Post-Walk Survey - By Patti Burmahl

“Rain rain go away come again another day” was one of the more common write-in comments from this year’s Walk Across Southeastern CT post-Walk survey.  Despite the rain, we received many positive ratings and comments on our survey.  We would like to thank the 234 walkers and volunteers who responded to this year’s survey.  Our Walk Team captains review the survey results and have read each and every write-in comment (many are positive and many with constructive suggestions) – your input is invaluable to us as we look to continually improve our Walk from year-to-year.

We committed to share with you the feedback from the post-Walk Survey and here is the link to the summary results. In addition, to better improve our communications with our walkers and volunteers (one of your suggestions from this year’s survey), please see the link to a Question and Answer document that begins to address questions received prior to the Walk as well as some of your write-in comments from the survey.  We will continue to update this document as we move into 2010 and prepare for the 2010 Walk.

While the weather for this year’s walk wasn’t ideal, the energy and commitment from our walkers and volunteers remained high.  We continue to hear from people about how positive the Walk Day experience was:

“Thank you all.  Everyone I met on the day was so full of love and encouragement.  Despite the awful weather, it was a wonderful experience and you all did a great job.”

“I truly appreciated the quarter marathon option.  The idea of a full marathon overwhelmed me.  The quarter allowed me to participate, and this ‘baby step’ has given me the confidence to attempt to half marathon next year.  This was an extremely well run event and it was my honor and privilege to take part.”  

“The organization, capabilities and dedication of all volunteers was remarkable.”

“This was a perfectly organized event.”

While we appreciate the above sentiment, we can always improve and strive to do so.  We heard your input for improvements, some of which include: being better prepared for inclement weather, better communications / information to walkers and volunteers (which we are already addressing with our Q and A document referenced above), shortening the opening ceremonies, better recognition of walkers and survivors at Camp Harkness,  relooking at the type of food served and ordering some sunshine!!!.

My favorite piece of feedback from the 2009 post-Walk survey was hearing that 97% of you who took the survey would walk or volunteer again next year. We hope you all do come back and bring 3 or 4 (or 9 or 10!) of your friends and family to walk or volunteer with you!