Shane, sorry you are not getting answers. This new format on the Forums makes it hard to see the latest posts and answer them. The front page used to show the 12 newest forum posts.

Tim:

Where clearly I have been a bit dissappointed and frustrated to an extent, I am rather persistent (and patient) and don't give up easily on anything I feel has potential. I guess that's what makes treasure hunting and Gold Prospecting such a great fit LOL... So no worries. Thanks for the sincere reply.

I agree, that's why I posted the "Why bother asking Kevin anything, he doesn't answer" thread..The real disgrace is that Brandon spends zero (O) time here...He's the leader???
It's time for everyone to contact Tom Massie and say "Brandon's leadership in the GPAA is a disgrace...Where is he??? And Tom, your Father would not tolerate how Brandon & Kevin are avoiding the GPAA website. I think George Massie would be ashamed of Brandon"
Brandon, I dare you to actually post something here...Anything. This is your website and you don't even participate. Grow up Brandon or turn it back over to your step-dad Tom Massie.

On the main page, scroll down to 'Report a problem' Fill it out, demand that Tom Massie reads it. Tell him how you feel about the lack of GPAA leadership here on this website.

I sent Tom Massie exactly what I said above. It's your move Tom Massie...Do something. Or should we just wait until Gold Prospecting becomes illegal, and stop renewing our GPAA memberships?

I welcome the new folks here, I say hello, and I answer their questions...Does Brandon ever welcome new folks? NO...Does Brandon ever intend to post anything here ever again? Hmm? Where's the leadership Tom? At least Kevin drops in every once and a while to answer his questions. Where's Brandon?

I don't know anything about Brandon. Kevin seems like a good guy from everything I read and see in vids. In any large organization (including the one I work in) which the GPAA certainly is large, there are departments and people within those departments. Perhaps the GPAA should have a couple experts like Kevin who can primarily focus on the forums. Having said that, it's a membership. There has got to be a reason that with so many members, the forums/website struggles with such a low level of membership activity and involvement.

I'd say that to begin, as I stated in another thread, here are two things that would greatly improve membership participation and retention for that matter. The GPAA needs to have an upto date Claims Guide ONLINE, where not only is everything easily accessible, accurate and current but make it interactive where members could actually post their observations, experience and reports. Also, the forums need to be in a more current and user friendly format, especially in mobile mode. A better format would certainly help.

Some have mentioned that their inability to use a user name is silly, seems silly to some that people like using a user name perhaps. I for one am known on social media as Desert Detective but nobody here knows that LOL... Doubtful if many know me by either name but I have actually already had interactions with people on different social media platforms, here being one, under my real name here and Desert Detective in another and I doubt they have made the connection LOL... Which for me doesn't matter but I think to be able to use what you are most commonly known by is important to some. I have heard the reasons for the change but as long as the real name were in the user's (member's) profile, I don't see the harm for giving members the user name option. Anyways... There are my 2 cents LOL

We as members lost a host of good information from many .Most say that they do not want their real names on any forum ,and will not come back because of it .There use to be a wealth of info on here .Maybe some will come back if that changes .I do not own a house anymore .So I am not that afraid of my address being fond out and get robbed while I am gone .Some say where and when they are going on mining trips .

Never thought of that, though that seems like a bit of dramatic paranoia perhaps. Thanks for clearing that up as I have heard the User Name being blamed for the lack of member activity on these forums.

HI Shane

I have been out of office from last Thursday but will try to answer as best as I can for I am in the office. I am on the GPAA side so I attempt to answer questions for GPAA that I have answers for. I do not answer on products or areas that I feel I may not have a correct answer for. I do at times when time allows will research some. See post from today at:  http://www.goldprospectors.org/Forum/aft/1830 - as an example. I do not always have time to go this far in but when I can I will.  I am the claims administrator for GPAA. I am also available from 7 till 4:30 Monday through Thursday at extension 177, if I miss you question on the forum rattle my chain on the phone anytime. I like having names on the forum but I think having a place for a handle would also be excellent. I will make that suggestion. Brandon works on a lot of stuff and depends on staff like Dominic, Kevin, Greg, Richard, myself and a few others to answer questions. He handles a lot on the Gold shows and other planning for future plans such as lining up how to best put the guide online and increased membership. The web site is being overhauled to handle mobile /smart phones better. All takes time and some times best made plans find a pit to fall into but we always will pull it our and continue on to make things better. I do appreciate your post, and your honesty does nothing but help us become better. Thank you

Walter Eason