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Winter 1999 Chapter Networker Survey Results

Many thanks to everyone who returned a questionnaire from the Winter 1999 issue of the Chapter Networker. A complete summary is available below. Look for the following changes to the Networker over the next few issues:

  • More chapter news! Look for an even greater emphasis on stories from and about chapters, including tips for special activities, ideas on increasing community involvement in chapter activities, and membership/volunteer recruitment ideas.

  • Removal of the Staff Migrations column.

  • Starting in the next issue, a new interactive column answering specific, national and chapter-related questions. Send, call or email the Chapter Services Office with any questions you'd like to have answered.

  • If you would prefer to receive the Networker as email instead of as a paper copy, please send a message to chapter_services@audubon.org. Note that you would like to receive the Networker as email and include your email address. We will remove your name from the mailing list and send it to you online, starting with the next issue.

Winter 1999
Chapter Networker Survey Results

Many thanks to everyone who returned a questionnaire from the Winter 1999 issue of the Chapter Networker. We had a 1.5% return (69 questionnaires returned of 4549 Chapter Networker’s sent to chapter leaders).

Readers think the Networker is a useful publication (3.3 average response with 1 "not useful" and 5 "very useful"), that some change is needed (3.3 average with 1 "much change" and 5 "no change"), that there is enough information and degree of detail (2.6 average with 1 "too much" and 5 "not enough") and that its wording, tone, and layout/design could be somewhat improved (4 average with 1 "hard to get through" and 5 "very user friendly").

Suggestions for improving layout included using paper without specks as that is hard to copy, simplifying the graphics layout, adding more white space, reducing clutter, "simple is best", and keeping articles short.

74% of respondees prefer a paper hard copy of the publication, although 26% would like to have it sent via email. 16% want it on the web.

ADDITIONS/CHANGES
According to respondees, the Networker’s usefulness would increase if we have more of the following (50% or higher choose "more"):

59% Tips/ideas on increasing community involvement in Chapter activities
57% Membership Recruitment and Retention ideas
55% Tips/ideas on volunteer recruitment, maintenance and motivation
52% Conservation Programs implemented by other chapters
51% Tips/ideas on fundraising
51% Info/chapter stories like those identified as Chapter Ideas & Activities articles.

No items received a vote of 50% or higher to decrease their content, although 9 out of 27 written comments mentioned "Staff Migrations" as being of "No Interest".

Some interesting ideas emerged, when asking for changes. These included:

"Networker might be more functional on-line when interaction can occur!"
"More realistic advice for land preservation/acquisition for chapters that do not have property."
"A continually updated directory of contact people and services for Audubon."
"More on really HELPING chapters - leads to materials - more ideas in depth."
"If you publish email addresses to use for info then you must respond when they are used."
"How to prevent one person committees and prevent burnout"
THEMES
55% of respondees liked the idea of having "theme-centered" Networkers as a periodic feature (while 10% disliked the concept and 23% wanted themes regularly).

The most popular themes were:

42% Chapter Volunteer Recruitment
43% Chapter Member Recruitment and Retention
36% Fundraising
28% Local Chapter Conservation Projects and Ideas
28% Chapter/Community "Bridge-Building"
COMMENTS
Networker readers vary widely in their desires and expectations for the publication. Comments ranged from "It is really good the way it is" to a reader who wanted "More depth and relevance". Seven readers commented on how much they liked the Coffee Connection article in the Winter ’99 issue.

CHAPTER NETWORKER CHANGES?
NOW AND IN THE FUTURE

  • Layout options will evolve, as we seek to present clear readable copy.
  • More chapter news! Look for an even greater emphasis on stories from and about chapters, including tips for special activities, ideas on how to increase community involvement in chapter activities, membership and volunteer recruitment and retention ideas.
  • Removal of the Staff Migrations column , but inclusion of notes about new staff who will work directly with chapter members. We will work to place an updated staff directory on-line (with hard copy versions available from the Chapter Services office whenever requested).
  • Periodic issues will focus on themes, using the list of most popular topics and other new ideas.
  • New column "CHAPTER LEADER QUESTIONS" for chapter members to ask specific, national and chapter related questions and receive staff responses.
contact

contact:
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