1. © ISIS. 2005 How do we talk to zoo keepers? How do we talk to zoo keepers? Michele Peters University of St. Thomas

2. © ISIS. 2005 What is ISIS? The International Species Information System (ISIS) works with the zoological community to support animal care and conservation worldwide

3. © ISIS. 2005 ISIS impact California condor -- critically endangered

4. © ISIS. 2005 Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) Largest Web-based project in world Will contain information on more than 2 million animals Will connect more than 20,000 zoological professionals in more than 70 countries

5. © ISIS. 2005 Question: Question: Do communications from ISIS meet the needs of the organization’s membership?

6. © ISIS. 2005 Why a survey? To determine if ISIS members: Receive communications from ISIS Understand the information received Are aware of the ZIMS Project Desire more information about ISIS

7. © ISIS. 2005 Methodology 24-question survey (English only) Placed on organization’s Web site (www.isis.org)www.isis.org Link e-mailed to 2,500 contacts Link in monthly newsletter

8. © ISIS. 2005 Response rate  383 responses out of 2,500  More than 15%

9. © ISIS. 2005 The survey Overall, I feel the communication I currently receive from ISIS is:  Good (86%)  Variable (12%)

10. © ISIS. 2005 Do you receive communication from ISIS at the appropriate intervals?  When it is appropriate (86%)  Too seldom (almost 10%)

11. © ISIS. 2005 Subjects of concern  ZIMS Project  Web site  Newsletter  Language

12. © ISIS. 2005 ZIMS Project Are you aware of the ZIMS Project? 17% -- involved & know a lot 21% -- involved, not knowledgeable 30% -- know a lot, but not involved +30% -- don’t know much

13. © ISIS. 2005 Web site Is the information on the ISIS Web site relevant to your work? 86% useful 13% somewhat useful

14. © ISIS. 2005 ISIS News ISIS News covers topics of interest 10% always 37% most of the time 51% sometimes

15. © ISIS. 2005 ISIS News The information in ISIS News is useful to my work 10% very useful 34% useful 50% somewhat useful 6% not useful

16. © ISIS. 2005 language In what language do you prefer to communicate? English (86% - 342 responses) French, German, Spanish (3% each) Croatian, Danish, Dutch, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Scandinavian

17. © ISIS. 2005 How would you rate your understanding of written English? 89% excellent 3% good 8% fair

18. © ISIS. 2005 Conclusion ISIS members are satisfied with communications from ISIS and understand the information However, communications surrounding the ZIMS Project must be enhanced

19. © ISIS. 2005 Recommendations Recommendations (cont.) ZIMS Project Increase profile of the project Survey members Which areas are they not informed about? Why are members choosing not to become involved in the project? Target communications to those who are involved in the project

20. © ISIS. 2005 Recommendations ISIS Web site Evaluate content Keep content current ISIS News (newsletter) Include more topics of interest Add short surveys to Web page Explore translations

21. © ISIS. 2005 Questions?