[Scrappy Scout]

I have to say green and gold baby. This is the only way to go. But I do have to say weather you’re a PACKERS fan or a Steelers fan I hope it is a good close game and not a shut out by either team. (Except maybe the packers lol). Now let’s hope this does not change anyone’s vote for BOD HA HA HA!!!

[Scrappy Scout]

***It seems that over the past few years’ attendance to the WGA events have dwindled and as a result there is less participation in the board meetings which are open to members at these events. It seems that times of the meetings are at the least attended times of the events (example at the very end of the day around campfire where some don’t camp). To some it may appear that attendance is not desired due to the timing of the meetings.

1) Do you see this as in fact an accurate statement? (If not, do you have stats to support otherwise?)

Yes I do agree with you it does seem to have dwindled. I have been told of some reasons why people do not come to events or will not go to events. Some are it is too expensive to go to them or they are too far. With gas prices being as high as they were I would have to agree that it would be hard to attend. Some other different reasons that I have heard are that the events are for families only or couples. To which I have stated to that person that it is open to everyone families, couples, and singles some people have even meet there future wives at the events. I have also heard reason being that they do not feel welcome due to all the clicks in the WGA. Again I have argued to this person that it is not all clicky or people get singled out (I might now after writing this lol). I have also noticed that BOD meetings have always been at night or at times where day visitors at events might not be able to attend. What I would like to try is maybe a lunch time BOD meeting where the BOD can meet at lunch time over food and with everyone there to ask question.

***2) As a board member how would you encourage more participation by members?

As a member of the board I would try to let new members know to come to events because it is a wonderful way to meet other new members, more experienced cachers, and also members of the BOD. Or maybe even try a new member meet and greet, do one to the north and one in the south so new members can meet other members and members of the BOD also let them know that this is a great way to ask questions learn new tricks hear stories or even meet the person that placed their first cache they got or the one they are having trouble with finding. This is just a thought that I have had. And when I was new and have not met so many wonderful people I always thought it sure would be nice to meet other new members or more experiences members in a relaxing way where people are not running around to get caches or getting ignored. I do know that when we went to our first meet and greet we were sitting there and no one talked to me or my wife. This was at a picnic and where everyone was just running around finding temps and there was no area to meet anyone because it was very intimidating to see a whole bunch of people running around gps in hand. We were a little disorientated didn’t know what to do or where to go. There was no area where you could get paired up with a more experienced cacher or anything. We didn’t even know how to get caches we ended up just following the other people and handing someone our gps they then told us they couldn’t load it handed us a piece of paper and said here are the caches. Nothing more so we found a couple on our own then went home because we didn’t know much lol. Now we know and we try to find people who might have that doe in the headlights look and try to help them if they need it or want it.

***3) What suggestions can you make and encourage implementation of to increase participation thereby ensuring that members are being fully represented by the board elected?

The only suggestion I could make is maybe do it like the government (only thing I can compare it too). Maybe do something like each member of the board has an area where members of area 1 can email this BOD rep or That one with questions, concerns, or suggestions and then that BOD member can take those ideas or comments and take it to the rest of the BOD. So they can look into it or try as a group to answer those questions or concerns.

Sorry so this being so long but I had to think about it and try to answer this as easily as I could. Thanks for the question.

[Scrappy Scout]

I too would like to thank everyone for there questions and there interest in me. This is my first time being nominated and as I sit here I hope to make it but if not then I will still help out in whatever way that I can. Thanks again and I hope to see as many people as I can out on the trails. Happy caching.

[Scrappy Scout]

First off I have to say I agree with having empowered committees. I do not agree having as many board members on the committees. Reason being is they take over the committees and do not let others have input. I am currently serving on the membership committee, where as a team we have revamped the COTM and COTY. The only problem I have had while serving on the membership committee was during the West Bend Cache and Bash where I was told since I was the committee chair I was to run the membership booth with averith and then everyone walked away leaving us with no brochures or any hand out information. All we had was word of mouth about the WGA and that’s it so we did do a lot of talking but no guidance from others or had a BOD member present. During the day I was asked several times where BOD members were and all I could say was caching. Please don’t take this as a bashing of the current BOD but this is something that needs to change. The Membership committee was only started about 2 months prior to the event. But there needs to be some changes to the committees.

