CSNA ANNUAL RETREAT SURVEY

[Dieniz Costa]

Hello CSNA members,

I hope you are all well.  I am honored to be the facilitator for your annual retreat this year on Saturday, Jan. 24 from 10am-1pm.  In preparing for our retreat, I would like to invite you all to share your feedback about the past year.  CSNA has expanded its reach and scope in the community and we would like to evaluate the impact it is having on us all.  

Please take a few minutes to answer these questions and post your response as a comment.  This is an open community and we would like the feedback to be shared publicly with everyone.  If you have any comments that you would like to remain confidential, please message me via the CSNA website with your feedback.  

1. Which activities organized by the Chatham Square  Neighborhood Association in 2014 did you like the best?  Why?

What needs do you feel they met for you, your family and the larger Fair Haven community? Why/how so?

2. What would you like to see the neighborhood association do more of (activities of kids, social activities, economic activities, environmental activities, other)? What do you think we need to do less of? Why?

3.  Of the activities we did last year, which ones are you willing to commit to helping make happen with a donation of time, money or both? 

4. Is there something that we did not do last year which you really want to see happen and to which you are willing to contribute time and\or money so we can make it happen in our community?

5. What impact do you feel CSNA is having in our community/ would you like it to have in the community? Why/how so? 

6. What do you feel is the purpose for CSNA?

7. Do you feel that 2014 was a year where we as a collective were centered in our purpose?

Please provide additional comments and feedback as you desire.  

Thank you all for your commitment and dedication to CSNA and the Annual Retreat.  

Look forward to seeing you all on Jan. 24th!

Warmly, 

Dieniz Costa

[Tim Byrnes]

I am just new to this all though I have lived in Fairhaven for the last 25 years. I have committed to be at the Retreat, but have no input for your survey. See you on Saturday.

[Diane Panasci]

Had a conversation today about a Book Club that used to (still does?) exist in Fair Haven. Where members read and discuss books from an agreed upon list. We thought it would be an awesome idea to link that up with a restaurant to have the book club meetings at ... so I guess another dining out opportunity, with a literary tone.
Thoughts?

[Beth Pellegrino]

I agree with Christel -- it's tough to get all of my thoughts on here!  I'll try sharing some though, since I cannot make it on Saturday...

Riverfest is one of my favorite events and I would love to see it expanded even more -- longer day?  more outreach?  I am definitely willing to take a more active role in planning/execution.

Can we get a facebook page going?  I sometimes forget about this site (sorry Lee!) and I'm not sure how regularly folks check it.  Or perhaps a google group?

I love soup nights and Dining Night Out.  The earlier soup night time is MUCH better for the kids, we had a huge showing at ours in September!

I like the idea of walking/running groups, possibly playgroups for kids, etc. 

I'd like to take a role in either the Chatham Square Festival in Spring or Fall -- I know I'm getting events mixed up here, but hopefully you know what I mean... Also -- the Halloween party was really cute and fun and I think we could get a group of people together to plan and execute the day as a team, to relieve MaryAnn from doing everything!

If I think of more, I'll pass it along.  Sorry to miss the retreat!

Beth

[Diane Panasci]

Christel, I agree on all the points you have made. I would like however to go a little backward on this. I notice on my street (just moved in 12/29/2014 but have been talking to neighbors since my closing 11/21/2014) no one is involved. When I spoke with them I got the feeling they feel there is nothing in it for them. Of course I said they were wrong, but besides inviting them to Riverfest, how can I get them interested in getting involved now? As I said I closed on my house 11/21/2014 and joined that same day. I think that I had contacted Lee Cruz within a day or two before or after. I wanted to be part of my new community and be part of make it better. So I am at a lose as to why residents of long standing shy away. Any suggestions? Ideas on reaching out to these folks? I would think this would be a good topic for the retreat .. improving community involvement.

[Christel Manning]

Hi Dieniz, Glad to hear you will be facilitating this meeting. These are big questions, and answering them feels more like writing an essay than doing a survey, so I am going to pass on that and just say, I love all our activities! As you know, I am fully committed to supporting several of them (esp. Riverfest and the Strong School redevelopment) with both time and money. One thing I'd like to see us do more of this year is outreach to new comers. I know of several individuals and families who recently move here and I'd love to get them involved.

[Diane Panasci]

Hi Susan, I am also new to the area and desperate for names and addresses of local vendors. Need a repair shop to have my transmission fluid checked ... something is going on with that.

Anyone know of good reliable mechanics?

[Susan E. Hackett]

I am new to the area and am delighted to find this active group.  Although I have not yet attended one, I like the idea of restaurant nights.  The soup suppers have all been great.  I like musical events.  The walking trails are attractive to me.  Walking groups would be good.  A list of local vendors and service providers to use would be nice.  (I especially need an auto body shop that is reliable.)  I like the community garden.