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The Association of King County Historical Organizations
2006 AKCHO Survey Results



Meetings

Best Time for me to attend an AKCHO meeting is (day AND time preferred):

-Saturday afternoons
-10-11 am
-Current time & day is fine, but for general membership I would guess a weekend afternoon would be best-off work and minimal traffic
-Wed 10 am
-Tuesday morning
-Fridays
-Tuesday morning
-Daytime-morning
-Wednesday 9:30 am
-Tuesday morning
-your Tues AM is fine
-Weekday morning
-Tuesday 11 am
-Tuesday 9:30 am
-Tuesday morning
-Any day except Tuesdays
-Tues 10 am
-Tuesday still ok; it would be hard to change Day
-Monday or Thursday a.m.
-Tuesday evening
-Saturdays
-Wed
-Fri
-Monthly
-M-Th would be better for me, but you probably shouldn't change it on my account!

Should AKCHO change its meeting time?
38 responded No, keep it as it is now: 9:30 AM weekday mornings
9 responded Yes, change to:
Weekday Afternoons (2)
Weekday Mornings (4)
Weekend Afternoons (1)
Weekend Evenings (2)

Should AKCHO change its meeting day & frequency?
35 responded No, keep it the fourth Tuesday of each month
10 responded Yes, change to
  Different Day of the Week(4)
  Bi-Monthly (2)
  Quarterly (2)
  Monthly (2)

How important is meeting at different locations?
32 responded Very important
15 respondedSomewhat important
4 responded Not Important
Why?

-Love to travel around county and see others' operations
-Nice to visit member orgs, but time consuming to travel outside Seattle
-Opportunities to be in a variety of historical environments
-Gives chances to see new places and what the org has to offer
-Opportunity to visit other sites
-Learn the areas in KC, gain ideas
-I get to see different museums
-Exposure to varied setting
-Learn about diff museums, etc.
-I enjoy & benefit from visiting the venue & seeing first hand what various organizations are doing. Also, I think some venues may draw in new members.
-Opportunity to see different museum in county
-Get to really see what others are doing, share experiences
-To enjoy & be educated about other groups
-Good idea to move around to other historical venues
-To experience diff regions/orgs w/in the county
-We get to see new places
-Become familiar w/significant sites
-I love to discover new (to me) museums, etc. Increases my knowledge of local history
-Get to see other museums
-No, makes it more difficult
-Educate ourselves
-So that the whole county feels served and included
-It helps members learn about/go to other locations
-Definitely a reason to go and see the different places
--Get to see other points of interest

People Power

Would you be willing to work on an AKCHO sub-committee from time to time? Yes: (15) No: (17)

If yes, which one(s)?
  Advocacy (9)
  Awards (2)
  Web Site (1)
  Membership (2)
  Long Range Planning (4)
  Program Planning (4)
  Newsletter/Publications (4)
  Display Board Design (0)
  Expos & Fairs (4)

Would you be willing to be more involved and serve a three-year term on the Board of Trustees? Yes (4) No: (23)

I have great fund raising idea/link/connection/unusual talent/passion to share:

-If AKCHO needs money, ask for donation
-Passion about community connections, direct experience educational partnerships

I can make a difference with AKCHO by:

-Helping orgs begin youth programs
-Working for Eastside Heritage Center
-I am happy to continue editing the AKCHART & marketing brochure
-Educating other groups to AKCHO
-Educating our youth
-Keeping VOW & Skykomish Hist Soc aboard
-Raising member visibility
-I am having "06" $35 sent today!

Programs/Training

What types of programs are most valuable to you?
  Idea Sharing Sessions (21)
  Advocacy (15)
  'How to' sessions with different topics (17)
  Local history/heritage (34)
  Workshops - half or full day (10)
  Guest Presenters/Special Topics (31)
  Other

-Sustaining the non-profit & recruiting volunteers
-Whatever
-Most enjoyable and meet potential program speakers
-None unless needed

I need programs/training on:

-Traveling exhibits
-Curating collections properly
-Archiving membership recruiting, community awareness (city officials)
-Community outreach/severing govt legislative support
-Fund raising & influencing city government
-Board operations
-Recruiting volunteers
-Archives management
-Sustaining the non-profit & recruiting volunteers
-Fund raising
-Volunteer recruitment

I have a program idea to share:

