2022 Fall Picnic
2022 SLAGA Christmas Party
Bellefontaine CITO November 2022
Cachemas 2022 Bonus Day
SLAGA at GeoWoodstock 2023
2024 SLAGA Spring Picnic
2025 New Year's Day Hike, Fort Bellefontaine
Cachetur 101 Class - March 2025
2025 Winter Potluck
2025 Spring Picnic
2025 Spring Picnic
2025 GigaStock in Morgantown WV
2025 GeoWoodstock, Morgantown, WV
SLAGA at Ted Drewes 2025
2025 Christmas Event
2026 NYD Hike
Crazy Beards!
2026 Winter Potluck
- Details
- Hits: 923
Note taker: Laurie Elfrank
Officers in Attendance: John Elfrank, Jeff Weymouth, Jim Greene, Laurie Elfrank
Guest Presenter(s): Rich Sheffold, Advisor; Sarah Chisholm; Dee and Stephen Shear (Elkie and Schoolmaster)
Treasurer's Report: Balance on Hand, Incoming Funds, Outgoing Funds, Gift Cards on Hand. Jim suggested that premium membership dues should be mentioned again in the next email blast to all members. Jim has sent in required paperwork for the GPS 101 and Geocaching 101 classes at Queeny Park.
AGENDA ITEM: OLD BUSINESS - SLAGA Geocoins
Presenter: Sarah Chisholm
Discussion: Sarah brought final coin samples for review. Coins will be shipped once SLAGA has paid Hogwild's invoice. Sarah expected to receive the invoice later tonight.
Conclusions: Officers were satisfied with the quality of the samples, and the invoice should be paid after all charges are clarified. The sale price of the coins was set at $10.00 each.
Action Item: Clarify charges and pay invoice for 100 SLAGA geocoins.
Person Responsible: Sarah Chisholm, Deadline: As soon as Sarah receives invoice.
AGENDA ITEM: OLD BUSINESS - Winter Potluck
Presenter: Richard Sheffold
Discussion: There will be no cover charge. Rich needs someone to volunteer to hand out name tags, someone to run the silent auction and someone to set up a table to sell SLAGA geocoins and t-shirts. Donations for the $3 Table, and silent-auction items are needed. Rich is planning to have several games, with prizes for the winners. Paul is planning to display posters with photos from past events.
Conclusions: Sarah and Jim will set up a table for selling SLAGA geocoins and t-shirts, and will take preorders on additional coins and shirts if needed. Premium members will have a chance to purchase coins at the event before standard members can. Sarah will have samples of alternate coin finishes available and will take preorders for them at the event. Prices for SLAGA logo t-shirts were set at $18 ($13 for premium members), and prices for SLAGA coin artwork t-shirts were set at $21 ($16 for premium members). There will be an extra charge of $3 per shirt for 2X or 3X sizes.
Action Item: Ask for volunteers, and announce geocoin and t-shirt sales in an email blast.
Person Responsible: John Elfrank, Deadline: One week.
Action Item: Place a bulk order for SLAGA logo t-shirts and SLAGA coin artwork t-shirts from Cafe Press.
Person Responsible: Laurie Elfrank, Deadline: One week.
Action Item: Purchase receipt books and legal pads to keep track of preorders and membership dues paid.
Person Responsible: Jim Greene, Deadline: Winter Potluck.
Action Item: Arrange to get name tags from Jen Crittenden, or purchase adhesive-backed name tags for Winter Potluck.
Person Responsible: Jim Greene, Deadline: Winter Potluck.
Action Item: Obtain prizes for Potluck games, as well as more coffee cups, spoons, and table cloths.
Person Responsible: Rich Sheffold, Deadline: Winter Potluck.
Action Item: Type up a Potluck agenda with a timeline of events to hand out to attendees.
Person Responsible: Laurie Elfrank, Deadline: Winter Potluck.
Action Item: Type up a price list for Cafe Press items.
Person Responsible: Laurie Elfrank, Deadline: Winter Potluck.
AGENDA ITEM: OLD BUSINESS - Milestone Awards for Premium Members
Presenter: Jack Anderson
Discussion: Jack was unable to attend, but provided a list of premium members eligible to receive milestone awards at the Winter Potluck. Laurie reported that more 500-find pins have been ordered. 1000-find coins are again out of stock, but we have enough for the current list of recipients. Jeff suggested providing certificates along with the awards.
