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View Poll Results: Should we have a Geocaching Maine Organization? (rules in first post for responding)

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  • Yes

    21 34.43%
  • No

    30 49.18%
  • I don't care

    10 16.39%
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Thread: Should we form a Geocaching Maine Organization?

  1. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by brdad
    Would it be any different if we appoint one or two people in our group to represent us as cachers for a particular land trust? And another one or two in another area that may need to be represented? Can't issues be discussed here as easily as they could at meetings, so that anyone interested can voice their thoughts and ideas? Does our word mean any more if we are an organization than if we are member of geocachingmaine.org speaking as a group?
    The short answer is yes, in my opinion. An association or organization is structured and organization and structure is important in defining commitment. For example, if you were looking for answers to lets say the benefits of CPR in post cardiacarrest victims, would you seek your answers from a forum of loosely group parties that have little to no vested interest or would you goto the AHA (American Heart Association) that has proven its commitment.
    These forum offer great information but lack a unified voice. We all have an idea of what geocaching should be but how do we pursue one agenda when several will be presented. We don't speak with one voice and as a result their has already been some folks that have splintered off and formed there own organization. When new cachers come along and see forums versus organization, especially one with the name MGA, I believe they will first look to the MGA for answers. This will further weaken these forums in the long run.

    You asked me a question now let me pose one. How would organizing these forums hurt them or change them? Would it be so detrimental to have many voices internally but speak out publicly with one voice?

    We can debate this back and forth all day long. I don't disagree with the folks here but what I'm afraid of is that when it comes time for policy that effect geocaching in the state of Maine, this group of folk will not have a voice. It will be hard to go to a policy/lawmaker and say, "we at the forums decided....", whereas the MGA will be able to say, "We have x number of vested members who have decided this is the course of action......" I understand that anything like that is a big if, but what if. I don't know which state it is but I'm under the understanding that geocaching is banned on all public property there. Who were the opposing parties to that law. Was there an organized group opposed to that legislation? I don't know the answers. On the other hand I don't see how organizing would be dangerous to these forums. We all donate and we all abide by rules set forth in the user agreement. The only thing lacking is the structure of an official organization/association.

    Cache On!!!!

  2. #22
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    Quote Originally Posted by Trezurs*-R-*Fun
    The short answer is yes, in my opinion. An association or organization is structured and organization and structure is important in defining commitment. For example, if you were looking for answers to lets say the benefits of CPR in post cardiacarrest victims, would you seek your answers from a forum of loosely group parties that have little to no vested interest or would you goto the AHA (American Heart Association) that has proven its commitment.
    These forum offer great information but lack a unified voice. We all have an idea of what geocaching should be but how do we pursue one agenda when several will be presented. We don't speak with one voice and as a result their has already been some folks that have splintered off and formed there own organization. When new cachers come along and see forums versus organization, especially one with the name MGA, I believe they will first look to the MGA for answers. This will further weaken these forums in the long run.

    You asked me a question now let me pose one. How would organizing these forums hurt them or change them? Would it be so detrimental to have many voices internally but speak out publicly with one voice?

    We can debate this back and forth all day long. I don't disagree with the folks here but what I'm afraid of is that when it comes time for policy that effect geocaching in the state of Maine, this group of folk will not have a voice. It will be hard to go to a policy/lawmaker and say, "we at the forums decided....", whereas the MGA will be able to say, "We have x number of vested members who have decided this is the course of action......" I understand that anything like that is a big if, but what if. I don't know which state it is but I'm under the understanding that geocaching is banned on all public property there. Who were the opposing parties to that law. Was there an organized group opposed to that legislation? I don't know the answers. On the other hand I don't see how organizing would be dangerous to these forums. We all donate and we all abide by rules set forth in the user agreement. The only thing lacking is the structure of an official organization/association.

    Cache On!!!!
    you are begining to slightly sway my opinion... I'll have to cache on those thoughts for a few days.
    Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.

  3. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by Trezurs*-R-*Fun
    These forum offer great information but lack a unified voice. We all have an idea of what geocaching should be but how do we pursue one agenda when several will be presented. We don't speak with one voice and as a result their has already been some folks that have splintered off and formed there own organization. When new cachers come along and see forums versus organization, especially one with the name MGA, I believe they will first look to the MGA for answers. This will further weaken these forums in the long run.

    You asked me a question now let me pose one. How would organizing these forums hurt them or change them? Would it be so detrimental to have many voices internally but speak out publicly with one voice?
    Sheesh! VERY well stated! Thanks.

    And I again emphazise, that an organization does not have to be so formal as to have actual meetings. The "meetings" can be right here. And why would be need "officers"? We could have a poll and select 2-3 people to serve as spokesmen for the group - if it were required.

    I think the idea needs to be thought out instead of a "no rules!" gut reaction.

    IMHO...

  4. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Trezurs*-R-*Fun
    For example, if you were looking for answers to lets say the benefits of CPR in post cardiacarrest victims, would you seek your answers from a forum of loosely group parties that have little to no vested interest or would you goto the AHA (American Heart Association) that has proven its commitment.
    While in this example I most likely would choose the AHA, I don't think being an organization instantly proves your commitment. Only time can prove that, whether we are an official organization or not. And we do not have to be, nor do I think we are just a loosely grouped party. We are geocaching Maine, a group of cachers deciding what's best for Maine, just like we are doing in this thread.

