Activity Survey Results Are in!
What do Woodfords Club members think would be good new club activities?
An email from the president sent to nearly 100 club members on Friday, April 18, invited them to click through to take a survey of possible activities. Two reminders later we had 32 responses. The survey closed on Wednesday, April 23. Activities were in two groups: after Friday dinner or anytime during the week.
Films was the highest scorer in the survey with 3.5 of 5. Talks on local topics was second highest with 3.39. These are both in the after dinner section of the survey. Both are general and allow the reader to project, thinking about a lecture or film that he or she would like. That might tend to raise their scores. Other questions are up or down votes on only one well-defined activity.
Both film and talks on local topics might be considered part of a cluster with similar activities, such as Talks on topics such as genealogy or history (2.88) and Slide show (2.94). Slide show is surprisingly high, but keep in mind the great Portland Camera Club slide shows might be on some minds.
Lower scorers
At the other end of the 5 point scale we have the lowest scoring Ukelele Class (1.68). And as we joked in the last newsletter, the Club won’t have to buy a karaoke machine. Karaoke (1.9) was second low.
Other lows were ping pong (2) and bridge (2.03) as after dinner activities. Ping pong (2.25) scored slightly higher in the anytime list. Does bridge take too long for after dinner? Mah Jong at 2.3 was another low scorer in the anytime list. Dominoes (1.9) and (2.35) was quite low. Note that we have a ping pong table and any group could play.
Some high scoring after dinner activities with scores above 3 are: cribbage (3.23), modern board games (3.13), trivia (3.07), cards (3.03). Bowling
just missed the mark at 2.97. These are fairly high favorables, and these activities might be given further consideration.
Of the activities in both groups, Cribbage was the highest scoring in the anytime group with 3.07, and the only activity in the second group higher than 3. Also overlapping in the anytime group: pool (2.77) and modern board games (2.71), are quite high in the anytime ratings.
In the past after Friday dinner club members would choose from two activities, bowl and play cards. A way to think of this is one physical activity and one table game. Pool and cribbage, or darts and board games might be other good pairings.
The remaining anytime activities, with average-ish scores might be worth a try: Field trips 2.94 Darts 2.9 Wine tasting 2.87, Book club 2.87, Crafts 2.87, Cooking and baking class 2.84. Several members have begun working toward reviving a book club and would welcome help.
Survey Methods, Mistakes, and Caveats
The online comment section of the survey, did not, in fact, allow comments, so we and invited comments by email. Two of the three people commenting suggested that activities be opened to the public. “Get the public in the door to see this beautiful affordable place and invite them to join,” said one member.
A 30% response is pretty good and we should consider the results as useful, if imperfect, information. What makes someone respond to or ignore the survey? A long term member might be very dedicated and likely to respond to anything from the club. A young member might be more digitally savvy and willing to click on a link and complete a survey. Who knows?
Seven or eight members without email unfortunately were not given the opportunity to participate. The Shout survey software would not cooperate in presenting the survey on paper. Its analysis tools and printing tools were extremely limited.
Also, keep in mind an average score on a 1 to 5 scale is 3. Music was not asked about, but should have been. We assumed it would continue as a frequent
Friday activity. The membership committee kept the following ideas in mind as we considered the results.
1. Do we have, or can we develop, the capacity to offer the new activity?
2. Will members enjoy the club more if we offer the new activity?
3. Would the new activity help attract new members?
THE NUMBERS
Some 32 Woodfords Club members completed a recent survey on activities that could be offered at the club. Activities were scored from 1 to 5, with 5 being the best. These are the detailed scores.
After Dinner Activities
Films: 3.50
Talks on local topics: 3.39
Cribbage: 3.23
Modern board games: 3.13
Trivia: 3.07
Cards: 3.03
Bowling: 2.97
Slide show: 2.94
Talks on genealogy or history: 2.88
Pool/billiards: 2.65
Fantasy and role playing games: 2.42
Dominoes: 2.35
Bridge: 2.03
Ping pong: 2.00
Karaoke: 1.90
Any Time Activities:
Cribbage 3.07
Field trips 2.94
Darts 2.90
Wine tasting 2.87
Book club 2.87
Crafts 2.87
Cooking or baking class 2.84
Pool/billiards 2.77
Modern board games 2.71
Beano/Bingo 2.48
Watercolor class 2.45
Drawing class 2.45
Table shuffle board 2.35
Mystery games 2.32
Mah jong 2.30
Ping pong 2.25
Fantasy and role playing games 2.23
Dominoes 1.90
Ukelele class 1.68