2006 TVW Opinion Survey
This is a report of the results of the 2006 Tennessee Valley Woodworkers Survey conducted during June and July of 2006. The report presents the questions as asked and a compilation of the data in the form of the most convenient chart. Some bar charts show the average of all responses (mean value) and others show the number of responses for each choice available to the responder. There is a minimum of analyses of the data and then only where the questions were staged to show specific guidance.
There were a total of 87 responses to the survey of the 144 members polled (60%) of which there were 76 woodworkers and 11 non-woodworking members. The opinions of each member have been weighed equally in this report. No sort was made based on the member’s status in that regard; although, there may be subsequent analyses which do differentiate on that basis.
Questions have been put in italics.
Place a check mark in the category in which you fit best: Woodworker ________; Non-woodworking member ________
Woodworker
76, Non-woodworking member 11
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A. Place a number from 1
to 5 designating your interest in each of the following woodworking categories.
(1. Very
little to no interest; 2. A little interest; 3.
I’m interested but not motivated; 4. Interested and pursuing it; 5. Very
interested)
1. _______ Basic carpentry and
millwork
2.
3.
4. _______ Woodcarving in the
round (Ex: sculpture, caricature, etc.)
5. _______ Woodcarving in deep
relief (plaques, furniture, etc.)
6. _______ Woodcarving in
shallow relief (Ex: inscriptions, calligraphy, etc.)
7. _______ Woodturning
faceplate; bowls, vases, platters, etc.
8. _______ Woodturning between
centers; spindles, art pieces, etc.
9. _______ Woodturning miniature
items; pens, tops, etc.
10. _______ Making Craft Items;
plaques, commodities, etc.
11. _______ Finishing or
re-finishing furniture or other wood items.
12. _______ Restoring antique or other furniture of wood items.
Average
of all responses
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B. Place a number from 1
to 5 designating your current skill in each of the following woodworking
categories. Please be honest with yourself and the survey. We’re
not measuring modesty!!
(1. I’ve never done it; 2. I’ve
tried a little; 3. I can do it but not well; 4. I do work in this field but am
not an expert; 5. My work is as good as or exceeds most other I’ve seen)
1. _______ Basic carpentry and
millwork
2.
3.
4. _______ Woodcarving in the
round (Ex: sculpture, caricature, etc.)
5. _______ Woodcarving in deep
relief (plaques, furniture, etc.)
6. _______ Woodcarving in shallow
relief (Ex: inscriptions, calligraphy, etc.)
7. _______ Woodturning
faceplate; bowls, vases, platters, etc.
8. _______ Woodturning between
centers; spindles, art pieces, etc.
9. _______ Woodturning miniature
items; pens, tops, etc.
10. _______ Making Craft Items;
plaques, commodities, etc.
11. _______ Finishing or
re-finishing furniture or other wood items.
12. _______ Restoring
antique or other furniture of wood items.
Average
of all responses
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Analysis: Combining
the data on an individual basis (i.e. running the filter on each pair of
responses) results in an indication of the perceived needs in each
category. The assumption used in the filter is that if one’s interest is
very low in a certain category, his/her lack of skill in that category isn’t of
much importance to planning programs for the Club. The filter therefore
removes the response of those who expressed an interest level of 1 in a given
category. Then to show a need for skill enhancement, the filter effectively
inverted the stated skill level making a 5 become a 1 and a 1 become a 5,
etc. The result is the chart below which endeavors to show general needs
in each category, and could be used in planning programs and events for the
Club. Caution needs to be exercised in interpreting these data, however.
While the data indicates relative needs of the membership in general,
it doesn’t mean that there aren’t individuals, or groups of individuals, who
desire improvement in a category not showing high general interest.
One use of this data may be to tailor smaller events or workshops for the
smaller interest groups (such as has happened in the evolution of the Splinter
Carvers) so that these members won’t be left out of the Club’s
activities. This chart shows relative values.
Analysis: Another way to look at the Interest versus Skill level data is to zero more closely in on those responses showing interest and looking at the disparity between their interest and skill level. To do this, a filter was put in place that removed the data from those not interested and subtracting the skill level from the interest level expressed. The filter is: If An > 1 then subtract the skill level from the interest level; otherwise insert a 0. Doing this expresses the difference between the interest and the skill levels for each individual and each skill category for those expressing any interest in that category.
Formula:
If (An>1;An-Bn;0)
An is the interest level for that category and Bn is
the skill level for that category.
This
chart shows the average of all differences for interested responders.
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C. Please tell us your
ultimate objective as a woodworker (choose one). 5. To master as many
skill categories as I can; 4. To gain experience in a wide
range of skill categories; 3. To excel in my skill category;
2. To be the best
woodworker I can be; 1. Simply to have a good time
Answer ____________.
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D. Please express your
opinion on the Club’s use of the Audio/Visual Equipment by placing a number
from 1 to 5 beside the category.