I think there should be only 1 to 2 board members on committees. I think the person who is voted to be committee chairman should be in contact with a BOD member and they discuss what’s going on and then that BOD member can relay the message or have the committee chairmen there at the BOD meetings to bring up what is going on in the committee or what projects the committee is working on.

If I am elected or if I am denied I still plan on serving on the membership committee. If I am not elected I would like to also join the education committee.

[Scrappy Scout]

I think my pet project would have to be a split between communities and membership, as they go hand in hand. I would like to educate the law enforcement and maybe get out into schools and teach the kids about geocaching, which in turn leads to parents getting involved and then we start to get new members. Same as with law enforcement and media get them involved show them what it is about and who knows we might get a match lit under some people and they will join the WGA. And they then tell a friend and we start to build up the WGA and its membership.

Scout

[Scrappy Scout]

Barring anything major happening we plan on attending the campout and the picnic. We might not camp at the campout we might just stay for the day and part of the night but we plan on being there for these events. But we might stay and camp in our camper if we can get a site with electrical hook up as I have sleep apnea and I need to use a machine to sleep. Other than that we will be there.

Scout

[Scrappy Scout]

Sorry this question slipped past me. Some of my experiences of planning events are: this past summer I help plan a geo 101 class at Ottawa State Park. I am also planning to do 2-3 more geo 101 event there this coming summer. I have also planned Camping trips, Advancement ceremonies, and merit badge classes for the Boy Scouts of America. Those are just some of the event that I have planned in the past and will be planning in the future.

[Scrappy Scout]

I think the WGA is moving in the right direction. I would like to see the BOD keep moving in the same direction but I think they should also do some thing like law enforcement training or even media training get people involved. Maybe we could try to have some sort of media (TV/Newspaper) come out to an event and see and hear what it is the WGA is about and that it is a family affair. That way they can help us get the website and the community to know we are not bomb toting people and that we are not anti environmentalist who leave garbage in the woods or environment. Those are just a couple ideas.

[Scrappy Scout]

That was really neat to watch. I hope to one day be able to do that that. But it would be one expensive vacation lol.

[Scrappy Scout]

We have not finished any challenge caches as of yet but we are working on it. We like to work on them and see if we can do them but we also like to just go caching and find unique caches or places.

Scout

[Scrappy Scout]

Yea I found out through the GC.com web forums that the Map source topo that I am using does not have any POI so I don’t get all the icons on the found page like they show in the manual. That is what I was wondering about. I show 5 icons and the manual shows over 7 icons. That was were I was getting confused the other thing is the icons on my 60cs looks better than the ones on my 60csx it is weird the ones on my 60csx look old and outdated where as the ones on the 60cs look cleaner and newer it is weird. But the 60csx works like a champ.

Scout

[Scrappy Scout]

I personally believe if you sign up for something you should see it through. Give a 110% until the end. And like northwoods Tom said make the other board members say I didn’t see that coming. But if you are having problems talk it out with other board members and maybe they might have a way of helping you through the problem or have a suggestion on how to make it through.

[Scrappy Scout]

In a perfect universe I would not have to work so I could go caching all day everyday and had enough money to live and get gas for the truck. I would most likely try to do at least one a day and a different type each day. And if I could I would try to get a school group, law enforcement, news media, fellow cacher, or a newbie. To come out and find at least 7 caches and mix it up depending on who is with me between all the different types of caches out there. Try to spread the love of caching to as many people who would hear me and join me. I am not about the numbers for me it is more about meeting other people and sharing stories and having fun.

[Scrappy Scout]

This is a tough one. It all depends on what they are attached to. But most likely I would pull out some duct tape some bazooka bubble gum and Windex and see what I can make from that and then cut the red wire and then the blue one. Or maybe the blue one then the red one depends on what mood I am in. got to love the MacGyver reference good show at least I thought it was. lol

[Scrappy Scout]

Geocaching has changed a lot since we started caching. It has evolved to where some people are caching for numbers and others are caching for fun and some caching here and there. I think the WGA has kept up with the times but needs to improve. Some areas we need to improve on are but not limited to:

1)Getting the younger crowd to get involved and keeping them involved.
2)Keeping the older/experienced members.
3)Getting news or other media organizations involved and showing them the importance of what the WGA does and stands for.
4)Getting the public involved with events like CITO or meet and greets.

Those are some of the ideas that I came up with at this current time.

[Author]

Posts