Survey Shows High Level of Satisfaction
AAPG Scores High With Members
The 2006 All-Member Survey results showed a “remarkably” high level of member satisfaction across-the-board, tracking similar responses in the 2003 statistical study.
The overall satisfaction rate was 92.8 percent of the membership responding positively. Also, 43 percent of the respondents had contacted headquarters in the previous 12 months and 94.21 percent of those indicated their questions/concerns were handled to the members’ satisfaction.
“Anything above 80 percent in either category is phenomenal,” said David Anderson, of Anderson Marketing Services, which handled the survey. “AAPG members are very satisfied, especially compared to surveys conducted by other groups.” He also noted the results echoed the responses received in 2003 “showing from a worldwide viewpoint there is no slippage in perception of services in the short term and verifies the previous response rates.”
The 2006 survey was published on the AAPG Web site and inserted in the August issue of the EXPLORER and drew 2,937 responses -- or 9.9 percent of the total distribution. Of that total, 538 surveys were tallied from the printed forms and 2,399 were collected via the Internet. The 2003 survey drew 5.1 percent response rate.
Anderson noted the responses again tracked very close to the age and geographic distribution of the membership at large.
A summary of the results:
- Overall Satisfaction -- Members said they are overwhelmingly satisfied with 7.11 percent giving AAPG dissatisfied or extremely dissatisfied. Anderson noted the results track the 2003 survey.
- Membership Importance -- Members were asked to report the perceived level of importance to their membership in two areas: general factors and services.
- Professionalism and networking were deemed the most important general factors.
- The EXPLORER, BULLETIN and Special Publications were the most important service factors.
In 2003, members said North American Conventions was the third most important service factor.
- Headquarters Service -- Many members have contacted AAPG headquarters in the past year and Anderson noted a “remarkably” high 94 percent were satisfied with the service received.
- AAPG Brand Name -- Members were asked about the use of the word “American” in the AAPG name. Overall, members opted not to remove “American” from the name. Members split statistically along geographic lines regarding the use of the word “American” in the identity. Sixty-six percent recorded that “American” be retained as the Association name and 34 percent disagreeing.
- EXPLORER -- Again chosen as the number one Member Importance Factor, the EXPLORER continues to enjoy extremely high readership, Anderson said. Most reported that articles are very timely and over 84 percent felt the articles are “good” or “excellent.” Readers presented mixed views as to whether the format should be altered to incorporate technical information.
- BULLETIN -- Continued to enjoy good readership and a positive level of satisfactions in terms of quality and content. E&P Notes ranked number one in terms of usefulness while the Annual Report rated last. The majority was not willing to pay extra to obtain paper copies.
- Special Publications -- Many have purchased special publications and cost is the primary reason reported for non-purchase, as it was in 2003. Less than one-half of the respondents indicated an interest in less-expensive publication formats.
- Convention -- About 60 percent attended a convention in the past three years and indicated that the technical program, location and networking were the most important factors when considering attendance.
- Sponsorship Changes -- Members indicated they do not think the two-sponsor change has compromised AAPG membership standards. Members indicated by a small margin they believe that 15 years of industry experience should substitute for one member sponsor.
- Dues Increases -- About 57 percent felt a dues increase was not justified. Of those who did feel an increase was justified, pricing thresholds began to display negativity at the $100 level, Anderson said. Regarding graduated dues, members were mixed regarding their support for a graduated structure. Those who supported such a structure felt it should be based on age, economics, industry and academic discounts.
- Voting Rights -- Members indicated they felt voting rights are an important part of their membership, with a dissenting or undecided group of about 46 percent. If a graduated dues structure was instituted, members felt full voting rights should be afforded to all members.
- International Vice President -- Members supported the move already instituted.
- Petition Candidates -- Members either did not support or were unsure of their position regarding increasing the number of signatures required to place a candidate on the ballot. Those who felt the number should be increased indicated the quantity required should fall into the 100-200 range. Regarding whether signatures should come from outside the candidate’s Region or Section, members were somewhat mixed in the responses, with a large undetermined group.
- Professional Liability -- 51 percent of respondents said this program would not appeal to them and 23 percent were not sure.
- Continuing Education -- Most have not participated in a continuing education offering. Overall, 2-3 daytime courses and $100-$249 appear to be the desired length and cost of course with a large group indicating a preference for online offerings.
- Distinguished Lecture -- The majority had not attended a Distinguished Lecture in the past year, but those who did offered very positive ratings.
- Web Site -- About 90 percent of the respondents have visited the site and most felt it easy to navigate. This has increased from the 70 percent usage reported in the 2003 survey.
- Government Affairs/Public Outreach -- Respondents strongly expressed support for AAPG taking an active role concerning information the public and government on geoscience and energy issues. Over 87 percent favored an active to extremely active role in policy public information, 83 percent support the opening of the AAPG Washington office, 79 percent said AAPG should generate objective, balanced summaries on the science of global climate change for the members and 65 percent supported AAPG adopting a science-based public stance on global climate change.
Meanwhile, Government Affairs ranked 14th of 19 on the hierarchy of services importance factors, with the EXPLORER and BULLETIN at the top of the list.
Heading up the 2006 ad hoc Survey Committee was David Rensink, with Apache in Houston.
Full survey results are available on the AAPG Web site.
