us in planning the next year and to receive important feedback. Below is 72nd Brownies Parent Satisfaction Survey - May 1998the results of the survey tht was sent home in May 1998.

Thank you to the 21 out of 34 parents who turned in their surveys. How we run next year will be based on what the majority of you said.

The new ideas are wonderful

(note: some parents didn't answer all questions and thus some #'s don't add to 21)

  1. NEWSLETTERS/NOTICES/FLYERS: Parents felt information was sent home:

Too Seldom – 0 Too Often - 3 Just Right – 18

and for next year would prefer mail:

In mail slot – 15 Posted On Wall Only: 1 Both – 6

  • Everyone answered they read them, although only half regularly read them to their Brownie.

    Parent Comments Included: : "I feel as adults we should be able to remind ourselves if the information is in the mailboxes", "I think the group is very well organized and I really appreciate the mail slot setup! Thank you", "You had too many updated versions—maybe send a note in our slots regarding changes", "newsletters are too lengthy" "a lot of paper!"

  • NEXT YEAR: Although a few parents felt newsletters were too lengthy or sent home too often, the majority appeared to find them helpful and are asking us to continue sending them home frequently. We may however take a parent’s suggestion to post items that are further in the future on the wall, and only send home smaller, more current calendars home. We are also hoping to have a web page set up with information by fall 1998.
    •

    • 2. EXTRA ACTIVITIES:

    19 parents felt the extras enhanced their Brownie’s experience

    1. felt it didn’t matter either way.
    2. felt extras were not offered enough

    16 felt they were offered just enough.

    1. said we should offer everything that comes along
  • 6 felt we should be selective and 4 did not respond

    20 found cost reasonable 1 found it a burden

    All were aware subsidy was available

    Parent Comments Included: "the extra activities are the reason we drive across the mountain to your group", "suggest you go on museum trips", "I don’t mind paying for extra activities", "suggest butterfly museum, fall fairs, Mum Show, apple picking, Christmas caroling at church/mall", "not all children can make activities due to outside activities—the more offered the more likely they’ll be able to attend a few"

  • NEXT YEAR: It appears that the majority enjoy having extra activities offered in addition to the regular Brownie Program and don’t mind paying for them. Providing we continue to receive help from parents in order to do these activities we’ll continue. For the few that would like even more offered I suggest you look into something and present it to us early in September. Parents can take charge of trips etc. if they are interested! THANK YOU for the wonderful ideas…I’ve already started investigating some!
    •

    • 3. SLEEPOVERS/CAMP

      1. I think camp is an important experience for Brownies: Yes 16 No 0 Doesn’t Matter 5
      2. I think a sleepover or camp early in the year is a good idea: Yes 15 No 0 Doesn’t Matter 6
      3. I would prefer you wait until later in the year to do so: Yes 1 No 8 Doesn’t Matter 12
      4. Cost plays a major factor in whether my child goes to camp. Yes 7 No 11 Doesn’t Matter 3
      5. Distance away plays a major factor in whether she goes Yes 8 No 8 Doesn’t Matter 3 No Reply 2
      6. Facilities play a major factor in whether my child goes to camp: Yes 13 No 3 Doesn’t Matter 5
      7. I would prefer you offer a one night camp again: Yes 6 No 6 Doesn’t Matter 9

      Parent Comments Included:: "Again, I’m thankful subsidy is available….", "a fine job on camps!" "given the young age of the girls I feel the camping trips would be more beneficial in perhaps girl guides", "I prefer the 2 night camps!", "Canterbury Hills is an excellent choice—close and it was fairly priced", "we would go to more if they had more", "We really enjoyed Canterbury Hills, please go again next year".

    2. Next Year: It is very apparent that camp and sleepovers are seen as important with most who answered and something the girls really enjoy. Having one early in the year was a hit. Cost appears to only be a factor with some of our parents and they are aware that we can subsidize when necessary. The more costly Canterbury Hills continues to be popular. It appears that an equal amount would like a one or two night camp but that most don’t care either way. We’ll see what we can come up with for next year, but obviously camp is something you want!
      3.

