There is a PDF Version available
Demographics
Survey Participants
Survey Respondents
Aes Sedai/Gaidin: |
113
|
Accepted/Soldier: |
23
|
Novice/Recruit: |
9
|
Citizen: |
12
|
Prefer Not To Answer: |
8
|
|
|
Active Members: |
382
|
Survey Response Rate 43.19%
Survey Completion Rate 33.77%
How long have you been a member of the site? |
6 months - 1 year |
1 - 2 years |
3 - 4 years |
5+ years
|
Aes Sedai/Gaidin: |
0 |
3 |
17 |
73
|
Accepted/Soldier: |
2 |
2 |
4 |
8
|
Novice/Recruit: |
1 |
2 |
1 |
3
|
Citizen: |
3 |
0 |
3 |
1
|
Prefer Not To Answer: |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1
|
Additional Demographics
In which state do you reside?
IL |
UT |
MD |
MO |
VI |
OR |
CA |
AL |
CT |
MN |
NC |
FL |
WA |
CO |
GA |
WI |
PA |
KY |
TX |
IN |
KS |
AK |
NJ |
MI |
TN |
NE |
NY |
OH |
MA |
AZ
|
3 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
7 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
6 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1
|
In which province do you reside?
Saskatchewan |
Ontario |
British Columbia |
Alberta
|
2 |
6 |
2 |
1
|
What is your ethnicity?
White (Not Hispanic or Latino) |
American Indian or Alaska Native |
Hispanic or Latino |
Asian
|
75 |
1 |
1 |
1
|
What is your highest level of education?
Doctorate or Professional School Degree |
10
|
Masters Degree |
20
|
Bachelors Degree |
41
|
Associate's Degree |
15
|
Some College |
30
|
High School/Sixth Form/GED equivalent |
11
|
Other |
4
|
What is your field of work?
Financial |
5
|
Other |
16
|
Administrative |
9
|
Health Care |
8
|
Engineering |
5
|
Communications |
2
|
Agricultural |
2
|
Retail |
8
|
Stay at home Parent |
4
|
Government |
7
|
Student |
10
|
Entertainment/Performing Arts |
1
|
Education |
13
|
Not Employed |
7
|
Science Services |
1
|
Housing Industry |
1
|
Information Technology |
17
|
Manufacturing |
3
|
Research |
3
|
Food |
4
|
Executive Branch
How familiar are you with the organizational leadership, should you need to escalate an issue?
|
|
Have you applied for a position at TarValon.Net in the past year?
|
Very Familiar |
73% |
|
Yes |
48%
|
Somewhat Familiar |
23% |
|
No |
49%
|
Somewhat Unfamiliar |
2% |
|
Unsure |
3%
|
Very Unfamiliar |
2%
|
|
If yes, to which type of position did you apply?
|
How accessible is the Executive Branch?
|
|
Staff |
60%
|
Very Accessible |
58% |
|
Administrative |
30%
|
Somewhat Accessible |
29% |
|
Executive |
7%
|
Somewhat Inaccessible |
3% |
|
Officer |
3%
|
Neutral |
9%
|
|
How simple is the application process?
|
Very Inaccessible |
1% |
|
Very Simple |
59%
|
How well do you feel the Executive Branch performs?
|
|
Somewhat Simple |
28%
|
Exceeds Expectations |
41% |
|
Neutral |
6%
|
Meets Expectations |
48% |
|
Somewhat Difficult |
7%
|
Neutral |
8%
|
|
From 1 – 10, with 10 being highest, how would you rate the application process?
|
Needs Improvement |
3% |
|
1 |
0%
|
How responsive is the Executive Branch to provide feedback regarding questions, complaints, etc.?
|
|
2 |
0%
|
Very Responsive |
58% |
|
3 |
2%
|
Somewhat Responsive |
29% |
|
4 |
2%
|
Neutral |
9% |
|
5 |
7%
|
Somewhat Unresponsive |
3% |
|
6 |
5%
|
Very Unresponsive |
1% |
|
7 |
13%
|
How quickly does the Executive Branch respond to questions, complaints, etc.?
