+astrojr1&GGGal Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 Hi everyone, We would like to post an email we sent to 9Key recently about an upcoming meeting we secured with a city official. Please feel free to review and comment on topics for discussion. Your opinion matters to us, please let us know. Thanks! Also posted on Texasgeocaching.com ----- Original Message ----- From: astrojr1 To: 9Key Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 9:53 PM Subject: City Dear 9Key, Last week we ran across a web site that brings groups needing volunteers with those wishing to volunteer for things. One of those things was the City's Adopt-a-creek program. Thinking it was a CITO thing we submitted our name and email. Today we got a call from <the official's name>, who is The city official in charge of water-related things in the city, Creeks, sewers, drainage, the whole works. She didn't know about geocaching so we explained it. Bottom line, and the point of this email is, next week, she wants to have lunch and go do a cache with us. There was much discussion along the lines of, the city could have a powerful ally with our caching community. She explained the Great American Trash day or something and we explained CITO and events. She was captivated from the start. At the end she said "This is great! You've made my day!" Needless to say that made ours as well. She wants, and can get, media coverage (Channel 8!) for her successful projects, which includes things like observing wildlife and poking around creeks taking pictures - something we do all the time while caching. If we can CITO the creeks in the city and somehow measure it (pictures of bags of trash would be fine), we have an opportunity to make the City and geocaching look good. Correct us if we're wrong, but isn't this the kind of exposure we seek, more so than the high-tech-treasure-hunt articles? Seems to us one city official going on a cache is worth a thousand forum threads. In preparation for our lunch, we thought we'd 1) let you know and 2) ask if you advise a particular focus or avoidance of any particular topics during our engagement next week, apart from common sense. We thought about opening a forum thread, or just going ahead with the lunch and telling the story. Then we thought of you! What do you think? Thanks, JR&Laurie astrojr1&G-O-GardenerGal To which 9Key replied: Dang! That's really cool! Would you like some business cards with our logo and your names on them? I would open a thread and get suggestions about which topics to emphasize and which to avoid. Great job guys!! Quote Link to comment
+woof n lulu Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 I would stay away from the subject of caves and sites considered fragile for caching. These open too many cans of worms, and could be adverse to the intention of the meeting, even tho these are not urban considerations, they are too passionate a subject. Keeping it simple, as in the joy and challenge of caching, and the good feeling CITO brings. Good Luck Quote Link to comment
Tahosa and Sons Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 Tell them that caching is a lot like golf. But we have a better meaning for FORE!! Family Orientated Recreational Endeavor. And don't use the word BURIED Quote Link to comment
+Criminal Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 Don't talk about hot underage girls either, no good can come from that. Quote Link to comment
+wimseyguy Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 Criminal you really me up. On a more serious note: I would avoid the words policy and permits. I would stress cooperation, community, and clean waters. This post has been brought to you by the letters P and C but not Z. Quote Link to comment
+Criminal Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 (edited) Yes, on a serious note, stress the family aspect as well as CITO. Let them know it's no more harmful than children playing catch with a baseball. EDIT: Typo Edited February 24, 2004 by Criminal Quote Link to comment
+The Weasel Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 Yeah, and it's probably best not to mention the nekid cacher either!! Quote Link to comment
+Imajika Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 I would also emphasize that not only does it get friends and family outside, exercising and having fun outdoors..but it also let's people enjoy parks, rec areas, etc. that they might not have ever gone to if they didn't cache. You could even print some photos of people caching together or their favorite views while caching. Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted February 25, 2004 Share Posted February 25, 2004 (edited) To expand on Imajika's post, it introduces people to places they never might have found and creates new advocates for the area. The more people who know about a place, the more who want to preserve it. I guess this may not be an issue in Texas, Utah, or even Oregon, but in NJ, every stinking inch of land we can get is a good thing. Geocaching also introduces the outdoors to people who have spent their lives behind a computer, or in front of a TV set. The family bonding aspect is also a good angle These are positives. Also, please stress that we DON'T BURY CACHES! If I read one more article, or see one more news report about buried caches I'm gonna puke. On second thought I will.......give me a moment.........OKay, back...anybody have a mop? Edited February 25, 2004 by briansnat Quote Link to comment
+Corp Of Discovery Posted February 25, 2004 Share Posted February 25, 2004 Yes, on a serious note, stress the family aspect as well as CITO. Let them know it's no more harmful than children playing catch with a baseball. EDIT: Typo Don't you mean Frisbee? Quote Link to comment
+astrojr1&GGGal Posted February 26, 2004 Author Share Posted February 26, 2004 Thanks everyone. We'll let you know how it goes! Quote Link to comment
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