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Published: September 16 2011

Last Updated: September 16 2011

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SLAGA Board Meeting Minutes

Meeting date: September 7, 2011

Present: John and Laurie Elfrank, Jim Greene, Sarah Chisholm, Mike Henthorn, Yvonne Von Der Ahe, Rich Sheffold, Tom Wolpert, Jim and Susie Nelson, Mary Beth Gianoli.

The treasurer’s report was read and accepted by a vote of 4 to 1, John Elfrank dissenting. John will come around when he has all the information. Post-meeting:  John did.

John Elfrank and Sarah Chisholm presented the designs and preliminary cost estimates for the SLAGA 100 and 500 find milestone pins.  These are expensive in small quantities and cash flow issues may temporarily prevent the purchase of larger quantities. Sarah will obtain quotes for various quantities of each pin.  Further action was tabled until we see where we stand after the fall picnic.  Because the pins use the Groundspeak cache icons (with permission), we cannot sell them unless we also set up a licensing arrangement with Groundspeak.

Sarah Chisholm displayed the SLAGA 10 Year Anniversary geocoin.  As always, they came out spectacularly well.  Coins will be distributed to premium members at the Fall Picnic.  Extra coins will be for sale for $11 each, including the path tag.  Arrangements will be made for premium members who cannot attend the picnic to pick up their coins at subsequent events.

The board tentatively set the date for the October St. Charles edition of the geocaching Q&A event for Wednesday, October 12.  Post-meeting:  Because this conflicts with the final date for the October board meeting, the event will be held on Monday, October 10.  Added to the SLAGA calendar.

Mike Henthorn reported that SLAGA held three introductory geocaching classes at the St. Charles County Family Camping Expo on Saturday, September 3.  Mike used the introductory PowerPoint presentation from geocaching.com.  The classes went well, although attendance varied considerably.  The board expressed its thanks to Mikeinmo, gone2thedogs, SLBC ladies and rock susan, who gave up  part of the Labor Day weekend to represent SLAGA.

The board discussed Nathan Rover’s request to accept donations for the American Cancer Society at the fall picnic.  The consensus was that this would be acceptable as long as there was no active solicitation of individuals.  The board feels that no one should even have the illusion of feeling pressured to donate at a SLAGA event.  Nate is welcome to place a donation container on the registration table.  We will also mention it during the business meeting, but no active solicitation is to be done.

Jim Greene volunteered to serve as an additional advisor to the incoming board.  He also volunteered to continue doing the monthly cache report for St. Louis County Parks!

Jim also reported that he does not yet have a registration count for the Complete GPS class on September 17.  Post-meeting:  There are five pre-registered participants.  SLAGA has enough volunteers to minimally staff this, so we will hold the class as planned.  A call for additional volunteers was included in the SLAGA Newsletter.

Tom Wolpert reported that the geocaching presentation at the MOAHPERD convention is scheduled for 8:00 am on Saturday, November 12.  MOAHPERD requires written confirmation of our intentions.  John and Laurie Elfrank had volunteered to handle the presentation and will return the necessary form.

Tom also reported that Mike Griffin needs assistance with the Fall Fun Rally Venture Scouting event on Saturday, September 24^th since Mike will be out of town.  SLAGA will assist only if we can find enough Scouting-oriented volunteers.  Post-meeting: Mike Henthorn, Tom Wolpert and Mary Beth Gianoli will handle this, with assistance from event staff.  We will solicit additional volunteers in the SLAGA Newsletter and at the picnic.

Mike Griffin mailed in a form requesting the use of the SLAGA GPSrs on the weekend of October 21 to October 23 for a Scouting district event.  This is consistent with SLAGA policy and the GPSrs are not otherwise reserved for that weekend.  Tom Wolpert to let Mike know that he can have them. He will emphasize the fact that we need them back in time for the Geocaching 101 class on the following weekend.  Post-meeting: e-mail sent.

Tom Wolpert reported that SLAGA received an apparently unsolicited debit card for the SLAGA bank account.  Since we don’t need it and banking arrangements will change shortly, Tom will destroy the card.

Mike Henthorn noted that the SLAGA web site software is out of date.  Tom Wolpert to follow up with the webmaster, Mike Griffin.  Post-meeting: We need to meet with Mike to go over all the paid maintenance items and expiration dates.

Those who have containers for the container contest reported no progress and less enthusiasm, given the nature of the containers.  There is time remaining.

With unseemly glee (or so it seems to the secretary), John Elfrank welcomed the newly elected board members.  John will give Tom Wolpert the credentials for the two SLAGA accounts on geocaching.com via e-mail at a later date.  Yvonne Von Der Ahe will pass the SLAGA banking, federal tax, non-profit registration and state registration files to Jim Nelson at the Fall Picnic.  Tom will introduce Mary Beth Gianoli to the secretary’s duties at a later date.  He will also introduce Mary Beth, Jim and Nathan Rover to the vagaries of the SLAGA web site, probably at the October board meeting.

