26 October 2007

So here are the long-awaited Fireside Chat survey results (conducted on 12 October 2007):

With regard to the format:
# of people who would prefer a 1 hour facilitation time and 1 hour social time: 16
# of people who would prefer 2 hours of facilitation: 2
# of people who said "it depends on topic" or "1/2 and 1/2": 2

With regard to the cookie choices (I've taken everyone's top four choices and the numbers reflect the number of people who chose that cookie as being one of their top four favourites):

Double chocolate almond: 11
Chocolate chip: 10
Double chocolate: 8
Peanut Butter: 7
Oatmeal: 7
Ginger: 7
Almond: 6
Macadamia Nut: 6
Oreo: 5
Hermit Cookies: 4
(Chris says: One non-participating respondent took issue with the cookie quiz, saying "the fact that 1/3 of the survey is about cookie type is the proof of just how far "Fireside" has drifted from the down to earth realistic gatherings that we (sic) its hallmark in the days when Terry and Jacquie ran them". I have included this person's comments in the interest of maintaining the integrity of the questionnaire.)

With regard to the topics:
HANDS-ON:
-wands
-incense
-tools of the craft
-energy work
-oils
-things like what the Tarot Card Lady did (Chris: was that the time when Corrine had people make their own tarot cards from clippings?)

LECTURE:
-rituals
-places to go
-various witch/pagan traditions, spiritual paths with an emphasis on clearly defining the differences (for example: the different druid paths/groups or the various kinds of witchcraft), the involvement of art
-free-for-alls like Bythor does
-rituals and meanings
-the future of Paganism in Edmonton
-tarot and divination
-listening on gut instincts

LEAST FAVOURITE THING:
- people going off topic
- monopolizing conversations
- when the facilitator continues long past the point of the audience's attention span
- not enough bookshelves and books
- people ranting when you're here to see the facilitator
- too many witchy topics (Chris: as opposed to...?)
- early start time - would prefer 6:30pm
- there aren't enough Firesides
- no breaks, boring redundant presentation, lack of tone while speaking (Chris:? writing was hard to read)
- right now the length of lectures (2 hours) is too long! In the old days the lectures were an hour long then we were free to visit on the second hour (and shop)
- the amateur facilitator
- long talkers
- some people interrupt the facilitator a lot
- I've never been here before and am new to being a pagan so everything is helpful
- currently the trashy air heads that it draws (Chris: again this respondent filled out the questionnaire at the front of the store and is not currently a Fireside regular)

MOST FAVOURITE THINGS:
- relaxed atmosphere
- hearing others' opinions on topics
- meeting new people
- exchange of ideas
- casting the circle (Chris: I admit I'm confused about this one)
- meeting other Pagans
- the time to learn and meet
- being in a comfortable and safe environment
- meeting with friends
- the social interaction
- knowledgable speakers
- interesting presentations
- fellowship
- the people and the atmosphere
- the connection
- that it's here, a refuge, a place to meet folks
- meeting new people
- meeting other Pagans
- getting together with everybody
- people, atmosphere and FRED
- haven't had one in a long time (Chris: from non-participating respondent)

WHAT WOULD MAKE FIRESIDE CHATS BETTER?:

- maybe the meditation idea (ie: having a grounding meditation at the beginning)
- better mix of facilitation and socialization
- invite people (Chris: speakers? other Pagans? the general public?)
- participate
- make it darker and bring the candles back
- more in-depth topics
- nothing
- it's good as it is
- new topics and new facilitators
- make the lectures shorter and topics more interesting
- announce what the topics are on the blog for each Fireside (Chris: will do!)
- include a short grounding meditation or short meditations
- I think it's awesome, really
- enforce respect for the speaker/facilitator - let people know they will have their chance to gab in a little while but ask for quiet when the presenter is up there.
- aim for a balance of male and female facilitators (Chris: I don't know whose comment this is but could this person please come and clarify their concerns about this?)
- wine and tea tasting (Chris: sorry, it's not feasible for us to get a liquor licence at this point to allow the alcohol. Nice idea though)
- get better facilitators/experts (Chris: I notice this person has not volunteered to facilitate nor have they made any suggestions as to what would be a better facilitator)
- less Wiccan - more Pagan
- less talking when facilitator talking
- have a short ice-breaking activity every chat
- get rid of the trash and raise the standard of what is being presented, have the owners look like business people and not running a pet sitting agency and be cleaner (Chris: it appears our non-participating respondent has a number of issues that extend beyond the parameters of the questionnaire including a personal attack on Ed's and my hygiene was well as the dog. Ouch. Additional note: this person is unwilling to facilitate, stating "under the present quality of the store, not a chance." Am I alone in wondering why he/she comes to the store at all?)

Thank you everyone who took the time to fill out the questionnaires and for giving such constructive and concrete suggestions.

I will act on these ideas as best I can. And if you have any questions, concerns, or any ideas to help make Fireside better, please get in touch with me.

Tonight's topic: "Samhain" or "Why we eviscerate gourds and carve scary faces into them"
Facilitator: Chris and everyone else (yes, I'm going to pick your brains tonight...)