|
|
8 |
30%
|
Very Quickly |
39% |
|
9 |
20%
|
Somewhat Quickly |
35% |
|
10 |
21%
|
Neutral |
21%
|
|
Additional comments about the Executive Branch
|
Somewhat Slowly |
3% |
|
Satisfied with Branch |
10
|
Very Slowly |
2% |
|
Slow response time |
2
|
|
|
|
No experience with Branch |
2
|
How often do you participate in free weeks when they appear?
|
|
Have you ever made a financial donation to TarValon.Net?
|
Frequently |
54 |
|
Yes |
55%
|
Rarely |
39 |
|
No |
27%
|
Never |
13 |
|
No Answer |
18%
|
How important are free weeks to your membership?
|
|
If yes, how many times have you donated?
|
Very important |
8% |
|
1-2 |
37%
|
Somewhat important |
30% |
|
3-4 |
30%
|
Neutral |
29% |
|
5-6 |
16%
|
Somewhat unimportant |
11% |
|
7+ |
17%
|
Very unimportant |
22% |
|
How confident are you that donations will be used appropriately?
|
What would encourage you to be more involved with the free weeks?
|
|
Very Confident |
71%
|
Less “Real Life” interference |
9 |
|
Somewhat Confident |
22%
|
More advanced notice |
7 |
|
Somewhat Not Confident |
4%
|
No changes |
6 |
|
Very Not Confident |
1%
|
More events |
5 |
|
Neutral |
2%
|
Events last longer |
5
|
|
Did you donate to Real Life Community Outreach aspects of any official Tower Parties in 2015?
|
Liking group’s theme |
3 |
|
Yes |
20%
|
Less spam |
2 |
|
No Answer |
26%
|
Merit badge opportunities |
1 |
|
No |
54%
|
What type of free week events are not currently run that you’d like to see added?
|
|
Would you consider donating to Real Life Community Outreach in the future?
|
Variety of events/games |
8 |
|
Yes |
67%
|
No recommendations |
6 |
|
N/A |
29%
|
Feast of Lights or Feast of Fools |
2 |
|
No |
4%
|
What are your favorite types of events during free weeks?
|
|
Are you aware that TarValon.Net, Inc. annually awards the Robert Jordan Memorial Scholarship?
|
Match Up Events |
20 |
|
Yes |
79%
|
Group Theme Competitions |
58 |
|
No |
1%
|
Games/Puzzles |
30 |
|
No Answer |
20%
|
Story Rounds |
14 |
|
Are you familiar with the selection process for the recipients of the Robert Jordan Memorial Scholarship?
|
Large Group Competition |
14 |
|
Yes |
61%
|
Ajah/Company run games |
34 |
|
No |
18%
|
Chat events |
21 |
|
No Answer |
21%
|
Do you participate in the birthday list and receive cards?
|
|
How important to your membership is the Robert Jordan Memorial Scholarship?
|
Yes |
48 |
|
Very Important |
16%
|
No |
31 |
|
Somewhat Important |
17%
|
Unsure |
12 |
|
Neutral |
39%
|
Unaware of List |
21 |
|
Somewhat Unimportant |
10%
|
How important to your membership are our philanthropic endeavors?
|
|
Very Unimportant |
18%
|
Very Important |
20% |
|
Why did you donate or not to Real Life Community Outreach aspects at any official Tower Parties in the past year?
|
Somewhat Important |
47% |
|
Didn’t attend events |
32
|
Neutral |
20% |
|
Like to donate |
15
|
Somewhat Unimportant |
2% |
|
Financial constraints |
13
|
Very Unimportant |
11% |
|
Other |
2
|
Other comments or suggestions about free weeks:
“I don't think it's entirely fair that everything is selfvoting. A group theme could be utter crap, but if enough members of the group vote for themselves, they win.”
“It's too spammy and moves too fast to keep up with over time zones. And I don't necessarily have the energy to deal with all the silliness. “
“They are always so much fun!! I really appreciate all the work that goes into them!!”
How do you feel the Department of Community Outreach could improve in any of the above areas?
