2011-10 Survey

In October, 2011, the organizing team for the Elderberries collaboratively designed a short survey; Dan MacKay published it on SurveyMonkey, and the link was sent out to all 115 people on the Elderberries mailing list. A reminder was sent a couple of weeks later.

On November 7, 2011, the survey was "closed" and the results summarized, below. There were seventeen respondents altogether.

1. Where do you live?

• Halifax: 10/17 (60%)
• Dartmouth: 5/17 (30%)
• Other (Fredericton, Terrence Bay) 2/17

2. Please rate how much you enjoyed the 2011 Elderberries events.

Choices: Didn't attend; Disappointing; It Was OK; Loved it!

15 responses:

• January: Entertainment By Us Attended: 8. It was OK: 4; Loved it: 4
• February: Sharing Photographs Attended: 5. It was OK: 1; loved it: 4
• February: SPIRIT Place Information Session Attended: 5. It was OK: 3; loved it: 2
• March: Our Coming Out Stories Attended: 5. It was OK: 3; loved it: 2
• April: Jane Kansas Attended: 4. It was OK: 0; loved it: all
  • May: Poetry writing Attended: 5. It was OK: 2; loved it: 3
• June: Healthcare lecture Attended: 2. Disappointing: 1; it was OK: 1.
• July: LGBT History Attended: 3. It was OK: 1; loved it: 2
• August: Picnic at the Dingle Attended: 7. It was OK: 1; loved it: 6
• September: Photography with Nick Attended: 5. Loved it: all 5!

3. How often do you think you will be able to attend future events?

• Responses: 10. Once a week: 0; Monthly: 5; Every 2 months: 4; once a year: 1.

Comments:

• I have a very busy social calendar so I doubt that I will attend anything. But if I saw something that really interested me I would go.
• WEATHER PERMITTING
• I have been abusively accosted in broad daylight so I prefer to be accompanies
• depends on the agenda
• the events are too early in the day for those of us that still work
• not sure this year was difficult for personal reasons
• I'd come every month or every week if offered, but from early MaY to early December (if weather stays open) I alternate between Halifax and Hopewell (my cottage). So I attend when I'm in town.
• Between conflicts and «3rd time today» trips it's difficult
• BiWeekly

4. Food: how important is the pot luck meal part of the Elderberries events?

• Responses: 16. Prefer no food: 2; I don't care: 2; Food is important: 12.

5. What activities would you like the Elderberries to coordinate in 2012? Responses: 14

• Fun stuff mostly, but also maybe educational - like inviting speakers on subjects of interests to us Elders.
• MUSIC, TALKS, PERHAPS A MOVIE
• educational personal stories
• Include sessions where other GLBT organizations do a presentation or have a group discussion to promote broader understanding within the community.
• slay ride, picnics, possibly a games day, sorry I missed the photography possibly a redo
• Outdoor activities, such as hikes/picnics that all can enjoy.
• Health issues,A.I.D.s,show and tell pictures. movie.sing song old tunes.
• A winter potluck A Spring live theatre outing A Summer BBQ A Fall trail walk looking at the changing colour of leaves
• camping trip
• I generally like the programmes of Elderberries, e.g., movies,speakers,trip reporting with pics. So please offer these again. I think that speakers are very important since, In Hfx. and area there are many people expert in various matters, disciplines etc.
• don't know
• We're open. We would like to have attended numerous meetings but just weren't able for any number of reasons.
• Theatre sports, visit to Northwood, "MY Big Fat LGBT Wedding," "What my religion means to me as an LGBT person" round table, Trans elders speak out, Adapted exercise for elders, LGBT folk art done by us workshop, next annual picnic at the heart-shaped pond
• I have a list a mile or so long, but will send that separate.

6. How much do you enjoy the e-mailed Elderberries Newsletter? Responses: 16. Delete right away: 0; Sometimes interesting: 5; Read cover-to-cover: 11

What suggestions do you have for improvement?

• The info on events in the community is really great
• GREAT AS IT IS.
• Not sure I received it.
• I*m happy the ways things are going.Special thanks to Lynn Murphy.Way to go.
• none
• My concern is not the structure of the Newsletter, but the practical one of meeting place. I hope that SpencerHouse can be normally available, because parking is such a problem on Spring Garden Road and area, and Spencer has good parking.
• It ain't broke.... so.... don't fix it! <8-)
• Lambda Literary Prize for newsletters (ha ha it's me testing out the survey. But you still have to count me!)
• have a day meeting and a night of meeting and fun. We could have light dinners or snacks and movie, or a drink in a place trying out different venues and judging them around town. We could do something exciting and new everytime. We need though more input and trying to break my brain to get that, I LOVE THE ELDERBERRIES!THATS ALL! AND THE IDEA OF IT.