(1. I’d rather we didn’t use it;
2. It’s OK, but I could do without it; 3. I think it’s helping somewhat; 4. It
helps a lot; 5. I think it’s great)
1. _________ Projecting Slides
during the Business Meeting
2. _________ Projecting Show and
Tell items on the screen
3. _________ Use of Club made
movies as a program
4. _________ Use of movie clips
and slides in combination for programs
5. _________ Use of other movies
as a program (commercial products, etc.)
6. _________ Use of the sound equipment
Number of responses
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E. The Club has had the same format (i.e. Business meeting, Show and Tell, Break, and Program in that order) since inception with a very few exceptions. Do you think it needs to be changed in any way? Please answer Yes or No ________.
82
No and 5 Yes
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F. If “Yes” please write your suggestion as to how to improve the meeting format in the space below, or on a separate sheet of paper.
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G. Please express your
opinion of the
(1. Very bad;
2. Poor; 3. OK; 4. Good; 5. Very good)
1. ________ Size of the room
2. ________ Room layout
3. ________ Parking
4. ________ Facilities (water,
restroom, lighting, etc.)
5. ________ Seating
6. ________ Meeting place
geographical location
Average
of all responses
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H. Please tell us how you
rate the importance of these categories.
(5 = Very Important; 4 =
Somewhat Important; 3 = mildly unimportant ; 2 =
Unimportant ; 1 = I don’t care)
1. ________ Size of the room
2. ________ Room layout
3. ________ Parking
4. ________ Facilities (water,
restroom, lighting, etc.)
5. ________ Seating
6. ________ Meeting place
geographical location
Average of all responses
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Analysis: The ratings were filtered by testing each rating entry against its counterpart importance entry. If the importance was given Important or Very Important by the responder, then their rating was used; otherwise, a rating of OK was inserted. The comparison of the two results is given below showing very little difference between the overall opinion and the filtered one.
Average of all responses
Have you ever not
attended due to any of the above? _________ Yes or No
No
74 Didn't
stay away because of meeting
room
Yes
13 Stayed away because of meeting
place issues
(15%)
1 Number of
non-woodworkers staying away due to meeting place issues
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I. Please share your
feelings on programs not related directly to woodworking. Examples:
Community programs, Other crafts, etc.
1 = I would not attend the
meeting if I knew this was the program.
2 = I’d come, but don’t enjoy
these kinds of programs.
3 = They
are OK, but I really prefer woodworking programs.
4 = I can take them or leave
them.
5 = I enjoy that type program
once in a while.
Place one number here ________.
Number
of responses in each preference
Analysis: The above chart indicates a preference for programs closely related to woodworking, but doesn’t really foreclose on the use of non-woodworking programs. The conclusion may be that care should be exercised in use of non-woodworking programs.
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J. What are
your feelings about presentations on woodworking equipment, supplies, etc. from
suppliers and manufacturers?
5 = Strongly
approve; 4 = Approve somewhat; 3. Neither approve or disapprove; 2 =
Disapprove;
1 = Strongly
disapprove.
Answer: ________
Number
of Responses
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K. What is your opinion of
the following Club activities: 5 = Strongly
approve; 4 = Approve somewhat; 3. Neither approve or disapprove; 2 = Disapprove;
1 = Strongly disapprove. Please mark each category.
1. ___________ Workshop tours
2. ___________
3. ___________ Member presented
seminars (Major Spring and fall events)
4. ___________ Visiting expert presented seminars (Major Spring and fall
events)
5. ___________ Member workshops
(mentored groups meeting for a short lesson on a specific task)
These
charts show the number of responses in each activity.
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L. Place a number in the
category that fits you best. 5. Make a living from woodworking; 4. Do
woodworking for supplementary income (commissions or contract work); 3.
Routinely make items for sale at craft fairs or consignment stores; 2. Occasionally
sell items I make; 1. Make no income from my woodworking
Answer ________.
Number
of responses
M. Please use the lines
below or the back of this page to describe a change, or changes, you’d like to
see the Club make or to cover any subject not already covered.
