Spring 2020
FROGS 2019 Membership Survey: The Results Are In!
by Sarah Munroe and Jeff Zinn
A huge thank you to the 305 FROGS members who participated in our November 2019 survey. The greater than 20% participation rate is unusually high for such a survey, but not a big surprise. It is an expression of the high level of member interest in Green Spring Gardens, as is the fact that 25% of you took the time to write down additional thoughts about FROGS’ many roles in supporting Green Spring Gardens. Perhaps the strongest endorsement for FROGS was the response to “How likely would you be to encourage a friend to join FROGS?” On a scale of 1 (unlikely) to 5 (absolutely), the average rating was a robust 4.4. Thank you, and please DO invite those friends to join us!
The FROGS Board periodically surveys members. Though survey formats have changed over time, the goals are consistent: to get to know our members better and to collect member input to inform priority setting as we move forward.
Some survey results highlights:
Visiting Green Spring
Almost all survey participants (93%) visit to enjoy the gardens. The next most popular reasons to visit, each attracting over 70% of respondents, are the plant shop and attending a specific event or program. As for interest levels in FROGS events, nearly all respondents rated Spring and Fall Garden Days highest (4.1 and 3.8 respectively). Our Winter Lecture Series rated highly too (3.3), and no activity rated less than 2.5. Participants travel varying distances to visit Green Spring; 35% live within 5 miles, 35% live 6-15 miles away, and the remaining 30% either live further away or chose not to respond.
Table below showing the results of Survey Question: Why do you visit Green Spring Gardens? 
Table below showing the results of Survey Question: Please tell us your level of interest in each of these FROGS-Sponsored activities. 
Volunteering at Green Spring
We are so grateful to the 86 respondents who come to Green Spring to volunteer in some capacity for either FROGS or Green Spring. An even larger number of you who do not currently volunteer said that you would consider it in the future—THANK YOU! We ask for your patience as we work with staff to figure out how best to connect with each of you in this large group who expressed interest so we can match volunteers to areas where FROGS and Green Spring need help.
Supporting Green Spring
To ensure your financial support is being directed to areas that are important to you, we asked you to rate the importance of areas currently supported by FROGS on a scale of 1 (low importance) to 5 (very important). Your feedback validated our financial priorities: Ongoing garden operations was the most important (4.8), followed closely by garden improvements (4.7), and education programs (4.7). Historic Green Spring wasn’t far behind at 3.8. From a list of specific improvements you might consider supporting in the future, garden area improvements or expansion was identified by 86%, followed by education program expansion (55%), and horticulture center expansion (39%).
Table below showing the results of Survey Question: Below is a list of areas at Green Spring Gardens that your dues and contributions support. 
Table below showing the results of Survey Question: From the list below of potential improvements at Green Spring Gardens, check those you'd be most likely to consider supporting. 
Here are some of the ways we plan to use this information:
- We will continue to support the programs and activities you most value using the resources you provide;
- We will continue to seek additional ways to bring FROGS together at Green Spring; and
- We will reach out to respondents interested in volunteering.
The FROGS Board thanks all respondents for your time, participation, and thoughts about Green Spring Gardens. Also, we congratulate Diane Sarnes, the lucky FROGS member who won the random drawing for a $25 Fairfax County Park Authority gift certificate. Thank you all again for your input and continued support. Together we keep Green Spring growing!