- Top Responses
-
- Better visibility/announcements
- More opportunities for charity
- Avoid the appearance of nepotism (scholarship)
- Better visibility of how money raised is spent
Events
How many official events and/or conferences did you attend in 2015?
|
|
Would you be more likely to attend North American Anniversary if we had a fixed location instead of a new location each year?
|
None |
65% |
|
Yes |
13%
|
1-2 |
33% |
|
No |
42%
|
3-5 |
2% |
|
Unsure |
45%
|
Do you feel official events are a valuable part of your membership at TarValon.Net?
|
|
Do you find you have to choose between attending JordanCon or the North American Anniversary event?
|
Yes |
73% |
|
Yes |
31%
|
No |
10% |
|
No |
33%
|
Unsure |
17% |
|
No Answer |
36%
|
Do you plan to attend an official event or conference in the future?
|
|
If yes, which event do you choose to attend?
|
Yes |
78% |
|
JordanCon |
31%
|
No |
2% |
|
NA Anniversary |
33%
|
Unsure |
20% |
|
Depends |
36%
|
How many official events and conferences have you attended in the last 5 years?
|
|
If you choose between JordanCon and North American Anniversary, what motivates your decision?
|
1-2 |
12 |
|
Other Attendees |
33
|
3-5 |
16 |
|
Location |
30
|
6-10 |
9 |
|
Notice of dates/location |
21
|
11-15 |
2 |
|
Programming/Tracks |
13
|
16-20 |
2 |
|
Other |
11
|
In your opinion, what month(s) are best to hold our North American Anniversary event?
|
|
Do you like the floating date structure for B&I and Euro party?
|
Jan |
8 |
|
Yes |
41%
|
Feb |
17 |
|
No |
5%
|
Mar |
46 |
|
Unsure |
54%
|
Apr |
46 |
|
For International Events, do you prefer retreat style events with our own programming or tourist style events in a hotel?
|
May |
38 |
|
Tourist |
29%
|
Jun |
31 |
|
Retreat |
71%
|
Jul |
27 |
|
Do you feel our International Events are a good value for the money?
|
Aug |
25 |
|
Yes |
22%
|
Sep |
22 |
|
No |
2%
|
Oct |
28 |
|
Unsure |
76%
|
Nov |
11 |
|
Please tell us any and all activities you enjoy at events
|
Dec |
8 |
|
Socializing (toasts, hanging out) |
26
|
There has been some interest in a week long summer camp event. The event would be better as:
|
|
Games (tournament, trivia, board games) |
20
|
NA Anniversary Add-on |
28% |
|
Ceremonies (raisings, bondings, first siblings) |
6
|
Standalone Event |
21% |
|
Free time/downtime |
6
|
Would Attend Either Option |
30% |
|
Any and all activities |
6
|
Not Interested in Event |
21% |
|
Social drinking |
4
|
Please tell us any and all activities you do not enjoy at events
- Top Responses
-
- Excessive drinking
- Hotel-style events that split people up
- Paying for outside events
- The Amyrlin’s Tournament
- Games (mafia, chess)
- Additional Event Comments
“I feel like they have gotten out of control and amorphous. Stop trying to best the last event and doing so much.”
“International Events are not limited to Tourist or Retreat. There are some that have combined the two but on an unofficial capacity. Also it feels as if International Events are not given enough focus in comparison to American parties. No Execs or Directors attend these events regularly, they do not get a lot of attention in general during planning or execution.”
“I haven't been to any WoT event in a long time, but it did bother me when I had to choose between JCon and Anni before.”
Marketing
Do you read the Tar Valon Times (TVT)?
|
|
Do you follow TarValon.Net on the platforms you chose?
|
Regularly |
24% |
|
Yes |
57%
|
Sometimes |
61% |
|
No |
14%
|
No |
15% |
|
N/A |
29%
|
What types of articles are you most interested in reading?
|
|
In addition to TarValon.Net news, would you be interested in other Wheel of Time, Tor or fandom news through social media?
|
Member Spotlights |
56 |
|
Yes |
43%
|
Other |
24 |
|
No |
18%
|
Comics |
41 |
|
N/A |
39%
|
Book Reviews |
38 |
|
If yes, what new would appeal to you most?
|
If other, please provide additional information
|
|
Wheel of Time/General fantasy |
22
|
General interest |
6 |
|
Book releases/reviews |
12
|
Specialty articles |
5 |
|
Brandon Sanderson news |
11
|
Fiction |
4 |
|
All of the above |
4
|
Recipes |
3 |
|
Are there site-based products that you would be interested in having accessible?
