Survey Results & Responses

Survey Results & Responses Page 1 of 6

These survey results will be published on the website. These are the board's responses to questions that had significant negative results.

Q3 - If you communicated a concern/problem to a board member, do you feel your issue/concern was properly/fairly addressed and resolved?

Yes, definitely Yes, generally No, not really No, definitely Not at all

25% 13% 13% 8% 38%\

Often the question/concern is addressed at a board meeting, but the person asking the question is not aware of that. Reading the minutes, which are posted on the website, may help this situation. Asking the question a second time might be helpful, too, since often the question is asked at a meet or practice and might be forgotten by the board member before they are in a position to write it down. All board members have agreed to try harder to personally report back to the person who posed the question.

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Q5 - Do you feel that communication between parents and coaches regarding swimmers'/divers', coaches', and parents' goals would be helpful?

Yes, definitely Yes, generally No, not really No, definitely Not at all

83% 17% 0% 0% 0%

Parents who want to discuss their swimmer's/diver's goals with the coach should contact the coach's email address or office phone number, which can be found on the website.

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Q10 - Do you feel that charges/fees on your billing statements are clear and understandable?

Yes, definitely Yes, generally No, not really No, definitely Not at all

8% 58% 4% 21%

One of the continuous themes throughout the survey was the general dissatisfaction with the billing statement. The board would like our members to know that the format for the billing statement is one that cannot be changed, except for small additions. It is part of a widely used system of software that is interlinked with the software that processes the entries and results for meets. In response to these complaints, the board has decided to take the following steps:

1. The billing statement will be explained at the parent meeting that is held at the beginning of the winter and the summer sessions.

2. The first bill sent out for the winter and the summer sessions will contain a sample bill with descriptions for each of the items on it.

3. An "Understand Your Bill and Kroger Account" night will be held after the first of the year when people can come to get an explanation of their personal bills and Kroger accounts.

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Q12 - How satisfied are you with the BGSC web site?

Very satisfied Mostly satisfied Mildly dissatisfied Very dissatisfied

29% 17% 33% 17%

A professional web developer is working on the BGSC website now. He will present his model to the board soon. We have been discussing the possibility of adding a web manager to the board when the new web is finished so it will stay up to date.

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11 and 12 Year Olds

Q3 - How satisfied were you with the coach's communication with your child (Ex. Encouragement, teaching skills/technique, enthusiasm, attitude, etc.)?

Very satisfied Mostly satisfied Mildly dissatisfied Very dissatisfied

17% 33% 0% 50%

Q5- At each scheduled practice, how often would you say that your child was positive/happy about their swim experience?

Very Often Most Often Not Often Rarely

50% 0% 50% 0%

In response to Questions 3 & Question 5:

The board agrees that it is very important for swimmers this age to enjoy their swimming experience. The board has arranged for a child development professional to hold periodic training sessions with the coaching staff regarding areas such as child development, problem solving, appropriate language for various age groups, and teaching techniques.

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Q4 - How satisfied were you with the coach's communication with you regarding your child (Ex. skill level, progress, concerns, etc.)?

Very satisfied Mostly satisfied Mildly dissatisfied Very dissatisfied

17% 33% 17% 33%

As in Question 5 in the first section of the survey, parents are encouraged to contact their athlete's coach regarding their concerns and to get updates.

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13 and 14 Year Olds (Jr. High)

Q3 - How satisfied were you with the coach's communication with your child (Ex. Encouragement, teaching skills/technique, enthusiasm, attitude, etc.)?

Very satisfied Mostly satisfied Mildly dissatisfied Very dissatisfied

25% 50% 0% 25%

Q5- At each scheduled practice, how often would you say that your child was positive/happy about their swim experience?

Very Often Most Often Not Often Rarely

0% 75% 25% 0%

In response to Questions 3 & 5:

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Q4 - How satisfied were you with the coach's communication with you regarding your child (Ex. skill level, progress, concerns, etc.)?

Very satisfied Mostly satisfied Mildly dissatisfied Very dissatisfied

25% 0% 50% 25%

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As in Question 5 in the first section of the survey, parents are encouraged to schedule appointments with their swimmer's coach to discuss their concerns and to get updates.

15 and Over - High School

Q2- Do you feel your child experienced the skill/technique development you expected?

Yes, definitely Yes, generally No, not really No, definitely Not at all

50% 0% 50% 0% 0%

The board has passed these results on to the coach. If a parent has questions regarding the training regiment that is chosen by the coach, he or she should contact the coach to discuss their concerns.

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These are some additional steps the board is considering in response to the survey to facilitate communications:

1. Put an envelope in the corner area of the bleachers, where the swimmer files are located, for parents/swimmers to place general questions for the coaches or the board members. Answers will be posted on the new website in an "Ask the Coaches or Board Members" area. (Upon completion of the new website)

2. Place the picture of a board member on the website monthly identifying his/her roll on the board and some information like what age swimmers they have, how many years they have been with the club, etc. The intent is to help members recognize the board members and their function in the club to help with communication between parents and board members. (Upon completion of the new website)

Survey Results & Responses - Written Comments

What are some changes/improvements that you would like to see?

Many comments were made regarding the problems with the statements, website and communication between coaches and swimmers and coaches and parents, and training for coaches regarding appropriate language with different age groups. These items have been addressed in the responses to the questions above so they will not be addressed in this section.