Conclusions: See about getting milestone coins engraved with the recipients' caching names. Order more 1000-find coin/pin sets when they become available. Certificates may be added at a future date.
Action Item: Find an engraver for the 1000-find and 5000-find coins.
Person Responsible: John Elfrank, Deadline: One week.
Action Item: Order more 1000-find coin/pin sets.
Person Responsible: Laurie Elfrank, Deadline: As soon as they are available.
AGENDA ITEM: OLD BUSINESS - Premium Membership Dues
Presenter: John Elfrank
Discussion: Officers reviewed a list of premium members who have not renewed their memberships as of 1/5/09.
Conclusions: Send out another reminder in the next email blast to all members.
Action Item: Remind members that premium memberships expire at the end of January.
Person Responsible: John Elfrank, Deadline: One week.
AGENDA ITEM: OLD BUSINESS - SLAGA Banners
Presenter: Jim Greene
Discussion: SLAGA banners need to be repaired or replaced. Jim had requested a quote for new banners, but Jim's contact has not been available. He will be back to work next week.
Conclusions: Obtain quote for replacing banners.
Action Item: Obtain quote for replacing banners.
Person Responsible: Jim Greene, Deadline: Next Board Meeting.
AGENDA ITEM: NEW BUSINESS - Food Pantry Project
Presenter: Dee Shear
Discussion: Canned food and personal-care items could be collected at SLAGA events and donated to local food pantries. Dee contacted her local food pantry and asked what items they were most in need of. They were low on personal-care items such shampoo, diapers, razors, and dishwashing detergent. Dee volunteered to transport donations to a local shelter.
Conclusions: Jeff suggested that a graphic or standard text be created for event planners to include on their event pages.
Action Item: Ask event hosts to include Dee's notice on their event pages.
Person Responsible: John Elfrank, Deadline: As soon as Dee's notice is available.
AGENDA ITEM: NEW BUSINESS - Geocaching Workshop
Presenter: John Elfrank
Discussion: A geocaching workshop was discussed, where several volunteers would teach various topics to small groups. Possible topic suggestions were HTML, specific models of GPS receivers, GSAK, and Streets and Trips.
Conclusions: An affordable venue with enough space for several small classes would have to be found. An event page could be created, and when attendees post their "Will Attend" logs, they could be asked what topics they would be interested in learning more about, and any topics they might be able to help teach.
Action Item: Check whether Queeny Park has a suitable location for a Geocaching Workshop available on a Saturday this year.
Person Responsible: Rich Sheffold, Deadline: Next Board Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: NEW BUSINESS - Premium-Member Training Class Topics
Presenter: John Elfrank
Discussion: John asked for suggestions for possible topics for premium-member training classes. It was suggested that the training classes be aimed at newer cachers.
Conclusions: Sarah volunteered to present her HTML class at both the St. Louis County and St. Charles locations. Other suggested topics were GSAK, Pocket Queries, how to hide a cache, and waymarking.
Action Item: See if Sarah is available to present HTML class in St. Charles on March 16.
Person Responsible: Sarah Chisholm, Deadline: Next Board Meeting
>>> Minute Archive List <<<
- Details
- Hits: 947
Note taker: Laurie Elfrank
Officers in Attendance: John Elfrank, Mark Derr, Jim Greene, Laurie Elfrank
Guest Presenter(s): Advisor, Rich Sheffold; Sarah Chisholm; Mariel Leggett
AGENDA ITEM: OLD BUSINESS - SLAGA Geocoins
Presenter: Sarah Chisholm
Discussion: Sarah approved final artwork one week ago. Sample coins are being made. It will take 3-4 weeks to get finished product after sample coin has been approved.
Conclusions: Officers will need to meet to review sample coins as soon as they are available.
Action Item: Schedule meeting to review geocoin samples.
Person Responsible: John Elfrank, Deadline: As soon as Sarah receives samples.
AGENDA ITEM: OLD BUSINESS - SLAGA Calendar
Presenter: John Elfrank
Discussion: Someone needs to be assigned to monitor the Groundspeak Weekly Notification for upcoming events to be added to the SLAGA Calendar on geostl.com.
