BOD Takes Action on Event Vendors

Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 10:21 am

cheezehead wrote:

How do you enforce this if it's a public facility? Ya the WGA is leasing the use of the shelter. I would have just as much a right sitting at a picnic table that's 25 away from the shelter and selling ice cream bars out of a cooler if I wanted to. If little Sue want's to sell homemade Geo-buttons for a $1 so she can donate the money to the local animal shelter, are ya gonna charge her $25 or kick her out?

Yep. But not before publicly humiliating her, casting a curse on her descendants and confiscating her contriband.

Of course not. We would politely point out the policy to any uninformed vendors. If someone wants to be a jackass and say "I'm not moving and you can't make me!", then I guess we'll deal with it. Frankly, I can't see anyone that has any kind of integrity or common decency acting that way.

Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 10:31 am

I would also add that at the events, the WGA has reserved the shelter and therefore has inherit control over it's use during that time. That reservation could also include the grounds outside of it, but that easement could vary from site to site.

I would also state that most all 'vendors' would abide by the direction of the WGA BOD as to not cause a scene or offend the potential customers.

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 12:45 am

JimandLinda wrote in part:
“Whereas, our mission is primarily to provide a place for geocachers to socialize with one another, and unfettered and uncontrolled selling of commercial products within the shelter can potentially compromise the purpose of our event by being overpopulated with commercial interests, and some members may feel that commercial activity makes it more difficult to socialize”

Team Black-Cat wrote:
“The reason for this motion wasn't because there is currently a problem. The motion was made to avoid problems in the future”.

Zuma wrote:
“The issue at Pike was that several people were turning the shelter into a flea market by setting up
tables right in the shelter, which some people did not like, and some felt this limited social interaction”

--- While Zuma did seem to hit on the fact there was a problem to address as indicated in his post, I guess I’m not seeing any problem, then or in the future, that needs or needed a motion voted on. Especially, if only “several people” were the only ones feeling that way. After all, there were far more tables set up with food than vendor items to limit social interaction, yet there were no complaints, I presume, about that.

It would be a shame to have WGA activities regulated to death anytime “several people” have an issue with something and issues like this may be the prime starting point for that to occur.

If I were to suggest anything, it would be to poll attendees or post a topic question to solicit comments of just how people feel about an issue like this. Perhaps then there wouldn’t be anymore “whereas” statements needed Cool

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 7:40 am

Quote:

there were far more tables set up with food than vendor items to limit social interaction, yet there were no complaints, I presume, about that.

The food was part of the event. the vendors other than the WGA, were not.

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 8:24 am

If we do not in place the means to control this, if needed, then events could be more of a flea market than the type of event that it is meant to be. I do not attend these events so that I can go shopping, albeit they do make in easy to save shipping, but rather to paticipate in the games and socialize with people that I rarely see.

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 8:26 am

Unless, of course, the WGA puts on a flea market...

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 8:50 am

Which has been brought up! Holding an Event in conjunction with a State Convention/Trade Show somewhere down the road, has been mentioned.
Not acted on (yet); just mentioned.

With membership growth, we can offer more diverse Events in the future.

We're only 10 1/2 years old. Who knows where we'll be in another 10 years!

I would be disappointed if the Association "stood still", as that could stagnate the group, as well as member participation.
For now, we're keeping what's working, and tweeking or eliminating what doesn't.

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 11:40 am

lone_gunman wrote:

Unless, of course, the WGA puts on a flea market...

At least then the BOD would control how many fleas there were and where they are. Smile

Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 8:51 am

The WGA BOD discussed amending this Resolution at their organizational meeting. After discussion and further thought over the last few weeks, the following amendment was made for future vendors at WGA Events:

The WGA from this date forward establishes these rules for the selling of commercial products at our
events:
1. Vendors must get prior permission from the WGA of at least 7 days prior to the event in order to be
allowed to sell commercial products at any WGA event.
2. Vendors must provide to the WGA Secretary the following information in writing prior to being
approved to conducting any commercial activity: Name of individual, name of company (if any),
mailing address, phone number, email address, and description of products that are intended for
commercial activity.
3. Vendors may be required to pay a fee of $25 to the WGA for the privilege of setting up their
commercial activity at our event. If vendor fee is waived, a donation would be accepted (for door
prizes) in lieu of fee.
4. The WGA BOD will designate a area for vendor sales, the area may or may not be inside a shelter (if
available). Vendors must provide their own table, booth or shelter to the extent that they see fit. The
WGA is not responsible for providing any equipment to vendors.

We hope this amendment eases the strictness that may have been interpretted with the previous wording, while keeping the spirit of all WGA Events intact. WGA Events are an opportunity to socialize with other people of like interests while having access to WGA merchandise on a limited basis; sales that the WGA relies on to keep operating capital in the treasury, thus eliminating the need for membership dues.

WGA Member Joined: 2009-08-17 Posts: 126

Don't they need (Sales and Use Tax Permits)?

http://www.revenue.wi.gov/faqs/pcs/seller.html

Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 12:06 pm

The vendors might, depending on their business structure. The WGA does not, unless the powers-that-be change the laws.

Our tax status was discussed with legal council at our meeting in February.

Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 12:59 pm

labrat_wr wrote:

Quote:

there were far more tables set up with food than vendor items to limit social interaction, yet there were no complaints, I presume, about that.

The food was part of the event. the vendors other than the WGA, were not.

Looking back on my last post, I understand food was part of the event and that was my point--- there should NOT have been any complaints about anything, really, since nobody logically complained about the all food taking space and allegedly limiting or otherwise interfering with socializing. It would have been just as ridiculous.

Seriously, whatever is taking up space to be sold or eaten has no effect on socializing--- only where you can put things down. As I was walking around "socializing", I heard no complaints at all. Sour apples will always spoil a pie it seems. Mmmmm, pie!

The majority should always rule and it seems the majority supported and bought from attending vendors without complaining so, with any luck, socializing, shopping, and geocaching can now co-exist with this decision in place. Thanks to all those who worked it all out!

I sense a disturbance in the force, however... sour apples? Cool

Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 7:12 pm

What do you count at venders? Comercial? Would this count for non-profit?

Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 8:53 pm

any "seller" would be a Vendor.

If I were to bring my geocoin collection to sell off a few coins, I would be under these rules.

If I were to set up a hotdog stand at the event, I would be under these rules.

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 7:36 am

labrat_wr wrote:

If I were to set up a hotdog stand at the event, I would be under these rules.

"Hotdog" stand??? I better keep the hotdogs on leash.