|
Game reviews |
1 |
|
Yes |
13%
|
Travelogues |
1 |
|
No |
28%
|
Would you be interested in receiving notifications when the TVT is published?
|
|
N/A |
59%
|
Yes |
29% |
|
Would you be interested in submitting your own work for official events, the store, TVT or Marketing in general?
|
No Opinion |
35% |
|
Yes |
21%
|
No |
36% |
|
No |
35%
|
In what type of medium would you prefer to receive notification?
|
|
Unsure |
44%
|
Forum Announcement |
29% |
|
Would you be interested in participating in contests or other events like the logo contests hosted by Marketing?
|
Email |
40% |
|
Yes |
24%
|
Social Media |
30% |
|
No |
46%
|
Other |
1% |
|
Unsure |
30%
|
Are you satisfied with the availability of the TarValon.Net news via social media channels?
|
|
If yes, please state the products that interest you most
|
Yes |
46% |
|
Business cards |
6
|
No |
3% |
|
Flyers/posters |
5
|
N/A |
51% |
|
More men’s wearables |
2
|
What types of social media do you frequent?
|
|
Bookmarks |
1
|
Facebook |
98 |
|
License plates |
1
|
Tumblr |
16 |
|
|
|
Twitter |
34 |
|
|
|
None |
11 |
|
|
|
Pinterest |
29 |
|
|
|
Other |
3 |
|
|
|
Instagram |
27 |
|
|
|
- Additional Marketing Comments
“I'd really like to see copies of the TVT given out at places like JordanCon, maybe special editions as like a "Best of the TVT" that we can give out as introductions to the site.”
“Provide more membership/activity related things via social media - what are the membership groups up to? The latest trend/meme floating around the Tower? Not just official things. “
“I'm a bit hesitant to submit my work for Marketing or contests at the moment. That may eventually change. Again, nothing TV.net has done to cause this.”
“The social media outreach has improved greatly this past year!”
Membership
How comfortable are you about contacting you membership administrator about any issue?
|
|
How do you socialize with members outside of the site? (Check all that apply)
|
Very Comfortable |
72% |
|
Call/Text |
67
|
Somewhat Comfortable |
20% |
|
In Person |
46
|
Neutral |
6% |
|
FB/Twitter/G+ |
87
|
Somewhat Uncomfortable |
2% |
|
Google Hangouts |
45
|
Very Uncomfortable |
0% |
|
Email |
40
|
Have you had to contact your membership administrator in the past?
|
|
How frequently do you interact with TarValon.Net members outside of the official forums?
|
Yes |
44% |
|
More than on the site, including chat |
37%
|
No |
31% |
|
As much as on the site, including chat |
26%
|
Prefer Not To Answer |
25% |
|
Occasionally |
37%
|
How would you rate your membership administrator's performance?
|
|
Please elaborate on why you socialize more offsite than onsite
|
Exceeds Expectations |
57% |
|
Ease of (mobile) use |
11
|
Meets Expectations |
32% |
|
More private circle |
9
|
Neutral |
9% |
|
Not on boards often |
6
|
Needs Improvement |
2% |
|
Less restricted/moderated |
3
|
Have you served in the Hall before?
|
|
Different membership groups |
3
|
Yes |
46% |
|
Live with/near others |
3
|
No |
34% |
|
Do you believe the current bonding process should change?
|
Prefer Not To Answer |
20% |
|
Yes |
21%
|
Do you interact with TarValon.Net members outside of the official forums?
|
|
No |
31%
|
Yes |
71% |
|
No Opinion |
48%
|
No |
7% |
|
If yes, how do you believe the process should change?
|
Prefer Not To Answer |
22% |
|
Companies choose how many bonds they get |
39%
|
|
|
|
Senior members of the same path should be able to bond |
46%
|
|
|
|
Other |
15%
|
- “How do you believe the bonding process should change?” comments
“There are many more AS then Gaidin, especially when you consider those that are active and unbonded. It only makes sense that Gaidin should be able to choose whether they want a second bond or not. “I think it's silly that due to lore, reds have to struggle so hard just to get one bond. The bar is so very very high just for one bond.” “There is some precedent for male and female channelers to bond, at least going by the books...” “The thought that people shouldn't be able to bond because there are members already Bondless is demeaning to the relationship and to people who choose not to bond.” “It should be up to the people involved if they want to bond, it shouldn't have to be approved.” “Lift restrictions on bonding among senior members entirely.”
