Download
1 / 42
420 likes | 527 Views
Cushing Chamber of Commerce 2012 MID-YEAR REPORT. Member Survey Results. Survey Format. 4 Main Sections Communications Events Programs Overall Rating and Comments Each member was given the opportunity to submit an evaluation anonymously. Rating System.
E N D
Cushing Chamber of Commerce2012 MID-YEAR REPORT Member Survey Results
Survey Format • 4 Main Sections • Communications • Events • Programs • Overall Rating and Comments • Each member was given the opportunity to submit an evaluation anonymously
Rating System • For most questions the members were asked to rate each item from 1 to 5 • 5 is excellent • 1 is poor • Other questions involved whether or not a program was useful and how important a certain issue was to the member • There were 28 surveys returned in 2012 compared to 18 in 2011
Communications • Monday Memo • Published weekly via email • Rating in 2010 was 3.6 • Rating in 2011 was 3.9 • Rating in 2012 was 4 • Membership Memo • Published weekly via email • Rating this year was 4.4 (Initiated 2012) • Periodic Email Communication • Rating this year 4.1
Communications (Cont’d) • Website • Rating in 2010 was 3.1 • Rating in 2011 was 3.6 • Rating in 2012 was 4.2 • Formal Notices • Notices other than email • Rating in 2010 was 3.5 • Rating in 2011 was 3.6 • Rating in 2012 was 4.1
Communications Comments • Monday Memo • Annoying to me. • Membership Memo • Again, unsolicited email. I find it hard to take time to read it. • Periodic Emails • For busy people, email is very easy to click “delete” and it’s gone. • I admit I don’t read a lot of the State chamber news. Maybe a summary of those could be sent out if deemed something we really needed to pay attention to. • Website • NEVER look at it.
Communications Comments • Formal Notices (Communications other than email) • Excellent when needed as statements, banquet invitations, etc. I do feel maybe more could be mailed for special functions. Women in Business, Ambassador events --- anything you want a crowd. Emails don’t always get through. Maybe advertise events more on the website. Like Monday Memos, “Check our website for more information.” I’m wondering if everyone realizes just how much information is on the website. People need to be informed to help make things happen. Chamber members should be helping make things happen in our community. • Overall Communications Comments • The Chamber should communicate well and often to the members concerning its activities. The Cushing Chamber has done well in reaching out to its members via email and website. Perhaps more emphasis can be made in making a monthly newsletter that could actually be mailed to its members as well. • Keep up the good work! • I suggest a weekly column for newspaper submittal each Monday morning to the Citizen.
Communications Summary • Aggregate rating of 4.2 up from 2011, which was 3.6 • For the most part the membership seems pleased with the communications tools with a rating of a little over “Above Average.” However, there seems to be some need to continue to improve communications.
Events • BBQ and Blues Festival • Rating in 2010 was 3.7 • Rating in 2011 was 3.9 • Rating in 2012 was 4.4 • Festival in the Park • Rating in 2010 was 4.4 • Rating in 2011 was 4.3 • Rating in 2012 was 4.3 • Christmas Parade • Rating in 2010 was 3.2 • Rating in 2011 was 3.2 • Rating in 2012 was 3.4
Events Comments • BBQ ‘N Blues Festival • Very good event for Cushing. Should be continued. Parking needs to be addressed before the next BBQ ‘N Blues. • Festival in the Park • Again, thanks to the Chamber for picking up the pieces. A necessary event for Cushing. • Christmas Parade • Parade SEEMS to have lost its sizzle. Can it be saved? Maybe. Better have a driver at the helm. • I thought the Christmas Parade was better this time. Only complaint heard was they could not see the Parade Marshalls in that “armored car.” Need a way to make downtown more festive. Needs something else going on. Christmas parade should be an annual event. I know the Business Council is working on it --- a good group with a great chair.