The incoming board members briefly discussed board meeting dates and locations which would work for everybody.  Post-meeting:  Meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of every month at 6:30 pm at the current location.  Because of scheduling conflicts, the October 2011, April 2012 and July 2012 meetings will be held on the second Wednesday.  Incoming board members and advisors have been notified.

The board took advantage of Jim Nelson’s expertise to discuss the filing of our federal tax return on form 990-EZ vs. the full form 990.  Because of the amount of cash that flows through MOGA, SLAGA will have to file a full form 990 in the future.

Tom Wolpert will make the necessary changes to the SLAGA e-mail forwarding policies sometime over the coming weekend, when the new board officially takes office.  Post-meeting:  Done. Also changed the signatures on all the membership thank you and renewal notices.

John Elfrank reported that the pens with the SLAGA URL have been delivered. He distributed samples to the board.

The incoming board members tentatively decided not to move the mailbox in order to avoid having to change the address for various federal and state government purposes.

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Written by twolpert

Published: August 08 2011

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SLAGA Board Meeting Minutes

Meeting date: August 3, 2011

Present: John and Laurie Elfrank, Jim Greene, Mike Henthorn, Yvonne Von Der Ahe, Rich Sheffold, Tom Wolpert, John Young.

The treasurer’s report was read and accepted.

Yvonne Von Der Ahe reported that the annual corporate report was filed with the Missouri Secretary of State.

The SLAGA 10-year geocoin will be distributed at the fall picnic to all premium members as of July 1, 2011. Individual members will receive one coin. Family members will receive two coins per family.  Surplus coins, if any, may be available for sale at a later date.

Laurie Elfrank reported that she has purchased the 10,000 milestone chair for Roelsch.

John Elfrank reported that the cache page for the fall picnic has been published.  L Frank and Denmother are putting in a new “power trail” on the five-mile paved bike path at Cliff Cave County Park in honor of the occasion.

John and Elfrank and Yvonne Von Der Ahe discussed registration problems related to a couple of specific members.  Yvonne will resolve these.

John Elfrank reported that the company from whom SLAGA purchases 100 and 500 milestone pins is no longer in business.  John has asked Sarah Chisholm to design pins for SLAGA.  The board briefly discussed Sarah’s preliminary designs.  John and Sarah will finalize them.  John, Laurie and Mike Henthorn will review pending milestone awards to make sure we have enough of the existing design for the fall picnic.  If not, some of the awards may have to wait until the potluck.

The board decided to continue the Q&A sessions which replace the prior “premium member classes.”  The first three sessions will take place in September, October and November.  Since the last session was in St. Charles, the September and November sessions will be in South County.  Tom Wolpert will book library meeting rooms at Cliff Cave Branch.  SLAGA will publish event pages when we have dates.  Post-meeting:  meeting room #2 booked for 6:00 to 9:00 pm on Wednesday, September 21 and Wednesday, November 16.  Reservations confirmed by the library.  Fees paid.

Tom Wolpert is to contact Mike Griffin to see if he wants assistance with the Fall Fun Rally on September 24.  This is a Scouting (Venture and Explorer) event to be held at Beaumont Reservation.  Laurie Elfrank will include a call for volunteers in the next newsletter just in case.  Post-meeting:  Mike thinks he will probably need assistance, but nothing is definite yet.

John Elfrank reported that the ballots for the upcoming election will be e-mailed shortly.  Steve Bromley is waiting for responses from two nominees.  Post-meeting: ballots e-mailed Saturday, August 6.

The board authorized John Elfrank to purchase 1,000 pens with the  SLAGA URL on them.  These are to be used as give-away items at public events.

Tom Wolpert reported that he responded to the request from Woodson Terrace for assistance with a geocaching activity.  The parks and recreation official has not responded with additional information (such as a date).  Tom will follow up.  Post-meeting: received a response to the follow-up e-mail. No action required at this time.

The board discussed the St. Charles Family Camping Expo.  Bill Brandel, the head ranger for St. Charles County Parks, has a rather complex plan involving 3 Geocaching 101 classes at various times during the day.  The board concluded that we probably don’t have enough volunteers to support that.  Mike Henthorn will try to convince Bill Brandel to use the “walk-up” format that we normally use at public events.  Laurie Elfrank will include a call for volunteers in the next newsletter.

Jim Greene reported that Sarah Chisholm is aware of the request for information regarding the path tag registration code which we received via the web site.  Sarah will handle it if she has not already done so.

