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Membership Survey Results <br />Last summer, the Freshwater <br />Foundation conducted a comprehen ­ <br />sive survey of its memberships, with <br />the help of a volunteer Charlie Smith, <br />a market researcher at Tennant Com­ <br />pany. Of the 1,142 surveys mailed out, <br />responses were received from 649 <br />people (a response rate of 56 <br />percent). <br />These responses were analyzed <br />and are described below. This year <br />has proven to be an ideal time to <br />gather this information. A board com­ <br />mittee Is working on an extensive <br />long-range plan lor the organization. <br />In addition, board and staff members <br />are examining ways to expand <br />Freshwater ’s membership and to <br />reach new audiences. The information <br />contained in the survey has proved to <br />be extremely helpful for both these <br />activities. <br />Who are Freshwater’s Members? <br />• More than 90 percent of members <br />are at least 35 years cld. <br />• Nearly 70 percent have household <br />incomes of $50,000 or more. <br />• More than half of our members live <br />on property not directly adjoining <br />water. <br />• Two-thirds of respondents describe <br />themselves as "interested <br />citizens"(as opposed to teachers, <br />government officials or researchers). <br />• Nearly half of the respondents have <br />been P’embers of the Freshwater <br />Foundation for onp to five years. <br />Services <br />In this category, members felt that <br />the most important services the Foun­ <br />dation offered were its publications — <br />The Journal of Freshwater. U.S. Water <br />News, and our newsletter. Facets of <br />Freshwater. Members felt that the <br />Foundation should be providing a <br />monthly newsletter (as opposed to the <br />old quarterly format), an annual report <br />and, rated most important, special in- <br />depth reports. All three of these <br />recommendations have been or will <br />be implemented in the near future. <br />Programs <br />Members indicated the following <br />Foundation programs as most impor ­ <br />tant: research at the Gray Freshwater <br />Institute; production of public informa­ <br />tion brochures: conferences and <br />workshops; and the Health & Environ­ <br />ment Digest. However, members felt <br />that Freshwater should be supporting <br />research at the Institute; information <br />and consultation to agencies and <br />schools, and advocating lor water issues. <br />Issues <br />The following five issues drew the <br />strongest response from members as <br />to where the Foundation should be <br />fiA 1 <br />focusing its resources: <br />Drinking water <br />Applied water research <br />Surface water management <br />Groundwater management <br />Public education <br />Partly as a result of this survey and <br />of our long-range planning, the board <br />has recently approved the implementa­ <br />tion of major surface water management <br />and education initiatives. <br />Overall. 60 percent of current <br />membership indicated a general <br />satisfaction with the mission and ac­ <br />tivities of the Fbuhdation. Over hall cited <br />support for the mission as the most im­ <br />portant reason for being a member. <br />Copies of the survey report are <br />available at the Foundation offices, or by <br />calling Michelle at (612) 471-8407. Many <br />thanks to all who participated. <br />sci^/iftro^ftour AdMm^cop%‘Ze available at the Founbaaon lor $50.00. <br />■ Upcoming <br />Programs <br />and Events <br />Last Call for Alaska <br />Trip Reservations <br />You only have until April 15 to <br />make your reservations and <br />downpayment lor the Freshwater <br />trip to Sitka, Alaska, scheduled <br />for July 7 to 15. <br />Because of special ar­ <br />rangements with Sheldon <br />Jackson College, the excursion <br />will cost $1550 per person —and <br />that includes room and meals, <br />plus numerous side trips and air <br />travel. Call Laura Ayers Dorn at <br />(612) 471-8407 for more <br />information. <br />Hunting for Birds <br />in the ^boretum <br />On Saturday. May 5 and 12, <br />Jim Gilbert will lead hikes in the <br />Minnesota Landscape Ar­ <br />boretum to view birds and their <br />nesting areas. The hikes are <br />scheduled from 8 a.m. to 9:30 <br />a.m. both days, with an added <br />hike on the 121h that begins at <br />9:30 a.m. An $8 per person fee <br />will be charged, with Arboretum <br />members receiving a $3 dis­ <br />count, For more information or <br />reservations, call the Arboretum <br />at 443-2460.