Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
My thoughts on a 3 yr term. Good feedback would be to ask former members if they would have ran and volunteered if needing to do a 3 yr term.
2 yrs is a committment while 3 would be asking a lot of a person. If I was to go back in time and be deciding with my family if I could give three years I would not be able to do that. The time committment is too great.
Also, while we all hope that thise that are elected fully commit themselves to the WGA, it is known that few truly can be 100% in, thereby leaving you with high burn out rates of those 100% active. 2 terms would be 6 years. Outside of Renea and Pete, who has ever given that much time? Review the numbr of BOD that run for a 2nd term. Half? Less?
Changing to 3 yrs will kead to a decrease in those offering to run.
Again, ask those that served, would a 3 yr term change if they would have run? I belive most will sayd yes, they would have reconsidered.
Following the signals from space.
We have had good and not so good westher for both events. I would prefer it remain the same. CampoutmSpring, Picnic Fall.
Following the signals from space.
Brian, would you please add a hyperlink to the current ByLaws?
This would allow easier comparison and feedback. I have read that the average member has a harder time finding them.
Following the signals from space.
Hope you don’t mind I formatted the email for easier reading, Dan. This was not my post but worth consideration by the members and the BOD.
My experience with committees will be given if asked for otherwise I’ll sit back a bit.
Following the signals from space.
1. FUNDRAISING/PATHTAGS/GEOCOINS.
There are a lot of possibilities that can be done with trackables that we as an organization can do to both raise awareness of the WGA and raise funds. I posted something about this in the WGA pathtag forum a few months ago here. Specifically, we can state in three areas (WGA website on its own tab, Facebook website on its own pinned post, and the actual pathtag website) that pathtags/coins are available for purchase to help the WGA raise the needed funds to promote geocaching in Wisconsin. See attached PDF for 16 examples of what other geocaching organizations have done to use pathtags to promote fundraising and organization awareness.
Some brief pathtag examples (see attachment for graphics and the full text):
– “Arkansas Geocachers Association is promoting this tag as a fund raiser for our organization”
– “The sale of these tags helps the Michigan Geocaching Organization raise needed funds to help promote the activity of geocaching state wide.”
– “We do not trade tags or fulfill wishlist requests directly as we design, make, and sell our pathtags to fund the cost of our webserver.” (Geocaching Australia)
– “This tag is the second in a series of fundraising tags to be made by the Iowa Geocachers Organization.”
– “This pathtag is one of five of the fourth annual fundraising pathtags for GeocacheAlaska!…The tags will be available as sets only via direct sales from GeocacheAlaska at…”
– “Proceeds from the sale of this tag help to fund the annual GONIL Picnic.” (Geocaching Organization of Northern Illinois)
– “This tag is the fifth IGO fundraiser. Thanks to all who purchase this tag to help support our mission.” (Iowa Geocachers Organization)
– “These tags will be made available to SLAGA members and anyone else who would like one. SLAGA will NOT be trading this tag. It will be sold to raise funds for SLAGA.” (St. Louis Area Geocaching Association)
I suppose if I thought about it I could figure out that the WGA makes a profit on the sale of coins and pathtags (and other merchandise), but I don’t recall it being clearly communicated with a call to help fund the organization.
Pathtags (and extagz) cost significantly less than geocoins, so people are potentially more likely to purchase them, and in greater quantities with the right promotion. We could encourage people online to purchase packs of five pathtags (or more) for a discount to drop in caches ($3 each, 10 for $25?). Some other organizations do this. Think of what that could do for promoting the WGA; finding WGA pathtags in caches! If people knew it was for raising funds and promoted/encouraged to drop extras into caches, I bet we could sell a bunch more that way. It’s unlikely most geocoins would get put out in the wild because of their cost, but pathtags or similar could possibly be a great promotional tool when placed in caches for a very reasonable price. It’s all about marketing.
2. COMMITTEES
As you undoubtedly know, WGA committees are formed to work with the BOD to expand involvement opportunities for the WGA membership, and to improve programs, events, and services to the Wisconsin geocaching community. Some committees are ongoing, and some are formed for short term specific tasks or goals. One of the ways I got involved with more active participation in the WGA was by being invited by Chris Walker (or was Zuma first?) to serve on a committee, as a non-board member. Maybe non-board members are participating in those committees; I don’t have visibility of it. If it’s not being done, it is a wasted opportunity. There’s something about a title of “committee member” that can motivate people to take ownership and action, not unlike the title of being a board of director’s member. It works. Just like a pro football team needs a practice squad to develop new talent, or a professional baseball team needs a “farm team,” having non-board members serve on committees can be a good first step to expand their involvement, and hopefully take some of the load off of board members. As a reminder, here are the committees I’m referring to (copied from GC4NBQA Meet the WGA #5: WGA Committees, which itself was copied from the bylaws):
1. The campout committee includes all 9 members of the WGA Board of directors and up to 9 other members of the WGA. The campout committee starts new each February, and dissolves 3 weeks after the annual campout is held. The campout committee has a folder at the WGA website for use in decision making, communication, and task assignment. The campout committee will hold at least one face to face meeting approximately 3 weeks (plus or minus a week) prior to the campout at the location of the campout for final planning, recognizance and cache placement.
