WGA Events

[rogheff]

As a Shrubber, I’m terribly busy in the summer months (which I hope and pray can continue). All the nifty WGA happenings are in those same warm, summer months.

I’ve got nothing better to do in the winter other than watching TV, babbling on the WGA forums, eating bon-bons and carving sticks. How about some winter time WGA events so that schmucks like me can easily attend?

[Lostby7]

How about some winter time WGA events so that schmucks like me can easily attend?
You have my vote on that one…two events a year seems to me to be two few…however, to stage another event or two throughout the year I think the board would have to have a solid commitment from the membership to help with more of the details. Perhaps a better idea is to have the event yourself and ask for an assist from the WGA.

[greyhounder]

YES! I want to see a few more events hosted by the WGA. We tossed around the idea of a winter event in January, but unfortunately it never really got off the ground.

I’m all for smaller events like meet & greets, bowling, pizza…and even things that have a positive impact like CITO, perhaps other volunteer opportunities. Not only does it get the schmucks together, it gets the WGA name out there in the community.

Bec

[K0rpl]

Hey now, Who you calling a Schmuck!!!! Oh wait, I resemble that remark!!!!!!

I think Winter activites would be great! I do know that Astro-D Team did do a Winter campout in some cabins years back. I was not able to attend that one, as I was not caching then, but all the stories I hear make me wish I was there!!!!

I think Winter events need to be planned. I am up for that!!

Justin

[Buy_The_Tie]

@greyhounder wrote:

YES! I want to see a few more events hosted by the WGA. We tossed around the idea of a winter event in January, but unfortunately it never really got off the ground.

I guess we shouldn’t have gone down the path of a black tie, fully catered event with a band. 😉

I am all for some simple gatherings in the wintertime.

[Team Deejay]

Seems like a good idea to me. This might be a good opportunity for regional WGA events, given the questionable road conditions in winter. Maybe 4 concurrent events in 4 quarters of the state?

[AuntieNae]

Roger, it has been great to see you at the Gifted SnowBuster and Waukesha Winter JanBoree event! For those unfamiliar, the Gifted SnowBuster event was a Meet & Greet that involved a White Elephant gift exchange. Waukesha Winter JanBoree involved temporary caches, 2 Meet & Greet opportunities in-conjunction with the citywide winter festival.

Roger, can you elaborate on the type of WGA event you would be looking for?

If I am following your question here, I would think it would be great to have more Meet & Greet sort of events and Geo 201 workshops happening in this cold weather. A bonus, would be to have these more regionally as well.

AuntieNae

[rogheff]

As much fun as the Gifted SnowBuster event was, can you imagine if it was promoted as a WGA event and had triple the participation? What a blast that would be.

Picnics and campouts are great ideas. Why can’t they be done in the winter as well? There are cabins for camping, and hundreds of heated shelters for picnics.

I fully realize that I can plan and host an event (and even ask the WGA for assistance). Been there, done that and will do that again. But then it wouldn’t be a WGA event, would it?

[Lostby7]

@rogheff wrote:

I fully realize that I can plan and host an event (and even ask the WGA for assistance). Been there, done that and will do that again. But then it wouldn’t be a WGA event, would it?

Roger I know you are well versed the ways of event hosting as you have held a few yourself. I was curious how you’d respond to my suggestion. The intent of my statement was to generate ideas and feedback. I think that the WGA could certainly do more in terms of hosting events but I also believe that the WGA is not simply a social club.

I would love to see several smaller events held around the state and I think the WGA could help in the planning and execution of those events. Clearly there are some ways in which we could put the WGA stamp on an event to distinguish it from other events. Giveaways? Special WGA coins? I’d be interested in people’s ideas on how the WGA could help make an event “WGA Approved” without having to handle all the details.

In that vein, I had a thought about perhaps minting official “I attended a WGA event or CITO” coins (or even just wooden nickels).

I think a way we could encourage more attendance at events or CITO in the state is to offer these as give always to be randomly awarded (or in the case of wooden nickels, just plain given to all participants). These would be items that can not be purchased outside of the event and only obtained at event registration.

In the case of having coins minted there is obviously an expense associated so the feasibility of this is questionable…

[AuntieNae]

Lostby7 you posted an interesting statement:

“I’d be interested in people’s ideas on how the WGA could help make an event “WGA Approved” without having to handle all the details.”

AuntieNae

[rogheff]

I see a slippery slope coming up here.

“Why did the WGA approve and endorse XYZ’s GeoEvent and not mine?”
I don’t know that a WGA endorsement for a particular event is that big of a deal. I can plan an event, pay for an event, host the event and market the event on these forums and get a decent turnout. That being the case (and I’m sorry if I offend anyone), why do I need a WGA endorsement? It’s my event.

I would think a WGA Event would be planned by the WGA Board, paid for by the WGA, hosted by the WGA Board and marketed by the WGA Board.

[Lostby7]

@rogheff wrote:

I see a slippery slope coming up here.

“Why did the WGA approve and endorse XYZ’s GeoEvent and not mine?”
I don’t know that a WGA endorsement for a particular event is that big of a deal. I can plan an event, pay for an event, host the event and market the event on these forums and get a decent turnout. That being the case (and I’m sorry if I offend anyone), why do I need a WGA endorsement? It’s my event.

I would think a WGA Event would be planned by the WGA Board, paid for by the WGA, hosted by the WGA Board and marketed by the WGA Board.

Good points. Where I was going here is that while I think the WGA can handle the two current events and perhaps a couple additional smaller events anything beyond that will require more hands on from outside the BOD. Holding events while a great deal of fun, is quite a bit of work and only one aspect of the purpose of the WGA.

Having read the bylaws again today there are 4 basic functions of the WGA:

The purposes of the WGA are to:

*Work land 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.

What I’m suggesting is that perhaps there may be a way in which the WGA could help in an organized and defined way uniformly for event holders requesting additional exposure or help (in addition to special helps which may be needed in planning). What shape this would take would have to be determined.

As much as I’m sure the BOD would like to hold an event for every Tom, Dick and Harry in every corner of the state there just is not that many resources to go around. As this sport grows so to will requests for additional events. This is why I suggested that perhaps additional (beyond the current 2 plus up to two more) events be assisted by the WGA BOD rather than be held by the WGA BOD.

And again, do not get me wrong I would like in fact to see one or two more functions (one being a WGA CITO), I just don’t see the WGA being in the business of holding events every couple of months.

[AuntieNae]

[Lostby7]

[AuntieNae]

Sorry, no attack intended, rather, I think we are both on the same track

I would like to see more CITO events across the state.

You pointed out CITO events of the 4 basic functions of the WGA. You also tossed out the “WGA Approved” idea and the “WGA should not just be about planning events” idea.

So, to get more CITO events across the state, without it being the only function of the WGA, perhaps working on WGA approved or even just promoted” might be a way to accomplish this basic function.

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