Responses to the February 2008

AAUW Petaluma Branch Membership Questionnaire

Thanks to the 35 branch members who completed the questionnaire, our 2008-2009 incoming board will have an idea of what you, the membership, needs and wants. - Nancy Sutton, Co-president

General Program Meetings – The Holiday program and Spa Night made the biggest hits, with the September Social also a popular choice. Past program favorites included authors and the Spa Night. Future program interests include everything from identity theft to women’s issues. The membership appears happy with four general meetings a year, including the September Social, Holiday Program, May Installation, and a “topic of interest” program.

Costs to Branch Members – Members agreed 2-to-1 that is it acceptable to pay for some general meetings, although cost was a frequently mentioned concern. Soliciting donations for EF, LAF and Tech Trek should continue on an individual program basis rather than a single annual effort.

Membership Recruitment and Retention – Half the responding members have recruited, or attempted to recruit, new members and most would recommend the Petaluma AAUW branch to others.

Participation and Volunteerism – Sections are very important to our membership, followed by the AAUW mission, general meetings, and social events. Bridge and Literature are two favorite sections, according to those who responded. 14 members are volunteering to work at the April state convention, while 15 completed the national survey.

Communication – Most members regularly access the branch web site.

The actual questions and tabulated results are presented below:

General Program Meetings

Ø Have you attended a general program meeting (other than a Section event) during the past year? If so, which ones?

10 Spa Night

11 Holiday Program

8 September Social

7 NONE

3 Life Long Learning

3 Steroids

2 MANY

2 political program

2 Installation

1 Joint Petaluma & Marin AAUW branches Transportation meeting

1 spring 07 programs

Ø What program topics have you especially enjoyed in the past?

8 Authors

5 Spa Night

4 Community events and issues

4 Holiday Program

3 Women’s Health

2 Petaluma General Plan

2 Installations

2 Colleen Mahoney – architect (kitchens)

1 Health

1 Education

1 Buck Institute

1 Tour of Villa Ca Toga

1 Intl Women’s Issues

1 Osher Life Long Learning Inst Speaker

1 Intl Women’s issues

1 All that I attended

1 menopause

1 Sonoma County History

1 Current Events

1 Candidates’ Night

1 self-improvement

1 Susan Swartz

1 voting issues

Ø What program topics would you like to see in the future?

5 Spa Night

4 Aging

3 Politics

3 Women’s issues – health, education, finances, menopause, etc

3 Senior Finances & Health Issues

2 Aging Parents

2 Problems of single women, including seniors

2 Tech Trek

2 SRJC Petaluma building expansion

2 Field trips to interesting places

2 Compelling speakers on any worthwhile subject

1 Identity Theft

1 Retirement

1 Universal Health Care

1 Travel

1 Travel experiences

1 Community interests

1 Petaluma history

1 local politics

1 Intellectual topics

1 Cultural topics

1 Social Issues

1 the Best of Art and History

Ø Do you have a location preference for the general program meetings?

6 Lucchesi - easy parking

3 Petaluma Woman’s Club

2 in Petaluma

1 United Church of Christ

Ø What barriers, if any, keep you from the general program meetings?

12 conflicting/other commitments

2 no night driving

2 work during day and tired at night

1 lack if interest in spa or travel programs. Want to LEARN.

1 cost of some meetings

1 meetings not on a fixed schedule

1 too busy

1 short on time

1 lack of interesting topics

Ø Indicate below the general program meetings you recommend we should hold yearly.

27 September Social

22 Holiday Program

15 May Installation of Officers/social event

13 Spring topic of interest

Other potential program areas

1 politics

1 social issues

1 aging

1 Cinnabar theatre performance

1 current local issues

1 candidates’ night

1 educational/informational programs

1 current events

1 let’s socialize more!

Communications

Ø What AAUW website(s), if any, do you frequent?

19 Branch

3 State

2 National

2 None

$$ Costs to Branch Members $$

Direct cost to each member is $83 annual dues ($49 to National, $16 to State, and $18 to Petaluma Branch).

