook is not anon.

So I’m thinking the WGA website and forums are the main “social” area of the WGA. Not to mention the fact that they can be moderated more reliably than Facebook.

Or, is Facebook meant as another advertising venue or draw for new members? If so, how?

Regarding YouTube, I don’t see how that could be used but I’d like to hear how. I’m not a Twitter user so I can’t comment on that.

On the Left Side of the Road...

[Barry Butrymowicz]

Here are a couple of other Geocaching Groups on FB

Michigan Geocachers MiGO
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=5993682810

C.O.G. Central Oklahoma Geocachers Group
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=124516590898436

there are rumors that UNGA is on Facebook too.

Barry of sweetlife

[zuma]

@sweetlife wrote:

Here are a couple of other Geocaching Groups on FB

Michigan Geocachers MiGO
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=5993682810

C.O.G. Central Oklahoma Geocachers Group
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=124516590898436

there are rumors that UNGA is on Facebook too.

Barry of sweetlife

In order of number of friends, TX, FL and IA state geocaching association have the most friends. Thanks for pointing out a couple more.

z

[zuma]

@gotta run wrote:

What do you think the purpose/connection of Facebook would be to the WGA or the WGA website?

I’m thinking aloud here but you have the WGA site where everybody is anonymous using their geo-handle (ok, most of the regulars know who each other is). Facebook is not anon.

So I’m thinking the WGA website and forums are the main “social” area of the WGA. Not to mention the fact that they can be moderated more reliably than Facebook.

Or, is Facebook meant as another advertising venue or draw for new members? If so, how?

Regarding YouTube, I don’t see how that could be used but I’d like to hear how. I’m not a Twitter user so I can’t comment on that.

Good questions.

On the first question: Why? I would respond by saying that when people bring forward ideas and suggestions, I try to consider the suggestion within the framework of our Mission Statement as outlined in our Bylaws to help determine if it is an idea worth pursuing or not. For reference here is the excerpt from the bylaws:

“Article II: Purposes
The purposes of the WGA are to:

Work as closely as possible with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and other property management officials to protect the rights of individuals to geocache in the state of Wisconsin.
Provide an opportunity for geocachers in the State of Wisconsin to gather and socialize with one another.
Promote the “Cache In Trash Out” and “Leave No Trace” programs to help in the maintenance of parks and trail systems.
Educate Wisconsin geocachers about the responsible use of natural resources and educate non-geocachers about the sport of geocaching.”

Please note that this web site is not mentioned anywhere in our bylaws or our mission statement. The web site is not the WGA, but rather a tool used by the WGA to promote the 4 objectives listed in our mission statement.

I would also note that one of our 4 objectives listed in our mission statement is to encourage social interaction among Wisconsin geocachers. This web site and our events are the main ways that we do this now, but there is no reason that we cannot use social media as tools to encourage social interaction, as well, and that is one purpose of this suggestion.

I would also note that our 4th listed objected described in our Mission Statement is to “Educate Wisconsin geocachers about the responsible use of natural resources and educate non-geocachers about the sport of geocaching.” The proposal is to use FB, Twitter and youtube is to do just that, and is the second reason that we are pursuing this.

I know this doesnt address all the questions that you and others rightly have, but I think that once you get past “why” some of the other questions answer themselves.

thanks

zuma

[Walkingadventure]

I do Tweet, use Youtube occassionally and Facebook (even setting up a fan page for WalkingAdventure- more for my own fun than inviting anyone in but feel free to search it out).

Following the signals from space.

[wegakempf]

We use facebook and once in a while youtube. We don’t tweet.

[Author]

Posts