Post by zekesuncle on Sept 15, 2008 10:51:03 GMT -5
Greetings fellow cachers! Many of you already know about the workings of the Texas Geocaching Association. For those that don’t, here is a brief history.
The Association was formed in 2004 by Will Nienke (9key), Candy Lind (Moosiegirl) and Sam Morrow, (UsMorrows). In 2006, I, Marc Moore (Zeke’s Uncle), replaced Sam as a Director and took over the duties of Secretary and Registered Agent, Will’s duties included Treasurer, fund raiser, web site manager, etc. and Candy assisted wherever needed. It has been the 3 of us, with the occasional assistance of Joni Hobbs (Mustang Joni), that have run the legal and day-to-day operations of the Association.
The jobs have become too time-consuming for just us. And frankly, we’re tired of doing it. There has been talk for some time of holding elections and other improvements; however, there were certain legal matters that had to be resolved before we could as well as finding the time to do so.
About a year ago, I decided that if you want something done, you need to do it yourself. The first thing that needed to be done was draft a set of bylaws. With the help of Will and Joni, we came up with a draft set. Later, Candy helped me finalize them and they were adopted. During that time, I also made sure that all documentation with the State of Texas was completed and up to date. This alone was not easy as the State has changed the laws 3 times within the past year and a half. Every time I would get something filed, I had to change or amend it.
So a year later, we have finally reached the point; the point where we can now announce a new Texas Geocaching Association. Beginning today, September 15, 2008, we are going to start a process lasting until December 1 whereby we will post the bylaws to the membership, hold elections of officers and control of the Association will be passed to them.
The schedule to do so is in part controlled by State Regulations and our bylaws.
September 15 – Announcement and posting of bylaws.
October 6 – Begin accepting nominations and volunteers for Officers. (CIVIL campaigning is allowed.)
October 27 – Voting begins.
November 17 – Voting ends.
December 1 – New Officers assume duties.
All announcements, postings, campaigning and voting will take place on the forums of the TXGA web site, www.txga.net/forum/ as this is the official web site of the Association. Announcements will also be made on the forums of the different regional web sites.
I know that there will be a million and one questions and I will try my best to answer all of them. I also realize that many of my answers will make some people happy and some will make others upset. However, the objective is to get the process done. The Association can go no further and might even fall into forfeiture unless it is. Once completed, you will have a group of people who can change, amend or implement any issues that may arise.
Please take the time to read the bylaws at www.zekesuncle.com/geocache/TXGABylaws.pdf and be thinking about who you would like to see as your representatives. You may post your questions and/or constructive comments at any of the forums (I’m registered on all of them and will be checking them daily) and I will answer them as soon as possible and as best I can. Please do not contact me personally.
As recent events have shown, there will be a lot of “change” in 2009. TXGA will be no different. Hopefully, we are going to see a huge improvement in OUR association, but we can only do so with your enthusiasm and participation. Personally, I’m looking forward to it! We all are! Release the hounds and let the games begin!
The Association was formed in 2004 by Will Nienke (9key), Candy Lind (Moosiegirl) and Sam Morrow, (UsMorrows). In 2006, I, Marc Moore (Zeke’s Uncle), replaced Sam as a Director and took over the duties of Secretary and Registered Agent, Will’s duties included Treasurer, fund raiser, web site manager, etc. and Candy assisted wherever needed. It has been the 3 of us, with the occasional assistance of Joni Hobbs (Mustang Joni), that have run the legal and day-to-day operations of the Association.
The jobs have become too time-consuming for just us. And frankly, we’re tired of doing it. There has been talk for some time of holding elections and other improvements; however, there were certain legal matters that had to be resolved before we could as well as finding the time to do so.
About a year ago, I decided that if you want something done, you need to do it yourself. The first thing that needed to be done was draft a set of bylaws. With the help of Will and Joni, we came up with a draft set. Later, Candy helped me finalize them and they were adopted. During that time, I also made sure that all documentation with the State of Texas was completed and up to date. This alone was not easy as the State has changed the laws 3 times within the past year and a half. Every time I would get something filed, I had to change or amend it.
So a year later, we have finally reached the point; the point where we can now announce a new Texas Geocaching Association. Beginning today, September 15, 2008, we are going to start a process lasting until December 1 whereby we will post the bylaws to the membership, hold elections of officers and control of the Association will be passed to them.
The schedule to do so is in part controlled by State Regulations and our bylaws.
September 15 – Announcement and posting of bylaws.
October 6 – Begin accepting nominations and volunteers for Officers. (CIVIL campaigning is allowed.)
October 27 – Voting begins.
November 17 – Voting ends.
December 1 – New Officers assume duties.
All announcements, postings, campaigning and voting will take place on the forums of the TXGA web site, www.txga.net/forum/ as this is the official web site of the Association. Announcements will also be made on the forums of the different regional web sites.
I know that there will be a million and one questions and I will try my best to answer all of them. I also realize that many of my answers will make some people happy and some will make others upset. However, the objective is to get the process done. The Association can go no further and might even fall into forfeiture unless it is. Once completed, you will have a group of people who can change, amend or implement any issues that may arise.
Please take the time to read the bylaws at www.zekesuncle.com/geocache/TXGABylaws.pdf and be thinking about who you would like to see as your representatives. You may post your questions and/or constructive comments at any of the forums (I’m registered on all of them and will be checking them daily) and I will answer them as soon as possible and as best I can. Please do not contact me personally.
As recent events have shown, there will be a lot of “change” in 2009. TXGA will be no different. Hopefully, we are going to see a huge improvement in OUR association, but we can only do so with your enthusiasm and participation. Personally, I’m looking forward to it! We all are! Release the hounds and let the games begin!