Feedback is vital and it’s important that we respond to the data collected. In the center I’m most connected to, the Findhorn Foundation, we have paper feedback forms for participants to complete at the end of their program.
Questions
- I’m curious which centers still use paper forms?
- If so do you share them with participants at the end of the program and give time for them to complete within the closing circle as we do in the FF?
- Or do you leave them on the bed for them to complete in their own time?
- If yes to Q3, do you share the forms the night before or earlier?
- If you use online forms what is your response rate and how soon after the program ends do you email guests?
- How do you respond to feedback – are you a dynamic center responsive to change?
Feedback
The FF has two forms – one specific to the program content, and one more generic eg. how people heard about the FF, was the brochure helpful, how was the quality of the food, accommodation, experience, would you recommend the program to friends, family or colleagues?
Feedback from first time visitors joining our flagship program, Experience Week, the ideal introduction to the community that has been running since 1974, is very positive and we created a graphic for the website.
I recently reviewed the 2016 results of the generic forms, curious to see the response to the question for follow on visitors – ‘What kinds of programmes would you be interested in?’
I then grouped them in order of interest…
Program Categories
- Spirituality
- Nature
- Personal
- Creativity
- Ecology
- Retreats
- Sustainability
- Wellbeing
- Community
- Trainings
- Leadership
- Celebrations
- Family
- LGBT+
- Youth
As a spiritual community it was reassuring to see this focus top of the list. One of our founding principles is co-creation with the intelligence of nature and it was great to see this as a close second, with similar numbers for personal growth, which resonates with how we describe ourselves – as a center for transformational learning.
I then translated the various themes into groups and came up with the following list:
- Personal and Spiritual Growth (includes retreats)
- Nature, Ecology, Sustainability
- Community and Spirituality
- Health and Wellbeing
- Creativity and Celebrations
- Leadership and Trainings
- Family, Youth and LGBT+
I was interested in how our sister communities Omega on the East Coast USA and Esalen on the West Coast organise their categories and reviewed their websites:
The Omega Institute offers more than 350 workshops, retreats, and conferences every year, organized into six different learning paths:
- Body, Mind, Spirit
- Health and Healing
- Creative Expression
- Relationships and Family
- Leadership and Work
- Sustainable Living
Each year, more than 23,000 people attend workshops and educational programs delivered by hundreds of teachers, artists, healers, and thinkers on the leading edge of their disciplines.
Esalen offers over over 500 workshops every year, with three day and five day options each week. They re-open again at the end of July after an extended closure from the extreme rains and associated landslides limiting road access. They define seven workshop categories:
- Arts and Creativity
- Body and Movement
- Leadership and Society
- Meditation and Spirituality
- Mind and Psychology
- Nature and Sustainability
- Relationship and Self
There are clearly similar themes between centers and the FF is reviewing it’s programming for 2019 to be as relevant as possible. These seem to be the categories that match the interest from participants and the kind of programs we currently offer:
- Personal and Spiritual Growth
- Health and Wellbeing
- Community and Creativity
- Relationships and Family
- Leadership and Trainings
- Nature and Sustainability
Key questions we’re asking include, ‘What supports our core curriculum, (programs unique to the FF), is in alignment with our founding principles, strengthens our culture and is needed in the world today?’
The FF is unique in that it has a stepping stone approach into the organization, rather than recruiting based on skill to fill key roles, we recruit from within. Participants join one of our gateway programs and some then make a deeper commitment, one month, six months, a year at a time on the journey into staff.
As well as attracting participants for week long programs, we aim to attract people who feel drawn to co-create with us a thriving, inspiring center dedicated to transforming consciousness in everyday life. As we explore our individual potential we can simultaneously support the FF to fulfil it’s potential. By writing articles like this we aim to support the entire network of centers, expand our reach and touch more lives, truly making a difference in the world.
Earlier this year the FF launched it’s new website, now responsive to viewing on a range of devices and vital in this current age when online bookings are increasingly made via smartphones. At the moment there is the Calendar of Workshops and Events and I imagine when categories are introduced it will help the viewer find the program that resonates with them most.
If you’re involved in a holistic center and interested in Programming, we invite you to join our Webinar this Wednesday 5th July 10am PST, hosted by Omega and the New York Open Center.
We’ll be exploring the following questions:
-
- Programming – What is your canvas?
- What is your organization’s mission?
- What are the topics/themes/programs your organization values and is interested in offering?
- What are the different products you are offering (i.e., weekend programs, evenings, certifications, online programs)
Just email connect@centersnetwork.org for more info!
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