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You're doing good, just learn for each other and enjoy doing it! |
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Enjoy the room we have. Do not rock the boat. I can't hear. |
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Movies would benefit from being shorter and focused on skill/work details |
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Periodically ask membership for program suggestions |
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At times you need to adapt to the facilities available |
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Provide more programs from outside the club |
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We need a better place to meet. |
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Keep cost down or manageable at Christmas party |
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Thanks for survey! Need more mentoring young people. Keep up the good work. |
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The only change is to have a little more room and parking |
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No complaint |
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I would like to see us explore a larger meeting place. |
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Overall I think we have a very good club. I suggest to be more specific when showing or presenting items for show show and tell or program. |
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The club is great! It's running smoothly. Don't break it. |
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Have mixed emotions about meeting place. Changing meeting places may cause some members to drop out (paraphrased) |
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Ideas: panel discussions on common topic of interest; members talk about some tool or methods they really like; why |
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Thanks for a job well done! I know it takes a lot of time. |
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We need to improve the sound system. It doesn't always work the way it should. |
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No recommendations come to mind. |
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I think the club is fine. If I didn't I would not be a member. Thank you – all workers |
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Toys; would like to move to 3 or 4 (question L) |
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Geographical location reason for not attending |
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The talent in this group of people is very impressive. I think you Loyd are doing a very good job. I really don't have any good suggestions to offer except do more of the same. Signed |
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Photograph S&T items before the start of meeting (participants come early) with digital camera and project them rather than video projections. |
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Change is as often bad as it is good. Improvement is a better word |
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I think the club has found those things that work. We need to push the momentum. Need more serious workshops and events to showcase member's work. I feel a bigger push for educating programs at meetings will be important for our future. The tech equipment has been a big positive change. |
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I really appreciate the leadership and talents of the club. I enjoy the programs and special events and would like to be able to take part in more. Even though I'm not a woodworker and don't expect to become one I don enjoy doing very simple woodworking projects. |
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I feel the club needs a larger facility for the monthly meeting even if this means an increase in dues. |
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With the number of members from the northern section of our membership, should a separate meeting in that area be considered? |
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Ya'll are doing an excellent job |
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The current meeting room (nice, well equiped, convenient) is too small for the current membership size – particularly for circulation, visiting, looking at displays etc. Thank you for your interest and effort. |
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Maybe should have asked the question if dues were increased ~50% the club could do ? ?? What could be done better? Maybe offer program that could provide overall thoughts of construction techniques for furniture projects – not specific design, but techniques people in the club have used. |
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Quest K. I approve of these activities but am seldom able to participate due to other week-end committments. |
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Make a tool trade flea market by members to exchange duplicate tools we have collected. Mov(i)e ? program on special tools and their proper use. |
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I have learned a lot from several members of the club. |
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I think the club is doing fine. Just a little worried about out growing the meeting place. |
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Explore possibility of also having meetings in |
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Explore possibility of having meetings in |
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I am not disappointed in the club, it programs, member, or activities. Most all of it has been interesting and rewarding. Have met and got to know some great people I would not have without the TVWW club. My lack of progress in woodworking is not the fault of the club. I could probably benefit some, however, from some programs or workshops in basic carpentry. That or apprentice myself to one of you guys for a few months. |
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Comments too voluminous to put here (see raw sheet 72 for very thoughtful insights). This survey was signed!!! |
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The absolute 1# most important thing this club could do is re-constitute a honest to goodness apprenticeship program that is globally recognized that included college scholarships. |
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I'd like to see the club members make a common item and then all bring them to show and tell one meeting. |
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Somehow identify the specific groups in club, by survey maybe. Plan program strategy toward the interest of specific groups in TVW club. By the way, this club TVW rates a strong 4 on this area, I believe. Anyway, good club. Great people. I'm proud to be part of it. Signed |
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I am a beginner and I do get lost sometimes when advanced woodworkers present information. I am reluctant to bring my beginning projects to such an advanced group. Thank you, signed. |
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I would like to learn more about mentoring groups. I have made woodturnings between centers, but could use help in developing techniques to cut versus scrape (how I get my best results). |
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This survey is well thought out and comprehensive in intent. Sense some “growing pains” & difficulties in setting future direction. |
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We need a larger room so more members could attend. All presentations should be in front of the members. Each show and tell person take their item up front, if possible. |
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I prefer woodworking programs at monthly meeting. I also like demonstrations, if possible. |
Overflow comments:
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S&T too slow / camera slows it down/ survey good idea |
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Occasional q&a sessions to share techniques |
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Prefer member presented programs |
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S&T always same people. Enoourage more people to participate. Get them to bring first thing built ... |
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We need to use skilled members more in seminars, workshops, programs, etc. |
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Many thanks to the officers and others who help with the events and make this club so great. |
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Thanks for your interest and concern for direction of the club |
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Member workshops is a good idea.
Sort of like shop tours. A few members meeting to see a member show and use a
tool or technique. ( |
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Question J. “Often dull” |
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Question D3. “intro and trailer could be shorter” Question G1. “lack of space will limit club size” |
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Question D3. “intro and trailer could be shorter” Question G1. “lack of space will limit club size” |
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Question L. but would like to get to a 2 |
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question Hx.
No, but it's a way to |
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Question Hx: I haven't attended enough meetings to make an evaluation. |
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Question L. put a 6. becoming a better handyman i.e. Building things I need or want (not income related. |
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Question |
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Change if it meets need or club better. Note: Pen making may be a good program. |
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Quest 1. Added a category for “making a guitar” and put 5 in place. |
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Question H. The fellowship and exchange of ideas outweights any of these considerations. Memebers are geographically separated – location centered to all would thinkk to be important. |