2008/2009 Education Series Report
A few highlights:
Attendance: a total of 1,522 people attended a total of 19 programs. Attendance ranged from lows of 28 at Grief and Loss and Addiction, and 33 at A History of A.A. (it was snowing the evening of this presentation;) to a high of 146 (Intervention,) with Addiction 101 a close second at 134. Attendance averaged 80 per program. This compares with average attendances of 62 in 2007/2008, 47 in 2006/207, 41 in 2005/2006, 28 in 2004/2005, 31 in 2003/2004, and 13 in 2003.
- 80% returned evaluations (this is a lower rate of return than previous years; however the rate of return improved towards the end of the series when we initiated extra efforts to encourage people to return evaluations.)
- After the first program, 55% of the attendees Kept Coming Back, i.e. indicated they had attended previous programs.
Social demographics: 38% identified themselves as addicts/alcoholics/recovering people. 38% identified themselves as family members/friends. 25% identified themselves as professionals. 11% identified themselves as students. 4% identified themselves as interested community members or “other.” 6% identified themselves as Dawn Farm staff; 0% identified themselves as Dawn Farm board members. The proportions of addicts/alcoholics/recovering people and of professionals have trended up a little and family members/friends and of students have trended down a little overall over a few years. You had a significant increase in the number of Dawn Farm staff/interns that attended this year, even though the percentage is only up a little. (68 in 2008/2009; 37 in 2007/2008; 18 in 2006/2007; 22 in 2005/2006; 13 in 2004/2005; not measured prior to 2004/2005.)
Geographic demographics: The Education Series attracted people from 90 towns/cities/townships/ villages, 14 Michigan counties and 2 states besides Michigan. 65% were from Washtenaw County, 20% were from Wayne County, and 5% were from Livingston County; 30% were from counties contiguous to Washtenaw and 5% were from non-contiguous counties/other states.
The most common source of finding out about your DFES is from Dawn Farm staff (27%.) In general, word of mouth (from Dawn Farm staff, friends, family, other referrals) is by far the most common way for people to learn about the series. However, other sources (fliers, Internet, media) provide significant information dissemination as well.
Likert responses: Overall, 91.8% of the Likert question responses were positive (4 or 5,) 6.6% were neutral (3,) and 1.6% were negative (1 or 2.) The greatest satisfaction was indicated for the question, “I received valuable information” (94.7% positive, 4.7% neutral, 0.7% negative.) The least satisfaction was indicated for the question, “My reasons for coming were addressed” (88.9% positive, 7.5% neutral, 3.6% negative.) Likert data seems overall fairly consistent with previous years. To compare and track Likert responses, I added a new chart on page three of the Likert summary that summarizes the % of responses that were positive, neutral and negative each year.
Anecdotal responses: Audience members provided 29 pages of written feedback (not including the Likert or demographic responses) specifying how attendance at the programs changed their understanding, attitudes or intended future actions; what they found most helpful; their suggestions for changes or for future programs; and other comments.
posted by Jason Schwartz at 6:31 AM