    4. FUNDRAISING:

      1. 20 parents feel that 2-3 cases of cookies either sold to friends and family or on a route given to them on cookie weekend, twice a year is a reasonable request in return for the program and extras the girls get but one felt it wasn’t reasonable.
      2. Following is what parents felt about those who can not come out to sell cookie weekend or who don’t offer to take any pre-orders being expected to purchase at least two cases of cookies.
  • Yes, they should: 9 No, they shouldn’t: 5 Doesn’t Matter: 6
    1. d) When asked "Do you want us to continue giving the girls a reward for high pre-order sales or coming out to sell or doing
  • that little bit extra? Yes 15 No 1 Doesn’t Matter 5

    Parent Comments Included:_"some parents are working so they can’t help out---we should all lend a hand—but not be expected to sell if we can’t"," I think the sale of cookies twice a year should meet the budget and if it doesn’t include other activities", " have each parent automatically responsible for 2 cases or a $15.00 donation (the profit)", "the chocolate & vanilla are better sellers", "I feel the girls need the extra incentive to try hard with the cookie sales","count on only 2 cases per Brownies whether pre-order or door-to-door"

  • Next Year: It appears parents do understand the importance of fundraising. We will continue ordering 2 cases per Brownie, twice a year to be sold either privately or on a route given on cookie weekend. Thank you to the parent that suggested parents who couldn’t sell give a $15.00 donation twice a year. Unfortunately we are not allowed to do that. If a parent offers we can take it but we can’t ask for it. We can however ask parents to take leftover cookies to sell, especially if they didn’t do their share. We will be making it more clear on registration night what the expectations are. We will also continue to give rewards, as so many of you felt it was something you wanted.
    •

    • 5. PARENT COMMITTEE: Our committee this year was responsible for the mother/daughter banquet and for dealing with any concerns/questions etc. regarding the group or its leaders and taking suggestions.

      1. Were you aware there was a parent committee? Yes 19 No 0 No Comment 2
      2. Were you aware you were welcome to join the committee: Yes 18 No 3
      3. Are you comfortable being approached by other parents with information or requests for help? Yes 18 No1
      4. Would you like to see a parent committee next year?
      5. Yes 17 No 0 No Response 4
      6. What other things would you like to see the committee involved in? " Father/Daughter Banquet"., "testing for outlooks, assisting on nights leaders are busy and updating books"

    Comments From Parents: "fine committee…excellent job!"

  • Next Year: We sure hope there will be a committee next year! We are also hoping they will be able to do more planning of trips, parties etc. If you are interested in chairing the committee please let Mrs. Castonguay know ASAP as she is leaving us this year. As the majority are comfortable with members approaching them, we may have them do more as far as contact with parents. We agree with parents…they did an excellent job!
    •

    • 6. MEETINGS:

  • a) Did you feel there was a good balance between program work, outlook work, community service, crafts, games & songs etc. Yes 21 No 0

    b) Did your daughter look forward to coming to Brownies? Yes 18 No 0 Most of the Time 3

    •
      1. What were her favorite activities? Crafts 11, Games 4, Songs 6, Outlooks 6, Outings 4, Sleepover 1, Camps 3 Being a Leader, Outdoor hikes with flashlights,
      2. What was her least favourite? "Catch up days", "presenting outlook work from home", "outdoor hike in cold" "discussion time", "doing the circle song twice"
      3. What would you like to see more of next year? Crafts 2, Trips 2 Camp 2
      4. What would you like to see less of next year? Camps & sleepovers 1
  • h) Is going until the first or second week in June a problem for your family? Yes 1 No 20

    • Comments From Parents: "My daughter says she loves Brownies & she can think of nothing she didn’t like" "I’m very happy with the program—great work!", "My daughter had a terrific time in Brownies this year," "You ladies do a fantastic job and should be proud of yourselves", "I’m so happy with your program schedule—thank you very much!", "it does get extremely busy for us in June", "I thought the program was very well rounded this year", "I think the term is of reasonable length of time. I think special events in May help kids to become excited about seeing summer coming," "I liked the way it was done this year", "my daughter loved all aspects of Brownies", "the program you have is a good variety", "everything was great..very pleased overall", "keep meetings within the allotted time; too many 6-8:15 meetings!"

  • Next Year: It appears that parents were very happy with the balance this year so we will continue on with the same. Thank you for so many wonderful comments. What is most important to us is that the girls want to come and the fact that they do is very evident from your replies. For those that would like more crafts we strongly suggest you send your daughters to camps and sleepovers where there is more time to do them and plenty are done. Most do not find going to mid June a problem so we will continue to go a little longer then some groups in order to fit more in. One parent was concerned about having joint meetings. All parents did sign at the beginning of the year that they were aware some meetings would be joint. Many of the girls got in to our group only because we were willing to volunteer to open up another group to accommodate them, on the condition that when it was necessary or convenient for us we would join the two for a longer, joint meeting. WE WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE joining some meetings next year so if you need to rely on a particular time we suggest and will assist you in finding another group.
    •

    7. BROWNIE BOOKS:

  • a) Having a record of what my Brownie did throughout the year was important to me.

