GUILD SURVEY RESULTS- Find out what your fellow guild members think about a
variety of guild subjects! Check out the survey results below: (want to
take the survey? Form at bottom)*-
Results: The higher the number following the sentence or phrase, the more
the stated importance.
To promote youth or apprentice programs in puppetry * 31
To focus on programs that raise the skill levels of adult guild members,
focusing on workshops on manipulation, direction, puppet construction,
voice, movement, etc. * 29
To advocate at the community or state level for more puppetry arts support *
24
To help members develop professionally, through workshops on things like
marketing, pr, sales, website development, etc. * 28
To produce a monthly calendar of puppetry events, either through the
newsletter, website or both, to inform members and community of shows * 31
To serve as a social club for puppet enthusiasts in the Bay Area (with
meetings, parties, outings, newsletter, etc. * 14
To have the opportunity to see shows at guild meetings or perform a show and
get feedback * 30
To offer puppet workshops aimed at youth and education; example: programs
for educators, librarians and those working with children 27
ANALYSIS: The most important goals of the guild according to respondents are
to support young puppeteers and to maintain a regular calendar of events to
keep members informed.
Respondents also strongly favor workshops and shows at guild meetings,
especially workshops focused on working with children, and somewhat less,
workshops aimed at increasing professionalism in puppetry. Responses were
somewhat tepid on the idea of the guild as a political advocate for the art
form, and the social club of puppetry idea did not receive much support,
although the connotations of the words "social club" may have influences
respondents choices; perhaps a phrase like promoting fellowship with other
puppeteers would have been more positively received.
AND THAT'S NOT ALL YOU SAID. OTHER POINTS MEMBERS MADE WERE (in no
particular order):
Regarding Meetings:
"I always loved the Guild workshops and special events but this takes many
members who work! Not many of those."
"I work on Saturdays and have other interests. I like knowing what's going
on and want to attend."
"When I was an active puppeteer and just getting started I attended every
meeting and appreciated the variety of programs."
Pluses: meetings involving interaction with professional, working guild
members. Minuses: workshops too inconsistent…no meeting in December, no
voice training workshops.
Favorite kinds of meetings: "Ones that cover the business and allow folks
time to socialize…maybe some time to share ideas on topic of interest."
What do you like about the guild?
"That it is still around. I may be wrong but it seems that the wise,
experienced, retired mentors are no longer with us and many (others) are
busy with their own puppeteer to attend meetings."
"Best thing about Guild: members get info about puppet events. (What could
the guild) Improve: Perhaps find a central meeting place."
"I like having a calendar of shows available so I can attend if possible. I
like to support the guild because it helped me so much during the 10 years I
had a performing puppet company."
Favorite kind of meetings? "Any meeting that has workshop…2.5 hours seems
fine."
Scholarships for youth and aspiring puppeteers was mentioned as important by
several.
Also to focus on regional and national festival.
One respondent suggested a marathon performance day of puppets for adult and
children's' shows, maybe having it once every year or two.
IDEAS FOR GUILD MEETINGS OR PROJECTS:
Host a puppetry slam (or more than one)
Develop a play as a group project after workshops in writing, directing and
manipulating and present it to the public
Invite artists from other fields (music, painting, etc.) for further
inspiration through lectures
WANT TO TAKE THE SURVEY? THERE ARE NO WRONG ANSWERS. THE QUESTIONS ARE
BELOW. SEND YOUR RESPONSES TO Michael Nelson, Box 2296, Yountville, CA 94599
OR EMAIL TO magicalmoonshine 
gmail dot com
Your Guild Board wishes to better serve your needs. Please take a moment and
let your wishes and thoughts be known. Please answer the questions below,
then fold and tape (or staple) this page into a mailer (or place in
envelope) add a stamp and drop in the mail. If you wish a board member to
contact you to discuss your ideas, be sure to include your name and phone
number. Thanks.
1. Approximately how often do you attend guild meetings in a year?
2. What are your favorite kinds of meetings? Suggestions about meeting
content, length, etc.?
3. What do you like about the guild? This can be your "ideal guild" (in
which case tell us what the ideal is) or the actual guild or both. Also, add
areas that could be improved.
4. Did you know that the guild has a library of puppetry books?
5. Have you ever used the guild library?
6. In the past the library has been kept by the "librarian" usually at their
house and books can be checked out by arrangement with the librarian. Do you
have any thoughts on how to make the library more accessible?
In terms of importance, how would you rate the following possible goals for
the guild. Please rate by writing a number between 1 and 5 beside each
sentence, with 5 signifying most important for the guild and 1 signifying
least important.
To promote youth or apprentice programs in puppetry
To focus on programs that raise the skill levels of adult guild members,
focusing on workshops on manipulation, direction, puppet construction,
voice, movement, etc.
To advocate at the community or state level for more puppetry arts support
To help members develop professionally, through workshops on things like
marketing, pr, sales, website development, etc.
To produce a monthly calendar of puppetry events, either through the
newsletter, website or both, to inform members and community of shows
To serve as a social club for puppet enthusiasts in the Bay Area (with
meetings, parties, outings, newsletter, etc.
To have the opportunity to see shows at guild meetings or perform a show and
get feedback
To offer puppet workshops aimed at youth and education; example: programs
for educators, librarians and those working with children
Other?
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