January 23, 2017

To:
From:
Re:

413 Staying Connected Team

Your survey team (Lee Badgett, Mindy Domb, and Pat Greenfield)
Report on 413 Staying Connected survey responses.

On January 12, we asked our subscribers to fill out a short survey, which we closed
on January 20. Here we summarize the findings and provide some potentially useful
info that came from the survey. Overall, people are satisfied with the newsletter,
want us to produce more forums, and are very grateful for the resource. They also
had some suggestions for extensions and improvements for us to consider. In this
memo, we present the basic quantitative findings and try to summarize some of the
open-ended responses from the respondents. Spreadsheets with all of the
comments are available to anyone who would like them.
Overall, we had an excellent response to the survey, with 629 responses. The list
had about 2,142 people when we sent it out on January 12, and the open rate for
that email was 41.8%. Using those rates suggests that 70% of people who open our
emails participated in the survey; using the number of total subscribers suggests
that 29% of subscribers responded.
1. Ratings of possible forum topics:
People were asked about a series of possible forum topics and whether they were
very likely, somewhat likely, or not likely to attend such a forum. Below you can see
the rankings. The top five forum topics of interest to those taking the survey were
these:
Education and Action Opportunities to Address Climate Change
What's the Future of the Democratic Party
How To Do Thoughtful and Effective Civil Disobedience
Addressing Changes in Health Care and Reproductive Health Policy
Designing a New Sanctuary Movement to Protect Immigrants
For some further detail, here are all of the possible topics ranked by the percentage
saying they are very likely to attend such a forum, which gives the ones people
liked most intensively:

Education and Action Opportunities to Address Climate Change

What's the Future of the Democratic Party
How To Do Thoughtful and Effective Civil Disobedience
Addressing Changes in Health Care and Reproductive Health
Policy
Designing a New Sanctuary Movement to Protect Immigrants
How to Respond to Hate Activities
Best Practices in Political Organizing
Basic government 101: Making and impacting bills & laws
Partnering with Cities in Red States

% Very
likely
43.9%
42.4%
41.9%

%
somewhat
likely
41.4%
40.4%
39.7%

% Not
likely
14.7%
17.1%
18.4%

41.4%
38.2%
38.1%
36.4%
35.3%
33.6%

42.2%
47.0%
43.1%
40.2%
37.5%
40.7%

16.4%
14.8%
18.9%
23.4%
27.2%
25.7%

How to Use Media Effectively

Know Your Legal Rights
Ethics in Government
The Trump Administration: Who are the Cabinet Members
Nuts & Bolt of Campaigning: The Basics

33.0%
28.8%
25.7%
19.1%
18.7%

37.3%
42.8%
44.6%
36.7%
34.4%

29.7%
28.5%
29.7%
44.1%
46.9%

If we re-rank the options by the percentage saying they are either very likely or
somewhat likely to attend such a forum, the rankings are only slightly different,
and the top five are the same (see Appendix 1).
Many people suggested other topics for forums in the open-ended response box,
which we grouped together when the themes repeated. Appendix 2 presents the
ones mentioned by more than one person. The top additional suggested topics
were voting rights (5 mentions), Social Security & Medicare (4 mentions), diversity
and inclusion (3 mentions), and dealing with those we disagree with (3 mentions).
2. General satisfaction with the email newsletter: People were very positive
about the newsletter: 63% were very satisfied, 35% were satisfied, and 2%
were less satisfied.
3. Assessing whats missing in the newsletter: We asked people to rate whether
we need more or less of specific kinds of content in the email newsletter.
As the table below shows, the number of email newsletters appears to be about
right, according to 87% of respondents. Also, a majority of respondents thought the
current amount of local, state, national, local Democratic committees, and individual
action information was just right.
However, 46% wanted more information about individual actions to take, which is
consistent with many of the comments discussed below. Also, 46% wanted more
information about local events. A sizable number of respondents (40%) wanted
more information about the local Democratic Party committees.
How much of the following would you like to see more of in
the EMAIL NEWSLETTER?
The number of email newsletters
Information about local events
Information about state events
Information about national events
Information about the local Democratic Party committees
Information for individual actions

