Who?

[Team Black-Cat]

Candidates… I need your help.

I’ve already picked out two of the candidates that I’m voting for. It’s you and one other. I’m having trouble deciding what to do with my other two votes.

Who should I place my remaining two votes for and why?

[TyeDyeSkyGuy]

Experience matters, and since they’ve both done a great job with their current terms, I’ll recommend Ralph and Renee.

[zuma]

Actions matter. I am looking most closely on what candidates did to help the mission of the WGA in the past year. Talk is cheap, but I am looking for candidates who walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

Therefore, Renee is the first choice, since she has done a fantastic job as our treasurer for the past 2 years. In addition, she has contributed to several committees and attended and helped out at several of our events.

After that, I am looking at who helped at events last year, and who participated in one of of our many committees. So, here are the factors that I am considering:

Tyedyeskyguy served on 3 different committees and was a major force of good reason on all 3 and made a lot of really great contributions. He will be a great addition to the board.

Averith, attended and helped out at our events, not just this past year, but for the past several years. In addition he has made a real contribution on the web committee. Seems like a workhouse to me.

UWS22 has helped with our events, and organized the LCG event last year, and is on one of our committees as well. Plus he is both a Madison native and a northerner.

Sweetlife joined the geocoin committee this past fall and made a significant contribution in working on the path tag back. A much appreciated effort.

Scrappy Scout is the chair of our Membership Committee and helped out with the mega event. A lot of good ideas, and a much appreciated person.

The Crippler helped out with our event at Bong by putting out a great series of permanent caches. Very glad his caches won Cache of the Month at Bong, as they were truly deserving.

So, I am going to vote for the people above who I thought proved themselves the most, by what they did last year. The only candidate who I cannot consider voting for is Northwoods Tom, even though I liked his answers quite a bit. Hopefully, I will vote for him next year, after he does something to prove his mettle in the coming year.

Anyway, can I have 9 votes? Because I truly think we have 9 great candidates this year, 8 who have already proved themselves, and one who I expect will prove himself in the coming year.

zuma

[The Crippler]

Enthusiasm matters. Who is going to really get out and shake those hands to bring in those on the outside looking in? Who is willing to look at the big picture and put their personal beliefs and feelings aside for the betterment of the WGA. Who has the desire to succeed and who has worked with large groups and organizations before?

My votes are being spread amongst the old and new, stability and freshness, eagerness and dedication. Its a great slate of candidates and everyone will serve the board well but, based on personal bias, I would have to think some new faces would bring in some fresh perspectives and match well with experienced members too.

[Scrappy Scout]

All I can say is go with your heart. Yes experience matters but it is not the end all to a person I voted for a persons ideas and how well I think they will do. Yes I do not have much experience but I hope people do not hold it against me. In previous years I had jobs where I was unable to make events my heart was there but I couldn’t physically be there. Trust me I would rather have been caching. If people want to hold that against me than I can’t change there minds or hearts. But with the experience that I have obtained from the events that I have gone too and the people I have meet. I have ideas to help promote the WGA and the hobby we all so love. So again all I say is vote on the person you think will do the best job, fresh, ideas, and good heart.

Scout

[Northwoods Tom]

This is interesting.

Because I have had a chance to ponder this (it’s a common question in any election) my response might surprise you.

The way you present it, I believe you should only vote for the candidate(s) that represent the beliefs you have for this wonderful organization. You have done that. You don’t cast votes for the remaining two just because you have them to use. My personal feeling period.

It seems to me that the answer you are really looking for is the next two candidates with the most to offer. I’ll address this in this way:

1. I’m disappointed in the thought or lack of thought that was presented by some of the candidates in their response to the serious questions. Others presented ideas that I can believe in even if I might not totally agree. Especially if it benefits the members.

2. Candidates and members have voiced concern over the need for others (myself included) to prove themselves before they are given a chance. Is this the fear of the unknown or a change in the status quo they fear? It’s only a two year position, not a life sentence. Do you think it’s time for change and new ideas? If I’m not representing the members in a positive way, I Will Be Voted Out Next Election!

3. I am very impressed with the candidates in Southern Wisconsin yet the direction of the board with it’s heavy presence there concerns me. This is the “Wisconsin Geocaching Association”, not the Southern Wisconsin Geocaching Association. I personally would never consider myself to be an authority on Eau Claire’s current status on a myriad of issues that can and will effect our organization, and I grew up in Eau Claire and have a sister living on Roosevelt Avenue in that house! If you want a voice for the north woods as well as a presence I can offer you a 100+ days or more in North Central Wisconsin with a larger chunk in far Northeast Wisconsin. I live, eat, work and play in both areas. I visit Eau Claire Mr. Zuma (Ralph Edwards)!

