First Annual CHOA Survey Complete

Click here for the survey results

In August 2009, the Cowell Homeowners Association (CHOA) Board of Directors (BOD) conducted an informal survey of our facilities/services with the attendees of the Smokestack Celebration.  While the results were informative, they did not fully represent the entire CHOA community. 

In October, the Board of Directors working with homeowner Susan Diego, developed and conducted our first “survey” to understand how residents and homeowners view the community.

The survey was conducted in October/November, 2009 after being publicized in the signal, bill, inserts and direct e-mail to insure as many residents and homeowners possible could participate.  The questions centered around:

• Demographics
• Facilities – Their importance and Usage
• Services – Their importance and Usage
• Projects – Past and Present

The results have been posted in a document on the CHOA Website at www.walnutcountry.com.  Click on the CHOA 2009 Community Survey link to view them.  Copies are also available at the Business Office.

The BOD does want to clear up a misconception that seemed to show up in the comments consistently.  Our intent in asking about importance and usage of the facilities and services is NOT to potentially eliminate or downsize them.  Rather, it is to assist us in determining where to put our resources forward.  We are not looking to get “rid” of anything but do want to understand how you, our residents, see them.

Summary of Results

The survey has given us great information to use in managing the association and better understanding everyone’s needs.  Here’s some of what we learned:

The community is “maturing” with older, empty nest homes being the most common.  Residence sizes are down as are number of children in the association.

• Our Greenbelts and Swimming Pools are the most important facilities to residents, BUT a majority of you told us that ALL the facilities are what make our association a great place to live.
• Security and landscaping were high on the services as were communications (Signal) and our property manager.  As above, a majority of you told us that ALL the services and events we provide are what make our association a great place to live.
• Also important is better and more advanced communication.  The desire for e-mail communication, an electronic version of the Signal and other was high.  However, we also understand many of you still want choice here (my regular “paper” Signal).  One of the BOD’s areas of focus this year will be more enhanced technology to communicate with you better and faster.
• On our new projects discussed, your overwhelming response was that you needed to understand more information.  We heard you.  Before undergoing major work, we will do our best to inform you and invite your input.  We also invite you to our monthly BOD meetings to hear more on the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Business Office.

We encourage you to review the results and continue to give us your feedback.  We hope you will assist us when we repeat this survey later this year as we intend to make it an annual event.