Drum roll, please………….The results are in, tabulated, and ready for community consumption. First, let me express appreciation to the 125 Avila Beach respondents to our initial “Avila Speaks” community survey. Several months ago the Foundation launched the questionnaire by asking locals to answer nine questions – some to gauge awareness, some to elicit feedback, and some to query levels of patronage at a variety of Avila venues. Plus, as an inducement to encourage folks to complete the survey, we offered automatic entry into a drawing to win the Ultimate Avila Beach Getaway, consisting of numerous prizes donated by local hospitality businesses.
A comprehensive report of what we learned over the course of the nearly four month survey promotion can be viewed by visiting the “Avila Speaks Community Survey Results” link on the Foundation’s website at www.avilabeachfoundation.org. But I do want to take advantage of this column to present an overview of some findings, which I hope will entice you to take a look at the whole package. Since it relates directly to the Avila Beach Community Foundation initiative to further build awareness of our presence and mission, among the first questions asked reflected our desire to learn how well our neighbors know about the UNOCAL beach clean-up settlement and the ensuing creation of the Foundation endowment. Results indicated that roughly four out of every five respondents were aware of the settlement, and about two out of every three knew of the Foundation. I must add, however, that both of these percentages grew over the duration of the survey promotion, which might be partially attributable to the number of Foundation columns appearing in the Avila Community News in 2009 – coupled with the publication now being mailed directly to Avila Beach post office boxes for expanded visibility.
Beyond that admittedly self-serving aspect, we also sought to learn where locals spend some of their time and money – this for the benefit of those involved in Avila economic or vitality interests. The results are compelling, and the information gleaned can be helpful in any number of ways by related Avila establishments. For example, only 24% of the respondents have been active in Avila Beach non profit or civic organizations. This means we have a considerable untapped source to potentially help fill the ongoing need to engage folks in community leadership efforts. It should come as no surprise that 99% of the respondents visit the beach or use the harbor, 88% frequent the Avila Beach Fish and Farmers’ Market, and 89% use the Bob Jones Trail. All are local treasures and part of the reason we choose to live here. Over 90% of us patronize local restaurants, deli markets and sandwich/ice cream shops. Clearly we like staying close to home when quality options are available. Far fewer respondents take classes at the Community Center, visit local spa businesses, wine tasting rooms, or the Marine Institute (now the Sea Life Center). Such numbers can be viewed as opportunities to further promote local patronage. Again, this is just a snapshot of the overall survey results, so please visit our website for complete information.
Of perhaps greater potential influence on the future, the survey sought feedback on what concerns are shared by locals when it comes to life in Avila Beach, and what types of projects they would recommend and/or support for the betterment of the community. Well, the floodgates opened up! I could never begin to summarize the abundance of responses in this limited space, but you can see it all on the Foundation website. And, last but not least, the winners of the Ultimate Avila Beach Getaway are……………..sorry, but the names were drawn between the column deadline and actual printing of this month’s publication, so you’ll have to – yes – visit our website at www.avilabeachfoundation.org or wait for the March issue of the Avila Community News to learn the identity of our lucky winners. That’s it for now – see you next month.
A comprehensive report of what we learned over the course of the nearly four month survey promotion can be viewed by visiting the “Avila Speaks Community Survey Results” link on the Foundation’s website at www.avilabeachfoundation.org. But I do want to take advantage of this column to present an overview of some findings, which I hope will entice you to take a look at the whole package. Since it relates directly to the Avila Beach Community Foundation initiative to further build awareness of our presence and mission, among the first questions asked reflected our desire to learn how well our neighbors know about the UNOCAL beach clean-up settlement and the ensuing creation of the Foundation endowment. Results indicated that roughly four out of every five respondents were aware of the settlement, and about two out of every three knew of the Foundation. I must add, however, that both of these percentages grew over the duration of the survey promotion, which might be partially attributable to the number of Foundation columns appearing in the Avila Community News in 2009 – coupled with the publication now being mailed directly to Avila Beach post office boxes for expanded visibility.
Beyond that admittedly self-serving aspect, we also sought to learn where locals spend some of their time and money – this for the benefit of those involved in Avila economic or vitality interests. The results are compelling, and the information gleaned can be helpful in any number of ways by related Avila establishments. For example, only 24% of the respondents have been active in Avila Beach non profit or civic organizations. This means we have a considerable untapped source to potentially help fill the ongoing need to engage folks in community leadership efforts. It should come as no surprise that 99% of the respondents visit the beach or use the harbor, 88% frequent the Avila Beach Fish and Farmers’ Market, and 89% use the Bob Jones Trail. All are local treasures and part of the reason we choose to live here. Over 90% of us patronize local restaurants, deli markets and sandwich/ice cream shops. Clearly we like staying close to home when quality options are available. Far fewer respondents take classes at the Community Center, visit local spa businesses, wine tasting rooms, or the Marine Institute (now the Sea Life Center). Such numbers can be viewed as opportunities to further promote local patronage. Again, this is just a snapshot of the overall survey results, so please visit our website for complete information.
Of perhaps greater potential influence on the future, the survey sought feedback on what concerns are shared by locals when it comes to life in Avila Beach, and what types of projects they would recommend and/or support for the betterment of the community. Well, the floodgates opened up! I could never begin to summarize the abundance of responses in this limited space, but you can see it all on the Foundation website. And, last but not least, the winners of the Ultimate Avila Beach Getaway are……………..sorry, but the names were drawn between the column deadline and actual printing of this month’s publication, so you’ll have to – yes – visit our website at www.avilabeachfoundation.org or wait for the March issue of the Avila Community News to learn the identity of our lucky winners. That’s it for now – see you next month.
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