Election 2011

[ArkGeo_Board]

Election 2011 !!!

The Board would like to present the candidates for Election 2011.
Voting will open May 1 and continue through May 30.

We will have 3 positions open, therefore,
each voting member will have a total of 3 votes.


Candidates for the 3 open Board positions are:

Chris Denton -- CPDenton
Chris Knox -- CaptainCooder
Linda Treadway -- Angel06
Kent Uhrich -- knkinCabot
Ron White -- RonWhite


Each candidate was asked to fill out a questionnaire about their views.
Please read their answers carefully and get to know your potential new board members in order to make informed decisions.

Chris Denton

1. How long have you geocached?

---- Me and my family stared geocaching in April 2008.

2. How long have you been a member of ArkGeo?

---- We have been Members of Arkgeo since around July of 2008.

3. What committees have you served on for ArkGeo? What else have you done to promote ArkGeo?

---- We have not served on any committees so far, but tell all our friends we have met through caching about Arkgeo.

4. Where do you live?

---- We live in Conway

5. What have you done to promote geocaching in Arkansas?

---- We have hosted an event here in town as well, and also (along with others here) have made contacts within the Conway Fire Department to try and find a working solution to the issues here in Conway.

6. What is your vision for ArkGeo?

---- It would be great to see Arkgeo as kind of the Parent group to all the other regional groups that have developed within the state. These other groups are Really great for the game, and it would be great to tie them all together for the greater good of the sport.

7. Name something you hope to help accomplish as a Board member.

---- It would be Great to increase the voting members that are active. The Core group of people are great friends, and including all the new members in the activities would only make the Association better.

8. Why do you want to serve on the Board?

---- I love the people in this group, and would love serve in any way I can. So many people have served before me, and I would hope to carry on the good work started by them!


Thanks!

Chris Denton


Kent Uhrich

Wow, I am a candidate for an ArkGeo Board position, what an honor.
1. Started in April of 2009 (4 caches between then and Aug 2009), but really Aug of 2009 is when we kicked it in!
2. Since June 2009.
3. Neither Kim nor I have served on a committee for ArkGeo. We promote ArkGeo with all cachers and those we have helped get started. We support ArkGeo by attending the events also.
4. Cabot
5. Most recently we interviewed with a reporter for the Spotlight magazine where an article ran on Geocaching! We promote Geocaching by helping others learn what the sport is and how to get started. We have helped numerous people get started and some to get back involved with the sport. We supported the State Parks in continuing to keep their geocaches. We have been an advocate to the Arkansas Wildlife Mgt in trying to get WLM area open to Geocaching. We have sent emails to parks around the area to continue supporting geocaching by allowing caches in their parks. Plus we continue to hide and find caches!
6. I would like to see more member involvement in the association. I would like to see more ArkGeo hands on meet and greets where new comers can learn to use tools like GSAK, build homemade caches, how to create geocaching cache pages using HTML, learn how to hide a cache and learn caching protocol. ArkGeo should be the first place a new cacher should look for help and information and it should be the first place every cacher in Arkansas should turn to for all their caching needs, questions and of course, fun!
7. Pick one from my answer of question 6. Really, I would like to see ArkGeo use the knowledge base it has in its members to help new cachers learn what it means to be a geocacher in Arkansas and help them use the tools at hand. If a cacher walks away knowing we (ArkGeo) helped them accomplish something, they will tell everyone how we helped, thus, we will grow and have more knowledge to grow on.
8. It is an honor to serve however, just to serve isn't enough. I believe new ideas and fresh minds help keep the association moving forwards, I hope to bring new ideas to the group so our association can become the go to for Arkansas geocachers.


Ron White:

Real name: Ron White

Caching name: ronwhite

Date you started geocaching: January 2007

Date you joined Ark Geo: May 2008

What committees have you served on for ArkGeo? What else have you done to promote ArkGeo? I currently serve on the Events Committee. In January 2009, I spoke to the El Dorado, Arkansas Civitan Club, by the invitation of Mr. Jimmy Goad, about the sport of geocaching and also about the Arkansas Geocachers Association and their efforts to support the environment through the Cache In Trash Out program.

What have you done to promote geocaching in Arkansas? Besides what I've listed above, In March 2009, Apache Scout and myself made a presentation on Geocaching to a group of educational couselors and teachers during a breakout session at what is now called the Arkansas Career Development Guidance Conference in Eureka, Springs, Arkansas. After the day's sessions, we provided a group of teachers/counselors with GPSrs and took them to several cache hides in the Eureka Springs area

Vision for ArkGeo:
To create an atmosphere of coordination and facilitation with all entities, whether private, non-profit, or government related, in the planning and discussion to expand the sport and opportunities of Geocaching in the State of Arkansas.

One thing he would like to accomplish as a Board Member:
Increase the reach and membership of the Arkansas Geocachers Association by helping organize local/regional geocaching chapters/associations across Arkansas where none currently exists.

Why do you want to serve on the Board? :
To help grow the sport of geocaching and insure that the Arkansas Geocachers Association is the officially recognized State association for Arkansas geocachers.


Linda Tredway
1. January 2007
2. Spring 2007
3. I have served on the Communication committee and the Fundraising committee
4. Heber Springs
5. I have hidden over 130 geocaches; participate in as many challenges as I can; attend as many events as I can; have held an event in Heber Springs, have helped our local school with an event, have had a booth at the county fair for three years explaining geocaching, have had a class for the Extension Homemakers clubs; had an article published in the local newspaper last year; an article published in a local magazine this year; and tell as many people as I can about geocaching (have had a few start the sport).
6.There needs to be more involvement of our fellow cachers. The "good ole boys" can't keep this organization together FOREVER! New blood, new ideas, new faces, etc. need to get involved. I also think more educational and family fun activities need to continue and be more in quantity. There needs to be more activities so that new members and wanna-be's can learn the correct protocol (if that's the correct word) to cache in our great state.
7. This has pretty much been answered in #6, but I think the main accomplishment would be for education a new cacher with the proper information (how to hide, how to log, what not to do, and such).
8. I would consider it an honor to serve. I would do as much as I can, when I can, and where I can. We ALL need to get involved one way or another.
Thanks for considering me.
Linda Tredway

[SJClimber]

Everyone should know that Flannelman, as head of the Election Committee, has worked so hard to get this slate of candidates. Many individuals were suggested for the positions, but so many declined making Will’s job very time consuming. We appreciate his time spent and hard work. Thanks Will.

[topkitty98]

ALL MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE:

We now another candidate's responses to the survey questions. Thanks ya'll!!!

[Ashallond]

I assume with the voting over at the end of may, and with the ArkGeo meeting soon thereafter, that the results of the elections were announced at the meeting. (If they weren't, then when will they)

For those of us that were unable to go to the meeting, what were the results of the election, and who will hold what office?

Thanks!

[OldRiverRunner]

I assume with the voting over at the end of may, and with the ArkGeo meeting soon thereafter, that the results of the elections were announced at the meeting. (If they weren't, then when will they)

For those of us that were unable to go to the meeting, what were the results of the election, and who will hold what office?

Thanks!

Good point. Also, the vote totals for each candidate need to be posted, as has been done for past elections. Thanks!

[TnT]

I wonder if there was a reason the results weren't posted here during, or at least right after the annual meeting. Surely there were enough board members to certify the election and notify the winners?

[Cpdenton]

The winners have been notified, at the annual meeting. If they will allow me, I would be happy to post the three new board members. I don't however, have the vote totals for the election. I am sure life has been busy for all involved.

[topkitty98]

I don't have vote totals as of the very end ~ that will need to come from web master Kevin.

The three who had the most votes were:

Ron White aka ronwhite (haha that cracks me up every time I type it!)
Chris Denton aka cpdenton
Kent Uhrich aka KnKinCabot

[Cpdenton]

Thanks for announcing that! I am looking forward to serving!

[kcackler]

Beth - I just realized the error in this setup. I will change it so that the appropriate officials can always see the final tallies.

The final results were:




54 Votes Cast


CandidateVotesPercent

Chris Denton (Cpdenton)
40
74%


Ron White (ronwhite)
40
74%


Kent Uhrich (knkincabot)
34
63%


Chris Knox (captaincooder)
20
37%


Linda Tredway (Angel06)
20
37%

[TnT]

54 total votes out of how many voting members? It says a lot when only 54 people could be bothered to vote.

[kcackler]

Technically speaking, there are 204 registered voters in the organization. However, *ROUGHLY* 100 of them have not logged in in over a year, technically making them inactive members.

[DaTexanBoy]

So still on roughly 50% cared to vote. That is crazy.

[kcackler]

No doubt that it's a low number. I would love to see that % increase next year.

[likestocanoe]

A special thanks from the likestocanoe gang to each of the new Board members!

[DaTexanBoy]

Yeah, I'd have to concur with that. I wonder if putting a banner a couple months out on the site would help increase awareness that elections are coming up. Then a bigger flashier banner during the month of voting. Just an idea.

[kcackler]

If people aren't visiting the website anyway, a big flashy banner isn't going to help much.

I have placed a banner at the top of each page if you are logged in to the website but NOT a voting member yet. That will hopefully get us a few conversions this year.

[DaTexanBoy]

True. It seems like the site is a little more active since the meeting though. Sweet.

[OldRiverRunner]

I'm pretty sure I received an email this year announcing the start of the election period. Or did I dream that???

I know that I have received emails in the past years announcing the elections.

[kcackler]

An email was sent to all registered voters announcing the election. If you didn't receive it, it's probably because it went to your spam folder.

[Ashallond]

Thanks for the response about the election. I do agree, it has gotten a lot more active on here since the meeting, and I plan to attend next year's event (no one schedule a wedding on that weekend please). I got the email about the start of the election, just hadn't heard who had won.

[OldRiverRunner]

OK 2nd idea: Host an event in LR at the beginning of the year & call it the "ArkGeo Board - Elections Campaign Kickoff".

Good idea. But my main concern with it is the location. This is supposed to be the ARKANSAS Geocaching Association, not the CENTRAL ARKANSAS Geocaching Association. So far, all of the annual events have been in central Arkansas, and the Board membership consists mostly of central Arkansas geocachers. I think ArkGeo really needs to make an attempt to reach out to other parts of the state and make its events more accessible to those cachers not living in the central part of the state.

[OldRiverRunner]

I hope that my previous post is not taken in a way I did not mean. In reading though it again, I can see how it might be misunderstood. The point I am trying to make is that we need to get more people active in ArkGeo. The way you get more people active is to get them interested in and engaged with ArkGeo. The way you get them engaged is to provide events and other activities in their area that shows them what ArkGeo is all about and how it can benefit them.

I am encouraged that more folks from the Fort Smith - Van Buren area are getting involved. But there are many, many geocachers in Northwest Arkansas and less than a handful post anything in the Forums or attend the events. And the Texarkana area is starting to pickup. I was happy to see some geocachers from there attend the annual event a couple of weeks ago. But we need to tap into that area and help the game grow and also help them become active members of ArkGeo. Northeast Arkansas has had membership on the Board, but I don't see other participation with the organization from that area, as evidenced by the problem I am having with getting volunteers for the ParkCaches in that area. And there is a growing number of geocachers in that area.

The number of members voting this year is the lowest we have seen since the elections started being held in 2007. (80 voted in 2010; 62 in 2009; 73 in 2008, and approximately 58 in 2007) The Board definitely needs to discuss this matter in their July meeting. I also encourage any members who have ideas on how to improve membership participation to either post something in the Forums or email one of the Board members. I am sure they would appreciate your input.

[Ashallond]

I do know that the ArkGeo meeting is planned to be held at Lake Fort Smith next summer, so that will help.

[rklmbl]

To all the Arkansas cachers who have planned and executed events this year and in the past:

We say THANK YOU. Even a meet and greet gives cachers an opportunity for fellowship and a learning experience. However, when food preparation, planned activities, securing door prizes, finding a suitable location are involved, these events become work intensive and expensive. We have always attempted to support events across the State and have always wished that all board members of ArkGeo had this same attitude.

FYI, some times, for planning purposes, meetings cannot be held on a Saturday. For example, the Texarkana event was held on Friday as a kickoff to the CITO event that was held on Saturday. Plus, we were trying to get some press for that area for ArkGeo.

Some of us over the years have learned timing of regular events across the state and take that into consideration when planning ArkGeo and other events.

As has been pointed out, it would be great to get board members from other areas of the state. Potential board members from other areas of the state have been nominated but have chosen not to serve. The meetings have always been held at UCA in Conway and it takes time and expense to travel that far. A better suggestion would be to have floating board meetings in every area of the state. Maybe that would get more people willing to serve on the board.

[rklmbl]

FYI, we found a bookmark of all Arkansas events that Paris1Time has created. There are 211 Arkansas events on his bookmark, which dates back to 2004 when the first Arkansas events were held. Here is the breakdown by year:

2011 - 41 (to date)
2010 - 58
2009 - 49
2008 - 33
2007 - 15
2006 - 6
2005 - 5
2004 - 4

As you can readily see, Arkansas cachers and that includes ArkGeo, are scheduling more and more events, which makes it even more difficult to schedule an event that does not conflict with someone else's event.

[drmo913]

Good idea. But my main concern with it is the location. This is supposed to be the ARKANSAS Geocaching Association, not the CENTRAL ARKANSAS Geocaching Association. So far, all of the annual events have been in central Arkansas, and the Board membership consists mostly of central Arkansas geocachers. I think ArkGeo really needs to make an attempt to reach out to other parts of the state and make its events more accessible to those cachers not living in the central part of the state.



I would have "liked" this comment if that was an option. :)

[apache_scout]

First let me say, we are very satisfied with the governing of ArkGeo. The board, officers, and committee members do a great and sometimes unappreciated job to make our hobby more interesting and fun. That said with the discussion about representation from all parts of the state, is there a reason the board members could not be elected by zone?

[drmo913]

While I think by zone is a great idea, we probably need more voter turnout to make this a feasible option. 50ish people voting would hinder this, I think. Another thought to this: From what I understand from the forums, ArkGeo had a hard time even getting people to run this year. I think we would need more people willing to be elected to be elected by zone. On the bright side, we have a lot more people on the boards then we've had in a couple of years in the last month or so, especially, after the ArkGeo meeting.

[Flyfishingcachers]

I appreciate the board members, officer,s and committee members we have and have had in the past and want to say THANK YOU. There is a lot of work in hosting any kind of event! You don't realize how much work is involved until you are part of hosting one. I imagine it would be even harder to put on an event in a town where you don't reside. Perhaps some of the ArkGeo members could volunteer to do all the leg work for events and then ask ArkGeo to be involved instead of wanting them to do all the work. They all have just as little time as the rest of us. Just saying, they deserve a little bit of appreciation for what they have done!!!

[BSA534]

We had a hard time trying to find a good weekend for our ArkGeo central Arkansas M&G because there were so many events scheduled and we really didn't want to conflict with anyone else's event. We did it in December since there weren't many (any) other events that time of the year and we had a very nice turnout. We split the state into 5 regions and different board members agree to set up events in each of the regions.

[arkfiremedic]

I do know that the ArkGeo meeting is planned to be held at Lake Fort Smith next summer, so that will help.I know the location, but never heard a date. Within a month I have to submit my requests for vacation for all of 2012 and would sure appreciate any information on possible date(s) mentioned. Thanks! AFM

[idratherbehiking]

I know the location, but never heard a date. Within a month I have to submit my requests for vacation for all of 2012 and would sure appreciate any information on possible date(s) mentioned. Thanks! AFM

Next year's event at Lake Ft Smith State Park will be Saturday June 2nd. It is always held the first weekend of June. Right after the elections are over.

[arkfiremedic]

Next year's event at Lake Ft Smith State Park will be Saturday June 2nd. It is always held the first weekend of June. Right after the elections are over.I thought so, but wasn't sure. Thanks!