Details

Written by Kathy DeWitt

Published: October 09 2012

Last Updated: October 09 2012

Hits: 1059

SLAGA Board Meeting Minutes

Meeting date: September 26, 2012

Present: Tom Wolpert, Nathan Rover, Mike Henthorn, Jim Nelson, Jim Greene, Rich Sheffold, Wendee Scott-Dells, Michael Allison, Kathy DeWitt, Dave DeWitt, Sarah Chisholm, John Elfrank, Laurie Elfrank.

The treasurer’s report was read and accepted.

The board certified the election results. New board members are Wendee Scott-Dells (president), Michael Allison (vice-president), and Kathy DeWitt (secretary). The board wishes to thank outgoing board members for their service.

Old Business

· Fall Picnic: The board authorized John Elfrank to spend the remaining, previously allocated prize money on gift cards from Target, WalMart or a similar discount retailer. Milestone awards are ready for presentation.

· Washington State Park: We desperately need volunteers for this event. Wendee Scott-Dells is coordinating the event.

· Business cards: Jim Greene is waiting on a quote before deciding on quantity.

· Web site: Mike Griffin has not had time to update the obsolete Community Builder modules. The trigger for sending membership renewal notices is still manual.

New Business

· Libby Morehead is unable to cover the MoAHPERD convention in November. Since we have no other volunteers, Libby contacted the organizers to withdraw. Libby had not yet made a hotel reservation, so no money is owed.

· SLAGA will sponsor Sarah Chisholm’s 12/12/12 multi-event and SLAGA Christmas Party. There will be an event coin. SLAGA will front the money for the coin order and will keep the proceeds. No charge for the room at the venue, but there is a $10/person minimum order. In the unlikely event that there is a shortfall, SLAGA will cover it.

· The board discussed resurrecting “The Best of SLAGA” in some form. Action was tabled.

· The city of Wildwood now has an official geocaching policy. It requires adherence to Groundspeak policies and prior notification of placement. The Parks Department may ask for removal if there is a problem with the location. E-mail the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, Gary Crews, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., call him at 636-458-0440 x126, FAX to 636-458-6969, or snail-mail to 183 Plaza Drive, Wildwood, MO 63040. Thanks to Terri Nealon (TerriBikes) for pursuing this with the city.

· Justin Hirsch, SLAGA’s official contact at St. Louis County Parks, has retired. Jim Greene reported that the new official contact is Ranger Mary Cranor (Stranger Ranger).

· John Elfrank reported that the coordinator for the Nestle Purina PetCare employee health fair declined his offer to participate. Between the time they invited us and the time we responded, they filled the slot.

· Kat Wheeling of Wheelinb is hosting a CITO on October 6. SLAGA will provide paper products and condiments (left over from the picnic). The event is on the SLAGA calendar.

· Susie Nelson has material for the next newsletter. There is also a pending request from WalkThisWayWalkThisWay to post a video of his cache container creation process on the SLAGA web site.

· Wendee Scott-Dells reported that Mike Griffin would like us to find a new webmaster. The incoming board will solicit a volunteer. There was also discussion of replacing the content management system and revamping the web site in general.

· Old and new board members discussed the transition process at length. The discussion included upcoming events to which SLAGA is already committed, milestone awards recordkeeping and processing, classes in cooperation with St. Louis County Parks, and SLAGA Q&A sessions. There is also a list of immediate action items having to do with SLAGA banking, e-mail forwarders and other administrative details on the SLAGA web site, etc.

The next meeting has not been scheduled. If you want to attend, please contact one of the officers.

Details

Written by twolpert

Published: August 11 2012

Last Updated: August 11 2012

Hits: 1148

SLAGA Board Meeting Minutes

Meeting date: August 1, 2012

Present: Tom Wolpert, Nathan Rover, Jim Nelson, Jim Greene, Rich Sheffold, Nancy Gelb.

The treasurer’s report was read and accepted.

Old Business

·         Fall Picnic: Discussed arrangements with host Nancy Gelb. Nancy will get bread and meat; SLAGA will reimburse. SLAGA will take care of charcoal, paper products and condiments. SLAGA will provide attendance and premium member drawing prizes. Tom Wolpert to inventory bingo sheets and ticket rolls.

·         Cardinals Care: Finally cashed the check in memory of Laurie Elfrank’s brother. SLAGA received a thank you e-mail from Laurie.

·         Trailer registration and property taxes: John Elfrank obtained a property tax waiver for 2012. SLAGA will need to reapply again in 2013. Jim Nelson has all paperwork.

·         Washington State Park:  They have invited SLAGA to exhibit at the Fall Harvest Festival on October 13. Wendee Dells will fill out and return the paperwork and coordinate volunteers for the event.