- Please provide any additional comments about the Department of Membership
“Our strict rules on bonding are hurting recruitment, and don't serve a valuable purpose. Most of our potential members are already members of other WoT communities, and telling them that they can't form the same relationships at TV.net that they already have elsewhere is a barrier to recruitment & retention.”
“Arbitrary requirements set by Ajahs towards Raising can be extremely frustrating. Some Ajahs will raise demotees in the matter of weeks while others wait almost a year before considering it. It is a quick way to force members to lose interest in the site and the group.”
“I do not like the idea of bonding changing to a free for all. Bonding currently serves as a bridge across Tower companies and ajahs. If bonding were to be allowed between Gaidin or Aes Sedai, it would not do so. It would instead act as a bonding agent between ajahs and companies, but I do not know that I would enjoy that line blurring.”
“TarValon.Net takes itself way too seriously. Who gives a crap if an Aes Sedai wants to bond an Aes Sedai? It's happened in the books, there's precedence, so stop getting in a tizzy.”
Moderators
How important are the message boards to your membership?
|
|
How frequently do you play Mafia?
|
Very Important |
77% |
|
Frequently |
9
|
Somewhat Important |
19% |
|
Occasionally |
11
|
Neutral |
3% |
|
Rarely |
17
|
Somewhat Unimportant |
1% |
|
Never |
72
|
Very Unimportant |
0% |
|
Are the Mafia admins fair in carrying out their duties?
|
How often do you use the message boards?
|
|
Yes |
19%
|
Daily |
60% |
|
No |
1%
|
Weekly |
31% |
|
No Answer |
80%
|
Monthly |
6% |
|
How can the Mafia experience be improved?
|
Rarely |
2% |
|
Remember it’s just a game |
2
|
Never |
1% |
|
Standardize activity levels |
2
|
Please indicate your top 3 (three) FAVORITE forums
|
|
Don’t discount RL during game |
1
|
Membership Public Room |
78 |
|
Limit certain players |
1
|
Membership Private Room |
41 |
|
How often do you use chat?
|
Olde Warder & Hen |
30 |
|
Daily |
8%
|
General |
23 |
|
Weekly |
6%
|
Please indicate your top 3 (three) LEAST favorite forums
|
|
Monthly |
11%
|
Current Events |
45 |
|
Rarely |
50%
|
Mafia |
33 |
|
Never |
25%
|
Sports Fanatics |
26 |
|
How important are the chatrooms to your membership?
|
Frivolous Fun |
19 |
|
Very Important |
10%
|
Have you had any professional interaction with a Moderator in the past two (2) years?
|
|
Somewhat Important |
16%
|
Yes |
13% |
|
Neutral |
27%
|
No |
59% |
|
Somewhat Unimportant |
21%
|
No Answer |
28% |
|
Very Unimportant |
26%
|
How would you rate the moderator’s performance?
|
|
Select which chatroom(s) you frequent most
|
Exceeds Expectations |
44% |
|
#wheel |
60
|
Meets Expectations |
31% |
|
#wanderingwoman |
8
|
Neutral |
6% |
|
#oldewarderandhen |
10
|
Needs Improvement |
19% |
|
Rank chatroom |
6
|
|
|
|
Affiliate chatroom |
37
|
|
|
|
None |
32
|
|
|
|
Please indicate the moderation level of the official chatrooms
|
|
|
|
Adequate |
92%
|
|
|
|
Too Little |
7%
|
|
|
|
Too Much |
1%
|
- Do you have any suggestions about how Mafia activity could be boosted?
“Maybe have periodic ‘newbie-friendly’ (small, no weird mechanics or roles) games that are advertised in General to attract new players? It took me a long time to venture into the mafia forum when I first joined just because I didn't know what mafia was, and an even longer time to work up the courage to join a game.“
“People don't use the boards anymore, maybe game announcements should be posted on other social media.”
- Please provide comments regarding the message boards and chatrooms
“It does not feel comfortable to be there, which has driven me away. Both public and private fora.”
