The MGS need volunteers to host Meet & Greets. We are starting to put the 2005 schedule of events together. We have some volunteers currently. We are looking for volunteers for the months of March, July, August, and November to host a Meet & Greet. Your willingness to host is super appreciated by your fellow geo-peers! For some it is there only chance to attend an MGS related event due to travel.
Hosting A Meet & Greet For The MGS
We have been encouraging our members to host an upcoming MGS Meet & Greet in their towns! We’re committed to moving our M&G’s around the state but we need everyone’s help to do it! The following outline is meant to assist anyone who wishes to plan and host a meeting. These are not meant to be hard fast rules but rather a guide to use when planning the meeting. If you have any questions or are interested in hosting a meeting…
… please contact Robert.
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1 Month + Choose A Meet & Greet Location & Inform the MGS Core:
Choose a park with enough room to support at least 3 or 4 caches. Remember when planning to place caches that the minimal distance between caches is .1 miles in order to have it approved on geocaching.com. If the park is a state park be sure to give yourself enough time to get your new caches approved by the park prior to the meeting. You also may wish to consider planting caches in several smaller parks. If you choose this option be sure to plan out the details such as drive time etc.
Decide if the business meeting will be at a restaurant or at the same park as caching activities. (A restaurant is preferred during the winter months) If applicable choose a restaurant that can accommodate a large group that is close to the park you’ve chosen. If the business meeting will be outdoors at the park make sure there are picnic tables or a pavilion to accommodate the meeting.
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At 1 Month :
Let us know that you would like to host a meeting. Be sure to let us know the location(s) you’ve decided on.
You can let us know at a monthly meeting or through email and/or here on the website.
The MGS Core will work with you to work out the schedule for the meeting.
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3 Weeks + Getting The M&G Posted On Geocaching.com:
Get the coordinates together for the park and or meeting place for the M&G.
Look at one of our past M&G’s to use as an example when creating the information to be used on the cache page.
Either submit the meeting yourself through geocaching.com or ask one of the Core members for assistance in getting it posted and approved. See this event cache page as a great example.
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2 Weeks + Prepare Caches and or caching games for meeting:
Prepare additional caches if necessary to make sure there are at leas 3 – 4 caches to hunt the day of the M&G.
When submitting new caches to geocaching.com for the M&G be sure to put “***HOLD***” in the cache name. This will make sure the caches are not approved prior to the meeting. Also place a detailed note in the Approvers box of the pending new cache page describing that this is an M&G cache for the day of such and such. Make sure that you tell them not to approve it until after 6PM EST the day of the event. This will give attending members a chance at first finds of new caches for M&Gs. You will need to make sure to bring the coordinates and or make printouts to distribute to members at the business meeting..
If you are hiding caches in a state park make sure the state park approval forms are submitted and you receive approval prior to the meeting.
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At 2 Weeks >> Final Preparations:
Make sure caches are places and ready to go.
Make sure any cache games you are planning are ready.
If the Meet & Greet is to be held at a restaurant make / confirm reservations.
If the M&G is to be held at the park make/confirm reservations for a pavilion if needed.
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At 1 Week Confirmation:
Contact the MGS Core to let us know everything is in place and ready to go for the meeting.
If any problems arise contact the MGS Core immediately so any changes can be made as soon as possible.
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Day Of The Meet & Greet:
Arrive early at the meeting place and make sure everything is ready.
Make sure you bring any hand outs for the meeting caches/games
All hosts will receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the MGS and the heartfelt thanks of all who attend for the time and effort the hosts put into the event. We had some outstanding hosts statewide in 2004 and we look forward to other members hosting in their respective parts of the state.
The 2005 MGS Core consists of Robert, Mr. Last Lap Gang, Simulatmore, Daisychain, and Mr. SoMdCacherz. Contact any of us for assistance
