2020 YES! Alumni Survey
A total of 160 surveys were filled out in April and May 2020 by Google forms. This marks the 8th biannual survey since we began in 2006. Each statement below reports findings from the survey responses of participants in the 2018-2020 program offerings (n=131). The narrative statements to open questions are highlighted as well. For complete responses, separate reports are available.
As usual we wanted to share a few of the insights and growing edges that we are exploring as a result of our evaluative efforts. We received profound stories about the transformative nature of the Jams and our unique offering in the world to change-makers. This data is especially critical, given the upheaval of this past year, in supporting YES! and the Jam teams in figuring out how to shift and evolve our offerings. A few data points and qualitative highlights are below:
Check below to see what we’ve learned about the Jam community!
%
of alumni feel that Jams seek and create transformation on the inner level.
%
of alumni feel that Jams are effective in creating intentional spaces for love and spirit.
%
of alumni feel that Jams are unique spaces for changemakers to engage with each other.
%
of alumni feel that they made important and valuable contacts at the Jam.
%
of alumni feel that they learned new skills or perspectives that enhance their life.
%
of alumni feel that Jams foster deep inquiry, healing and well-being.
%
of alumni feel that their whole self felt welcomed at the Jam.
%
of alumni feel that they learned new skills or perspectives that enhance their work.
%
of alumni feel that they have sustained friendships and alliances created at the Jam.
%
of alumni feel that they have greater capacity to resolve conflicts constructively after the Jam.
%
of alumni feel that their relationships with others are more honest and/or meaningful after the Jam.
%
of alumni feel that they have taken better care of their physical, spiritual and/or emotional health after the Jam.
A few other notable assessments based on quantitative and qualitative data:
-
Alumni feel that Jams and the Jam environment support the building of relationships, garnering skills and perspectives that enhance life and work, and inner and interpersonal transformation spaces.
-
The survey results indicated the need to improve how YES! supports program alumni in aligning work with values and supporting fundraising and administration.
-
We also note the possibility to support alumni in securing their individual health and and life balance.
It is our intention to support the strengthening of these measure in the Jamily through new efforts including the Jambees program and the recent spate of alumni virtual gatherings.
YES! is making progress in our goal to provide both organizational support and a post-Jam network that continues to support alumni and their work in ways that have mattered to them.
95% of alumni respondents feel that the Jam Community is a strong network of people and support.
Alumni Evaluation of the Jam Community
Alumni were asked, on a scale of ‘Very True’ to ‘Not True’, to rate the following statements based on their experiences, feelings and observations. If they attended more than one Jam, they were asked to answer based on the cumulative experience of all the Jams they had attended:.
Participants in the evaluation were asked to describe their JAM in 5 words. Click below to see the collective answer in word cloud form.
- The Jam Community is a wealth of information and resources. 97%
- The Jam Community influences my awareness of interconnections among issues and movements, and my vision of the future reflects this understanding. 85%
- Since the Jam, other members of the Jam alumni community have been there to support me or my work in ways that mattered. 85%
- Since the Jam, YES! has been there to support me or my work in ways that have mattered. 72%
Find out more about practical and/or meaningful things (insight, skill, awareness) that came out of the Jam for alumni
What’s in a number!
We asked alumni how many people do they reach directly through their work? How many people do they reach less directly or indirectly through their work?
Direct impact ranges from 10 to 70,000 people and average is 2,300 people. Based on 2,500 estimated Jam alumni (up from 1,500 in 2016) at this point, we can project YES! Jammers’ directly impact nearly 5.750 million people annually.
