Communications Survey 2023

The Residents’ Council Communications Committee ran its Communications Survey from April 1 to May 5, 2023.  573 responses were received. This was the third of these surveys, as earlier ones were run in 2014 and 2019. We were looking to see how communications preferences and available methods have changed over time.

Take Aways from Survey
We live in a multi-generational community that requires using various ways of communication to reach all residents.
There are opportunities to reduce cubby stuffing by allowing residents to sign up for email and putting stickers on their cubbies.

Top ranking communications media preferences

This year the top five ranking communications media were
1. Cubby stuffing
2. Sunburst
3. MyErickson
4. TV Channel 972
5. Bulletin Boards

In comparison in 2019 the top ranking communications media were
1. Cubby stuffing
2. Sunburst
3. Bulletin boards
4. One sheet monthly events calendar
5. TV Channel 972

The one sheet monthly events calendar no longer is being published and has been replaced by the Activities section of MyErickson.

How do you Prefer to Receive Updates on Scheduled Activities?
1. Email
2. Web Announcements
3. TV Channel 972
4. Bulletin boards

68% prefer tech (email, web (MyErickson, CCICharlestown.org)
21% prefer TV
11% prefer bulletin boards

Residents’ Council meeting attendance to find out information

Only a core of residents regularly attend Residents’ Council meetings or committee meetings to find out information. This is an opportunity for improvement, as this a way for residents to share their concerns and opinions.

Charlestown Administration Meetings Attended to Find Out Information

Popularity of meetings attended:
1. Resident Town Hall
2. General Services Town Hall
3. Dining Town Hall
4. Neighborhood chats

No significant changes since 2019.

Zoom attendance at a meeting

A new means of attendance meetings since COVID has been online meetings via Zoom. Over a third of respondents have attended a meeting via Zoom.

Sharing  your ideas with a Charlestown Department

In order of popularity
1. Telephone a Charlestown Admin/Department – by far the most popular means
2. Send email to a Charlestown Admin/Department
3. Talk to a Residents’ Council member
4, Visit a Charlestown Admin/Dept office
5. Send note to a Charlestown Admin/Dept
6. Ask or comment at Charlestown Admin Meeting
7. Send email to a Residents’ Council member
8. Ask or comment at Residents’ Council Meeting
9. Ask or comment at RC Committee meeting
10. Send a Council Communications Form

The fewer Council Communication Form submissions may reflect that issues are resolved before they are needed or that residents are not aware of the availability of the forms.

Smart devices used regularly to communicate in order of popularity

1. Computers – 74%
2, Smart phones 66&
3. Tablets 34%

In 2023 – 524 of 569 (92%) of residents responding use a smart device! This is way up from 2019.

What other Wi-Fi Devices Used Regularly

In order of use:
Printers
Streaming TV (Roku, Apple TV, Netflix, Roku, etc.)
Smart Speakers (Alexa, Apple Homepod, Google home speakers)

Others mentioned were smart watches, smart thermostats, smart plugs, smart light switches, and more.

Wi-Fi Performance during the Past Month
It performed well – 60%
Had a problem during the past month – 31%
Do not use Wi-Fi – 9%

How long have you lived at Charlestown?
less than 1 year: 8.2%
1-5 years – 46.8%
6-10 years – 26.4%
11-14 years – 11.9%
16 to 20 years -4.9%
Over 20 years – 1.9%