    Quote Originally Posted by Trezurs*-R-*Fun
    These forum offer great information but lack a unified voice. We all have an idea of what geocaching should be but how do we pursue one agenda when several will be presented. We don't speak with one voice and as a result their has already been some folks that have splintered off and formed there own organization.
    I said in my previous post we could appoint people to represent us as one. Even in our government we appoint people to represent many, and half the time they voice their own opinion rather than the that of the whole. This can happen whether we stick with that we have or we are an organization. Either way, it would have to be policed by the rest of us, and if the appointed person(s) didn't follow through, we would have to appoint someone else.

    Quote Originally Posted by Trezurs*-R-*Fun
    You asked me a question now let me pose one. How would organizing these forums hurt them or change them? Would it be so detrimental to have many voices internally but speak out publicly with one voice?
    I must admit I can't answer this one well. Mostly because I'm not sure how the politics of an organization seem to change things, but I know it often does. But it does seem like we want the end result; To have individuals speak for us as geocaching Maine. And I am not against that at all. But we can appoint those people as we are. Rick could even adda section on the site of people to contact if they have such questions for us. Perhaps you? Haffy? Someone else?

  5. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by WhereRWe?
    Sheesh! VERY well stated! Thanks.

    And I again emphazise, that an organization does not have to be so formal as to have actual meetings. The "meetings" can be right here. And why would be need "officers"? We could have a poll and select 2-3 people to serve as spokesmen for the group - if it were required.

    I think the idea needs to be thought out instead of a "no rules!" gut reaction.

    IMHO...
    Well, I guess this is where I get confused as to the where what we have stops and an organization begins....
    Again, it appears we are looking for similar end results.
    Perhaps the poll should be "Should we appoint a few persons to represent us when needed and to be added as a contact on the web site?"
    Or do we need more trhan that?

  6. #26
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    Jun 2004
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    Central, Maine
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    Quote Originally Posted by Trezurs*-R-*Fun
    On the other hand I don't see how organizing would be dangerous to these forums. We all donate and we all abide by rules set forth in the user agreement. The only thing lacking is the structure of an official organization/association.

    Cache On!!!!
    Having been a teacher for 35 years, I KNOW the importance of rules. My comments about "no rules" is of course facetious. I'm talking more about unnecessary rules. AUP's have become a necessity with the advent of the internet to protect the websites and webmasters so we accept them. You raise some good points about having an official organization/association. As has been said before though, having meetings is difficult to get a good representation attending. Doing them here allows more members to participate which also allows for a much greater input and variety of ideas. Look how this thread has evolved. Keep the discussion going. I think we are making progress.

  7. #27
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    Quote Originally Posted by brdad
    Again, it appears we are looking for similar end results.
    Perhaps the poll should be "Should we appoint a few persons to represent us when needed and to be added as a contact on the web site?"
    Or do we need more trhan that?
    Right now we have a web site where cachers go to discuss geocaching (or beer drinking, or whatever). Great site, so mistake in that. But it's basically an open forum - no more. Having a name as an organization legitimizes us an an entity.

    And I do like your suggestion...

  8. #28
    d’76 Guest

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    So what is going to change. I voted No way for this since the beggining becuase I never liked the idea, it always seemed like there would just be more guide lines. Do this, dont do that, meet here meet there, send money for this send money for that. If its not geocaching dont talk about it here, dont tell jokes, stay on topic. If we can have the meetings right here and the politics can be discussded here and the dues stay the way they are, than whats to loose. I would be interested in seeing where this is going.

  9. #29
    d’76 Guest

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    Quote Originally Posted by WhereRWe?
    Sheesh! VERY well stated! Thanks.

    And I again emphazise, that an organization does not have to be so formal as to have actual meetings. The "meetings" can be right here. And why would be need "officers"? We could have a poll and select 2-3 people to serve as spokesmen for the group - if it were required.

    I think the idea needs to be thought out instead of a "no rules!" gut reaction.

    IMHO...
    I think that this could work...

    But lets not make this to complicated. I would hate to appoint 2-3 folks to take care of some of the stuff and then end up with a whole government and that could be the end result with out meaning to have it go that far.

    So great idea to keep talking about this.

  10. #30
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
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    Default Geocaching Maine Organization

    I believe that the question, as written, was slanted in a very negative way. Just over a year ago the cachers that I'm closest associated with formed a Northern New Jersey Cachers organization. This wasn't done to place rules and guidelines on cachers, but rather to speak as a group to forestry, wildlife, and park managers. This, indeed, has worked out well. It's much better speaking as a group as opposed to "I'm Joe Geocacher and I think you should consider this".

    The group in it's first year has had many functions, charitable (almost $20,000 from coin sales and donations), social, and the primary as described above. There have been no rules for geocachers or dues adopted or even considered. Looking back I'm amazed at the things the group has managed to do, support, and change. It will take active and dedicated officers to accomplish this for any other group too, but the results have been gratifying. Think about it, and don't dismiss it as a rule forming committee as seems to be the theme of this thread.
    <a href="http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?guid=af1bf874-68f6-4173-bc83-ec22f791fbd0" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.geocaching.com/stats/img.aspx?txt=Let's+go+geocaching&uid=af1bf874-68f6-4173-bc83-ec22f791fbd0&bg=1" border="0" title="Profile for Quoddy" alt="Profile for Quoddy"></a>

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