Nobles, The Texas Shrine Clown officers are soliciting your help and support. The events and activities of the association are only as good as the members that attend and support the festivities. Each year the attendance gets smaller, and the participation gets lower. We the officers would like your opinion. It is very valuable to us and we hope you will take a few minutes to reply to the questions listed below.

Please return the questionnaire to address listed at the bottom of page two.

Results of the attached survey.

- This survey was mailed to 375 members

- This survey is posted on the clown web site.

- 48 members replied to the survey, this is 13 percent of the membership surveyed

- 10 surveys were returned for address corrections.

A. Have you ever attended a clown mid winter? If yes, state the last year you attended. If you have never attended a mid winter, please tell us why.

38 have attended midwinter a least once and usually each year. Fifteen (15) have attended a Mid-Winter in the past two years. The majority has not attended a Mid-Winter in the past three years.

B. Do you feel there are enough activities at mid winter or do we need more? (Explain)

1. Several replies would like more time to socialize.

2. Some would like to see balloon competition.

3. Most feel there are enough activities to do.

4. Some replies suggest a Novice Awards. (First Time Class) for all competition.

C. How do you feel about moving around the state each year for mid winter?

1. Suggestions are to hold the event at a central location in the center of the State.

2. Majority replied they like visiting different cities throughout the state.

D. What is your opinion of the process we use to elect new officers each year?

1. All replies feel The TSCA Association has one of the best processes for electing new officers.

2. No new suggestions were offered.

E. What can the association do to get the attendance up at mid winter?

1. Lower cost, less registration fees.

2. Lower price hotels. Stay out of the high priced hotels and downtown locations.

3. Have something for the kids to do.

4. One room for the kids with a pizza party and games supervised by adults.

F. Have you ever been to TSA as a clown? If so, what is the last year you attended. If you have not attended a TSA, please tell us why?

1. Thirty Five ( 35 ) of the replies have been to a TSA

2. Twenty ( 20 ) have been going for years

3. Twelve (12) have quit going because their units have shown no interest in TSA and don’t like competing against larger units.

4. Several commented their work schedules and vacation schedules will not allow them enough time off to attend both events. So they choose Mid-Winter or TSA.

5. Several commented with children activities and family outings, they usually attend one shrine event, TSA or Mid-Winter

G. What do you like best or worse about TSA?

1. The biggest complaint is the clowns are not together. Suggestions are for the Clowns to stay together in one hotel.

2. Most comments were to do away with judging competition at TSA. Have skits and parade for the fun of it. No judging involvement.

3. Have a night (pay your own expense) a dinner for all the clowns and their ladies.

4. Several comments were things are fine just the way they are. Don’t change anything.

5. Small units do not attend because they feel the larger units have more resources and membership to win awards than smaller units.

6. Providing a judge for small units is usually a problem. Cannot compete.

H. Do you feel there is enough to do at TSA? Do the clowns need more activities at TSA?

1. Most comments feel we have a full plate already at TSA.

2. No additional comments were provided to improve TSA activities.

I. What would it take to get more participation at TSA?

1. Let all clowns do the parade as one unit, instead of competing against each other.

2. Have outsiders judge all competitions. Not unit Presidents.

3. Have a place for all the clowns to get together for some social time.

4. Have the shrine center pay half the hotel expenses.

J. Please provide additional comments that you feel will strengthen The Texas Shrine Clown Association.

1. Have a competition for Novice clowns only. First year clowns.

2. Have a bingo night with prizes to the winners.

3. Drop all competitions and just go and have fun as one unit. Parade and skits for those that want to do it for fun.

4. Add a balloon competition.

5. Outside judges from other clown associations.

6. Award and judging by unit size, so all units have a chance to win.