John Elfrank distributed the containers for the cache contest.  Tom Wolpert will forward additional copies of the e-mails containing the rules to all officers.  Post-meeting:  done.

John Young reported that the Kids on Campus class at Meramec Community College is going well.  John, Guinivere and Candycane are helping out.

Jim Greene reported that the meeting with the Forest Park Forever organization went well. This is basically an informal forty-five minute chat with interested teachers.

After discussion, the board decided not to pursue the acquisition of the slaga.com domain name.  It appears that it is not actually available.  It is held by a private party.

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Published: July 19 2011

Last Updated: July 19 2011

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SLAGA Board Meeting Minutes

Meeting date: July 6, 2011

Present: John and Laurie Elfrank, Jim Greene, Sarah Chisholm, Mike Henthorn, Yvonne Von Der Ahe, Tom Wolpert.

The treasurer’s report was read and accepted.  Yvonne Von Der Ahe reported that we have received the proceeds from the pathtag “give backs.”

John Elfrank gave Yvonne Von Der Ahe the proceeds from pathtag sales at the spring picnic.

Yvonne Von Der Ahe reimbursed John Elfrank and Laurie Elfrank for spring picnic expenses. She also reimbursed Mike Henthorn for the replacement tongue jack for the SLAGA trailer.

The board discussed the fact that CoinsAndPins.com now offers a coin set for 10,000 finds.  The board decided to stick with the chairs.

John Elfrank reported on costs to have Kenricks cater the fall picnic (meats only).  Costs fall within our customary $5 per person charge.  John and Laurie will pick up the food in order to avoid a delivery charge.

Sarah Chisholm displayed the blueprint for the SLAGA ten year geocoin. Sarah and John Elfrank will finalize fill colors for the center of the coin.  Sarah will try to get them delivered in time for the fall picnic.

Jim Greene will represent SLAGA at the Forest Park Forever Resource Fair for Educators.  Jim will confirm with Forest Park Forever organizers.

We still do not have volunteers to cover the Kids on Campus class at Meramec Community College.  Nancy Gelb is handling this.  Laurie Elfrank will include another call for volunteers in the next newsletter.

Arlene Jones (Jones Crew) will provide an introduction to geocaching for the Alf Campers (RV camping group) at St. Joe State Park on the weekend of August 20.

Geocachehides.com is sponsoring a cache container decorating contest.  The board decided to participate.  Tom Wolpert will follow up with Tammy at geocachehides.com.  Post-meeting:  E-mail sent.  SLAGA will receive materials for the contest sometime after July 15.

The board again discussed the formation of a team at promotive.com.  The consensus was that there would be no benefit to the general SLAGA membership.  SLAGA will not form a team.

SLAGA received an inquiry as to whether or not we provide geocaching team building activities for corporations.  Mike Griffin responded to the e-mail and will handle any necessary follow-up.

Jack Anderson (Pandyandy) donated this GPS game to SLAGA.  Game parts and directions for play are now in the SLAGA trailer for use at SLAGA events.  Thanks, Jack!

John Elfrank will meet with Steve Bromley over the coming weekend to discuss logistics for the upcoming board elections.

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Published: June 11 2011

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SLAGA Board Meeting Minutes

Meeting date: June 1, 2011

Present: John and Laurie Elfrank, Jim Greene, Sarah Chisholm, Mike Henthorn, Rich Sheffold, Tom Wolpert, Tina Boyle.

The board accepted the written treasurer’s report.  As planned, SLAGA pretty much broke even on the Spring Picnic.

Tina Boyle discussed her plans for the summer picnic.  It will be held on Sunday, July 24 at Quail Ridge Park (St. Charles County), shelter #6.  She plans several new permanent caches, as well as a new bingo game.  Mike Henthorn e-mailed Tina a copy of the new St. Charles County SUP.

The board discussed the June 4 event at World Bird Sanctuary.  We have enough volunteers for this one.

Rich Sheffold reported that we still do not have enough volunteers for the Kids on Campus program at Meramec Community College during the first week of August.  Due to the difficulty of recruiting volunteers for weekday activities, the board voted to inform the community college that we would be unable to assist with this in 2012.

We also need to solicit volunteers for the Family Camping Expo to be held at Klondike Park on Labor Day Weekend.  SLAGA will hold our usual family introduction to geocaching on Saturday, September 3.  Tina Boyle volunteered to attend.

Laurie Elfrank will include a call for volunteers for Kids on Campus and the Family Camping Expo in the next newsletter.

The next newsletter will also include a final call for SLAGA officer nominations.  Nominations close June 30.  Nominations are to be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sarah Chisholm displayed her design for the SLAGA 10-year anniversary geocoin.  Sarah did her customary spectacular job!  Sarah and John Elfrank will coordinate a few minor changes.

