COTM

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:09 pm

Candidates,
This question has 4 parts.
A couple of years ago we re-vamped the Cache of the Month. While the COTM has been improved and participation is higher than before, it could do better.
Do you think the COTM is still relevant and should be continued?
What would you propose to increase participation?
How often do you vote for or nominate a cache for COTM?
If you have never voted or nominated a cache for COTM, why not?

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 1:44 pm

1. Yes, the COTM is still relevant and should be continued.
2. I would propose a COTM End of Year Event. Also, I would propose a Cache of the Year for each region and series.
3. I do not vote as often as I should and I have nominated a few caches for COTM.

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:17 pm

Yes, I think we should keep it.

To increase participation, I would think we would need to make it more visible. Something to draw your attention to it but not become obnoxious would be the goal. I would want to look at the usage stats before I said anything concrete. I do happen to like CNT's idea though.

I have voted and nominated, but not as much as I probably should.

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 7:55 pm

Using the new Geocaching.com LIVE API that Team Black Cat has added to the site is a good update to making the COTM easier to search out and use.

Breaking up the COTM as couple of years ago helped make it more user friendly and I think sharing the news about it on the forums/website and the WGA Facebook page should be a good way to keep it "out in front" of people.

I'm a fan of the COTM program and hope to see it conitued in the future.

I try and vote when possible (haven't always foudn caches that have been nominated). I think CO's appreciate the recognition and people like seeing that there is a special cache out there.

I've nominated several caches for COTM and even had one of mine nominated but didn't win.

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 9:10 pm

I do think the COTM is relevant and should be continued. I do know of several hiders who always strive for great hides just to earn nominations.

I had an event I co-hosted win .. GCJJ2V
and received an Honorable Mention .. GCXH4T

I have voted when I have found a great cache. Increasing participation .. including posts on facebook .. has been a good step towards increasing awareness ..

AuntieNae

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:31 pm

Yes, I also think it should be continued

I just have signed up for the Iowa Geocaching Website. Once my membership is approved, I can get into more of the info, but they also have a COTM. From what I have seen so far, is when you vote for a cache, it gets a point value based on how far it is from your home coords. This way someone who votes from 100 miles from the cache would give it 100 points, but it would take 20 local votes 5 miles away to get the same points. was thinking this was a good idea, but want to get more info on it first.

I vote for COTM when I can, but most of the time, I have not found the nominated caches. I have also nominated caches from time to time.

One of my caches has also received COTM.

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:16 pm

Do you think the COTM is still relevant and should be continued?
I think that it's importance has been diminished somewhat by the use of favorite points by Groundspeak. But even though we are now able to give favorite points I think it still is quite the honor to win a COTM and the program should still be continued.

What would you propose to increase participation?
I always vote and have several times nominated caches for the COTM. I also have posted my choice on facebook and encouraged others to vote as well.

How often do you vote for or nominate a cache for COTM?
I am not sure how many times I've nominated, maybe half a dozen times? But I've voted most months in the last year or two.

If you have never voted or nominated a cache for COTM, why not? Not relevant. I have yet to win a COTM, hopefully one day as I see it as quite the compliment.