This last Wednesday, along with Meredith Badali, we held a workshop for the Generation NFK project we’re working on.

The goal was to shape a survey that ultimately answers the question: What initiatives or small businesses would most directly and efficiently improve quality of life for the people who love it here in NFK/VB?

Norfolk (Pic | wikimedia.org)

The meeting, attended by about 30 people, was broken up into three parts:

1. An overview of the project. For more background on the project, read this introductory article. There’s also this article about the project published in Inside Business.

2. Tancy J. Vandecar-Burdin, PhD, Associate Director of The Social Science Research Center at ODU, made a brief presentation about the nature and limitations of surveys. The Social Science Research Center will be conducting the survey on behalf of the project.

3. We broke up into workshop groups that addressed the following questions, and gave the following answers. We’d love to get your thoughts as well. Please leave them in the comments or email gennorfolk@gmail.com.

***Note: We are holding a second workshop on 9/14 from 6pm – 7:15pm at The Public House in Ghent. All are welcome to attend.***

A. One way of doing this would be to create a Cultural Menu, of sorts, which lists categories, then a list of more specific ideas for each category. The survey essentially becomes a popular vote, of sorts. What are the benefits and deficiencies in this method?

The overriding sentiment for a “cultural menu” was a positive one. The consensus was that there should be broad categories (such as Outdoor Activities, Access to Water, etc.), which the survey taker would rank against each other in terms of impact on quality of life. Within each category would be more specific ideas (outdoor rock climbing wall, softball league, etc.) which the survey taker would rank as well. The results would tell us what categories are most important to the survey takers, and then which ideas within that category are most attractive.

Rock Climbing (Pic | wikimedia.org)

A benefit of this process is that it could be a pilot program that could be adapted to other cities. The survey will produce a list of favored initiatives, along with a list of criticisms.

A potential issue the group found with this method is the lack of reliability of a popular vote. Just because something is popular does it necessarily mean it is important? Or feasible?

Another question: How will funding be matched up with projects?

And: How can we ensure that the terminology is familiar to everyone?

The sentiment is that even though the survey will be as democratic as possible, there will still need to be a steering committee that does a bit of interpretation and evaluation.

B. Let’s say we go this route. What are the broad categories? Please also include a few examples of potential initiatives for each category.

There was a lot to cover in a relatively short amount of time, so these lists feel very far from exhaustive. But they’re a great start.

- Art galleries/workspaces: flea market to sell at, graffiti, public art
- Music: small music venues, music instrument store
- Outdoor apaces/recreation: space for yoga, bike paths, maps for biking, community gardens, community nights and festivals
- Transportation: connecting Ghent and Downtown, expanding Elizabeth River Trail, “Bottom and Back” bus, greater walkability, more maps
- Food: food trucks, cheese shop, wine, health food store / fast food, lounge for young professionals

- Shopping: boutique, flea market
- Education: forums, counter culture, children’s programs, childcare options, cool historic tour/museum, “alternative museum”
- Apps/technology
- Independent retail
- Cultural diversity in food, arts, more organic food markets
- Upscale hotel, bar, restaurants
- Infrastructure and transportation
- Visual clues to what district you’re in: flags, lights to indicate arts, food, retail
- Public gathering areas: green spaces

- Awareness and pride in Norfolk history: literature, media
- Recreation: street fairs, better use of existing parks
- Urban infill: public art project
- Waterfront: party barge, ferris wheel
- Music scene: block parties, free concers, mid-sized venues
- Arts scene Art | Everywhere-like projects in different neigborhoods
- Sustainability: recycling in Downtown, community gardens
- Broadband infrastructure: creating a mesh network
- Flooding and stagnant water: harvesting rainwater, green roofs
- Sense of place and identity: creation of physical and emotional landmarks

C. If you were running this survey, how would you set it up?

Ideas:

1. Somehow incentivize participation in the survey. Offer prizes, discounts at cool local businesses, etc. Possibly an invitation to a party where the results will be announced.

2. Connect the survey to Facebook. Give people a badge (or such) they can then put on their page. Give people a chance to link the survey to their Facebook walls.

3. Make the survey as accessible and as widely distributed as possible.

4. Specifically reach out to people who used to live here but left.

5. Offer incentives for people who refer others to the survey (though Tancy pointed out that this is problematic due to how it might bias the results if people are seeking prizes.)

6. At the end of the survey collect the emails of people who want to be involved with the program in some way, and how.

D. What other raw data should this survey be collecting? How can this survey be formed or directed as to increase its utility to governments, civic organizations, and other society shapers?

It was suggested that the following demographic data should also be asked of the recipients. According to Tancy, the survey would then be able to be filtered through the various biographical and philosophical categories.

Norfolk Naval Station (Pic | wikimedia.org)

1. Basics: Age, race, education level, relationship status.

2. Were you born here?

3. Current zip code.

4. Did you vote in the last election? Can you name your city council member? (connection with government type questions.)

5. Do you plan on living in the area in 1 year? 5 years?

6. Do you have children?

7. Would you consider yourself ‘happy’ here? (And/or, Do you want to be here?)

8. How did you hear about the survey?

9. Does your family have a Navy/local military connection?

10. Do you currently live in the area? If so, how long have you lived here?

E. What open ended questions should be asked?

- If there is one thing you could change…

- Are you thinking about moving to Norfolk? Why or why not?

- How many of your friends have left, and why?

- What US cities do you find to be appealing, and why?

- What is your favorite NFK?VB neighborhoods? To dine? Reside? Play? Why?

- What are your favorite neighborhoods in the country? The world? Why?

F. Which organizations, academic departments, and companies should be the targets of the survey?

Chrysler Museum (Pic | wikimedia.org)

- Colleges
- Appe store
- On the street (Ghent/Granby)
- Coffee Shops
- QR Codes, links througout Norfolk

- DNC

- Ghent Business Association

- CBDX

- Chamber of Commerce

- Jaycees

- HR Community Foundation

- Realtors assoc

- For Arts Sake

- Chrysler Museum

- Noblemen

- LEAD HR

- Hampton Roads Partnership

- Terminals at Bean There, Grow Interactive, Path

Workshop participants also gave their thoughts on how they might be involved in the development of this project. If you’re interested, please send an email to gennorfolk@gmail.com. Let us know if you’d be interested in helping with Fundraising, Steering Committee, Survey Committee, or Business Development.

***Note: We are holding a second workshop on 9/14 from 6pm – 7:15pm at The Public House in Ghent. All are welcome to attend.***