2009 Survey Results
Overview:
We received about 325 responses to Fishtrap’s recent online Survey Monkey survey. We should remember that the results will be skewed toward those who are already comfortable with and using Internet technology, and that the sample of people who responded may not be completely representative of all Fishtrap stakeholders. For example, respondents overwhelmingly favor email as a means of contact – but, obviously, people who do not use email would not have taken the survey. Also, it may be that people outside of Oregon responded at a higher rate than those in Wallowa County, because a survey is a way for them to connect with us in lieu of walking in the door. So the survey results should be taken with at least a tiny grain of salt.
Summary of responses: This summary duplicates information available in bar chart form. In some cases I have listed only the top responses. Some questions allow multiple answers, so results may not add up to 100%.
1. How are you connected with Fishtrap?
Summer Fishtrap 57%, I have donated 51%, Wallowa County events 32%, Winter Fishtrap 28%
2. Where do you live?
Wallowa County 29%, outside Oregon 26%, other Oregon 25%, Portland 20%
3. My primary or preferred method to receive information is:
Email 90%, mail 6%, website 3%
4. I would like to receive information:
As (frequently) as I do now 89%, less often 7%, more often 4%
5. Favorite Fishtrap programs:
Summer Fishtrap 68%, Lectures 40%, The Big Read 37%, Winter Fishtrap 34%, Imnaha Writers’ Retreat 30%, Writers in Residence 27%
6. What keeps you from participating more often?
Distance to travel 70%, cost of events 45%
7. Fishtrap should work harder to include:
Young adults 21-40 41%, people of color 35%, states other than Oregon 30%, Native Americans 28%
8. Fishtrap events make people feel welcome:
Strongly agree 47%, agree 39%, agree with reservations 13%, disagree 0.7%
9. Fishtrap has had or could have a major impact on me, my writing, or my vocation:
Agree 38%, strongly agree 36%, agree with reservations 18%, disagree 8%, strongly disagree 0.7%
10. Fishtrap should more strongly address social and political issues:
Disagree 38%, agree with reservations 30%, agree 20%, strongly disagree 6%, strongly agree 6%
11. Fishtrap’s website is user friendly.
Agree 69%, strongly agree 21%, agree with reservations 8%, disagree 2%
Some of our impressions of comments:
Question 1: A fair number of respondents have never attended a Fishtrap event, but have followed us from afar with hopes of coming someday. It would have been interesting to ask how many Fishtrap events people had participated in, but we didn’t ask that question.
Question 7: Many people commented that Fishtrap already does a good job of including other groups (younger people, people of color, people from out of state).
Question 8: Many people commented that Fishtrap events (primarily Summer and Winter Fishtrap, I believe) can feel cliquish, with many inside jokes and exclusive conversation circles. This type of comment was prevalent enough that we need to actively counteract that tendency. Board and staff can all help with this by seeking out the new, the lost, the bewildered, the loners, the shy, and welcoming them.
Question 10: Many people commented that Fishtrap is already blending writing with social and political issues in about the right mix, and many reminded us to keep the focus primarily on writing.
Question 11: Many people commented that they had never used or rarely use the website, so couldn’t answer the question.
Some crosstab analyses:
Of SFT participants:
53% have donated, 34% have gone to WFT, 16% to Wallowa County (WC) events
32% come from outside OR, 29% from “other” OR, 24% from Portland metro, 15% from WC
Of WFT participants:
64% have donated, 69% have gone to SFT, 36% to Wallowa County events
31% come from WC, 26% from outside OR, 24% from “other” OR, 19% from Portland metro
Of Wallowa County respondents:
58% have donated, 30% have gone to SFT, 32% to WFT, 30% to school related events
Of people who have donated to Fishtrap:
38% come from WC, 22% from “other” OR, and 20% each from Portland metro and outside OR
(Number of donors or donations should not be confused with size of donations. For example, it could be that donations from Portland metro people tend to be twice as large as those from WC.)
Some interesting comments, and ideas arising from comments:
Stay focused on writing “with the myriad of romantic, dramatic, humorous, mysterious aspects of life.”
For lectures, give more historical presentations.
Involve more regional publishers, such as OSU Press and Hawthorne Books.
Do Fishtrap events in other parts of the state. (One person pushed “historic Oregon City.”)
Update the website more frequently.
In marketing Fishtrap, reduce fears about distance or difficulty to get to Wallowa County.
Remove the (Thursday) overlap between the Summer Workshops and the Gathering.
Go back to the first-come, first-served method of filling workshops.
Blend Summer Workshops and Summer Gathering into one event.
Don’t let the number of yearlong workshops reduce the number of week-long workshops.
Do writing programs for clients of the Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness.
Address the cliquishness / insider feel of Summer Fishtrap.
Keep the focus on writing vs. “social commentary.”
Create a “What is Fishtrap?” brochure or PDF to explain to newcomers.
Resolve the problem of “limited inexpensive accommodations.”
Do more comprehensive marketing. “So many writers I talk to have never heard of Fishtrap!”
For lectures, feature more local talent, more traditional and/or conservative ideas and people.
“Is debate, or even Socratic discussion, permitted at Fishtrap?”
Pricing needs to be more evident on website.
Target new visitors better, provide deeper archives, and avoid stale content at website.
“Welcome a broader range of writers, journalists, idea people ... We need good, serious, accepting discussion, not reaffirmation.”
“Call in your markers and build a free Summer Fishtrap. It is time for writers to help others without monetary compensation ... If you truly want to serve the community, then you have to touch the untouchables. The only way to do that is to make your programming free to all.”
And our favorite: “Do I get a free hat?”
[Click here] for the bar chart version of the above data in .pdf format