Conclusions: Mark Derr volunteered to monitor the Groundspeak Weekly Notification and inform Steve Bromley when an event should be added to the SLAGA Calendar. Officers agreed that the membership should contact Mark with any nonloggable events that are of interest to SLAGA members for consideration for the Calendar. SLAGA-sponsored events should have "SLAGA" in the title of the event.
Action Item: Monitor Groundspeak Weekly Notification and email Steve Bromley with appropriate events be added to the SLAGA Calendar.
Person Responsible: Mark Derr, Deadline: Weekly
AGENDA ITEM: OLD BUSINESS - 2009 Events
Presenter: Rich Sheffold, John Elfrank
Discussion: Rich scheduled next year's GPS 101 and Geocaching 101 classes at Queeny Park. One SLAGA member has shown interest in hosting the Spring Picnic.
Conclusions: GPS 101 and Geocaching 101 class dates need to be added to SLAGA calendar. Follow up with possible Spring Picnic hosts.
Action Item: Email GPS 101 and Geocaching 101 class dates to Steve Bromley for addition to the SLAGA calendar.
Person Responsible: Mark Derr, Deadline: Next Board Meeting
Action Item: Follow up with possible Spring Picnic hosts.
Person Responsible: John Elfrank, Deadline: Next Board Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: OLD BUSINESS - Agenda for Historian
Presenter: John Elfrank
Discussion: Laurie Elfrank will need input from cachers who have been involved in geocaching the longest.
Conclusions: Laurie will get direction from Jim Greene as to how to collect information and photos to document SLAGA history. This material will eventually be made available on the SLAGA website.
Action Item: Meet with Jim Greene
Person Responsible: Laurie Elfrank, Deadline: Next Board Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: NEW BUSINESS - 2009 Training Class Topics
Presenter: John Elfrank
Discussion: Some possible topics for 2009 training classes were discussed at the 10/22/08 Open Forum.
Conclusions: Possible topics are: guidelines on how to hide a cache, solving puzzle caches, and a workshop on learning to use specific GPS units, PDAs, and software.
Action Item: Contact possible trainers, and finalize 2009 training class dates and locations
Person Responsible: John Elfrank, Deadline: Next Board Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: NEW BUSINESS - SLAGA Premium-Member Benefits
Presenter: John Elfrank
Discussion: Existing and additional benefits that could be provided to SLAGA premium members.
Conclusions: The REI discount hasn't been used very often. Milestone recognition is an added benefit that SLAGA could afford.
Action Item: Get ideas and pricing on different ways of recognizing premium-member milestones. Check to see if REI discount is still available.
Person Responsible: Laurie Elfrank, Deadline: Next Board Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: NEW BUSINESS - Geocaching Informational Displays
Presenter: John Elfrank, Mariel Leggett
Discussion: John Elfrank has reserved a displaycase for SLAGA's use during the month of February 2009 at the Tesson Ferry Branch Library. Mariel Leggett is interested in providing a display at Queeny Park in conjunction with the classes to be held there.
Conclusions: Mark Derr volunteered to organize the Tesson Ferry Branch Library display. Mariel Leggett will design posters with different themes that can be provided as permanent displays at Queeny Park and other St. Louis County parks that have community centers. Space at the bottom of the posters could be used to list upcoming classes and contact information. The posters could also be mounted on 3-panel portable displays and used at public events where SLAGA has a booth set up.
Action Item: Organize items to be included in displaycase at Tesson Ferry Branch Library.
Person Responsible: Mark Derr, Deadline: January 2009
Action Item: Design educational posters.
Person Responsible: Mariel Leggett, Deadline: Next Board Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: NEW BUSINESS - SLAGA Christmas Party
Presenter: John Elfrank
Discussion: Bridget Griffin could not be present. She is hosting the Christmas Party at Incredible Pizza in South County and needs an agenda from the officers in order to complete her cache page. Instead of a gift exchange, she is asking for $5 unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. Mark Derr asked whether Incredible Pizza will allow the room to be reserved for the entire 2 hours.
Conclusions: The event does not need to have an official agenda, but we will need some time devoted to awarding the Travelbug Race prizes and the "Best Of" Awards.