Events Comments • Overall Events Comments • Wonderful events that the citizens of Cushing enjoy. Needs many more volunteers to actually make these events safe to succeed. • Keep up the good work! • Chamber does a great job with events and festivals. So much so, that we have begun to expect the Chamber take them on. July 4th for example. We’ve heard several who think the Chamber should take it. I disagree strongly. I have no problem with chamber continuing BBQ ‘N Blues and Festival in the Park. We should take on no new events or festivals. We should begin determining what our real purpose should be in Cushing. Legislation? Community Development? Community Beautification? Roads and Highway improvements? A mixture of the above? Why are we here?
Events Comments • Overall Events Comments Continued • Same stuff year after year. Same cliques year after year. Nothing new in Cushing. Same predictable stuff every year. The community seems to be bore with everything. • Very good that more activities planned for the pipeline personnel and many in from other areas. I understand the Friday Night Party was great fun. A good chance to meet other personnel. I may want to attend next year. Saturday the pipeline employees that are there are busy serving food and giveaways and many from Friday night are not there on Saturday. Maybe a solution for me is to help with some of the activities.
Events Summary • BBQ ‘N Blues Festival • Rated one half a point higher this year than in 2011. It went from a little “Above Average” to halfway between “Above Average” and “Excellent.” • Attendance each year has continued to grow since we moved the Festival in 2010 • Festival in the Park • The rating all three years for the Festival has remained steady at 4.3 which is a little “Above Average.” • The Christmas Parade • The Christmas Parade rose from 3.2 for both 2010 and 2011 to 3.4 in 2012
Events Summary • Aggregate rating of 4.03 compared to the last two years which were both 3.8 • Membership is happy with the way the Chamber runs events and festivals. • In 2010 and 2011, the highest rated event was Festival in the Park. In 2012, the highest rated event was BBQ ‘N Blues. • The Christmas Parade improved slightly in the eyes of the membership but shows it still is in need of improvement.
Programs • Cushing Cash • In its third year with the purpose of keeping dollars circulating in Cushing and our members’ businesses. • The first year we were responsible for keeping $7000.00 circulating here within the Chamber member’s businesses • In 2011, we kept a little under $5,000 in Cushing and in our members’ businesses. • We have 33 Cushing Chamber members participating as of today. • Of those who responded this year, 6 respondents were participating and 9 were not. • Of those who responded, 13 stated the program was worthwhile and four said it was not. One stated that the program is worthwhile if we would increase the program awareness.
Cushing Cash • Cushing Cash Comments • The program is not advertised or very well known at all. • Not a retailer. • No reason. Chose not to participate. • We don’t offer a saleable service for the general public. • Never had a customer use the program at our store in 2 ½ years. • Is this program worthwhile?
Cushing Cash • Cushing Cash Comments Continued • It should be stopped. Way to few people using. It was a good idea. Appears it just won’t fly in Cushing. • Not considered applicable to us. • We aren’t a retailer nor do we have an office in Cushing. • Maybe I’m missing it but the retailers need to help more in promoting and telling people that Cushing cash is available for gifts, etc. and that they accept the Cushing Cash.
Cushing Cash • Cushing Cash Summary • While the program has not been as successful as hoped, the program has not been as well advertised as it should have been. • Because of the almost 3 to 1 response in favor of the program, an opportunity to promote the program for some period of time should be tried before eliminating the program.
Legislative Luncheon • Held the last Friday of the month during the legislative session at the Cushing Country Club • Rating in 2010 was 3.8 • Rating in 2011 was 3.9 • Rating in 2012 was 4 • Of those responding, 17 stated they have attended a Legislative Luncheon and 9 have not. • Of those responding, 13 said they would like to see the program expanded and four said they did not want the program to expand.
Legislative Luncheon • Reasons for not attending Legislative Luncheon • Timing…month end is a killer time period that demands all my time. • Not interested • Don’t like going to Country Club for luncheon. • Legislative Luncheon Comments • What is meant by expansion? I think we could work at getting more people to the Friday luncheons because there is a lot of good information there.