    Yes 20 No 0 Didn’t Matter 1

    b) Having a record of what my Brownie did was important to her. Yes 21 No 0 Didn’t Matter 1

    • I think putting stickers in her book when something is accomplished is a good idea.

  • Yes 21 No 0 Doesn’t Matter 0
    •

    Comments From Parents: "The Brownie book is a good motivator for Brownies & Parents", "Please keep all of the above—everyone likes to be rewarded for their efforts", "excellent recognition and encouragement! It is much appreciated", "a great keepsake of their brownie experience!", "the stickers encourage them to get more outlooks", "I think the books are a real incentive for the girls (*like report cards). I’d volunteer to do books next year because it’s that important to us!)", "my daughter is very proud of her book", "we enjoy the reward type program..very pleased", "excellent concept", "a great way to keep track of what she’d one and needs to do"

  • Next Year: We will definitely keep up this tradition! This was one item that everyone was almost unanimous on. Thanks for the feedback…now we know it was worth the time and effort!
    •
    1. PHOTOGRAPHS:

    a) I like being able to purchase these memorable photographs for my Brownie. Yes 21 No 0 Doesn’t Matter 0

    b) I think the cost of 3 for $1.00 is reasonable:

  • Yes 21 No „

    • c) I think you should stop taking photographs:

    Yes 0 No 19 Doesn’t Matter 2

    Comments From Parents: "A picture is worth a thousand words!", "it is wonderful since I can enjoy the trips more without having to worry about taking pictures"

  • Next Year: Providing the parents that overwhelmingly said they want them taken do buy them up tonight, we’ll continue the practice next year! We agree that memories are worth so much!
    •

    • 9. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS: Please put a circle around the things you would like to see most of the money spent on and a X through anything you would prefer we didn’t allocate money for. Anything not circled or crossed out, we will assume you don’t mind a smaller amount going towards

    Comments From Parents: "Whatever you did this year seemed to work out great so perhaps the same ratio", "whatever you feel you need to do", "increase dues to at least $2.00 per week". "parents could help with supplying craft materials"

  • Next Year: We spent the budget based on what parents wanted last year. It is interesting that this year they are asking for approximately the same ratios. We’ll go with the majority like we did last year…thanks for the comments. Just a note to the parent that suggested we charge $2.00 a week. We are not allowed to charge more then $1.00 per week. We can only charge what the area has agreed to. If we need more we are expected to sell more cookies which brings in revenue for other areas of Guiding beside ourselves.

    10. LEADERS: We appreciated the support and words of thanks from many of our parents this year. Following are your comments regarding us:

  • My Brownie especially enjoyed it when the volunteer leaders: "gave her praise on the things she did well", played games and provided crafts, "recognized her accomplishments", "did crafts with her and took her on trips", took time for her","took her camping", "were all at Canterbury Hills Camp!" "played games with her", "praise her for an accomplishment", "made her laugh", "played games with us" "did neat crafts with her"

    As a parent I really appreciated it when leaders:"took them on outings" "continue to be the fantastic leaders you are" "kept us informed", "take the time to help my daughter and make her feel special---thank you all", "treat each Brownie with respect and understanding (since everyone is so unique)", "take the time and effort that goes into everything" "advised and reminded me of events" "planned out for the year", "do extra activities like food fun and science", "are involved at the sleepovers and camps. I’m more secure to leave my daughter", "took a special interest in my child", "go that extra mile", "take the child’s concerns and fears to heart and help", "had the helpers do grub work, while leaders spent time with the girls"

    If I could suggest one thing to the leaders it would be: "Keep up the good work" "to keep doing a great job for the community and children", "ask each parent to volunteer for at least 1 meeting to make the job easier for the leaders", "keep up the great work but bicycle safety should have been touched upon around this time of year", "DON’T CHANGE", "be proud of yourselves and don’t stop what you’re doing", "keep up the great work!", "make alternate plans for outings where weather does not permit, children should not have had to sit in vehicles for King’s Forest trip and calls to inform parents should have been done MUCH earlier", " be proud of what they have done for the Brownies this year!!", "don’t change…my daughter loves all of you & being a Brownie very much", "request more help from parents" "just keep doing more of the same!"

    •

    • THANK YOU TO ALL OUR PARENTS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE SURVEY

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