Action Item: Email Bridget to ask for some time allotted to the Travelbug Race and the "Best Of" Awards.
Person Responsible: Laurie Elfrank, Deadline: ASAP
AGENDA ITEM: NEW BUSINESS - New Year's Day Group Hunt
Presenter: John Elfrank
Discussion: Jim Greene said that Mike Griffin is planning a group hunt at Rock Pile Mountain. John Elfrank has contacted Kevin O'Laughlin about a group hunt at K-Farm.
Conclusions: Both events can be included on the SLAGA Calendar.
Action Item: Contact event hosts and email details of both events to Mark Derr.
Person Responsible: John and Laurie Elfrank, Deadline: Next Board Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: NEW BUSINESS - Winter Potluck
Presenter: Rich Sheffold
Discussion: Rich has reserved the Grant Shelter for all day. Volunteers are needed.
Conclusions: Mariel Leggett volunteered to organize the Geocacher's Bingo. John and Laurie Elfrank volunteered to organize the Travelbug Table. Jim Greene volunteered to help set up.
Action Item: Help Rich with Winter Potluck.
Person Responsible: John Elfrank, Laurie Elfrank, Jim Greene, Mariel Leggett, Deadline: Day of event
AGENDA ITEM: NEW BUSINESS - SLAGA Inventory
Presenter: John Elfrank
Discussion: The SLAGA inventory list needs to be updated to show what equipment and supplies are available, and who has them.
Conclusions: Jim Greene and Rich Sheffold have access to the list online and have updated the equipment and supplies that they have. John Elfrank and Mark Derr need some of the generic SLAGA business cards. Steve Bromley and Jack Anderson need to be contacted to see if they have any supplies. Rich has been ordering SLAGA supplies from Vista Print under his account, but SLAGA needs to set up its own account. Jim Greene said that the SLAGA banners are showing wear and may need to be repaired or replaced.
Action Item: Review and update the inventory list at each Board Meeting.
Person Responsible: Laurie Elfrank, Deadline: Each Board Meeting
Action Item: Set up SLAGA account at Vista Print.
Person Responsible: Laurie Elfrank, Deadline: Next Board Meeting
Action Item: Make the current supply of generic SLAGA business cards available to all officers.
Person Responsible: Rich Shelffold, Deadline: Next Board Meeting
Action Item: Get prices for replacing SLAGA banners.
Person Responsible: Jim Greene, Deadline: 2 months
AGENDA ITEM: NEW BUSINESS - Disabled Accounts in Membership Database
Presenter: John Elfrank
Discussion: When should disabled accounts be deleted from the membership database.
Conclusions: Talk to Jack Anderson to see whether disabled accounts should be contacted again or deleted.
Action Item: Email Jack Anderson about procedures for disabled accounts.
Person Responsible: Laurie Elfrank, Deadline: Next Board Meeting
>>> Minute Archive List <<<
- Details
- Hits: 1198
Note taker: Laurie Elfrank
Officers in Attendance: John Elfrank, Mark Derr, Jeff Weymouth, Jim Greene, Laurie Elfrank
Guest Presenter(s): Outgoing officers: Steve Bromley, Jack Anderson, Mike Maryan, Sarah Chisholm - Advisor, Rich Sheffol - Mariel Leggett
Treasurer's Report: Balance on Hand, Incoming Funds, Outgoing Funds, Fall Picnic results, tax forms completed.
AGENDA ITEM: OLD BUSINESS - SLAGA Geocoins
Presenter: Sarah Chisholm
Discussion: The latest coin artwork and various samples were reviewed. Suggestions for improvements were made.
Conclusions: Final artwork needs to be approved by the close of the next Board Meeting.
Action Item: Get updated coin blueprint artwork from Hogwild.
Person Responsible: Sarah Chisholm, Deadline: 2 weeks
AGENDA ITEM: OLD BUSINESS - 'Best Of' Awards
Presenter: John Elfrank
Discussion: Andrew Senger was unable to attend. John Elfrank read a letter to the officers submitted by Andrew. Very few award nominations were received this year.
Conclusions: Send the 'Best Of' Awards ballot to the SLAGA membership in an email blast. Officers need to personally encourage members to vote by the deadline.
