Charting a Better Course – Meeting Location Survey Results
By Mike Banic
Thank you to everyone who completed the Meeting Location Survey earlier this year – we appreciate your thoughtful feedback!
Our goal was to understand what changes we can make to increase attendance at our monthly meetings. As it turns out, the answer isn’t just one thing—it’s a combination of logistics, content, and overall experience. With 88 respondents, the results provide valuable insights into why members attend meetings, how we can make it possible for more members to attend and how we can improve the quality of our club meetings.
Attendance: A Mixed Picture
The survey confirmed what many of us have observed anecdotally: meeting attendance varies widely – both in-person and on Zoom. While some members attend regularly, a significant number attend only occasionally—or not at all. Notably, 20 members reported attending no meetings in person over the past two years, and 20 members have never joined via Zoom. Interestingly, seven members who attended in person have also never attended via Zoom. As a result, we have isolated the responses from these members to identify potential improvements that may increase attendance.
The Biggest Barriers: Time, Distance, and Traffic
When asked what prevents attendance, members were clear. The top barriers are practical:
- Travel time (56 responses)
- Location (47 responses)
- Avoiding traffic (34 responses)
- Time of day (11 responses)
For the twenty members who have never attended a meeting in person, the top four responses were exactly the same. These four factors far outweigh all others. While meeting content and timing do play a role, the biggest challenge is simply getting there—especially during peak evening traffic for a 6:30 p.m. start.
Location Matters—A Lot
No single meeting location stood out as universally convenient, but some patterns emerged. Mass Bay Community College received the highest number of “easiest to attend” responses at 38, followed by Atlantic Wharf at 31 responses, Savin Hill Yacht Club at 30 responses, and Jubilee Yacht Club at 28 responses.
It is clear that geography matters and no one location will meet everyone’s needs. Members in Metrowest, for example, expressed a need for more accessible options closer to them. Others emphasized the importance of public transit and parking. Since there is no perfect location, rotating locations may help distribute convenience more fairly across the membership.
Timing: Are Thursdays Still Working?
Our long-standing Thursday evening slot remains viable—53 respondents selected it as the easiest day to attend, slightly ahead of Wednesday and well ahead of earlier weekdays.
That said, the 6:30 p.m. start time appears to be part of the challenge, particularly because it coincides with peak traffic. Some members suggested starting later to avoid rush hour and still allow time for socializing before presentations.
Why Members Attend: It’s About People, Sailing and Learning
It was encouraging that the survey showed strong alignment around why members want to attend meetings, even for those members who have not attended a meeting in the past two years:
- Hearing the speaker (80 responses).
- Socializing with other members (80 responses).
- Meet new members (48).
- Learn about/plan cruises (42).
This feedback gives us confidence in maintaining the current meeting content.
What Members Want More Of
The survey responses included a wide range of suggestions for improving meeting value. Several themes stood out:
1. More Interactive and Educational Content
Members expressed strong interest in shorter, practical learning sessions—topics like navigation, boat maintenance, regulations, and seamanship. Interactive formats, including workshops and breakout discussions, were frequently mentioned.
2. Stronger Social Connections
Ideas like structured introductions, “speed dating” between boat owners and crew, and better networking opportunities reflect a desire to build relationships within the club.
3. Better Structure and Flow
Members want meetings to feel organized and purposeful. Suggestions included publishing a clear agenda and sticking to it, improving presentation quality, and balancing social time with formal programming.
4. Food and Atmosphere
Even small details matter. Suggestions ranged from improving food options to incorporating more potluck-style gatherings and making meetings feel more welcoming overall.
What About Zoom?
Virtual attendance has helped expand access, but it’s not a complete solution. Feedback suggests that the Zoom experience can be improved—particularly in terms of audio quality, video clarity, and opportunities for interaction.
At the same time, it’s clear that virtual meetings alone don’t drive engagement. The goal should be to make Zoom a more compelling complement to in-person events, not a replacement.
Proposed Changes: Testing New Ideas
Based on the survey results, several proposals are now under consideration:
- Rotating meeting locations in 2027 across Mass Bay Community College, Jubilee and Savin Hill Yacht Clubs, and Atlantic Wharf to enable more members to attend meetings.
- Upgrading Zoom capabilities with better audio and video equipment, and a virtual “meet and mingle” before the speaker starts to mirror the social time at the in-person meeting.
- Change the August meeting to a sailing-focused social event or two events north and south of Boston.
- Introducing structured networking activities, such as boat owner/crew matching.
- Expanding online education offerings outside regular meetings.
- Publish and follow a structured meeting agenda to improve clarity and engagement.
These proposed ideas are not final—but they represent a thoughtful response to what members told us matters most. Come to the May meeting at Savin Hill Yacht Club and share input with a board member.
The Big Takeaway
If there’s one overarching lesson from the survey, it’s this: increasing attendance isn’t just about one change—it’s about improving the entire experience.
Members are telling us:
- Make it easier to get there.
- Make it worth the trip.
- Make it easier to connect with others.
By addressing logistics, enhancing content, and strengthening the social fabric of our meetings, we can create gatherings that more members want—and are able—to attend.
Thank You—and Stay Tuned
Thank you again to everyone who participated in the survey. Your input is directly shaping the future of our club meetings. We will communicate changes to expect in 2027.
Thank you to committee members Stacy Okada-Garcia, Pete Freeman, Matt Richards, and Arthur Reed who worked with me to draft the survey, review the results and propose the recommendations.
Here’s to fuller rooms, stronger connections, and a great sailing season ahead.