Call of the Wild: Warlord's 2001 Questionnaire

- By Peter Dunn

Late July I distributed a questionnaire to those members that have advised email access (approximately 70). I received responses from about 40% of the membership (34 replies). Here is a brief synopsis of the results. Any comments are unattributed to protect respondents' anonymity. Only included are major discussion points rather than a full detailing of every response and question. I don't claim the results are scientific however they hopefully provide a snapshot of where we are at.

Actively game outside Warlords meetings?

Just over half the respondents game outside the Warlords. Obviously important, is that just on 50% see the Warlords as their only opportunity to game.

New Venue

Overwhelming positive response. Size, parking, lighting, shops, transport and location were all seen as positives while lighting and location (initially) were seen as negative by those that voiced a less positive response.

Issues raised were around future size of the hall given the Club is growing and a need to have a better plan around table setup.

Additional Meetings

Just over 50% thought additional meetings would be a good idea. However there was no consensus as to whether a weeknight meeting or additional weekend meetings were the best options.

Quarterly Special Meetings

80% thought these were a good idea.

NatCon

40% believed it was critical that we host NatCon. Of those who responded to the question, 75% believed we should make a bid for NatCon 2003. There was some comment regarding future bids. It was felt that the Warlords need to approach the bidding with more enthusiasm. To this end bids need to be better organised and presented than on the previous unsuccessful occasions.

Call to Arms

95% believed it was critical we held this convention and virtually everyone agreed it should be an annual event. This year's convention was seen by 90%+ as very successful and enjoyable event.

The venue, while attracting positive comment for central location and proximity to shops, received poor marks for size and lighting. It was largely viewed as very cramped with poor ability for public walkthrough. There were some issues around parking and non-provision of food (I have their names and see this as an offer to staff a kiosk next year )

NZ Miniature Wargaming Federation

Support: 37%
Don't Support: 19%
Don't Know and/or Care: 44%

International Wargaming Federation

Worthwhile: 66%
Not Worthwhile: 0%
No Impact: 34%

Other Clubs

Only four of the 32 respondents said they played at the Hutt Club. The reciprocal arrangement was largely seen as worthwhile, however there were concerns that while encouraging other clubs was desirable, the growth rate of the Warlords meant that, in future, space and tables may be at a premium and that the Club's first priority had to be to its members.

Website

Overwhelmingly positive comment. A search facility was seen as being useful (and has since been added). There was some comment that there was not enough reports on Club activities, particularly 40k. I have a list of those who said they would supply articles to both the website and 'Dispatches'.

Dispatches

80% of the people who received 'Dispatches' said they read it. There are still issues around delivery (particularly of physical copies) that need to be resolved. Of those that read it and expressed a view, 65% were happy with it while 35% weren't. There was, however, a realisation from some quarters that the Editor can only use what material he has, though it was felt that the onus was on him to ensure he had a supply of that material.

Overall

I thought it worthwhile to layout some of the comments received as to the overall view of the Club by its respondents:

Doing great, Health, vibrant, Improving, In good heart, More participation, Good bunch, Vast improvement, Great compared to UK, Lots of diversity, Much more positive, Very satisfied, All Good, Rejuvenated, Venue change has rejuvenated Club, Same few people doing everything, Great venue. Good organisation, New committee waste of time. No new ideas, Far more friendly, Better club feel, Best year to date

So where to from here?

The results of the survey were discussed at October's Committee meeting. It was decided that a number of the issues identified should be marked for discussion at the AGM in January, specifically: Additional Meetings, Reciprocal arrangements with other Clubs, NZMWF membership, NatCon Bids.