2. The picnic committee includes all 9 members of the WGA Board of directors and up to 9 other members of the WGA. The campout committee starts new each June, and dissolves 3 weeks after the annual picnic is held. The picnic committee has a folder at the WGA website for use in decision making, communication, and task assignment. The picnic committee will hold at least one face to face meeting approximately 3 weeks (plus or minus a week) prior to the picnic at the location of the picnic for final planning, recognizance, and cache placement.
3. The web committee includes 2-4 members of the Board of Directors and up to 6 other members of the WGA. The web committee is a permanent committee of the WGA. The web committee has a folder at the WGA website for use in decision making and discussion with the web master(s). The primary mission of the web committee is to assist the web master(s) and the Board of Directors to maintain and improve the WGA website.
4. The community education committee includes 2-4 members of the Board of Directors and up to 9 other members of the WGA. The community education committee is a permanent committee of the WGA. The community education committee has a folder at the WGA website for use in decision making, communication, and arranging for community education programs. The primary mission of the committee is to advance awareness and understanding of geocaching within Wisconsin. Part of this mission includes the development and implementation of basic geocaching training programs.
5. The membership committee includes 2-4 members of the Board of Directors and up to 9 other members of the WGA. The membership committee is a permanent committee of the WGA. The membership committee has a folder at the WGA website for use in decision making, communication, and arranging for membership growth and assistance programs. The primary mission of the committee is to advance awareness and understanding of the WGA among Wisconsin geocachers and grow the membership of the WGA. Part of this mission includes the development of regional events to attract new members and the development and implementation of advanced geocaching training programs for new geocachers to help them grow in their enjoyment of the game.
New committees are formed as the need arises. Any new committee that is created needs to have a designated expected life expectancy, a well-defined mission, a description of number of members expected to serve on the committee and at least two Board members on the committee.
We are hoping that many WGA members will consider volunteering in some capacity, whether just for a day helping out at an event (the annual campout, the annual picnic, pancake breakfast, geocaching 101 event or continuing education event, etc.), or serving on a committee.
*****
Here’s to hoping the two topics above will lead to helpful discussions with the new 2019 BOD and beyond!Attachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.Following the signals from space.
I was on the way into work at that time Dawn. Northbound was closed then an accident closed Southbound. Glad I didn’t have to go down but that made getting to work difficult for you
Following the signals from space.
:like:
Following the signals from space.
I think selling it off would be in bad taste but keeping it or donating to another group would be a good idea.
Following the signals from space.
With WisKid not adding to them, this is very difficult to do. I used to run a PQ of Archived/Disabled within 60 miles of my home and when it looked like there was a potential Rescue I would add it. Spent a lot of time with WisKid trying to replicate what he used to do.
Following the signals from space.
Good news. Thanks Bob
Following the signals from space.
Also suggest downloading the Park Ranger app for all the fun hints and maps for where ever you go to state lands.
Experience Wyalusing State Park – First Wisconsin State Park to Embrace Augmented Reality
http://www.wyalusingfriends.org/2018/02/experience-wyalusing-state-park-first.htmlFollowing the signals from space.
Wyalusing State Park:
Has anyone verified that the shower facilities are open? According to the state web page: “The shower building and dump station are closed for the season. A winter water supply is available”
I hope that is incorrect. I bet they do not update that very often and until Memorial Day, this is their slow season with minimal staffing.
Following the signals from space.
🙂
Following the signals from space.
As lcg admin, I do have a bit of a struggle when the reports come in and mention probably missing or confirmed missing on revisits. I can only approve the reports and not much more. I have posted some NA notes on some missing ones but never sure if Wiskid disables them or not. I guess I could message him on these to get the archive ball rolling sooner. I can also see if he would send me a list of those he thinks are worth a cache rescue mission.
Not sure how long Dave is going to continue reaping Wisconsin caches.
Being prepared for the eventual change would be good. 1st step is setting up a State-wide PQ. I’ve wanted to start this for years but never figured out the right way beyond trial and error.
Following the signals from space.
-
AuthorPosts
