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I most likely will not replace my only ammo box in a state park. It’s ahhhh ‘unique’. It was approved with full description of what the container is written on the DNR form.

It’s an interesting request considering many think of a geocache as an ammo container but I understand.

If I am contacted to change out the container by the park, this particular cache would be archived.

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I have posted a new thread in the General forum section for all members to be able to give input on this question as I think it will foster some positive posts and gauge general interest in producing a geocoin.

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@TyeDyeSkyGuy wrote:

I’ve left a DVD player, cash, unactivated geocoins, new Snap-On tools, a mag-lite, clues to other puzzles of mine and several other cool/valuable items.

Must have upgraded to Blue-ray. 😉

I have left an unactivated geocoin or 2 in some of my more challenging new caches. But with having placed almost 100 caches, it’s certainly not a requirement in my eyes. Sometimes I also place a trackable or 2 in a new cache but I’ve had/seen complaints from cachers that a TB/Geocoin that’s moving around/already activated is “NOT an FTF prize!” Interesting view point to have.

I also gave “prizes” for a challenge/ALR cache (GC18A24) to the first few finders, the FAD (first after dave, to learn more… GC1C0BD), and the last finder in February. This was more of a “race cache” with a purpose to get cacher’s in my local area out finding caches in winter.

People like shiny things.

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I’m all for a new WGA coin. I’m not a geocoin making expert and cannot speak to “the market conditions for selling a coin” but I would love to volunteer to help with this effort. Since we did not do one in 2009, I think there will be quite a bit of interest in a new coin.

I also think the process of members submitting designs is a good one.

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I do know a “My Hides” PQ has been discussed more than once on there.

Yep, it’s a jungle out there. That’s typically why I refrain from posting..

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I’ve had some folks contact me about organizing something here and got gotta run’s input on possible approaches and he responded with the same type of response (posted here) which I passed onto others. Haven’t heard back on the topic since.

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My first question is, do you agree that we should continue minimal moderation of the forums, or would you like to see some limits placed on offensive posts?

Yes I agree we should continue minimal moderation of the forums as it has been done based on your description of what has been moderated.

Since I am on the forums often this should not be an issue for me to help with.

I also believe that all moderators should have the title “moderator” posted next to their name on their posts. Yeah some of us know only the BOD are moderators but there has been confusion especially with newer members.

Threads should not be locked by a moderator unless the OP (original poster, who started the thread) requests it or the discussion is now completely off-topic.

I agree with other candidates that threads should not be deleted by moderators even if the OP requests it. (unless no other posts have been made) It is not fair to others to have their responses deleted because the OP changes their mind. And as rsplash mentioned, a new thread will just open up anyway requiring members to re-post their ideas from memory.

My second question is related to the policy that I cut and pasted from the Utah Geocachers Association that follows this paragraph. Please reveiw it, and comment whether you think it would be worthwhile for the WGA to adopt a similiar policy:

I think having a posted forums etiquette/policy should be a priority for this years BOD and be incorporated into our Bylaws in addition to posted in the forums in each area as a “sticky” post. This policy should also mention who our moderators are, the rights and responsibilities of our moderators, and the consequences of not following the policy.

Now my public breakdown of the example policy:

First, I don’t see the word respect in that policy. First and foremost, we should treat each other with respect in our forum posts. Just because we don’t agree with each other, doesn’t mean we can’t respect each other. I would like to see “treat each other respectfully” added as a “#1”

On number 2 I would want to clarify the word “attacks” a bit better. Using the term “personal attack” might be better. See my new #1

I don’t agree with number 3. See my prior answer on moderation and deleting posts. However, see my thought at the end of this response on consequences.

Number 4 is fine and should be combined with the idea to respect one another. Treating each other fair goes hand in hand with respect.

I agree with my fellow candidates who have already spoken up regarding number 5. This is fine in moderation if posted to the off-topic area. Certainly if any of the other points of the “policy” were broken during a thread like this, moderator action would be needed.

In addition to just the threat of “moderation” a policy like this should carry some consequences. I would imagine that in the “rare” instances that posts were moderated this past year, that the offending poster was sent a private message indicating why. As a moderator, if we do take action we should be able to point the member to the policy and the consequences for their actions if they continue.

I’m really happy that moderating is done infrequently here because it does say a lot about our membership. However, it is important to have a policy like this in place for a group our size. This is an excellent idea to “borrow” from other organizations and make our own.

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First question: How many of those 4 events did you attend?

I attended the Camp-out at High Cliff and the Pancake Breakfast at the Cache Bash in West Bend. Unfortunately I had prior commitments for the other 2 events mentioned.

While I did not attend the Wausua CITO event, I did organize the 3rd annual Appleton CITO event (with seldom|seen) which did not have WGA assistance. This was my second year managing the event. Before I got involved in this, I believed this was officially sanctioned by the WGA because WGA members were soliciting to hold regional CITO events. Perhaps I was mistaken but regardless we’ve had a very successful CITO in Appleton the last 3 years.

Second question: At any one of those events, were you able to volunteer to make the event a success? Feel to elaborate and describe your efforts to make WGA events a success last year.

I was on the Camp-out committee for the camp-out. I assisted with hiding temp caches and many permanent caches around the Sherwood area including a permanent KFC (kid friendly cache) within High Cliff State Park. I assisted with getting High Cliff DNR land management permission for the permanent placements in a park that had not seen new permanent caches in awhile. I also participated in many of the committee internal discussions and decisions.

I volunteered at the Cache Bash during the official WGA geocaching class put on by Jeremy. I helped with the hands-on portion and helped a few families find some geocaches in the park and gave tips and pointers. I would like to do this again at future events.

Third question: Do you plan on being able to attend most of the WGA events next year, and do you plan to be able to work at those events to make them a success?

I understood this responsibility when I accepted the nomination. As I mentioned in my introduction, this is what makes being on the BOD an exciting proposition for me.

I do think that the regional events (like the Wausau CITO which I understood to be a regional WGA event) should be more “optional” for board members living outside the regional area of the event but it is important to have BOD presence at these events so if there is no other local/regional board member present or assisting I can step up.

I am registered for the Winter event, and have my camp site reserved for the camp-out and my presence at this year’s cache bash is also reserved already. Looking forward to attending the WGA picnic event for the first time this year.

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Yes.

I understood the responsibility of attending all WGA events and the board meeting(s) when I accepted the nomination.

While I agree that we are living in an electronic communication era, it’s still good for a group’s board to meet face to face.

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Congrats!!

Was wondering about some of the interesting logging (gotta love stalking Codejunkie) and now it makes perfect sense.

It’s good to see a plan like that come together. Sounds like you had an awesome caching day.

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I’ve had notes turned into found it logs or dnf logs as well. That would be nice to receive notification on.

Or better yet, require a new log 😉

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Congrats on the milestone find!!

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And an FYI for others reading my prior post, I believe only premium members have access to the website forum on geocaching.com.

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Fyi – their process for suggestions is to post a new thread on their website forum. Be prepared for the vocal posters on that forum to argue the finer points and “merit” of your suggestion. From what I’ve seen the suggestions get read so don’t worry too much about the discussion that ensues. If Groundspeak likes the suggestion they may implement.

It sounds like a really good suggestion to me. Sometimes pictures posted can be great ones that an owner wants to see. Other times, they can be spoilers.

I’ve seen a suggestion thread on allowing an owner to remove a specific picture and not the entire log that contains the picture but haven’t seen one regarding getting notified of a picture being posted.

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Congrats!!

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