Legislative Luncheon • Legislative Luncheon Summary • It is a well established Cushing program that is well attended during the legislative session. • Some consideration to moving the program around to other eating establishments should be considered. • Expansion to the legislative affairs efforts needs to be discussed. This year a legislative phone call from the Oklahoma State Chamber was established for members to listen to the movement of legislative bills affecting the Oklahoma business community but it was poorly attended.
Leadership Cushing • Leadership Cushing • In 2011, 94% of those responding thought the program was beneficial. • In 2011, 44% of those responding had participated in the program in the past. • In 2012, 91% of those responding thought the program was beneficial. • In 2012, 26% of those responding had participated in the program in the past. • In 2012, there were six participants in the class and all graduated.
Leadership Cushing • Leadership Cushing Comments • Leadership Cushing is like any other leadership program. We can give one exposure to leadership opportunities and possibly even teach some skills- but we can’t make one a better leader that doesn’t have that aptitude. Perhaps we should go another direction. There should be a group of leaders present at the graduation or one of the last sessions and they should evaluate which of the class members have real potential – potential we could nurture. Suffice to say though, it’s a necessary facet of our chamber and our community. I don’t think we’re getting the marrow out of the program yet. • Helped start the 1st one, but only attended to help. Maybe I should now attend as a participant.
Leadership Cushing • Leadership Cushing Summary • A large majority of those responding to the survey in 2011 and 2012 believe this program is extremely important. • Participation the last two years spiraled downward compared to past classes. Perhaps some attention and discussion needs to be paid to marketing the program.
Tomorrow’s Leaders • Tomorrow’s Leaders • Leadership training program focusing on high school (junior high) students. The 2012 class was 31 students. • 96% (24 out of 25) of the respondents thought the program was beneficial compared to 100% in 2011. • This committee continues to be one of the Chamber’s most successful
Program Comments • Program Comments • Is Women in Business not a standing committee?
Issues • Should the Cushing Chamber be involved in the following issues? Rate from 1 to 5, with five being the highest importance. • Housing • In 2010, Housing rated 3.8 • In 2011, Housing rated 3.3 • In 2012, Housing rated 3.6 • Legislation • In 2010, Legislation rated 3.8 • In 2011, Legislation rated 3.8 • In 2012, Legislation rated 3.6
Issues • Transportation • In 2010, Transportation rated 3.9 • In 2011, Transportation rated 3.4 • In 2012, Transportation rated 2.9 • Healthcare • In 2012, Healthcare rated 3.1 • Education • In 2010, Education rated 3.8 • In 2011, Education rated 3.8 • In 2012, Education rated 4.4
Issues • Leadership Development (Adult) • In 2010, Leadership Development rated 3.7 • In 2011, Leadership Development rated 3.6 • In 2012, Leadership Development rated 3.6 • Leadership Development (Students) • In 2010, Tomorrow's Leaders rated 3.5 • In 2011, Tomorrow's Leaders rated 3.8 • In 2010, Tomorrow's Leaders rated 4.1
Issues • Issues Comments • 5 Economic/Business Development. Title is Chamber of Commerce.
Issues • Issues Summary • In 2010, the highest rated issue was Transportation • In 2011, the highest rated issue was a three way tie between Legislation, Education, and Leadership Development (Students). • In 2012, the highest rated issue is Education with a rating of 4.4 • Only one issue has ever rated less than 3.0 (Average) which was this year. Transportation scored a 2.8 • Education and Legislation has consistently rated very high in all three years.
ITW • Information Technology Workshop(s) • Of those who responded, 36% said they would be interested in the Cushing Chamber offering an education program on information technology for business. • 8% said they would not be interested • 56% said they may be interested
Housing Study • Housing Study • Of those responding, 85% said they would like to see the Cushing Chamber pursue a “Housing” study in Cushing. • 15% said they would not like to see the Chamber pursue a “Housing” study. • Of those responding, 61% said they would like to see the Cushing Chamber initiate the study. • 39% said they would not want the Chamber to initiate the study.