“My participation in chat has decreased because while there are plenty of people in there, no one is talking. Or rarely talk…I don't know if the chat mods would be interested in naming a topic or starting some sort of discussion to get things going. “
Records & Research
How often do you visit the Classroom?
|
|
How often do you use the Library?
|
Weekly |
5% |
|
Very Often 16% |
16%
|
Monthly |
6% |
|
Often 24% |
24%
|
Quarterly |
8% |
|
Rarely 21% |
21%
|
Rarely |
46% |
|
Never 3% |
3%
|
Never |
35% |
|
Sometimes |
36%
|
What kind of classes would you like to see offered?
|
|
Rate the ease of finding things in the Library:
|
Any |
6 |
|
Very Easy |
29%
|
Crafts/skills |
2 |
|
Somewhat Easy |
55%
|
Wheel of Time related |
1 |
|
Neutral |
12%
|
Brandon Sanderson’s books |
1 |
|
Somewhat Difficult |
3%
|
How often do you visit Who’s Who?
|
|
Very Difficult |
1%
|
Very Often 12% |
12% |
|
How often do you visit the Ajah/Company pages?
|
Often 25% |
25% |
|
Very Often |
9%
|
Rarely 23% |
23% |
|
Often |
13%
|
Never 2% |
2% |
|
Sometimes |
42%
|
Sometimes 38% |
38% |
|
Rarely |
29%
|
What other information should be included in the Who’s Who?
|
|
Never |
7%
|
Personal information |
3 |
|
How valuable is the information in the Annual Report?
|
Updated information |
2 |
|
Very Valuable |
20%
|
Alphabetical list of members |
1 |
|
Somewhat Valuable |
55%
|
Link to PM member |
1 |
|
Neutral |
21%
|
Ajah/Company mentor/mentee |
1 |
|
Not Valuable At All |
4%
|
Tower sponsorship |
1 |
|
Is this your first time taking the Membership Survey?
|
Free Week avatars |
1 |
|
Yes |
8%
|
|
|
|
No |
68%
|
|
|
|
No Answer |
24%
|
|
|
|
What prevented you from taking the survey previously?
|
|
|
|
New to community |
9
|
|
|
|
Unaware of previous surveys |
1
|
|
|
|
Not active during survey |
1
|
|
|
|
Rejoined after last survey |
1
|
- List additional information needed for the Library/Manual
Top Responses:
- Integration updates to the Membership Manual
- Key words too specific for searches
- More disambiguation pages
Technology
How often do you access TarValon.Net from: |
Computer |
Smartphone |
Tablet |
Other
|
Very often |
68 |
40 |
14 |
0
|
Often |
23 |
18 |
6 |
0
|
Occasionally |
15 |
32 |
25 |
1
|
Never |
0 |
15 |
35 |
30
|
N/A |
0 |
0 |
17 |
31
|
If you access TarValon.Net via mobile, do you use the mobile or the full site theme?
|
|
Do you notice delays with email notifications
|
Full Site |
48% |
|
Yes |
7%
|
Mobile |
35% |
|
No |
45%
|
Both |
17% |
|
No Answer |
48%
|
Do you currently serve in a position with moderator or administrative functions?
|
|
How often does it happen?
|
Yes |
23% |
|
Very Often |
30%
|
No |
54% |
|
Often |
30%
|
No Answer |
23% |
|
Occasionally |
40%
|
How do you rate that functionality?
|
|
How long is the delay?
|
Easy to Understand |
59% |
|
Minutes |
4
|
Somewhat Easy |
35% |
|
Hours |
2
|
Neutral |
6% |
|
More than a day |
2
|
- Which specific functions do you feel are hard to use?
Moderation of threads from phone/tablet
- Please provide any additional comments about the Department of Technology
“Do we still require usernames to be two parts (first name, last name) for tech reasons? There was a move we did like 6-7 years ago that forced me into taking a last name- that was tacked on against my will. I believe it was because we were using drupal? I don't believe that we use this anymore?”
“BRING BACK THE ABILITY TO USE THE ‘SUBSCRIBED THREADS’ ON MY PHONE, DAMMIT”
“Mendo's a pretty cool guy.”