Membership Survey

online forum

This past January we surveyed the membership on our communication tools to determine how we can best reach our members. Our goal is not only to share important information with our membership, but also to facilitate valuable collaboration opportunities between local government finance officers around British Columbia. Information sharing should not go in one direction, but rather be a dynamic two-way street. After all we are better together.

We believe we can facilitate this give-and-take information sharing arrangement using the online forum, located on the GFOABC website. The forum is a place where finance professionals are encouraged to share best practices and post their questions, answers and comments so others working in local governments around the province can benefit from our collective knowledge.

SURVEY STATISTICS

• 79% of survey respondents have used the online forum • Of the people that have used the forum: » 13% use it daily or weekly » 36% use it bi-weekly or monthly » 48% use it quarterly or annually » 2% used it once and never again • 43% post new discussion topics • 58% comment on existing discussions • 5% have created a poll • 8% have updated their profile to include a photo or custom signature • 30% have set up email notifications

When asked what prevented respondents from using the online forum, 35% indicated lack of knowledge, training or awareness. 20% didn’t like the concept of a public forum or preferred in-person discussion and 45% had been meaning to but hadn’t gotten around to using it. We have since made the online forum accessible to members only which should alleviate any concerns around a public forum. In order to address the remaining reasons we will identify opportunities to educate, inform and remind the membership that the forum is there and how to use it. It is clear that those who use the online forum find great value in it, so let’s get the message out! Since the survey was taken, we have launched three online forum Groups. The ARO Workshop Series attendees have a private group for participants to share documents and ask questions as they proceed through the ARO process. Additionally, regional districts and collectors have started online forum groups where they can ask questions and provide answers to their peers around the province.

Great things are happening in the online forum and we hope to carry this momentum forward with the help and participation of the membership.

To get started: • Bookmark the forum in your browser • Update your profile picture and signature • Input your notification preferences

And start engaging today!

Erica Christie Manager, Operations and Member Services