-Community involvement
-Coleman Diaries EHC
-Publications
-New marketing ideas
-Seattle Restaurant history

I/we would like to host an AKCHO monthly general membership meeting and/or provide a program at a mtg. (org name/program idea)

-Discovery Modelers would host a mtg w/a program by Lt. Peter Puget on the Discovery Voyage of Discovery
-The Center for Wooden Boats-putting collections to work
-Lewis & Clark in WA ST (plus others)
-Pioneer Association of the State of Washington
-Queen Anne Hist Soc-date TBD
-Possibly-the Wa Trust for Historic Pres could potentially hold a mtg/program at the Stimson Green Mansion
-Ballard Hist Soc
-The Museum of Communications has space for 20-25 people--sit-down meetings
-In 2007 Volunteers for Outdoor Washington after the Iron Goat Interpretive Site (a WSDOT Safety Rest Area) on US 52 Steven's Pass Highway is dedicated on Oct 14, 2006. Preferably in May or June 2007

Advocacy

What advocacy issues should AKCHO focus on?
  Government funding (27)
  Private funding (21)
  Preservation Issues (31)
  Other

-Membership, fundraising events
-Continued publicity for the entire heritage community together/separate
-Seattle Maritime history-Wawona & other historic ships/boats
-Corporate council for heritage
-Govt spending is a fast fading memory compared to Private funding
-Promoting heritage in the community-its value
-Education
-Maritime
-Create Heritage Endowment from business communities
-Marketing of member organizations

I would love to go to Olympia and lobby for AKCHO issues: Yes (11) No: (28)

I would be interested in writing or calling my legislator when AKCHO needs me to: Yes (27) No: (10)

If I could be a part of preserving/restoring/etc one thing historic in this area/state, it would be:

-Historic schooner Wawona
-The southern heritage that helped develop this state
-Get all historic orgs totally involved w/progs/events/exhibits which are wildly popular because they entertain as well as educate
-Wm Grose Home site
-The written history of the region
-Older buildings on the Eastside
-Local Eastside history: Townl,? Artifacts, buildings, photos, Clise Mansion at Marymoor Park, the mansion is a high-end craftsman-single home built in 1904 by James Clise. We have all the history but need the building reserved.
-Larson Bldg-Yakima
-Industrial/commercial buildings which have been formerly overlooked in favor of residencies and other "pretty" buildings
-Maritime Heritage
-Boeing-Production Plant 2!
-Farming & logging equipment (now available--soon to be lost)
-Help on Maritime issues
-My house! Stared=1911 at a "shotgun", now farm house style. One of the first houses in my neighborhood.

Membership

How did you learn about AKCHO? -From other members of local historical mtgs

-Helped found it
-Friend
-Through the Renton Museum
-Email
-Call to arms from Charles Payton
-Member of Des Moines Hist Soc
-Charles Payton
-Through other hist societies
-Heather Trescases, Karen Klett
-Through working at Marymoor Museum
-Through membership in local groups
-Saw item in newspaper
-Through the Nordic Heritage Museum
-Pat Filer
-Was member of Bellevue Hist Soc
-It's been more than 20 yrs. I can't remember.
-From Elliott Conder
-Washington Pioneer Assn
-Bellevue Hist Soc, NACCCA
-Museum of Communications
-Eastside Heritage Center
-Publications in FW Library-years before I retired
-Simply being involved in local history projects
-Bellevue Hist Society
-Through our historic museum societies
-Through local historical society
-From county
-Members of Marymoor which helped our group w/Charles Payton
-From Duvall Hist Soc
-Our organization is a member
-Colleague
-From the Ballard Hist Soc
-Somebody (name?) told me
-Many years ago
- From other members
-Long-term member
-UW Museulogy program
-From other members
-Charles Payton
-4Culture
-From the local heritage group-Sammamish Hist Soc
-Through Pioneer Assoc/Renton Museum/Confs attended

How long have you been a member?

-Charter member
-Since the beginning
-More than 20 yrs
-3-4 yrs
-24 yrs
-2 yrs
-About 20 yrs
-10 yrs
-Not sure
-10 yrs
-20 yrs
-6 yrs
-Since 1980
-15 yrs
-5 yrs
-3 or 4 yrs
-6+ yrs-3-4 yrs
-Since 1991
-6 yrs
-10 yrs
-20 yrs
-Since 1984
-3 yrs
-6 yrs
-Since 2003
-8-9 yrs
-2 yrs
-5 yrs
-20 yrs
-Over 20 yrs
-10 yrs?
-10 + yrs
-4 yrs
-4 yrs
-10 + yrs
-Long time, received award with Marcia (?)
-8 yrs?
-25+ yrs
-2 yrs
-Don't know, maybe 14 yrs
-8 yrs
-2 yrs

Why did you join AKCHO?

