[The Crippler]

I would handle the remainder of my term the same way as I handled the first 8 months. By accepting a nomination I have committed to a two year term and will give it the attention that it requires whether I like it or not. Remember, I am not acting in my best interests, I am acting in the membership’s best interests.

[The Crippler]

Thank you for the question.

If I had to find seven in a week I would probably use one of two tactics. I could go out and find one or two during my lunch hour all week or I would just make a numbers run on a weekend. When my daughter and I were doing that last summer we could easily get the 7 in an hour, or we could take all day. I guess what I am saying is that this requirement would not be difficult for me and I would make it work.

[The Crippler]

As I have mentioned before, I am a firm believer that you play the game as you see fit and have heard and seen many cachers do things that I am not necessarily in agreement with. That is just fine by me. If approached with a contrary view or opinion my job as a member of the BOD would be to listen and offer advice, if asked.

I have also mentioned in a previous thread that it really does not matter what my preconceived notions are because I would have been elected to represent members in the WGA whose opinion may vary significantly from mine. If enough members contact me asking me to consider something that I do not necessarily agree with I feel it is my duty to represent the majority, case closed.

Certainly there are a few issues that my opinion is the polar opposite of the current official WGA stance or policy. I take issue with some of the laws and policies of those I have voted into public office. What I am saying is that my stance or opinion might actually be wrong, and I am willing to accept that and also willing to accept the notion that majority rules. I do agree with something TyeDyeSkyGuy mentioned and that I too would go down pressing my point but would also understand defeat.

[The Crippler]

Since my agency provides services in 18 counties throughout Western Wisconsin I travel in that area quite a bit. I live in South Central Wisconsin and frequently cache in Southeast Wisconsin as well. I have a cabin in Northeast Wisconsin and very much enjoy the caches in that area.

There are two areas I have yet to visit in this fine state for caching and that is far Northern Wisconsin and Door County.

[The Crippler]

Thank you for your question Dave.

I have yet to host a geocaching event but have been thinking about it for 3 years now. I did assist a local cacher on a flash mob event 18 months ago.

Event planning can be a very complicated process. I have worked for the past 22 years for a couple of different not-for-profit social service agencies. As you may be aware, part of what you do at not-for-profits is to put on events for one of two purposes, friend raising and fund raising. I have vast experience with both aspects participating in 3 to 4 events per year doing everything from volunteer to planning. Most events draw attendance from 150 to over 1000 individuals but I have also planned smaller events for around 30 or so.

Proper planning and good help is essential to pull of any event with few hitches. All of the geocaching events I have attended have been well run by great people and I intend to assist as capable should I be fortunate to be elected to the Board of Directors.

[The Crippler]

Talking up the value of the WGA would be an easy task in my opinion. I would explain that the WGA website is a great place to go for tips, meet people and learn about other interesting caches throughout the state. I would explain that the WGA gatherings have something for everyone and every taste. Any question can be answered and the website is even a resource for the occasional humorous story. I would also explain how the WGA and their membership have encouraged me to visit placed and see things that I would not have had I continued my muggle lifestyle.

To this regard, I have sold the WGA to a handful of cachers over the years and will continue to do so in the future.

I am a WGA member because I was looking for a way to enhance my caching experiences. Through the membership I have met some great people who have pointed me to new areas as well as allow me to be more social. For this I am extremely greatful.

[The Crippler]

Thank you for the question jimandlinda.
I do not get too passionate about too many things regarding geocaching and the WGA but the Cache of the Month was one of those things. I have a few caches out there that my daughter and I put a lot of effort into that we thought were worthy of cache of the month. We also have done many caches that we thought were worthy of cache of the month as well. When we would finally get nominated, we would usually lose out to the latest “flavor of the day” or to cachers whose popularity had more to do with the win than the cache. We also took great issue with the emails we would get each month asking for our votes. We believed that if our nominated cache was truly worthy of COTM that no politicing would be necessary as the cache should stand on its own.

The new changes have made the playing fields a little more level in my opinion. Yes, I have still seen some issues but overall I believe more quality caches are being nominated. I like the fact that I can consider caches in the four geographic areas that I primarily cache in and look to the nominations each month for new caches I can visit.

So far, I am not a fan of the favorites thing. I have given out 2 or 3 of my 300+ favorites because I guess I have go back and rate ones I have already done. I will do this only if I come across the page in searches and it ticks my memory but to actively search is beyond my patience. I have given out one favorite to a cache that was the best during a 20 cache run on a particular day but was it an outstanding cache? I don’t know…

[The Crippler]

Once again, thank you for the question Cheeto.

As I stated in my candidate’s post that I am an advocate of individuals playing the game as they see fit. Personally, after my first event, I no longer log temporary caches because that is not the way I choose to play. Is it right or wrong? I am not prepared to place judgement on those that do or don’t. As a side note, Geocaching.com DOES allow multiple finds on geocaches as there is nothing in the rules that prevents this. I have this information directly from a Lackey as I was appealing a reviewer’s decision on a puzzle series placement.

I have mentioned this to emphasize that it really is up to how you want to play the game. As far as the WGA, they have made and passed that motion and that is how they operate their sanctioned events.

If it were to come up to vote again, my decision would be based on the majority of the members that expressed their opinions to me. Afterall, my representation on the WGA Board is not about what my opinions are, but rather about the opinion of the majority of those I would represent.

[The Crippler]

Cheeto, thanks for the question.

Yes, I have attended CITO events in the past and find them to be a very rewarding experience. I practice CITO at just about every cache location except for some areas in the Racine/Kenosha areas that a certain cacher might have placed a Nemesis hide. 😀 I believe CITO events are certainly good for the environment and the image of the WGA. I would certainly continue to vote to support and attend these events as the funds invested are minimal compared to the return.

[The Crippler]

Thanks for the question.

As I mentioned in my earlier posting, I believe the WGA needs to be prepared to adapt to all these rapid changes in geocaching quickly. It is clear that Geocaching.com is adapting towards more families and the younger crowd and so should WGA. We do some things right like having quality kids activities at most events but we also need to understand more about what drives them and how this group learns and gets its information. Social media is one area and WGA prepared educational tools that can be presented to parks and recreation offices would be another. It was hard for me to believe but when I approached our local park and rec department about teaching a geocaching 101 course the director asked “what is geocaching?”.

[The Crippler]

It is my opinion that the WGA has done an excellent job with keeping up with all the changes of the last 10 years. One area that needs to be addressed is how to engage the occasional and younger cachers more. These are the cachers that may only find occassion to cache a few times each year because their lives are filled with many other things. These cachers are clearly who Groundspeak is paying attention too and so should the WGA. Another area to explore is looking at joint partnerships with neighboring geocaching associations in terms of either pooling resources or working on regional events. It is also clear that a formal educational program for local officials and law enforcement would be an area that could be strengthened as well.

[The Crippler]

Way to go Barry and Val but someone in your group needs to see a doctor because the black stuff in the snow concerns me…

[The Crippler]

Bong is great for hikes so I second that. Bristol Woods park also has some nice trails and caches too.

[The Crippler]

I’ve gone to Tennessee and Ohio for events and went to one in Nebraska just because I was there on business when the event was held. I just missed one in Hawaii a few years ago.

[The Crippler]

Hummmm… Interesting. Just asking 😈

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