7/94 More Picnics!!

Results of the MSA Eid Picnic Survey Show a Demand for a More Active Summer!!

(Surveyed by IQRA! staff)

30 men and 36 women were surveyed about their opinion of the MSA Eid Picnic, representing 41 % of the adults (66/160 = 41 % based on ticket sales). Four basic questions were asked in addition to an open ended survey of opinion and suggestions.

1. Did you like the food? 88% yes, 12% no
2. Was the food expensive? 17% yes, 83% no
3. Was it better than last year? 20% yes, 26% no, 54% didn't attend last year.
4. Did you participate in the clean up? 50% yes, 50% no.

The following are the responses to the open ended survey of opinion arranged by order of magnitude.

1. MORE PICNICS: "We should have more frequent picnics, maybe as fund raisers."; "Summer should be used for more activity, not just mosque related"; "why not make camps for education and recreation."

2. BETTER FOOD QUALITY & MANAGEMENT: "Women should bring more desserts"; "Chicken was cold and uncooked, we want meat too, this is Eid!"; "The serving size was too large!" We could get • individual salt packets like at McDonalds to serve with the food. Foam plates with covers might have kept the food hot and dispensed with the need to reheat the chicken on the barbecues.

3. BETTER PROGRAMMING: The time of the picnic should be better established in advance. Several women mentioned this. Some had children in the Saturday school which ended at 12. The Friday handout said the picnic would start at 1:00 pm. The Friday prayer announcement said 10 am and some came early to the picnic and were very hungry before the food was served at 3:30. Food should be served sooner. "Meal time should be either at lunch or at supper. 3:30 was in between, an awkward time especially for children." "Better communication is needed in advance."; " You should announce what is the program for activities especially for games". "Tables can be reserved with balloons and signs to arrange the picnic grounds better for us." "The ticket idea was good but should have been more formally and firmly enforced. Ticket sales could be in advance."

4. THE ISSUE OF SEPARATION: Because of 2 sisters comments early in the poll, ''In your opinion, were the men and women too close together?" was added to the women's survey. However, of 33 women interviewed on this question, only 8 (including the first 2) said there was a problem, while 25 (or 80%) said the arrangements were acceptable. Here are some of the comments: "Men and women could be further apart, particularly if the women want to have volleyball." " Food could be served at two locations so the men don't have to wait so long to be served." "The kitchen was too close to the women."

5. SUGGESTIONS FOR ORGANIZATION: "The people organizing the children's games could have hats for identification"; "The park at Arlington Library is suggested as a future site more in-town. "We need to know the approximate number of children coming to arrange prizes properly." "We need more games for older children, particularly the older girls."; "People should be asked to participate more in the clean up."
6. BETTER FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: "Maybe we can get donations from McDonalds or Wendy's of simple gifts for the kids prizes."; "Increase cost to make more profit"; "Pricing drinks for 25 cents was a bad idea. I was thirsty after the games and had no money."

7. WOMEN'S ACTIVITIES: "Maybe we could arrange a group walk or some activity for the ladies, like volleyball? This was suggested several times.