% more
8%
46%
34%
23%
40%
46%

% current
just right
87%
53%
63%
72%
54%
52%

% less
5%
0%
2%
5%
5%
2%

We had a box for comments in questions 2 and 3 about the newsletter, most of
which were very positive. Most people used phrases like, youre doing a great job,
this is a wonderful service, very informative, very reassuring, I depend upon it
to know whats going on, it has been getting better, Excellently succinct, timely,
and unencumbered by graphics, thanks for doing this, reading gives me hope,

its been getting better with time, and I am grateful to have a one-stop shop.
Several people mentioned that they forward the newsletter to others.
The comments contain some suggestions and some evidence that we cant please all
the people all the time, of course, since some features that people liked were things
that others did not like. Here are some themes we noticed:
Some people want other things included, mainly actions they can take or more
information:
Would like more specific things I can do like who to call with phone numbers &
what to say
I would love to see immediately actionable tasks.
I would like to include the spiritual and religious communities activities
Some people are not receiving the newsletter consistently for some reason, sometimes
because it goes into Spam folders. Several people said they havent gotten the
newsletter yet.
A few people said its too frequent and dont always read it: Excessive frequency but
good content
A few people would prefer different formatting: Please don't send lengthy emails full
of capital letters, red text, and exclamation points. The layout needs work. Using
a service like Mailchimp or the like would help. Otherwise it feels like a gigantic
overwhelming list.
Some people suggested more detail and easier links:
I sometimes find there is too little detail in describing events
It would probably help a lot of people if links to facebook events and such were live,
because there are people who don't know how to copy the URL to the browser bar
would love to get a list of ALL phone numbers for members of Congress
4. Where subscribers live: We gave respondents a list of towns or counties to
choose from. More than half (54%) live in Northampton. Amherst has 11% of our
subscribers, and no other town has more than 5%.
What town do you live in?
Amherst/Pelham
Belchertown
Easthampton
Greenfield
Hadley
Holyoke
Northampton
South Hadley
Southampton

Response
Percent
11.2 %
1.0 %
4.7 %
1.2 %
1.0 %
1.7 %
54.6 %
3.6 %
1.2 %

Springfield
Sunderland
Westhampton
Williamsburg
Other Hampshire County town
Other Hamden County town
Other Franklin County town
Other

0.7 %
0.3 %
0.5 %
2.9 %
4.1 %
1.5 %
7.8 %
2.0 %

5. Age of subscribers: We asked respondents how old they are, and the answers
show that we are on the older end of the age spectrum. As the table below shows,
78% are 55 or older. Combining the 35-54 year olds captures 20% of the
respondents. About 2% were under 35.
This breakdown suggests the urgency and relevance of comments we received on
other questions: There are a lot of millennials that are wanting to get involved, we
need to find a way to each them. I think there can be a push to get millenials
involved by holding or hosting events focused on that demographic.
How old are you?
15-17 years
18-22 years
23-34 years
35-44 years
45-54 years
55-64 years
65-74 years
75 PLUS

Response
Percent
1.0 %
0.0 %
1.3 %
6.3 %
13.7 %
33.6 %
36.3 %
7.9 %

6. Other comments: In the last question on the survey, we asked respondents

whether there was anything else they would like to tell us. As we found earlier,
most comments were extremely positive and appreciative. People shared some of
the work they do. Many people wanted their towns to appear on the list in the
earlier question.
There were many comments like these:
Thank you for your efforts!! Love the name "413 staying connected"!
Thanks. You're doing a fabulous job of informing and organizing in a time when our
basic rights are under siege as never before in our history.
Some additional ideas and useful suggestions emerged from this question:
If you could also support a public calendar (just a google calendar?) which is linked
to from every newsletter that would be really helpful -- both to show what's
happening on the same day and to make it easier to understand what's happening

when. Plus over time it could help folks avoid conflicts. I don't know if there are
other calendars like that out there. Thank you.
I feel we need to be part of a national movement with an active, emergency legal
team that can swoop in and seek injunctions etc. whenever the new government
threatens to do illegal things.
In Western MA, we're in deep danger of living in our bubble. How can we connect
better to the disaffected people in our society?
I would like to get to know others as well -I feel isolated and alone even though
there are so many who I know care in my community.
The forum at JFK was amazing, great job planning. And the first forum after the
election was also wonderful, tho I watched it on YouTube. Both have left a lasting
impression.
would be helpful to specify events that are kid-friendly or designed for families
with young children. I am a single mom of a 3 & 6 year old.
Great addition to the 413. Please - Don't try to be everything to everyone
(Walmarting). This 413 newsletter should not replace other sources of activist org
outreach in the 413. Direct me to sources of more info. Don't make email so long I
will only scan/scroll too quickly. Don't take my "Don'ts" as negative,...just saying.
March On. Thanks.
This would have greater value if it was not connected to a political party. It could be
more inclusive and effective.
Consider having quarterly open meetings where smaller groups can report to
others on what they are doing, who they are connected to, successes/need for
support, collaborations. Like the JKF meeting where Jim McGovern, Bill Newman...
gave an overview of where the Democratic party is going, state/national/local
agendas. Coordinate!
Broadening and diversifying: Many people commented in this space about the need
to diversify our group.
It would be great to figure out a way to get more diversity in the attendees. Not
sure where we could advertise it so that the room isn't entirely filled with 50+ yearold upper-middle class white people, but we need more color and income levels in
the room. Churches? High schools? Maybe organize ride shares from the Holyoke
area?
I want to make sure we're doing everything we can to engage younger voters,
particularly college students. To this end, I would like to see meetings be more
accessible to college students and I think we should reach out to them directly to get
them to attend, etc. Likewise, I think closer to downtown could be more effective
5