-Interest in local history
-SWSHS '84
-Support a coordinating body
-To support/fund heritage activities and programs
-Urged by Peggy Parcel
-Networking
-To learn more about KC & enjoy other groups
-Strength is in numbers
-Interest in history and liked the idea of seeing a variety of museums
-Because I believe the Robert E Lee is part of KC history and should be recognized
-Get historical orgs on the public radar screen
-Responsibility as a society
-To connect with the KC heritage community
-Dream of a future Scouting Trail Museum
-Interested in preservation of our history
-Interesting programs & locations
-To connect w/heritage orgs in the area
-Wanted to strengthen heritage orgs by encouraging cooperation
-Because of my passion for history
-People who have same interest & want to increase awareness
-To meet others involved in the heritage community & museum community
-Educate ourselves
-Programs & meeting people from other groups
-Interested in the programs meeting w/other museum people and sharing ideas
-To learn how to run & have a museum
-Connection w/other people & orgs connected to history
-You help to keep in touch w/people throughout the county
-I was asked to be on the board
-To receive mailings and announcements
-Hopeful for joint publicity
-To support heritage
-To learn and be with these vibrant folks (members, etc)
-To help Charles out
-To support it and for the monthly education
-I thought I might be able to make a difference
-Professional duty
-Uncertain
-To learn about society for history
-Need to have a united approach to heritage in KC
-To learn about how other heritage orgs do things
-Good networking opportunities participate in coordinated advocacy, education, etc.
-Make new connection in preservation community
-To have PNW United Methodist Archives a part of AKCHO
-Support of work their doing & desire to have information on what other groups are doing in the KC area

Should AKCHO increase its dues? Yes (10) No: (19)

-Unless necessary to cover postage
-If necessary, depends on whether it's needed
-Only if it increases services. I'd rather have 10,000 people give $10/yr than 10 orgs giving $10,000/yr
-If need be
-If cash is needed
-No, (or only $5 for individual)
-Don't care-if need is there
-As needed

What is most important to you about your AKCHO Membership?
  AKCHO program meetings (35)
  Affiliation with other heritage groups (41)
  Program meeting locations (23)
  Other

-Education, improvement for my local organization
-Keeping in contact with bright, creative people
-To support AKCHO
-Making heritage #1 in King County!
-Advocacy and member education
-Connecting w/other people & organization committed to history
-Networking; updates on what's happening on heritage issues in KC (+ state -legislation, etc)

Communication

When I think about AKCHO I immediately think:

-The power of a group
-Umbrella group for heritage groups in King County
-People w/interest in history & preservation sharing ideas
-Of a historical support community
-Make historic orgs too important to lose
-Other pioneering orgs
-Associated Historical Groups and Interests
-Old people nodding off through meetings that are much too long. Sorry but it's true.
-History
-Community/History/Preservation
-Good to share among the historical groups
-Good programs; good networking; keeps me in touch with the larger heritage community
-Camaraderie for Heritage programs
-Heritage orgs working together & sharing ideas
-Interesting programs
-Heritage orgs contact & communication networking
-Wonderful historical information
-Monthly meetings
-Camaraderie
-It's hard to say--perhaps that is something to work on--a concise image should be projected
-Learning-being informed unity
-Need to increase membership
-Of KC people involved of county level
-County wide organizations
-County history
-You send out too much info that is also expensive
-Adrift
-Advocacy
-Community
-Small heritage groups working together towards a common goal
-Outstanding programs; awards
-Monthly meetings
-Happy discovery of our wonderful heritage here
-Problem solving w/others that are interested in the same things so we are not constantly reinvention the wheel
-Meetings are too long and are often not relevant to professionals
-King County Heritage as united front
-Older folks
-Saving history
-Lots of little organizations and voices unified...one strong voice for heritage
-No image comes to mind
-Programs/Meetings/Preservation

What is your preferred way to receive information about AKCHO (what works best for you?):

