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Realistically the board members will do (and I am guessing have done) most of the heavy lifting. One way to build more participation is to encourage active cachers including those who attend events to help with the next activity. I think outreach by board members at these events is key. Talk to those present to gage interest.
I know the number of in-person events have been limited the last two years but as I mentioned in another post that encouraging local groups of cachers to plan their own informal gatherings or caching outings. We had a group in Rochester NY that got together once a month on a Sunday morning and then went out caching together . Sometimes it was four people and sometimes as many as ten…
As others have said it usually is easier to do it yourself but even as a retiree I have lots of other interests… More importantly getting others involved should not only spread out the work but create commitment in the event or activity beyond the board.
Often after an event you will have a participant or two approach you about how it could have been done better or differently. I like to use that as an opening to recruit them to help with the next activity since they seem to have ideas on improvements.
Personal geocaching goals are to continue to discover new parts of the state through caching. While Covid has been a curse it has given us the opportunity to really explore all of the great parks and green spaces within an hour of Madison. We have so much more to learn. This past year we finally placed our first caches (19) and two adventure labs so in 2022 we want to complete the Monona Vegetable series of caches (5 more to place). And hopefully hold a local event (see next comment).
Having only participated in a couple of WGA events since moving back to Wisconsin (due to Covid) I think there is an opportunity to promote more local events and gatherings that are encouraged by the WGA vs. owned by the WGA.
Whenever you work in a group setting you are going to have different opinions on a topic/ path forward. I would work to make sure everyone’s voice is heard including my own and try to move forward to a decision. Optimal if it is a consensus but if not take a vote and move on. The key is to listen.
For a big chunk of my career I dealt with human resource issues as an internal organization development consultant – leadership development, team building, change management, etc. Though some experiences I would like to forget it is still a set of skills and knowledge I possess and bring to the table.
I like to explore and geocaching has really been a great way to learn about the state since moving back 2.5 years ago. Being newer to the area and willing to explore may provide the board with a fresh set of eyes on activities, etc.
Well I wouldn’t be the best person to be in charge of social media but otherwise I have a wide range of skills especially in planning and organizing. The one area that baffles me with boards is the Roberts Rules of Order which I think I saw the WGA may be relaxing. I have only attended meetings as a spectator where these were used and I know they are useful but I never figured out how!
Many volunteer boards carry the load of the work, that’s one reason they are on the board, but to get members involved is key to building broader ownership and hopefully excitement for the organization and their events/programs. Ideally this would increase the number of activities the organization can sponsor. If you form a committee you better be willing to listen or it is a waste of time for all involved.
Not unlike getting volunteers for the board you have to listen to the members and find those most interested in getting involved – they are potential committee members.
Usually I am driving but it would be nice to be a passenger since I do love to plan geocaching outings and I am a pretty darn good navigator. Well I am better on the roads than when looking for a cache when I am sometimes known for taking the more difficult route to the GZ! As a passenger I could do a better job of understanding not just the route but what the cache entails – digging into the detail for clues. That can be hard to do when driving…
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