Indirect costs may include the following:

-- Donations for EF, LAF and Tech Trek.

-- Dining costs associated with some general program meetings.

-- Expenses and fees for certain sections (books, wine, food, mailings, etc.).

Ø Should all general program meetings be available at NO COST to members? This would discourage meetings at restaurants or banquet facilities.

6 YES 12 NO

Other comments

3 most meetings should be free

2 all costs are too expensive in general

2 Holiday Tea Luncheon was too expensive for what we got.

2 all free except holiday luncheon

1 annual dues are too high

2 not all free; just make costs more reasonable

1 more restaurant meetings

1 all voting meetings should be free

1 all mission-based meetings should be free

1 people don’t mind the associated costs

Ø Indicate how we should solicit donations for EF, LAF and Tech Trek.

20 Status Quo

5 Combine all solicitations into a single annual effort

Other Comments

4 tired of solicitation requests from National

3 include donations option when paying annual dues

1 do not all ask for all at the same time, not when taxes are due

1 quarterly solicitations

1 single effort with member earmarking use(s)

1 constant requests are tedious and embarrassing

1 involve local businesses for contributions

1 charge for series of potluck dinners or buffets in private homes for singles/couples

1 use most cost-effective method for solicitations

1 generate enthusiasm to shake-up members

Membership Recruitment and Retention

Ø Have you recruited a new member to the Petaluma AAUW Branch within the past 2-3 years?

12 YES 11 NO

Ø If so, how did you do it?

1 through women that I meet who are new to community

1 took prospective member to a general meeting or a section meeting.

1 referred prospect to Membership VP

1 sales pitch

Ø Would you recommend the Petaluma AAUW Branch membership to an acquaintance or friend?

YES – 97% (all but one member)

NO – 3% (one member thinks the branch is too expensive)

Ø What other resources could the Petaluma AAUW Branch tap to encourage new members?

11 Schools

2 SRJC

2 SSU

1Pre-schools

1Churches & synagogues

1Business & Professional orgs

1 Teachers’ unions,

1 School boards & administrations

1 Newcomer’s Club

1 recent college grads

1 Mothers’ Club

1 PTAs

1 local media

1 through a broad community project with the Chamber of Commerce

1 focus programs toward recent grads

Other comments

1 Increase social events that encourage meeting new people. De-emphasize community service, esp. within Petaluma.

1 A barrier lies within AAUW branch/society.

Board Member Recruitment and Retention

Ø Have you served on the Board in the past 5 years?

13 YES 20 NO

Ø If not, have you been asked

11 YES 12 NO

Ø Are you interested in serving on the Board, and if so, what type of position would you be comfortable with?

22 NO 4 YES (or maybe)

Other Comments

2 expect to continue with same position

1 possibly on the 2009 – 2010 board

1 It’s someone else’s turn to serve

1 provide better orientation for new board members

1 use the Past Presidents’ Council to support each current board

Ø What barriers, if any, keep you from serving on the Board?

13 other commitments

4 time and energy

2 not interested

1 None

1 live in Santa Rosa

1 no night driving

1 not interested in the responsibility

1 regular job

1 structure of AAUW State Committee

1 health

Participation & Volunteerism within the Branch

Ø Indicate below which AAUW areas are important to you.

26 sections

18 branch social events

18 general program meetings

17 AAUW Mission and Branch Programs

Other areas

Tech Trek

Sister to Sister

Discovery Days

San Antonio mentorship with young mothers

Youth programs

Ø Have you participated or volunteered in Branch or section activities within the past 2-3 years? If so, which ones?

9 Literature

7 Bridge

4 Drama

6 Art History

4 Lunch bunch

3 Wine

3 Gourmet

2 Butter & Eggs Day float

2 Sister to Sister

1 New members

1 Hiking

Other Comments

Need (1) Current Events section and a (2) second Bridge section

Ø Have you volunteered to participate as a worker at the AAUW California State Convention in Rohnert Park this spring?

14 YES 21 NO

Ø Did you complete and return the AAUW National survey sent to you recently?

15 YES 18 NO

Note: All information is based on the 35 responses received.