Sarah Chisholm reported that “the check is in the mail” for SLAGA’s share of pathtag give-back revenue.

Mike Henthorn will order the tongue jack for the SLAGA trailer.

Sarah Chisholm discussed her plans to host an 11/11/11 event and her request that SLAGA defray the minimal cost associated with the venue.  The board approved the expenditure.

Tom Wolpert reported that there has been no response from Mark and Shirley Derr to our second plea that they consider coordinating a Geocaching 101 class requested by the City of Florissant.  In view if the long delay in responding to the city, the board directed Tom Wolpert to let the city know that we were unable to find volunteers to staff the class.  Post-meeting:  e-mail sent.  The city replied that they are willing to pay someone to do this.  Not much we can do if we don’t have volunteers.

The board discussed the proposal from GONIL to co-sponsor the minting of geocoins to be used as prizes in a cache of the month competition.  The consensus was that any such competition would be unsuccessful because SLAGA does not have a sufficiently active online community.  Tom Wolpert to send our regrets to GONIL.  Post-meeting: e-mail sent; reply received from the president of GONIL.

The board discussed jundtie797’s suggestion that SLAGA sponsor a “team” on promotive.com so that SLAGA members could benefit from product discounts promoted on the site.  Tom Wolpert reported that the site’s rules appear to restrict team membership to those who are in a position to influence purchases by others.  For SLAGA, this would limit the benefit to officers and others who frequently volunteer for public events.  The board tabled any decision since most board members had not had the opportunity to review the site.

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Published: May 12 2011

Last Updated: May 12 2011

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SLAGA Board Meeting Minutes

Meeting date: May 4, 2011

Present: John and Laurie Elfrank, Jim Greene, Sarah Chisholm, Rich Sheffold, Yvonne Von Der Ahe, Tom Wolpert

Yvonne Von Der Ahe presented the treasurer’s report, which was accepted.

Yvonne Von Der Ahe reported that she has not finished reconciling the pending membership payments on the web site.  She will continue to work on it.

Laurie Elfrank reported that the Earth Day event at Mark Twain Lake came out well. The board expressed its appreciation to Pondigger and FirstLady for handling the event.

With regard to the Geocaching 101 attendance sheets, Jim Greene reported that he has the proper mailing address for County Parks and will mail the sheets on May 5.

John and Laurie Elfrank reported that the online inventory of consumable items has been updated.

Since Mike Henthorn was not present, there is no further information on the status of the new tongue jack for the SLAGA trailer.

The board confirmed that John Elfrank, Jim Greene and Yvonne Von Der Ahe will not run for office in the fall election.  This will be further publicized at the Spring Picnic.

The Spring Picnic is under control.  John and Laurie Elfrank will handle meat and condiments. Jim Greene will handle silent auction sheets and bingo cards.  Yvonne Von Der Ahe will make sure there is a supply of one-dollar bills for change. Post-meeting: SLAGA broke even on the picnic. A good time was had by all.

John Elfrank reported record attendance at the loggable Q&A event on April 20. As a result, we will hold the St. Charles edition on Monday, May 16.  Event page has been published http://coord.info/GC2V3PD.  Post-meeting: calendar updated.

SLAGA is committed to the following events.  Except as noted, Laurie Elfrank will call for volunteers in the next newsletter. Tom Wolpert to update the SLAGA calendar as needed. Post-meeting: volunteers solicited in newsletter and calendar updated.

·         Saturday, May 14, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Get Out and Play! event at Washington State Park.

·         Saturday, June 4, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. National Trails Day event at the World Bird Sanctuary.

·         August 1-5, mornings. Kids on Campus geocaching class at Meramec Community College. Instructors needed for children K-8.

·         Saturday, September 3, times TBD. St. Charles County Family Camping Expo at Klondike Park.

·         November 11-13, MOAHPERD convention at Lake of the Ozarks. SLAGA will do a one-hour indoor presentation on geocaching. One volunteer needed. Actual date not yet determined.

Rich Sheffold reported that he has reserved the Grant Shelter in Jefferson Barracks County Park for the Winter Potluck and Cabin Fever on Saturday, January 28, 2012. There will be no cost to SLAGA.

Tom Wolpert to follow up with Hobbit Taz and Cribbage Witch regarding the Geocaching 101 class for the City of Florrisant.  Post-meeting: e-mail sent.

Tom Wolpert and Rich Sheffold to get the revised “family” geocaching brochure uploaded to the public part of the SLAGA web site.

Tom Wolpert to revise Geocaching 101 PowerPoint deck for new geocaching.com home page design.

Tom Wolpert to finish up geocaching adult training curriculum for Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri.