In November, 2009, we asked Dutchtown West Neighborhood Association Friends and Neighbors to take a brief online survey asking for feedback on how they think the Dutchtown West Neighborhood Association (DWNA) is doing.

The 23 online responses have been summarize after the break:

1. How do you think Dutchtown West Neighborhood Association (DWNA) is doing?

Excellent
30.4% 7
Good
65.2% 15
Fair
4.3% 1
Poor
0.0% 0

2. What interests you most about the organization?

Neighborhood Clean Up
54.5% 12
Block Captain Organization
22.7% 5
Meeting new neighbors in our area
40.9% 9
Communication and updates from St. Louis City Officials
77.3% 17

3. How many DWNA monthly meetings have you attended in the past year?

I have not attended any meetings
8.7% 2
1-3 meetings per year
21.7% 5
4-6 meetings per year
34.8% 8
7-9 meetings per year
26.1% 6
10-12 meetings per year
8.7% 2

4. If you answered no to the previous question, Why do you not attend the monthly meetings?

Schedule conflict
100.0% 6
Find enough information on Dutchtownwest.org
0.0% 0
Not interested in goals of DWNA
0.0% 0
Meeting is a waste of time
0.0% 0

5. What would make the monthly DWNA meetings more interesting?
~The meeting I attended was interesting.
~More time to interact with our neighbors
~Less bickering, more production
~don’t know
~More people; bring in someone new every meeting to tell us a little about the neighborhood and it’s history; or about their business or organization; updates on Block Grant money, etc.
~I like hearing the guest speakers
~I think we fit about as much as we can in the time allowed.
~no suggestions meetings are very good
~Allowing the older crotchety folks less time to complain and focus on the many positives about our area
~I enjoy the quick format of the meeting, I also appreciated the breakout sessions being at the end of the meeting
~being able to hear better, having local businesses featured
~strippers and booze
~I have seen great improvements in the neighborhood and this meeting over the last 3 years! I’d like to see more pressure on elected officials to correct the issues list. Derelict bldgs and drugs sold and thugs hanging out in Amberg park are major items that are not being resolved no matter how many people call the police or write up CSB complaints.
~I have only attended one meeting so far, but it seems to be a constant focus on the same subjects. I know this because I have moved in with my girlfriend, who has been a long time resident of this area. re cap the previous month’s subject matter and then move on to the next. This would drive more residents to attend. KEEP IT FRESH. Talk about what other organizations are doing to be successful. Have guest speakers, maybe even have the Alderman show up or if he can’t, change the date of meetings so we can discuss issues with him. My first question when I went to the meeting was ” Where’s the Alderman????”. I grew up in the 13th ward, Alderman Fred Wessels was always accessible and visible.
~I think they are already interesting.
~Longer productive discussion of important issues (not all in the same meeting) instead of being so controlled by the clock and touching on so many issues with no conclusion or open discussion on any of them. If we are going to make the effort to meet, let’s make the meeting time a productive hour and a half instead of going home frustrated about what was not said or communicated, because the clock controls the meeting!
~Have not been able to attend any.
~Not sure
~Periodic reports from committee chairs including goals & progress toward goals, eg: from Finance, progress toward 501 (c3) status? from Block Captains, goal of 2 new Block Captains each month? or blocks W of Meramec in 2010, E of Meramec 2011? i.e. articulate more clearly some plan to get to where we want to go. Recognize progress, eg. new block captains.
~Keep them at one hour!
~talk about ideas
~I think more guests speaking in front would be better. I thought last meeting was great with all the representatives. We have the groups at the end, and I think that is a great compliment, but sometimes you don’t know what to ask. We could also use more social activities to help learn each other’s names and get to know others.

6. Do you volunteer for activities hosted by DWNA?

Yes
45.5% 10
No
54.5% 12

7. If you answered no to the previous question, why do you not volunteer?

Not physically able
7.7% 1
Schedule conflicts
92.3% 12
Not interested in activity
0.0% 0
Activity does not benefit me/my family/my property
7.7% 1

8. How often should DWNA sponsor/coordinate events outside of the regularly scheduled monthly meetings?

1-3 times per year
40.9% 9
4-6 times per year
40.9% 9
7-9 times per year
4.5% 1
10 or more times per year
13.6% 3

9. What other comments or feedback could you give to us to help improve our meetings and activities?

~Limit guest speakers each month
~Posting signage indicating the monthly meetings in more locations than just along Meramec, so as to increase awareness
~none at this time
~Keep up the good work! If folks want to complain, they should sign up and be allowed a max. of 10 minutes for discussion.
~you are doing an excellent job, keep up the good work, meetings run smoothly and are short
~This has been a very busy year for us we wish we could make more meetings.
~I like several events a year because I cannot make the Saturday amberg park clean ups nor can I make the meeting because of my work schedule and family commitments). If there were more events(volunteer or meeting related) I could have more choices to get involved…even if infrequently.
~I think the organization is off to a very good start. With a new alderman and new NSO, I look forward to a lot of progress. Also, the elected leadership is very hard working. The website gets info out in a timely manner. Minutes need to be kept – not refer to power point slides which do not tell what actions were taken. This is important. Minutes are a history of an organization.
~More productive open discussions where consensus or conclusions may be drawn or at least introduced.
~I like the park/neighborhood cleanup ideas. Should would be nice to get the renters interested and not just the owners. Lofty goal, but that would be awesome if you can help accomplish that.
~Keep up the good work!
~Consider making terms of leadership longer, maybe 1-2 years. Too much time is taken from meetings with 6 mo. committments.
~I think your organization does a good job in addressing isssues. The ability to contact the police with thorough descriptions and followup with prosecutorial matters may help with recedivisim
~I think slightly longer meetings with more people speaking up front (and allowing questions) would be a better method. Then allow the break out groups at the end so people can leave as they please and ask questions as they filter out, that is if the reps have the time to stick around.