·         Forest Park Forever Teachers Resource Fair:  Rich Sheffold reported that it went well. SLAGA received a nice thank you e-mail from one of the organizers.

New Business

·         Elections:  The acceptance period closed on July 31. Steve Bromley will prepare and e-mail ballots, probably during the weekend  of August 10.  Voting closes on September 22.  There is one contested office.

·         Web site:  Various components of Community Builder require an update.  Also, we want to change the trigger for sending membership renewal notices.  Tom Wolpert will contact Mike Griffin.

·         Business cards: Jim Greene will order somewhere between 500 and 1000, depending on price breaks.

·         September board meeting:  After offline discussion, the meeting was tentatively rescheduled for September 26 so that all outgoing and incoming board members can attend.

·         Milestone award deadline:  The deadline for awards at the fall picnic will be August 25.  Tom Wolpert to publicize.

·         Mailing address for membership payments: Tom Wolpert corrected the erroneous address on the web site.

·         Charity event on October 20: SLAGA declined to participate in an event for Therapeutic Horsemanship.  This date conflicts with Geocaching 101.

The next meeting is Wednesday, 09/26/12. If you want to attend, please contact one of the officers.

Details

Written by twolpert

Published: July 28 2012

Last Updated: July 28 2012

Hits: 1028

SLAGA Board Meeting Minutes

Meeting date: July 11, 2012

Present: Tom Wolpert, Mike Henthorn, Nathan Rover, Jim Nelson, Jim Greene, Sarah Chisholm, Rich Sheffold, Wendee Scott-Dells, Kathy and Dave DeWitt.

The treasurer’s report was read and accepted.

Old Business

·         Fall Picnic: SLAGA has reimbursed Steve Bromley for the pavilion reservation.

·         Cardinals Care: Has not cashed SLAGA’s check for the donation in memory of Laurie Elfrank’s brother. We will continue to wait, although at this point the bank may refuse the check.

·         Trailer registration and property taxes: Jim Nelson received the revised title from the state. He will pass it along to John Elfrank, who will do the personal property tax declaration for Jefferson County.

·         Geocaching.com API:  Nathan Rover discussed various ways in which the SLAGA web site might make use of the API.

·         MoAHPERD convention:  Libby Morehead will handle it.  She needs the use of the SLAGA GPS units.

·         Board secretary:  Board members confirmed the previous e-mail vote to leave the position open in order to avoid influencing election results.

·         Washington State Park:  We have not heard from the land manager.  Debra Ray, land manager at Graham Cave, reports that she has not passed our information on to them.

New Business

·         Katy Trail Land Managers:  Debra Ray at Graham Cave SP sent us a list of the land managers for the four segments of the Katy Trail, and contact info for the Katy Trail Coordinator.  Tom Wolpert will pass this on to the board and to Glenn Nash for possible inclusion on the MoGeo site.

·         St. Francois State Park:  We received an invitation from Jamie Hubert to do a geocaching activity at their annual Play Day event on September 29.  Date conflicts with the fall picnic. Jamie was already in touch with Dumluck.  Tom Wolpert gave her contact info for Arlene Jones on the off chance that JonesCrew does not plan to attend the picnic.  Have not heard back from anybody.

·         Summer picnic:  Tom Wolpert contacted Shirley Derr to see if she needs any support from SLAGA other than paper products and charcoal.  She requested water, which we interpret to mean ice and bottled water.  Board members will bring ice and water.

·         Forest Park Forever Teachers Resource Fair:  Rich and Charlotte Sheffold volunteered to cover the July 27 resource fair on behalf of SLAGA.  Tom Wolpert gave Rich the SLAGA banner, brochures and pens for use at the event.

·         Citizens for Our Library and Our Community:  Contacted Tom Wolpert seeking SLAGA support for the Proposition L property tax increase for St. Louis County Public Library.  We were contacted because we use meeting rooms at the library.  SLAGA cannot take positions on political issues.  Tom will pass the information to others who may choose to personally promote the issue.

The next meeting is Wednesday, 08/01/12. If you want to attend, please contact one of the officers.

Details

Written by twolpert

Published: July 01 2012

Last Updated: July 01 2012

Hits: 1061

SLAGA Board Meeting Minutes

Meeting date: June 6, 2012

Present: Tom Wolpert, Nathan Rover, Jim Nelson, Jim Greene, Sarah Chisholm, Rich Sheffold, John Elfrank, Laurie Elfrank.

The treasurer’s report was read and accepted.

Old Business

·         Fall Picnic: SLAGA has not yet reimbursed Steve Bromley for the pavilion reservation. Jim Nelson has receipt and will handle payment.

·         Elections: The board discussed nominations received so far.

