Final class survey results

In our last meeting, we gave out surveys to solicit anonymous feedback from you. Our hope was to make improvement and plan for next semester based on the survey. We collected thirteen (13) valid surveys. Interestingly, even though we made this an anonymous survey, only three people decided to leave their names out while the remaining ten gave us their names. Overall, you guys were pretty satisfied with our service but would like to have more field trips next semester.

The first part of the survey asked you to comment on the effectiveness and usefulness of the following six items: 1) blog/google group, 2) Dharma talk topics, 3) meeting format, 4) meeting time/location, 5) refreshments, and 6) field trips, and give suggestions. Overwhelmingly, numbers commented “interesting” “useful” “effective” “excellent” and “good” for all items. One person stated that the blog is good but maybe a “larger font size will be better.” Another member mentioned that Dharma talk topics were good but “probably can be improved.” One member recommended we might want to hold meditation for more then once a week. As to refreshments, most felt they were “delicious” while one member wrote “nice but unimportant.” One member proposed to have maybe a little more variety and should include hot tea. Four people asked for more field trips.

The second survey question asked you to reflect on their learning and share with us any example of how they have applied something they learned to their daily life. Here are some of what they shared:

“Help myself and help others”
“Best example: mindfulness in everyday
activities”
“I liked the idea of thoughts coming in & out but never
attaching to any one thought very long. This is beneficial in everyday life”
“I learned to control my road rage! Also I am trying to focus on living more
in the present instead of worrying about the future”
“Tolerance and
patience. No one single example, but try to practice everyday and impart on
others”

Question three asked for suggestion for next semester. Some suggestions are listed below:

“conditions in Buddhism”
“mind and body unification”
“emptiness, the
mind”
“how to understand what one should do with one’s life”
“regret,
guilt, happiness”
“how about an introduction to Buddhism (simple) in daily
tasks”
“Abstinence, dichotomy of all or nothing practice”

Question four asked for suggestion for activity and people seemed to want more field trip. However, only one person made some concrete suggestions of attending charitable events.

Question five asked for ways we can recruit more people. Your suggestions ranged from more advertising, posting flyers around certain colleges, going to religion classes, attending student fairs, to word of mouth by members. I hope when you made those suggestions, you also had an idea of what you can do to help realize those wonderful suggestions.

One thing I like to explain here. The reason we only held two field trips this semester was mainly due to limited manpower. With all of you showing strong enthusiasm in getting more involved next semester, manpower will not be an issue anymore. I am certain we will have a few more activities next semester if you all would pitch in and help out.

Stay tuned for our spring schedule.. Oh, just a sneak preview, we probably will hold our meeting on Thursdays next semester. We have not made a final decision on whether we will meet at noon or in the late afternoon. What do you think? Leave us a comment at the blog and let your voice be heard.