Complaints were made regarding the need for more work on technique and starts and turns, increased supervision during game-playing, monitoring of foul language and bullying, modification of dryland workouts for different age groups, the use of negative language used by coaches to young swimmers, the need for more fun during practices for younger swimmers, and many more items related to coaching. In addition to complaints, a variety of suggestions relating coaching were made. We have passed all of this information on to the coaches, but highly recommend that parents contact the coaches directly when they see something they like, don't like, or have suggestions for improvements. The coaches will appreciate the positive feedback, the opportunity to explain the reasons behind their decisions, and the suggestions.

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Suggestions were made to increase PR and recruitment and solicitation of company sponsorship to reduce fees.

Response: The club gives each of the BG elementary schools, the BG junior high, and other schools in the area flyers prior to each season. We post an announcement in the local newspaper telling of upcoming registrations. We are constantly encouraging the BG and Toledo newspapers to cover the meets and publish results. Volunteers from the club have approached the majority of the companies in the area, in person or by letter, requesting sponsorship and have been successful in getting many businesses and individuals to advertise in the heat sheets at the meets we host. We have encouraged members to put labels with the club information on their old Splash magazines and to place them in the waiting rooms of doctors, dentists, etc. We welcome suggestions and individuals who are willing to carry them out. Some suggestions have been to:

1. sell yard signs for BGSC (this would advertise the club and raise money)

2. see if the schools would let a coach and some experienced swimmers go to their schools to talk to the kids about swimming and the club.

3. have a "float" in the Christmas parade and the Homecoming parade

4. ask the schools (especially elementary and junior high) to make announcements when the swimmers in their school have significant accomplishments.

Responses to Specific Comments

"The club really needs to improve their documentation so that it is more user-friendly. It really takes an experienced swim parent to make sense of it all. Hiring a technical writer/editor would be an effective way of making sure the paperwork was clear for all."

Response: We rely on parents' feedback to help us make the changes in our documents that make them easier to understand. Unfortunately, we don't have the funds to hire a technical writer. The response to Question 10 explains our plans for helping parents understand the statements. We plan to assign an experienced swim parent to each age

group who will help others with any other documentation. We will post their names and phone numbers/emails on the website.

"I feel it takes too long to get the Kroger credit applied to the bill."

Response: After we get the information from Kroger, we have to separate the part that goes to the parents' accounts from the part that goes to the club. Since we are all volunteers and have jobs and responsibilities outside the club, it may not be done immediately. After it is done and a list is made of parent accounts and amounts, they have to be entered into the accounting system. It is a time-consuming process.

"Cold mornings are not conducive for encouraging my 6 & 8 year olds to swim. In future, would it be possible for them to swim at the rec center in the pm if it's such a cold morning?"

Response: Unfortunately, the scheduling of coaches and pool time can't be done on a day to day basis, so this is not an option.

"Get more parents involved - the same ones always seem to do the work and make the decisions."

Response: A signup form that lists all the ways a parent can help (fundraising, spirit sales, concessions, age group parent rep, etc.) will accompany the registration materials or be given out at the parent meeting. This will give all parents a chance to get involved in an area where they have interest. We will also continue to send out emails asking for volunteers for various committees and for board positions.

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In regard to the situation with a parent yelling at a coach in front of some of the swimmers last summer, "I feel it is of the utmost importance that the board address her and her behavior. We wrote a policy after" a similar "situation and I do not see this as any different. She is very verbal about our club publicly and could do some really bad PR for us."

Response: The difference in this case is that it was not on deck during a swim meet, as was the previous incident Several board members spoke to her and found that she recognized that her behavior was not appropriate and that she was sorry. The board did not feel additional steps were necessary.

"Guidance on where we go from here; when does the next session begin, etc."

Response: At the end of the season dinner, some explanation regarding the upcoming season, registration, etc. is presented. At the winter banquet we will also have a handout containing the information for the next season. The same will be done at the dinner held in the summer. The handout will also be sent out as an email.

What aspects of the programs were you the most please with?

Coaches - always willing to work one on one when asked, very knowledgeable, care about the program, very nice and personable (especially the younger ones), very positive and encouraging, used methods that were developmentally appropriate for age groups, willing to work with children with special needs, "appreciate the attention to technique".

Parents - work together well, supportive of all swimmers, committed to the club.

Facilities - great, fantastic.

Champs - well organized, awesome concession stand, really fun,.

Swimmer's experience - meets & recognition of swimmers were fun and exciting, pleased with steady improvement, swimmer is happy and has learned a lot, "my child really enjoyed going and he can swim now!", "daughter has improved her swimming skills and her love and desire to be a swimmer", great comradery and friendships developed, younger kids were made to feel a part of the team/older swimmers work with them and encourage them, our son's "dedication to the sport and the team have enhanced his life"

Board - great organization with Champs and other meets, high level of commitment, appreciate the board having this survey.

Misc. - appreciate efforts made to reduce fees, like the fun and laughter with some of the parents and coaches, "love that swimming and this program offer my child exercise, health determination, perseverance, and self-esteem", great practice times, stable program, friendliness of coach Josh toward 8 & unders, team spirit, family/team activities are our favorites (picnics, psyche night, etc.), sportsmanship, having spirit apparel available to purchase at reasonable prices,