Thread stealers with too much on their minds

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 7:42 pm

hack1of2 wrote:

Todd300 wrote:

I didn't want to start a thread but wanted to comment on this from the Candidates Corner...

hack1of2 wrote:

I was hesitant to present this topic in the Candidates Corner Forum because it restricts who can answer to only those currently running for the BOD positions, but one has to start somewhere.

Why doesn't the WGA have a newsletter anymore, and what are your thoughts of having one once again? It's been I think almost a year since last receiving one. I would guess that most of the WGA membership does not frequent the WGA website, and therefore miss out on WGA news and opportunities. I haven't noticed anyone, including current and the prospective BOD members, address this issue in quite some time. If it wasn't for receiving the WGA newsletter early in my caching career, I don't think I would have had much awareness of the WGA and its activities and goals.

I admit that when we did have the e-mail newsletter, I did not subscribe to it so I did not notice it was stopped. Also, I admit not reading any news on the WGA main page though I did read Jim's latest post on the main page and only because of a Facebook post promoting it.

If a newsletter is considered again, keep in mind there might be others that are like me who basically ignore the newsletter too. Is the effort worth it?

Hell, I don't even read Groundspeak's newsletter except to check for upcoming events and new caches.

JMHO.

I'm guessing there's several hundred members of the WGA, but maybe only 40 or so that actually frequent the WGA website and post messages. (?) How many of those nominal members might have their minds open to new possibilities, an expanded awareness of the whole state rather than their relatively small corner of the state, an appreciation of the WGA organization, if 2 or 4 times/year (or whatever frequency) they received some communication from the WGA regarding events, tips, stories, tutorials, etc. If it is published only 2-4 times/year, it can't adequately address time-sensitive events as much because the events would potentially have happened before it was sent, but the other items I just mentioned would be a bit less time-sensitive.

I think recently a number of people have been brought into a greater WGA-awareness thanks to FaceBook (Yay Chris), but as social media only reaches a portion of the WGA membership, the newsletter, it seems to me, is the one vehicle that can reach every member. Of course, they may not read it, but just the act of receiving it will hopefully affect some measure of awareness, (cue the inspirational music...) and maybe, just maybe, they'll eventually read a newsletter and take that next step toward greater involvement. And for those who used to be active in the WGA but have refocused their attention elsewhere, who knows, all it may take is a communication from the WGA to rekindle an interest in an organization that either they lost interest in or thought that the organization lost interest in them.

Some potential topics: Events, tech tips, tutorials, outdoors tips, equipment tips and reviews, photos of unique cache containers, photos of cache experiences, member stories, quotes from member's logs, GPS news, Groundspeak news, Wisconsin geocaching news, geocaching challenges, member profile, surveys, cache of the month, LCG info, feedback from members section, president's message, relavent cartoons, editorials, milestones, soundbites (one-sentence zingers), advice column ("ask the board"), historical insights, puzzle solving tip of the month, etc. We're missing out on so great an opportunity! I wish I had time to help put one together but I'm pretty booked already.

Just my thoughts. Smile

P.S. - Should this be moved to a new thread?

Is this John or Kim?? We need to get your name on the candidate list.

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 8:01 pm

LOL this is John. I'll pass on the candidates list though - not because lack of desire but lack of available time. Cool

WGA Member Joined: 2007-02-03 Posts: 2182

Where is everyone?

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 12:06 am

Team Black-Cat wrote:

Can't find a "biting tongue" smiley anywhere...

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 12:07 am

And just because I thought this was funny!!

WGA Member Joined: 2006-12-23 Posts: 5960

HAH! True wisconsin squirrel

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:36 am

Me and the daughter are going out on some hard water today so if you don't see me back than the water wasn't as hard as we thought. Here is to hoping 2013 is a better cacheing year than 2012

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 8:14 am

Hey, mongo! Nice seeing you! You and the daughter have fun on the hard water today. Let us know how the caching went.

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 9:22 am

mongo1965 wrote:

Me and the daughter are going out on some hard water today so if you don't see me back than the water wasn't as hard as we thought. Here is to hoping 2013 is a better cacheing year than 2012

I hope you make it back safely. Partly because I am planning to be walking on water in your area this weekend. Let us know how thick the ice is.

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 9:39 am

Yay, "Lincoln"! Yay, Denzel!

WGA Webmaster Joined: Jan 2, 2011 Posts: 22

cheezehead wrote:

And just because I thought this was funny!!

Hey! That's my cousin Bubba! We call him Tiny.

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 10:00 am

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 10:02 am

The Squirrel wrote:

Hey! That's my cousin Bubba! We call him Tiny.

Bubba is what The Squirrel would look like if he didn't have this WGA gig that keeps him hopping!

(i am quoting... The Squirrel... Rolling Eyes

How lame is my life? )

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 10:03 am

Happy 2013