-Strictly US Mail -Email
-Phone call
-Newsletter or card
-For staff that is admin oriented-email is good; for general consumption--posted mail is better
-Mail to be posted--volunteers change!
-Email
-Monthly notices
-Maybe; if it did not duplicate the Heritage Advisor; but is there a need?
-Email
-Mailings; snail-mail & email
-Email-Email is fine & postcard reminders w/directions
-Email
-Mail
-Email
-US Mail
-Email
-Online
-Online
-Email/Snailmail
-Mail or email
-Email
-Email
-Hard copy-but can download from computer which probably lower costs for AKCHO a little

Do you think an AKCHO Newsletter would be valuable? Yes (37) No: (1)

-If different from The Heritage Advisor & has info regarding entire county or general for all
-Huh? Isn't that what we have w/Heritage Advisor?
-Yes; 4 x a yr
-Only if someone has time
-Yes; if done electronically
-Yes, email
-Maybe
-An online or emailed one might be helpful
-Yes, but Charles Payton's does much of what it could do
-Yes, not everyone has email

If Yes, do you want to receive your newsletter ONLINE (35) or PAPER COPY via US MAIL (6) or BOTH (6)

-Mailed copies are more likely to be seen by more eyes than electronic ones

Have you ever visited our web site: www.akcho.org? Yes (31) No: (19)

-Yes; via History Link
-No, but I will

Would you like to be added to our existing email list? (the list sends out notices of meetings and events, etc.) Yes (23) No: (5) Already on list: (12)


Miscellaneous

What else do we need to know to better meet your needs? Help us be all that we can be!

-Always revisit the purpose of the organization and try to work toward its goals
-Let me think about this
-A modest bungalow in Tahiti for annual board retreat!
-Great programs and many thanks for all your efforts.
-You are doing a good job. Thank you!
-I am in and out of town-would like to help when I can
-I had a stroke can't drive far at this time, so can't participate but need to know what is going
-Let me know if you would like to host another ½ day Memory Book How-to workshop sometime.
-You are doing great!
-AKCHO ought to have a higher profile-be recognizable and identifiable at public events/gatherings in order to project the heritage communities' dedication to public interests. By attracting more public attention to AKCHO, we can better promote the needs of our members
-It has become increasingly difficult for me to drive to meetings. I am looking for someone to ride with. I have missed so many meetings these last year. I plan to do better.
-I believe the WA Trust for Historic Preservation can be an important resource for organization/individuals interested in preserving the built environment
-I believe AKCHO performs a vital function-professional connections and lobbying strength. I'd like to see that (Lobbying) side emphasized
-Stay focused on helping the member organizations-don't bow to the easy fall-back of having programs where people talk about their own history-those are always the least attended programs; but when you combine it with a "how-to" or a "how did you do that" approach, attendance is a bit better. We learned this a long time ago, but there's been kind of a return to the "old" way-bring it back.
-You are all doing a great job. The work needed to be successful is overwhelming for just the board members to accomplish, but I'm not sure how to get more individuals involved. Hopefully, this survey will get the ball rolling and you will find more people to help on committees. One suggestion is to look for new board members who can write grants that will benefit the organization. Advocacy and grant writing are what these heritage organizations need and what you can provide.
-I am rarely willing to make time to go to AKCHO meetings because they are so long and rarely provide information that is useful to me. Also, I find that the people in the heritage community who I am most interested in speaking with, the paid professional staff members at active organizations, also rarely attend meetings. However, I think that AKCHO is still a potentially valuable network to get the word out about advocacy issues, whether it is abut funding or preserving historic sites or planing regional projects. Presumably, most timely information abut such issues is published in Charles Payton's newsletter, along with announcement about upcoming events sponsored by AKCHO members, but if there are issues discussed at AKCHO meetings such a legislative alerts that member should act on, it would great if that info could be communicated via email to members. I don't have any great suggestions for what it would take to motivate me to attend AKCHO meetings, but limiting their length to one hour would be a good start. And I would be interested in programs that bring in new ideas from around the county in the heritage field, or that bring in speakers from local organizations that the heritage community could benefit from a stronger relationship with. For example, I would be likely to make an effort to attend a meeting at the beginning of the year that focused on county and state levels advocacy, or that bring in national speakers such as NEH or ASSLH, or that bring in local representatives from the hospitality industry and the CVB to talk about what heritage experiences they think tourists are looking for.