1. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Conducting Concerns Surveys

2. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas What is a concerns survey? A survey in which citizens identify the most important issues facing their community.

3. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Results can then be used to: Help form strategies to deal with community problems. Maintain things that work. Rally the community around a cause. Build consensus.

4. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Why conduct a concerns survey? You should start off with people's concerns. It involves community members in the decision- making process early on. It's a useful source of information for initiatives, funders, and participants. It's easy to do. It helps set the work agenda. It builds consensus.

5. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Who should you survey? As many local people as possible!

6. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas How to prepare a concerns survey: Consider budget & resources. Put together a working group to design the survey. Invite selected decision makers to submit additional survey items. Prepare a 30-item survey with additional demographic info.

7. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas How to prepare a concerns survey (cont.): For every selected issue ask: How important the issue is to citizens? How satisfied citizens are with community efforts on the issue?

8. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Distributing a concerns survey Direct mail is most common. Other methods: Drop boxes Media distribution Convenience sampling Group administration Door-to-door canvassing You may also want to consider using multiple methods of distribution.

9. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Collecting the surveys: Gather incoming surveys collected at participating sites. Review returned surveys. Secure a larger return, if necessary.

10. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Analyzing and Compiling the Results: Average the importance & satisfaction for each item. Rank items according to the ones that have the highest percentages of importance Strengths: High ratings in both importance and satisfaction Problems: Rated high in importance but low satisfaction. Write up a brief report summarizing strengths, problems, and overall approval rating Identify five to ten strengths and five to ten problems Share the above information with your staff.

11. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas What next? Conduct a public meeting: Review main strengths & problems. Lead separate discussions on each issue. Afterwards, write a one-page narrative for each issue discussed.

12. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Prepare a concerns report Should consist of: Executive memo Brief report Data table Discussion report Demographic data & other displays Suggestions on how to use the report in the planning process