MnGCA

[Arcticabn]

Though I am a member of the MnGCA Board the following is an opinion from an individual member of the MnGCA and should not be considered the official position of the MnGCA Board.

After participating in this organization and on these boards for more than 2 years I have an impression that I am going to address. I decided to write this because of another thread that started out with good intents (The Use of Private Messages) and got high jacked.

I believe that many of the concerns that our membership may have are addressed in a private manner either between the two individuals or the individual and the board.

For the most part it seems that there are only selected few that believe the public airing of their issue will gain them their desired response.

For the most part this has not been the case. The membership ends up taking sides and it seems that it degenerates into a troll fest.

I'm not originally from Minnesota so but I have noticed this on more then one web site that I participate in. It does seem to be something that happens in this region more then others I've seen. I don't know maybe it's the cold, maybe it's the dark, or maybe it just the make up of the states geopolitical beliefs.

I think that it's hard to control here in particular since those that have the obligation to try and manage it are also the primary targets.

I think that a lot of people tend to forget that the MnGCA is an organization (non-profit) but a private organization. The membership has certain obligations that the have agreed to when they joined.

But the organization and the web forums are not the same thing. The web forums are a service provided to the public by the MnGCA. The MnGCA can use it to communicate not only to its membership but also allows non-members to participate in certain information.

However, the forums are also privately owned by the organization. No one is asked for dues or a fee to help run the site or pay the bills. The forums are a service that is provided by the MnGCA and as such the MnGCA has some authority over what happens here.

They have in their wisdom also recognized that there needs to be a separation between the organization and the forums. Thus a group of individuals were asked to be moderators and administrators of the forum and the web site. By appointing these individuals they have tried to separate MnGCA business with the activities of moderating the forums. Yes over time some of the moderators have been elected to the board and thus there may be an appearance of "conflict of interest.” However, since this is not a publicly traded, publicly funded there can not be a true conflict of interest. The board could decide to shut down the forums tomorrow. We could run out of donated funds and not be able to pay our bills with the service provider, or the board could just decide that there is to much hate and discontent on the forums for them to stay active.

However, that does not mean that the MnGCA has gone anywhere. It would still exist and its bylaws would still apply. It would mean that communication would become more difficult and that the board would have to make some decisions on revisions in the bylaws in order to be able to contact the membership. But it would still exist.

The internet is a wonderful thing. However, there is no way to stop some individuals from abusing it for what they perceive is their rights.

We have heard the term "Freedom of Speech" used on these forums. There is no such thing here. The MnGCA owns the forums and thus has the absolute right to control them as seen fit. Look at it from this perspective. You start a web site and a forum. People from all over start to participate on it. But the tone and direction goes in a direction you don't like. As the owner you try to nudge it back in the direction that you want. It doesn't happen. What do you do?

This is the base question that the MnGCA and the moderators have to answer every day on these forums. Do they allow the discussion to continue in this direction or that? People believe that just because they have signed up for use on a site that they have the right to dictate the direction. They don't.

Just look at what is going on over at groundspeak. You can not advertise a Non-Trackable Geocoin on the national forums any longer. Yep, unless you are going to pay groundspeak to have a trackable coin, you can not discuss it on their forums. Is it fair, not in my opinion, is it right, not in my opinion, can they do it, sure. They own the site and set the rules. Participation is a privilege not a right. You have to play by their rules or go away. It's pretty simple.

Well enough of this rant. I'll be more then happy to discuss this further offline.
_________________
Airborne All the Way!

[celticwulf]

Just to make sure that Articabn doesn't end up feeling like he's alone in his feelings on this subject, I agree with pretty much all of his statements. Just starting caching at the beginning of October, I really don't have any of the history behind some of the old arguments, but from what I've seen in my limited time here, the board and MNGCA are open for discussion, as long as it is productive. Productive discussions do get us much further towards an understanding of where the membership as well as just general cachers (cache games only) feel about the organization and what should be done.

Personally, having dealt with other volunteer organizations in the past, I am not willing to sugest "improvements" unless I'm willing to do the improvements myself. Every time I think about making a sugestion, I try to remember that all of the board is doing this as a volunteer, and that they spend time working on improving geocaching in Minnesota while I'm out finding tupperwear in the woods If I've got the time to help out, I will do what I can, but I'm also not about to yell about things that I'm not willing to put the effort into improving myself.

I just wanted to publicly show some support to this thread so that it doesn't seem like Arcticabn is in the minority in his opinion. Each time I've responded to the trolls (I'll try to stop now Team Wicket ), I feel that I've been speaking somewhat along with the majority, but in looking back it seems that some of the Trolls also feel like they are speaking for the "silent majority". I guess I want to be publicly shown in support for the non-trolling side

And yes, it was Sir_Zman's podcast that reminded me about this thread

Latre all
Celticwulf

[drat19]

I'd also like to chime in my support for Arcticabn's post and this thread.

I especially agree with the following:

[TimbreWlf]

Amen,


and...Air Assault
_________________
When Re-Inventing the Wheel ... Think Rounder

[jambro]