·         Cardinals Care: Has not cashed SLAGA’s check for the donation in memory of Laurie Elfrank’s brother. We will continue to wait.

·         Graham Cave event:  The event was extremely well attended and well run.  SLAGA volunteers talked to approximately 150 people, many of whom were interested in geocaching.

·         Graham Cave event lunch costs:  Prior to the meeting, board members voted by e-mail to cover the cost of the lunch for SLAGA volunteers.

·         Trailer registration and property taxes: This has not yet been taken care of.  Jim Nelson and John Elfrank will handle.

·         Taxes and Missouri annual report: Jim Nelson reported that federal taxes forms and the Missouri equivalent are due by November 15^th.  The annual report to the Missouri Secretary of State is due by August 31. Jim will handle both.

·         Geocaching.com API:  Nathan Rover discussed various ways in which the SLAGA web site might make use of the API.

New Business

·         Washington State Park: According to Debra Ray, the superintendent at Graham Cave, SLAGA may be hearing from the land manager at Washington State Park about a similar event to be held there.

·         MoAHPERD convention:  John Elfrank reported that he and Laurie will not be able to do the presentation after all.  Nathan Rover e-mailed Fried Okra, who is unavailable that weekend. After some discussion, John called gmalibby, who graciously agreed to be “volunteered.”  Tom Wolpert to forward the information to her.

·         Kids’ swag:  We have enough on hand for one more large event.

·         Board secretary: The board discussed the possibility of appointing a temporary replacement to fill the position since Mary Beth is moving.  Tom Wolpert to contact Mary Beth to see what her preference is.

·         September meeting: The board discussed the possibility of calling a special meeting to welcome new board members since the September date does not work because of the lateness of the picnic.

The next meeting is Wednesday, 07/11/12. If you want to attend, please contact one of the officers.

Details

Written by twolpert

Published: May 13 2012

Last Updated: May 13 2012

Hits: 1083

SLAGA Board Meeting Minutes

Meeting date: May 2, 2012

Present: Tom Wolpert, Mike Henthorn, Nathan Rover, Jim Nelson, Jim Greene, Rich Sheffold.

The treasurer’s report was read and accepted.

Old Business

·         Lifetime memberships: Lifetime memberships are now available on the web site. Tom Wolpert will publicize this in the next newsletter.

·         BEAT event:  SLAGA will sponsor a booth and family caching activity using temporary caches at the Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Support Group’s resource fair on Saturday, May 19, in Tower Grove Park. Tom Wolpert has cache containers and GPSrs for this event. No further information is available from the organizers. Tom Wolpert will follow up.

·         Summer Picnic: Event page has been published.  GC3EYM8. Thanks to Cribbage Witch for hosting.

·         Fall Picnic: September 29 at the pavilion in Bolm Schuhkraft Memorial Park in Columbia, Illinois. Thanks to Steve Bromley for reserving the pavilion. To be hosted by walkingstic-stl, who have committed to the date and location.

·         Elections: The board discussed the nominations received at the Spring Picnic vs. the survey on the SLAGA web site. There are clearly people who indicated interest via the survey who have not been nominated. Board members will make some additional nominations. Tom Wolpert will publicize the nomination e-mail address (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) in the next newsletter.

New Business

·         Geocaching 101 class: The next class is scheduled for Saturday, May 5. We have 9 pre-registered attendees. Tom Wolpert will ask for more volunteers on the freelist and the Facebook group.

·         May Q&A: Monday, May 14, at Craftsmen Industries in St. Charles.  Mike Henthorn confirmed the date. There is no planned program. This is the last one prior to the summer hiatus.

·         Membership payments from Spring Picnic: Jim Nelson reports that everything is updated on the web site.

·         Donation to Cardinals Care: SLAGA is making a small donation in memory of Laurie Elfrank’s brother. Jim Nelson reports that he mailed a paper check to the charity.

·         Graham Cave Event on June 2: Missouri DNR has offered to comp our volunteers two camp sites. Tom Wolpert will e-mail some SLAGA members who both volunteer and camp to see if there is any interest. DNR requires a response by May 17.

·         Personal property taxes on trailer: When SLAGA renewed the plates for the trailer, we found that the necessary declaration had not been filed. Jim Nelson thought he had it sorted out with Jefferson County, but we did not receive the declaration form. Jim Nelson and John Elfrank will sort this out.

·         Federal tax return and Missouri corporate filing: The board discussed the due dates for these items.

·         Geocaching.com API: Nathan Rover suggested that the SLAGA web site might benefit from use  of the geocaching.com API. He volunteered to contact Groundspeak to see what is involved.

The next meeting is Wednesday, 06/06/12. If you want to attend, please contact one of the officers.