Newsletter Improvement Survey
The Connecticut Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation produces an annual newsletter distributed early in the year (mid-February) targeted to arrive about a month before the annual meeting. This meets requirements of the organization's Bylaws - but also considerately serves to notify constituents about the annual meeting.

In recent editions of the Newsletter we've attempted to increase the professionalism while still keeping the publication within our budget, by leveraging low cost printing and postage. We have atrived to add as many possible constituents to the distribution as possible. We also offer an on-line pdf version, though not everyone has access to the internet. We think we are providing the best experience possible for our constituents while protecting the organization's reputation and brand. For a job that would be a challenge for professionals, the Chapter Newsletter Volunteers sometimes feel overwhelmed, and wonder if they are successfully achieving the objectives. So while we are pround of the results we've produced, we wondered if we could solicit constituent feedback to held direct our efforts.

Your participation in this anonymous survey will help us understand how we can improve our communications. All answers are optional, but we ask that you attempt to answer all the questions. Please take the survey just once. Thank you in advance for participating.
1. I clearly remember receiving and reading the last issue of the CT Chapter Newsletter. Yes No
2. Which of the following statements is most accurate about your experience with past issues of the CT Chapter Newsletter(s)?
"I read all of the newsletter"
"I read most of the newsletter"
"I read some of the newsletter"
"I did not read any of the newsletter"
3. How valuable do you find each of these (below) topic areas frequently found in past issues of the newsletter?
lowmediumhigh
1 2 3 4 5
"Annual Meeting Agenda and driving directions"
"Profile on Annual Meeting Speakers"
"Introduction to new Directors, Officers and Committee Members"
"Articles expressing appreciation for services rendered as donations"
"Chapter President's Recap of progress and appeal for special projects"
"Articles on Chapter Research Orchards"
"Articles by TACF, CAES or University Research Staff"
"Articles about specific processes such as pollination"
4. Please check as many of the following that you feel would make a good contribution to the Chapter newsletter.
TACF Restoration Branch Plan [B. Burhans]
Chestnut and Invertebrate Extinctions [B. Adamsen]
Chestnut Mast estimates pre and post blight [L. Pinchot]
CT Chapter Year-End-Summary Report [B. Adamsen]
Mt. Riga Chestnuts [E.W. Sinclair]
CT Chapter Annual Meeting at Trinity College [B. Adamsen]
Strategic Planning for Seed Orchards and Reforestation [D. Bingham]
Chloroplast Analysis of CT Mother Trees [K. Gurney]
Housatonic Heritage Tour of Great Mtn. Forest Orchard [E.W. Sinclair]
ORTV Spotlight on CT Chestnut Research and Woodbridge Tour [P. Arnold]
Using predictive modeling to find chestnut trees [Wm. Moorhead]
Articles thanking donors NU and Bartlett Tree Experts [B. Adamsen]
Litchfield Hills Audubon Wigwam Brook Orchard [J. Baker]
Profiles on nominated new directors, officers
4a. Suggestions for other articles of interest?
5. How do you rate the following (below) characteristics of the newsletter?
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1 2 3 4 5
"The general quality of the photographs"
"How we've balanced photos and copy (text)"
"The quality and readability of the articles"
"The layout, length, composition and impression of the newsletter"
"The importance of the quality of the paper on which it is printed "
6. Please select the answer that best describes how you feel about when you want to receive the newsletter.
"Forty Five Days before the Annual Meeting"
"Thirty Days (one month) before the Annual Meeting"
"Fourteen days (two weeks) before the Annual Meeting"
"One week before the Annual Meeting"
7. Please select the answer that best describes how you like to receive the newsletter.
"I like to receive it in the mail"
"I would prefer to receive it on-line (electronic) only"
"I like to receive it in the mail and also on-line"
8. The newsletter should only be for dues paying members. Yes No
9. If you answered NO to the above question, please select the answer that best describes how you might give a newsletter to a friend or prospect.
"I like extra print copies and a pdf link which I can send to friends"
"I like extra print copies to give to friends"
"All my friends that might be interested have on-line access for a pdf"
"I would be unlikely to give a copy to a friend"
10. What could be added to the Newsletter to make it more effective?
11. What could be removed from the Newsletter to make it more effective?
12. Other comments?
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Your input is very important in helping us to design the most effective communications to best serve you.

SURVEY DEADLINE: January 30, 2010