The Survey

It seems our Parish Council is now sending out yet another survey? We point out that many have reported NOT receiving these questions, though they are paid members. For those who have not, we are providing, the list the main topics/questions being asked in the survey, and some of the issues of importance, beginning with the introductory paragraph.

In an effort to continually improve our Parish, your elected Parish Council wants to hear from you. Please take a few minutes to complete this questionnaire. Results will be used by the Parish Council to base a work plan for the coming years for this current council and future ones. All information is important, and nothing will be disregarded, but in order for this input to be worthwhile, it is important to limit the ideas to items that the Parish Council can actually influence. [emphasis added]

We are then asked the following 16 questions (we have not added many of the sub-questions due to space limitations):

1. Please list three areas of success in your overall experience with the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake City.
2. Please list three areas of improvement you would like to see for the Parish in the future.
3. With 1 representing very involved and 5 not involved, how would you rate your level of personal involvement with the Parish?
4. Rank in order of value (with 1 being most important and 6 being the least important) your reason in being a member of the Parish.
Social/Cultural (i.e. Greek programs, fraternal organizations, etc.); Influence on Community/Archdiocese Policies; Sacramental Life; Participation in Youth Programs; Participation in Religious Education Programs; Other (Please specify below)
5. Rank in order of importance the things you believe are the most pressing issues the Parish Council should be focusing on (with 1 being most important and 8 being least important).
Stewardship; Youth Programs; Parish Personnel Management (since the Parish Priests are not under Parish council direction, this would be limited to other Parish employees). [emphasis added];Parish Financial Matters – Keep the finances in order; Capital Improvements, such as the dome at Prophet Elias and/or Sunday School rooms at Holy Trinity; Festival Preparation, Parish Asset Protection (i.e. Parish properties); Other (specify below)
6. What do you think is the greatest value of Community membership to you and/or your family?
7. Do you or your family members participate in any of the church’s community-related activities and/or programs? If so, which ones?
8. Have you made a stewardship commitment or donated to Holy Trinity/Prophet Elias during the last five years? Please indicate which years and the respective amounts.
9. If applicable, why did you decide not to make a stewardship commitment or donation? Please choose only One Reason [we must here presume there cannot be many?]
Prefer single contributions to special projects; Prefer single contributions to general operating fund; Don’t understand the Stewardship program; Uncertain of personal finances; Not satisfied with the stewardship program; Other, please specify.
10. Are you and/or your family satisfied with the current Parish Council and their work?
11. Do you feel that the current Parish Council has the community’s best interest at heart when making decisions concerning the future of our community?
12. What suggestions would you offer to the Parish Council?
13. On a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 denoting effective communication and 5 not communicated at all, please rate how you feel we have communicated to you as a Community Member?
14. Are you/and or (sic) your family satisfied with the office staff of the church and the way they handle your needs when you call or stop by the office?
15. Are you satisfied with the clergy service/accessibility to you and your family?
16. What suggestions would you offer to the Clergy?

Any other thoughts on your mind? Please share them.

PLEASE RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRE BY AUGUST 15, 2008

Thank you for your input! Please mail the questionnaire back in the enclosed pre-paid envelope. You are not required to provide this information in order to respond unless you would like a member from the Parish Council to respond back to you on a specific item.

Name _________________________________
Address _______________________________
City, State, Zipcode _______________________