4. I did a search on this site using the words “Baby Boomer”. The only mention I found was my own in the “Changes” question for the candidates. Sure it might be discussed elsewhere in some other format, using other terms, can’t be totally sure. But this also concerns me. Where is the discussion on this issue. This is a growing demographic group that has lots of time and is looking to this activity and others for one of those “what can it offer me or what can I offer it” opportunity. I’m 55 and I’m one of those not yet retired boomers.

I’m looking and and I’m offering!

In conclusion, I apologize to you Mr. Edwards for calling you out in this post. Yet I feel as though you took an unwarranted shot at me in yours. Lets move on. Sincerely, Tom Hokkanen

[Barry Butrymowicz]

After reading all the above answers, I would also have to say that all 4 votes do not need to be cast, if you think that only 2 are deserving of the position, then only vote for the 2 that you think are worthy. Just placing a vote for the sake of “having” a unused one is not right. My votes are cast already, and some of the answers here confirmed that the way I voted was right.

[zuma]

@Northwoods Tom wrote:

This is interesting.

Because I have had a chance to ponder this (it’s a common question in any election) my response might surprise you.

The way you present it, I believe you should only vote for the candidate(s) that represent the beliefs you have for this wonderful organization. You have done that. You don’t cast votes for the remaining two just because you have them to use. My personal feeling period.

It seems to me that the answer you are really looking for is the next two candidates with the most to offer. I’ll address this in this way:

1. I’m disappointed in the thought or lack of thought that was presented by some of the candidates in their response to the serious questions. Others presented ideas that I can believe in even if I might not totally agree. Especially if it benefits the members.

2. Candidates and members have voiced concern over the need for others (myself included) to prove themselves before they are given a chance. Is this the fear of the unknown or a change in the status quo they fear? It’s only a two year position, not a life sentence. Do you think it’s time for change and new ideas? If I’m not representing the members in a positive way, I Will Be Voted Out Next Election!

3. I am very impressed with the candidates in Southern Wisconsin yet the direction of the board with it’s heavy presence there concerns me. This is the “Wisconsin Geocaching Association”, not the Southern Wisconsin Geocaching Association. I personally would never consider myself to be an authority on Eau Claire’s current status on a myriad of issues that can and will effect our organization, and I grew up in Eau Claire and have a sister living on Roosevelt Avenue in that house! If you want a voice for the north woods as well as a presence I can offer you a 100+ days or more in North Central Wisconsin with a larger chunk in far Northeast Wisconsin. I live, eat, work and play in both areas. I visit Eau Claire Mr. Zuma (Ralph Edwards)!

4. I did a search on this site using the words “Baby Boomer”. The only mention I found was my own in the “Changes” question for the candidates. Sure it might be discussed elsewhere in some other format, using other terms, can’t be totally sure. But this also concerns me. Where is the discussion on this issue. This is a growing demographic group that has lots of time and is looking to this activity and others for one of those “what can it offer me or what can I offer it” opportunity. I’m 55 and I’m one of those not yet retired boomers.

I’m looking and and I’m offering!

In conclusion, I apologize to you Mr. Edwards for calling you out in this post. Yet I feel as though you took an unwarranted shot at me in yours. Lets move on. Sincerely, Tom Hokkanen

And I apologize to you as well. I am very sorry that my post was not as clear as I intended. I meant no offense to no one, but was just reflecting on some (not all) of the contributions that candidates have made in the past year. (I wrote it while at the Fort Meyer’s airport at the Chili’s there waiting for our plane back home, so probably was not as clear as I should have been. I will write more details later, but right now I have to go to work, so have to make this quick.)

What I meant to say, is that we have a good slate of candidates, and many have brought forth a good variety of good ideas, including you.

Personally, my choice will be made on what I think the candidates can accomplish in the coming year, and to me the best guide of future performance is past performance.

zuma

[AuntieNae]

While you have four votes, it is at your option if you chose to place all four. You could just vote for your top two because it would give them a vote above the others.

In deciding who to vote for, the things that I look for are the following:

1) Has the candidate indicated past leadership experience?
Reasoning: The WGA Board of Directors is a leadership position that needs people that can take on projects and lead others. If all Board members are active, more can be accomplished.

2) Has the candidate participated in WGA events?

Reasoning: The WGA is more than just the forums. The Board of Directors plans and conducts events. It is very helpful to have people on the Board who have been to the past events and are willing to contribute to make the next events even better. Even stronger for me is if a candidate has been part of an event committee.

3) Has the candidate been part of any WGA committees?

Reasoning: The WGA is trying to empower committees to accomplish more than the nine member Board can do. It shows a willingness to be active with the WGA.

4) Has the candidate indicated they will be able to attend the Campout and Picnic?

Reasoning: The Board of Directors needs all hands possible to not only plan but also conduct the events. I do realize things come up that prevent participation but has the candidate made the effort upfront to be involved. Members have stated they do want the opportunity to talk to BOD and WGA events are the place where more members can do so.

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