Club Survey: “Survey Says”

The Club’s Council of Past Presidents presented several issues of concern to the current and incoming boards late last year. President Jimmie asked me to make recommendations on those issues. Rather than merely provide my personal opinions, I undertook an informal survey of member attending our regular meeting on January 18th.

My background includes teaching market research at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and having performed research for Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, K-Mart, Walmart, and many other entities over a long career as a consultant and in academe. So, of course, I understand the limitations of this kind of research. Our club is a small population, and the only definitive results would have to come from a complete census of all members. Since that is not possible, and no scientific sample could be reasonably and reliably drawn, a convenience sample was employed. Although this cannot be guaranteed to be truly representative of our entire membership, the reults are in fact the opinions of the thirty-seven respondents. That is not as good as a true census, but it is definitely better than the opinion of any one member.

Some members feel very strongly for or against each of the items considered, so we cannot expect complete agreement with any finding or recommendation. No decision should be made based on what any one person wants or does not want to do.

Several of our past presidents and some those who participated in the survey have asked for the results, which are presented here, along with recommendations based on the results.

Dress code: Slightly more than three-fourths of respondents think that the club should have a dress code. However, notable comments include that short sleeved barongs should be allowed, that ties should not be required, and that dress code should be modernized, i.e. “Business attire,” and “strongly suggested, but not required.”

Recommendation: The board should resolve to strongly encourage a dress code “Business Attire” for members and guests and regularly remind members via the Balita and Program announcements.

Table Seating: More than seventy percent of respondents think that table seating should be assigned.

Recommendation: Table seating should be assigned, but not strictly enforced. Explanation should be provided on a regular basis in the Balita. Greeters should include Star Rotarians, under the coaching of the Sergeant at Arms.

Orientation/Rotarization: More than eighty-six percent of respondents think that we should have a stronger program of orientation/Rotarization, the highest for any survey item.

Recommendation: The club should provide for an Orientation consisting of two (2) half-day sessions, with a structured curriculum to be developed and including one session on Rotary in general, and one on RCM. There should be an on-going program of Rotarization, including having Star Rotarians give a classification talk, participate as Greeters, be invited to District Events and programs, and invited to special Star Rotarian Fellowships. Proposers should be instructed in their responsibilities.

Election Policy: More than fifty-nine percent of respondents think that the club should have an election policy requiring a minimum number of candidates voted upon. The average number of candidates voted upon was 6.5 and the most frequent number suggested is eight, cited by half of respondents.

Recommendation: The Club Policy Manual and Elections Code should be revised to include language that ballots must be marked with no fewer than six (6) candidates voted upon, and that those failing this test would be invalid.

None of the actions recommended would require any changes to club bylaws or constitution, only to policies. The BOD will consider the findings and recommendations at its next meeting. Any board actions will be reported here. Thank you.