Dallas Singles Toastmasters Poll Questions - 2005/08/04 1) Using only the numbers from 0 to 10 so that they add up to exactly 10, how important is each of these to you? (Higher => more important, lower => less important.) Communication Skills ___ 15 Leadership Skills ___ 4 Social Activities ___ 11 Dating Opportunities ___ 4 (Must add up to 10.) 2) Using only the numbers from 0 to 10 so that they add up to exactly 10, how important is each of these to you? (Higher => more important, lower => less important.) Better communication skills in your job ___ 14 More responsibility and confidence at work ___ 5 Better social conversational skills ___ 11 Recognition as a trusted, reliable friend to others ___ 6 (Must add up to 10.) This is a tough one... None of these categories target my interest. I've given my answer (better communication skills in my job), but know that social experience (opposed to skills), leadership development, and coaching skills would be my selections. 3) Overall, how would you rate our meetings? Great ___ 1 Good ___ 7 Ok ___ 3 Need Improvement ___ 2 Horrid ___ 0 4) What do you like about our meetings? Social interaction. I like meetings that are high energy, and/or have good speeches. We're running a tight ship, and despite attendance we're still very fun. Speeches, tables topics are interesting. The comraderie, the stage, enthusiastic members. Opportunity to meet new people while improving my social skills. Fun. Energy and enthusiasm. The people, for the most part. I like the genuine clapping and the lighthearted atmosphere of our club. Seems like a warm group of people, welcoming and friendly. 5) What would you like to see changed about our meetings? More participation from the large pool of members who don't come, or more new and active members which is what this is all about. But, also I would like to have an expanded educational component -- when I started, I knew nothing about stage etiquette, which is as important as speaking skill (almost!) such as introductions, hand shakes, staying on stage if turning over the podium, etc. I picked it up by accident, and I'm sure there are a lot of subtle skills I don't have (or even know of) such as methods of toastmaster for setting the emotional theme of the meeting, techniques for directing attention to the person on stage, etc. All the skills make the difference between a good and great presenter. I think some new members could benefit (if they want one) from a mentor -- we should set up a program, and then make it known that we have it available, maybe the VP of Membership, when introduced at the meeting, could mention it. Have guests fill out a brief questionaire (1/2 page) along the lines of, "What did you like / would you change about the meeting you just attended?" Attendance, obviously, but that's definitely improving. Energy level at business meeting (Could President poll officers up front for info?) Drags a bit. More people. Meetings every other week. I'd like to see people better prepared, better attendance, more new members. Would like them to start and end on time. Loyalty oaths and force labor schedules. I'll perform a duty when I feel like it. I liked the old way to sign up for duties. One time, I arrived at a meeting to learn that I was to evaluate <...>'s speech. The new program serves as a means to an end. has helped me keep track of my duties. I have only been to one so don't know enough to say. 6) My participation in club events is sometimes limited due to: (Check all that apply.) Time commitments ___ 9 Event locations ___ 2 Event times ___ 1 Interest level in the events ___ 4 Need help with ideas/topics ___ 1 Unsure of what's expected ___ 0 Other (describe) Overall insecurity and shyness. 7) I believe that using the new Club Scheduler to produce agendas has: Been very beneficial ___ 4 Been somewhat beneficial ___ 5 Made little difference ___ 0 Been somewhat damaging ___ 0 Been very damaging ___ 1 Seems like the same people participating. Somewhat beneficial, but if things continue to improve, then bump that up a notch. 8) Overall, Ozona's as a meeting location is: (Consider location, room, stage, noise level, comfort, food, staff, parking, etc.) Great ___ 4 Good ___ 4 Ok ___ 1 Need Improvement ___ 3 Horrid ___ 0 Good overall venue. Great, so long as it continues to be convenient / possible to get to Dallas at the appointed time! It's a great location; I only hope we can continue to afford it. Parking could be better. I'm tired of the menu. Needs improvement. I am probably not the one to ask about the menu. I don't find a great deal of healthy choices on the menu. We have had trouble with noise on crowded nights. I think our conference room is not kept clean. I have found old food on tables and floor. The cigarette machine is a big distraction at times. I have only been to one so not sure. 9) Using only the numbers from 0 to 10 so that they add up to exactly 10, how important is each of these to you? (Higher => more important, lower => less important.) Advancing in my career ___ 12 Advancing in my social skills ___ 10 Having fun ___ 11 (Must add up to 10.) Networking would be a nice add on. 10) When it comes to social events, I prefer: (Check all that apply.) Entertaining events (movies, plays, concerts) ___ 10 Social events, parties (happy hours) ___ 10 Food/drink events (happy hours, dinners, tastings) ___ 10 Active/outdoor events (pool, picnic, camping, sports) ___ 6 Trip events (horse racing, casino, festivals) ___ 3 Girls/boys night out ___ 4 Volunteer events (community service) ___ 7 Other (describe) Museum or "special location" / road trips 11) I have enjoyed and/or have fond memories of the following DSTM events: Meeting themes/topics (specify) Can't think of any specifics, but entertaining TM's are always fun! Angela's "World Domination" meeting. And "Conspiracy Night". Costumes at Halloween, anything with candy on tables. ;-) Debate night, backwards night. Kristin Rider put together a Texas vs. OU weekend theme that was a blast. I don't even care about football and I had fun. Gosia's art theme and Christmas theme. Sonya's romance chocolate, spice and everything nice. Membership contests (specify) Haven't participated in any, other than a contest to bring guests, I didn't see it as "enjoyable" Demo meeting was a blast. Danica's team vs. Penni's team. Winner got prepared dinner. Splitting the club in half and for a dinner party. Social events (specify) Wine tasting. All. MikeG's movie viewings, monthly. Happy hour, especially when we had the turnout. Any TM parties at homes or club houses. Kent's picnic. Improv night with Bruce Kleinberg. Movie nights, events at people's houses. Almost any of the dinners or happy hours have been great. Michael's movie nights, Christmas party. 12) The most fun membership contest I can remember was scored/awarded: On an individual basis ___ 3 On a team basis ___ 4 Never participated in a team event. Prefered individual (demo meeting). Never liked the team thing. Individual, not at this club. 13) I would be willing to donate to the winners of a membership contest: (Check all that apply.) Some of my time ___ 8 Some money for an award ___ 10 Some service as an award ___ 6 Not interested in donating ___ 0 Other (describe) Everyone should put $ in a pot - like a football pot, then the winner(s) get the pot - but rather than just giving out cash -- have a social event like a happy hour and treat the winners. Cooking, food, etc. Need more information. 14) I would be interested and available to attend this many DSTM social events if the events interested me: 2 event per week ___ 0 1 event per week ___ 3 1 event every two weeks ___ 3 1 event every three weeks ___ 0 1 event every month ___ 5 1 event every couple of months ___ 1 Not interested in social events ___ 0 The full on answer here is really 1 event per week, but I have too many other things on my calendar. 15) If I were to leave DSTM, I would most likely: Join another Toastmasters club instead ___ 4 Join another social club instead ___ 1 Use the time for something non-TM, non-social ___ 6 Overall: It's a good group and an interesting concept, but my lack of time to juggle both work and after work stuff means that after work stuff has to take a second place. I might revisit down the road after I have been on the job for a year or two but too new right now to spread myself too thin in terms of time commitments. Other than that, the club is great. ---- Please fill out this form and return it to me or another club officer. All forms accepted (paper, email, etc.). Thank you for your input! Mark Schroeder VP of Membership