Gwen Berry
THANK YOU to everyone who completed the HPCC’s Community Interest Survey last September. The survey was designed to get feedback about what kinds of activities would appeal to community members and to gather more ideas. It was divided into three main sections: Activities, Community Benefit Projects, and Fundraisers.
Under Activities, the survey started out with a list of possible fun and interesting activities developed by a group of community members at a meeting last May. Among survey respondents, the five most popular ideas were Presentation on the History of our Area, Music Nights, Speakers/Presentations on Interesting Topics, Firefighter Appreciation Events, and Breakfast/Lunch Events at the Community Center. Several other activities garnered interest, and there were lots of good ideas entered in the “Add your own ideas” space.
Following that was a series of questions intended to get information on how likely respondents were to attend and/or help with activities; feedback about entrance charges; ideas for speakers/presentations/classes (respondents provided lots of great ideas); and activities people had enjoyed in the past that weren’t included in the survey.
The next section was Community Benefit Projects. The survey started with only two ideas – Annual Community Cleanup with “Dumpster Days” and Update the High Prairie Phone Directory. Both were popular with respondents. Some additional ideas from respondents included a Little Free Library at the community center; community exercise gatherings; food/toy/winter clothing drives; and organized visits or meal donations to vulnerable community members.
The last section was Fundraisers. Having periodic rummage sales at the old fire hall was popular, followed by a simplified version of our 2019 Oktoberfest; and in third place, car shows at the community center. Several other ideas were offered by respondents, including silent auctions; exploring grants and/or online fundraising; creating a Sustainers Circle for ongoing monetary support; and creating and selling High Prairie calendars and other High Prairie merchandise.
The final survey question explored respondents’ motivations for getting involved in fundraising and other activities. Support was high for raising money for the HP Fire District, for operating the community center, and for HPCC programs. Other top motivators were, “I like to be part of things that pull the community together,” “I like the opportunity to act locally in ways that benefit the whole community,” and “I like that volunteering lets me connect with friends and get to know new people.” Interestingly, there were also responses from people who preferred to work in the background or who would like projects to work on individually. It’s clear that there are lots of ways to be involved.
As an added incentive for people to complete the survey, HPCC offered a drawing for “Dinner for Two” (in the form of a $75 gift card) to respondents who wanted to be entered. The winner of the drawing was High Prairie resident, Teffa Wallace.
The HPCC Board of Directors thanks everyone who participated in the survey; but they also want everyone to know that passing on good ideas doesn’t require a survey. They are always interested in hearing from community members with ideas and feedback.
For the complete results of the survey, go to http://www.highprairie.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Survey-Report-condensed_20210925_0001.pdf