AAPG Home : Member Survey of 2006 : Conclusions & Recommendations

Exploring Member Attitudes in 2006

Results of a Quantitative Member Survey

Conclusions & Recommendations

< previous | next >

Prior to reviewing the more detailed data resources, it is important to, once again, emphasize that it is paramount that readers of this report focus on the quantitative data that has been reported prior to this point and not to over emphasize the minute datasets or verbatim comments.

Therefore, the primary portion of this report ends with the following conclusions and recommendations, many of which echo the conclusions offered as part of the 2003 report:

• The overall results of this survey are very positive. Therefore, it is crucial that readers of the report focus on the positive aspects, consider ways to address the limited negative comments and eschew the rest, as they are not statistically significant and do not require action.
• The membership population has continued to age, but there has been slight growth in the lower age ranges since the 2003 survey. While the AAPG is, most likely, already addressing this trend, it is vital that the organization make member retention and recruitment a major priority with goals set at 1, 5 and 10 year levels, as a major segment of the current member base will no longer be in the workforce in 10 years.
• Publications form the “core” products and services of the AAPG as perceived by the membership. Therefore, it is important to carefully review the statistical data regarding publications and make adjustments as necessary. However, the AAPG should not over react to any verbatim comments or group of verbatim comments regarding publications as the verbatim comments are not statistically reliable and cannot be applied to the membership at-large.
• Products and services other than publications will require enhanced marketing efforts in order to increase their relative worth to the membership, especially in comparison to publications. Methods to reduce costs and/or increase perceived value may be required to bolster usage.
• The AAPG website has increased utilization since 2003. The AAPG should capitalize on this success to stimulate trial usage of the site among non-users, then sustain usage through content and utility.
• As with many groups, there is a highly vocal, but small contingent accompanied by a much larger, but silent group. The AAPG should widely distribute and promote the positive results of this survey in order to unite any disparate groups with the main body of the membership.
• Finally, once again, the results of this survey are very positive. Overall the AAPG should capitalize upon its present level of success while its member base is large, and make only minor adjustments to service delivery processes.

< previous | next >