Guild of Oregon Woodworkers Guild Membership Survey Data Presentation and Conclusions

Data Analysis Graphics Notes Data from the survey was grouped into interest areas. The Google Apps data presentation was not useful for a visual comparison of survey data due to varied x-axis scales. For this presentation, graphic scales have been normalized to a consistent scale between charts.

Focus on: Foundational Skills

Focus on: Power Tools

Focus on: Hand Tools

Focus on: Finishing

Focus on: Decorative Arts

Focus on: Turning

Focus on Furniture

Focus on: Furniture (Tables)

Focus on Furniture (Chairs)

Focus on: Famous Speakers (1/2)

Famous Speakers (2/2)

Focus on: Shop Furniture and Tools

Focus on: Other Topics

Class Development Opportunities Of all survey respondents, 36 have never taken a Guild Class. Of these: – 8 rate themselves as advanced woodworkers; – 10 rate themselves as beginning woodworkers; – 13 rate themselves as intermediate woodworkers; – 3 rate themselves as professional woodworkers – 2 rate themselves as beginning woodworkers

Class Development Opportunities This chart depicts the class interests of those who have never taken a Guild class:

Conclusions Of the 106 survey respondents, 36 (33%) have never taken a Guild class. If the survey results are representative of Guild membership, roughly 121 members have never taken classes. No survey data was collected that offers insight into the decision not to take classes. A second survey targeted to the members who have never taken classes would help to understand that thought process and allow the Education committee to effectively respond.

Conclusions Among all respondents, furniture-making topics have the most interest. Classes that fall in this subject area should be offered during every class scheduling period (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer). In the category of Foundational Skills, two interest areas stand out: Tricks and Secrets of woodworking, and Fundamentals of Furniture Design.

Conclusions In the Power Tools area, there is high interest in in-depth study of the Band Saw, Table Saw, and Router (and associated jigs and fixtures). In the Hand Tool area, the three high interest areas are in measuring, marking and layout, and understanding and using hand planes.

Conclusions Although strong interest exists for decorative arts classes (including veneering, marquetry and inlay) these are more specialized classes, and should probably be offered less frequently than some of the others called for in this survey. There is minor interest in turning (~10% of respondents). This interest might best be met through some sort of exchange program with one of the northwest Oregon turning clubs.

Conclusions Surprisingly, chair-making is substantially more interesting to respondents than table-making. A separate class series focused on chair-making might be viable based on survey data. No single speaker of national reputation garnered enough votes to consider bringing him to Portland. Many factors likely influenced these results, including the large number of choices, and the possibility that many of the selections are not known to the Guild membership.

Conclusions In the Other Topics area, the Next Level classes continue to draw considerable interest, both now and in the future. This series of classes should continue.

Special Thanks Bob Oswald spent considerable time developing many of the graphics used for this presentation. Thanks, Bob.