for a more diverse audience. JFK provides a large space with what would normally
be ample parking, but may be hard to access without a car.
Is outreach between Northampton Dems and Smith and high schools being done, to
bring in next generation of voters?
Would love to see some partnering with Holyoke and Springfield, as well as efforts
to connect with existing organizations of people of color in order to help diversify
this network.
Finding partners: Many comments urged us to make connections and build
partnerships with other groups.

APPENDIX 1: Re-ranking of forum topic responses

Education and Action Opportunities to Address Climate Change

Designing a New Sanctuary Movement to Protect Immigrants
Addressing Changes in Health Care and Reproductive Health
Policy
What's the Future of the Democratic Party
How To Do Thoughtful and Effective Civil Disobedience
How to Respond to Hate Activities
Best Practices in Political Organizing
Partnering with Cities in Red States
Basic government 101: Making and impacting bills & laws
Know Your Legal Rights
Ethics in Government
How to Use Media Effectively
The Trump Administration: Who are the Cabinet Members
Nuts & Bolt of Campaigning: The Basics

Very likely
+somewhat
likely
85.3%
85.2%
83.6%
82.9%
81.6%
81.1%
76.6%
74.3%
72.8%
71.5%
70.3%
70.3%
55.9%
53.1%

APPENDIX 2: Other ideas suggested for forums

These are in order of the number of similar topics mentioned in the other box.
Numbers in parentheses are those with the same general idea.
Voting Rights (5):
--I think that voting is very important - how to get more people to vote, voter
suppression issues, going back to paper ballots or at least paper trails that can be
checked.
--Supreme Court, Voter suppression, Citizens United
--Ending voter suppression, which I believe is a major problem on a national level.
Social security & Medicare (4):
Future of social security, medicare (perhaps along with other health care
forums).
How to protect Social Security and prevent it becoming a private entity.
What if anything can be done to undo the damage of gerrymandering
throughout the country?
Planning the fight for Social Security and Medicare (need to start NOW)
Medicare, Social Security - how to protect them
Diversity & Inclusion (3) :

-How to develop strategies for reducing institutional racism and economic inequality.
-How to launch community development and/or microfinance funds to fund start ups by African American
women and men and low income persons of any gender.
-How to keep our Democratic Party GLBTQ inclusive.
--how to support people of color in a very white small new england town?

Dealing with those we disagree with (3):

--how to live and interact w/ those w/ different views, in respectful manner, as
openly and receptively as possible--NOT just us/them "cold war"
--How best to connect/dialogue with Trump supporters in our area who are not
rabid about him but who are worried about the economy.
--Creating listening groups or gatherings between dems and Trumpers. How to get
our voices heard as Dem party looks to the future?
Freedom of expression (2)
--How to protect a free press.
--Freedom of expression. The tipping point: how, when do we speak out? To whom?
A new election: if everything says the presidential election was rigged why can't we
/ how can we have a new election now?
New Leadership (2):
--How to support, promote, nurture up and coming leadership. I like the idea
partnering with cities in red states and other ways to make a difference outside of
our liberal enclave. Sometimes it feels like we are preaching to the choir here. Also
ways to get younger people involved. By younger I mean young families (25-40), not
college age and younger. I was blown away by number of people who attended the
JFK panel in December. But I also noted that the average age was quite high.
--Preparing the next generation for civic engagement.
Redistricting (2):
--Gerrymandering: what is it, and how to reverse;
--I'd be interested in learning more about the redistricting campaign, spearheaded
by former AG Eric Holder, the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. Thank
you.
Why Trump won (2):
--We need to focus on why and how Trump was elected and address those issues
and strategies rather than simply responding to individual issues such as
immigration and health care.
--Review of effectiveness of campaigning in New Hampshire and how to do it next
time. Review of Democratic Party actions in Northampton and the area.
State actions (2):
--How can states make up for loss of federal programs (ie, replacing ACA, marriage
equality, changes to social security, etc)
--How to fix statewide issues, such as lack of funding for mental health,
homelessness, education, transportation.
Using Art for political change (2):
Groups creating political art and performance

Creative forms of resistance-- activism through art, spiritual communities