Action Item: Send 'Best Of' Awards ballot to membership.
Person Responsible: John Elfrank, Deadline: 2 weeks
AGENDA ITEM: NEW BUSINESS - Officer Transition
Presenter: All outgoing officers
Discussion: Incoming officers' duties and responsibilities
Conclusions: Officers' duties will continue as outlined in SLAGA Geocaching Organization Bylaws, Article III - Board of Directors. The new officers asked Rich Sheffold to continue as Advisor and Website Manager, and he has agreed. The new officers have asked Paul Konopacki to continue as Website Manager, and he has agreed. The new officers asked Jack Anderson to continue as Membership Administrator, and he has agreed. The new officers asked Steve Bromley to continue to assist with calendar maintenance, member communications, and officer elections, and he has agreed. Jim Greene completed the necessary federal tax form. Laurie Elfrank will take on responsibilities as Historian.
Action Item: Find out whether SLAGA needs to complete a state tax form.
Person Responsible: Jim Greene, Deadline: Next Board Meeting
Action Item: Confirm date for next St. Charles County class.
Person Responsible: John Elfrank, Deadline: 1 week
Action Item: Forward copies of SLAGA forms and Geocaching Bingo cards to the President.
Person Responsible: Mariel Leggett, Deadline: Next Board Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: NEW BUSINESS - 2009 Events
Presenter: Rich Sheffold
Discussion: Next year's GPS 101 and Geocaching 101 classes, membership classes, Spring and Fall Picnics.
Conclusions: Queeny Park may be a better location for next year's GPS 101 and Geocaching 101 classes, as this year's attedance has been low.
Action Item: Confirm dates and location of next year's GPS 101 and Geocaching 101 classes.
Person Responsible: John Elfrank, Deadline: 1 week
Action Item: Find volunteer to host Spring Picnic.
Person Responsible: All officers, Deadline: Next Board Meeting
Action Item: Confirm dates for next year's St. Louis County classes.
Person Responsible: John Elfrank, Deadline: 2 weeks
AGENDA ITEM: NEW BUSINESS - SLAGA Calendar
Presenter: John Elfrank
Discussion: Should all events that are heavily attended by SLAGA members be added to the calendar on the SLAGA website?
Conclusions: The Event Calendar on the SLAGA website may include events of interest to SLAGA members, even if the events are outside of SLAGA territory. Officers will submit event links to Steve Bromley if they feel an event should be added to the calendar.
Action Item: Check Groundspeak Weekly Notification for possible events to include on SLAGA calendar.
Person Responsible: All officers, Deadline: Next Board Meeting
>>> Minute Archive List <<<
- Details
- Hits: 973
Introduction of new officers by acting president Jack Anderson (pandyandy). New officers are:
President - John Elfrank (L Frank)
Vice President - Jeff Weymouth (JC_Geo)
Vice President - Mark Derr (Hobbit Taz)
Treasurer - Jim Greene (Strider)
Secretary - Laurie Elfrank (Denmother)
After being presented with the President's gavel, John Elfrank discussed the following topics:
- Training Classes - The October training classes for the South County and the St. Charles County areas will feature an open dialogue on any topic the membership would like to discuss. All SLAGA members are invited (premium and standard).
- Events on SLAGA Website - The membership was advised to check out the SLAGA website for all of the upcoming events and were encouraged to attend. Members were also encouraged to volunteer to host an event.
- MOGA - The MOGA Staff is requesting ideas for MOGA cache containers. Logs must be able to hold at least 300 signatures. The containers can be of any size or shape.
- The membership was also invited to help hide MOGA containers on Oct. 25 and 26 at Mark Twain Lake. Anyone wanting to volunteer can contact L Frank or Strider.
- Parkpalooza - The membership was encouraged to volunteer at the geocaching booth at the National Park Service Parkpalooza at the Arch grounds Sept. 28.
- John then opened the discussion up to questions. Bridget Griffin (BWAT) asked if minutes were going to be taken and posted on the SLAGA website. John said that was a great idea.
- John congratulated picnic hosts Shirley and Mark Derr (CribbageWitch and Hobbit Taz) for a job well done. Shirley was presented with an official EGO badge from the St. Charles contingent.
- The meeting was adjourned.
>>> Minute Archive List <<<
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