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Ocean Pines meeting to extend community survey after 628 responses
Summary
Ocean Pines participants reviewed raw survey data showing 628 responses and agreed to reopen and promote the survey to try to reach a 1,000-response threshold for greater statistical validity; staff will work with marketing and return to the group with prioritized findings.
At a meeting of Ocean Pines stakeholders, meeting host Rob told participants that 628 residents had returned the community survey and proposed reopening outreach to try to reach a 1,000-response threshold that he said the group regards as necessary for stronger statistical validity.
Rob said the raw data arrived late and that he had only begun to scan the 45-page comments report. "We ended up a total of 628 responses," he said, noting that the count was "well below" the group's prior goal. He added, "the magic number to make it, quote, unquote, valid is 1000." (Speaker 1)
Why it matters: the committee has used prior survey cycles that produced far larger samples to inform budget and program priorities. Participants said a low response rate reduces confidence that the results represent the full Ocean Pines community, and several raised timing and outreach as key reasons for the drop-off.
Participants discussed several possible causes and remedies. Several attendees pointed to the timing of promotion and recent national news cycles as dampening local engagement. One participant said the survey was added late to social media and suggested reopening the outreach window and using a targeted email blast and more prominent messaging.
The group discussed distribution methods used previously, including mailed paper copies and email blasts. One participant recalled that printed copies and mailed surveys in past cycles produced larger returns, while others noted this year's wider use of social media and the online survey tool.
Action and next steps: attendees agreed to reopen and continue promotion. Speaker 1 said he would prepare a charging document, work with Josh on targeted messaging and check results periodically; participants asked to reconvene with three to five prioritized items drawn from the comments. Speaker 6 offered to run messaging suggestions up the chain and assist with the email copy.
Votes at a glance: the meeting approved the previously circulated minutes (no formal roll-call recorded) and later accepted a motion to adjourn. No other formal motions or votes on policy items were taken.
What remains unresolved: whether the additional outreach will reach 1,000 responses in time to influence the current budget cycle. Speakers debated extending through January versus February; several noted that pushing to February would likely miss budget deadlines and favored checking progress through mid-December and using January as a planning checkpoint.
The meeting ended after the motion to adjourn was made and seconded; staff will circulate the raw comment file and proposed outreach language for review before the next convening.