Housing Study • Housing Study Comments • Depends. What are you going to do with it? There’s no question, we need single family housing and we need market rate apartments. If we need to study to convince a developer to come to Cushing to build, then by all means, let’s study something. • Assist City Government • A study needs to be done but not through the Chamber. Cushing Board of Realtors should address this issue with the Chamber’s encouragement.
Business after Hours • Business After Hours – An event to promote business between Chamber Members. • In 2011, 93% of respondents said they were interested. • In 2012, 55% of respondents said they were interested. • In 2011, 57% of respondents said they were interested in being a sponsor. • In 2012, 40% of respondents said they were interested in being a sponsor.
Business after Hours • Business After Comments • Of course, you know you can count on us to help with deals like this. I suggest you set up a committee to handle. They should set up the rotation and recruit businesses to sponsor. That should NOT be the role of the office staff. • I think it is good for businesses to meet each other. Always up to banks and big companies which probably isn’t fair. The one at the Country Club wasn’t well attended. Maybe Chamber should ask for a business location and others help or put it on with more Chamber help (staff).
Chamber Website • How do you rate our website? • In 2011, the rating was 3.7 • In 2012, the rating was 4.0 • How many times have you been to the website? • 32% have gone to the website 1 to 5 times • 44% have gone to the website 6 to 10 times • 24% have gone to the website 11 or more times.
Rate your Chamber • How would you rate the Cushing Chamber of Commerce overall (1-5) • In 2010, the rating was 3.7 • In 2011, the rating was 3.7 • In 2012, the rating was 4.1
Overall Comments • In general, the Chamber is doing its best in all endeavors. However, more volunteers are needed to make these programs function better and safer. • I believe we have a wonderful Chamber. I also think that Brent does a great job and is very knowledgeable. • I’m very happy and have a general feeling of support toward our Chamber. Still, I have concerns. I think we’re dumbing ourselves down. We need to have tried and proven community leaders still involved in leadership positions in our Chamber. I don’t see that right now. As much as I love new young leadership, new ideas, new enthusiasm and young energy, it’s only wise to keep some experienced leadership in the loop. Adding experienced leadership will help to develop a young and mature leadership team.
Overall Comments • I believe the most important duty of the Chamber of Commerce is to support the local businesses and the community of Cushing in a positive way. Communications is so important to maintain the task. The current manager, staff and officers, I feel, do a good job and they communicate in a professional manner. Many other chambers’ offices we are a member of do not communicate well, nor do they maintain the offices professionally and timely. I know Chamber depends on members to help, but in times like this it is hard when you are trying to run a business and keep it thriving. Therefore, I believe the Cushing Chamber of Commerce is certainly the best in the area. Keep up the good work. • Business development needs to be in the chamber office and out promoting Cushing to create new opportunities for attracting new companies and to create deals on bringing them to Cushing. Work with the City to give incentive to get them here.
Overall Comments • Brent does a good job and implements good ideas. Not sure if all or what directives the board asked of Brent. Good committees so Brent is keeping them working on activities. That will naturally help our Chamber to do good for the community. • I’d like to see Chamber help with the Depot in our downtown area. We really need that to be a vital place – as museum, etc. Good plans have been presented in the past as all know we have an owner that does not cooperate. It could be donated to the Cushing Community Foundation. If the owner really wanted to help the community he could place the property in the foundation and we could all help make the Depot something that Cushing could be proud of and help the economy as well as be the anchor for the downtown area. • The Chamber is ran very efficiently and productively. I’ve been involved with this chamber for three years and it improves every year. • Personally I think the Chamber is doing a good job of representing the city and its businesses.
