The Jewish Deaf Congress Ad Hoc Committee compiled a summary of results of Part Two of its survey. The results will help JDC set priorities in charting the future of the organization.
2018 Survey on JDC Success, Part 2: Summary of Results
Iris Mars and Roz Rosen
October 18, 2018
An ad hoc Committee was formed at the end of the 2017 Jewish Deaf Congress (JDC) conference, to work on a strategic plan to revive, revitalize and update JDC to meet the needs of modern-day Jewish Deaf Americans. The Committee members decided to seek input from stakeholders from all over the United States, as well as from some in Canada, on how to transform and strengthen JDC into a viable and vital organization.
We did two (2) surveys, using SurveyMonkey. The first survey focused on perceptions regarding JDC’s mission, goals, strengths and weaknesses and the engagement of the respondents. The first survey was completed last June and reported via emails and the JDC page in Facebook. The second survey focused on JDC’s purpose, memberships, services, structure and future. This report is on the second survey and includes some observations for future JDC restructuring.
79 people responded to the 2nd survey; a total of 106 people responded to one or both surveys. Below is an executive summary of the 2nd survey results. See FB JDC for the report on Part 1 or email us for a copy at [email protected].
Respondent Demographics for 2nd Survey:
80% said they were Deaf or hard of hearing. 47% were between 51-70 years old; 34% were 70+. 60% indicated that they were part of a local Jewish Deaf group and that they met several times a year, and 81% have attended a JDC conference. 67% stated they also responded to the first survey.
Analysis:
JDC needs to attract more people under age 50. Greater networking and outreach efforts are needed to reach Deaf Jewish individuals who may not be aware of JDC or are isolated in their communities. JDC conferences and media are two outreach strategies.
JDC Purpose:
Given a summary of JDC’s purpose as stated in its bylaws, the respondents were split between stating that the current purpose was satisfactory and stating the purpose needed to be updated and expanded. There were considerable differences in opinions about what the statement should include.
Analysis:
JDC’s Strategic/Structure/Priority and Mission/Goals Revision Committee(s) will work on this using the comments from the survey for guidance. Comments touched upon expanded purpose, membership, activities/services, and communications/public relations. The updated and expanded purpose statement draft should be presented to the JDC Ad Hoc Committee for further discussions and incorporated into the JDC Strategic Plan to be shared with JDC stakeholders and the public.
JDC Services and Priorities:
As in the first survey, 88% of the respondents view JDC as a two-prong organization to provide information and resources to its membership and to assist or advocate for more Deaf-friendly or Deaf-based access to local services. Some of the respondents had further suggestions.
Analysis:
Comments ranged from informational services and content on Deaf People and Judaism, online resources about organizational development and legal/programmatic access, advocacy, education, and ways to reach the Deaf Jewish community. “Dream Bigger!” was one comment made.
Communications and Outreach:
Regarding how JDC should provide information and resources to its membership, the respondents checked up to 4 preferences from 9 options.
Analysis:
The top three priorities are: JDC website (78%), national conferences (59%), and emailed newsletters (53%). Also popular choices were Facebook (47%) and other media such as YouTube and vlogs (42%). JDC will consider these a priority.
Governance:
Respondents were asked to choose among 3 options for governance:
1) Maintain the status quo of voting for officers at periodic JDC conferences,
2) develop a different voting system, or
3) want further discussion.
Analysis:
The responses were somewhat split among the 3 options. Maintain the status quo of voting for officers at periodic JDC conferences (28%), develop a different voting system (30%), or want further discussion (42%). Comments included online voting, regional conferences, council of representatives, a better system for nominating officers with nominations and steering committees. This topic will be addressed as part of the JDC restructuring and strategic plan.
Transition for JDC Board/Officers:
Respondents were asked to choose among three options for nominating/electing the next board and officers. The 3 options were:
1) leave it to the JDC ad hoc committee to nominate a slate of future board members at the next JDC conference,
2) in addition to the ad hoc committee’s slate, allow additional members to be nominated from the floor,
3) keep the status quo of nominating individuals from the floor at the JDC conference.
Analysis:
The majority of the responders (57%) preferred to have a slate of candidates nominated by the JDC ad hoc committee, in advance of the next JDC conference, as well as nominating additional candidates from the floor. 31% felt that the JDC ad hoc committee should present a slate at the next conference for approval. 12% wanted to stay with the status quo of nominating officers from the floor only. Comments included the need for a nominations committee, an expansion in the voting process from conference-elections only to other means such as online or regional elections. The JDC ad hoc committee will discuss this further and propose
1) a way to elect the next board and
2) long term election process and possible revisions in the bylaws for action by the members.
JDC Structure:
Respondents were asked to think about what the JDC structure and general governance should be like in the future.
Analysis:
The options and results were:
1) Continue as is: conference participants vote for the JDC board and officers for the next term (14%),
2) Strengthen the JDC governance system with representatives from local/national Jewish Deaf groups as JDC affiliates. JDC would then become a council of affiliates (39%) or
3) Strengthen the JDC governance system with both local/national affiliates and individual memberships (47%).
There is clearly a desire to see some kind of affiliate representation. JDC will explore how to handle affiliate membership, as there are issues of voting rights involved, as well as defining affiliate and individual memberships. Comments included support for the affiliates council concept, being mindful of Deaf Jews in geographical areas where there are no affiliates, and need for new leadership.
JDC Membership:
Possibilities for increasing JDC memberships, leadership and diversity included the options of
1) Continue the current practice of membership through conferences only.
2) Find a way for people to join JDC as individuals, in addition to the current practice of membership through conferences.
3) Find a way for people to join JDC as individuals; membership is separate from conference attendance.
Analysis:
The majority (57%) wanted some kind of individual membership option as well as becoming a member by registering for a conference; 34% wanted to separate membership from just being at conferences, and 9% wanted to continue the current practice of membership through conferences only. Comments included ways to participate, membership fees, fundraising, ensuring a cross section of the membership, networking or collaborating with affiliates and temples.
JDC Needs Your Help:
Respondents were asked to check 3-4 ways they could help JDC.
Analysis:
The choices on the survey and the results were as follows:
Attend the 2020 JDC Conference (more info will be shared later), 66.67%
Get people to join JDC, 35%
Help with JDC leadership and advocacy, 32%
Share names and emails with JDC for networking (all names held confidential), 30%
Personally donate $$$ to JDC (tax write-off for you), 27%
Help with developing educational materials for JDC, 26%
Help with the JDC website (e.g., articles, list of resources, list of vlogs, list of captioned videos, website assistance, etc.), 23%
Host a local social/service with friends/family, JDC collaboration with a local program, 20%
Help with the JDC Presenters Bureau, 14%
Do local fundraising for the 2020 JDC Conference, 11%
The largest response for “help” is to attend conferences, followed by networking for new members, assisting with JDC leadership and advocacy, and donating money to JDC. It is hoped that JDC will have the help it needs to lead JDC, to set up and maintain a website, amplify its presence via media and community networking and fundraising. We will ask and we will count on you, along with others you may recommend, with great appreciation. We need good people to help lead each task.
Please also share or forward this report to all your Jewish Deaf friends and allies. The survey summary will also be posted on the JDC Facebook page. If you have ideas or issues, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].
Keep a lookout for the next updates from the JDC ad hoc committee about possibilities for the next JDC conference where some of the recommendations for restructuring JDC will be proposed and acted upon.
Thank you!!
The JDC ad hoc Committee on JDC Success
Source: Washington Society of Jewish Deaf
