June/01 Survey results
Posted June 30/01

Introduction:

• Many or most of the choices on this survey are from real comments that people have made.
• Some of the choices may seem to be rather extreme, but I am trying to cover all bases here.
• I have tried to include all factors that might influence someone to not come to a gathering, but I may have left out some. This is where the Comments section comes in.
• The survey was sent out by email on June 26, and the last responses counted were received on June 30.

• I received 16 responses, out of a total of 23 sent out (including myself).
      In other words, a 70% response rate
• Not everyone answered every question.  Some people only replied with comments.

• After each question I inserted the comments that people wrote in response to the question's topic.
• All comments have been edited for clarity and as well to adhere to my promise to keep all responses confidential. However, the original meaning of all comments has been preserved, and I have not excluded any comments.  I will continue to keep all responses confidential as to who said what.

• Please read the comments that people have made, in all parts.  These are honest and very illuminating.  There are evidently some strong feelings about the meetings, which shows that people care.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to the survey.

1. If you no longer come, or rarely come, to Ontario Tracker meetings, why? (choose all that apply)

24% - Too difficult to make the commitment to come (too tired, family commitments, etc)
17% - Not very much happens at the meetings
14% - There is too much off-topic conversation
11% - There are children present and this is a distraction
10% -The meetings are too far away, or I don't have transportation
7% - Activities are sometimes off-topic (non-Tracker-related); meetings aren't focused enough on Tracker material.
7% - A weekend meeting is too long
7% -Too much "new age stuff" at the meetings
3% - The group is a clique -- I don't feel included or it's too hard to penetrate the existing group
0% - Not enough philosophy/spiritual activities

It appears that many people have difficulty making time for this in their busy lives.
Next on the list was that we don't do much at the meetings, followed closely by off-topic conversation, distracting children, and distance to the meetings.

Comments:

• For the most part I don’t make weekends because I can’t get up to it. Sometimes the focus isn’t of interest or I have other things to do. I can sympathize with the other reasons and occasionally feel each and everyone of the sentiments (with the exception of the problem with children), although I don’t strongly share them.
• Have not felt inner vision drawn to participate in most of the gatherings.
• Mostly, I forget they are on. I know that sometimes reminders are sent out a week or two ahead of time and they really help
• I think sometimes it involves too much of the not-so-natural skills. I would like to do skills with the materials "natural", not bought or produced.
• Lack of focus on a topic or the topic, and my impression that there is a bit of ego involved that makes things feel unsafe or uncomfortable in regards to ceremony

2. I would prefer a meeting that was (pick one)

55% - two days (weekend)
45% - one day

Comments:

• One day is OK, but I think we would have a problem with people traveling longer distances not considering it worthwhile.)
• One day, with a weekend meeting on occasion (such as once or twice a year) for special purposes.

3. Children: (pick one)

50% - should not be allowed to attend when the meeting has a topic more oriented towards adults (such as philosophy, long hikes, focused study)
28% - should always be allowed to attend, anytime
15% - should not be allowed to attend unless the meeting is specifically geared towards children
7% - should always be allowed to attend, provided there are specific activities for them
0% - should never be allowed to attend

This point generated a lot of comments....Overall it seems that children are welcome IF there are specific activities for them. If there aren't, they should not be brought, or the parents are responsible for the kids not becoming a distraction.  
65% feel that children should only attend when there are children-oriented activities for them.

Comments:

• I almost always enjoy having children up and don’t feel distracted by them because I can always do things on my own or with others – nothing is really preventing that for me. If there is activities that they can’t really do it doesn’t make much sense to have them there.
• What constitutes "children"? I would hope that some more experienced Venturers (or equivalent), some of whom are 16, would not be considered children. These young men (and women) are often the most active at OT gatherings, while the rest of us old fogeys are sittin' around yackin' .
• Children are an integral part of the future. Their exclusion is a failure on our part to give them an opportunity to watch and learn. Even when their participation is limited to observing by the nature of the activity (eg. sweat lodge), there is still the opportunity to learn from the modeling of the adults.
• This is a tough one since one family in particular with children who usually attend are very active in the OT group. At times the youngest can be a distraction for many and this disrupts the flow of the learning. However, there are sessions where the older children are as open to philosophy (or more so) than many of the adults!
• Children should be welcome provided their parents are aware of the topic and whether it is suitable for their kids. They should be responsible for providing their kids with alternate activities while others are doing activities not of interest to them.
• I think it is important to make these accessible to children; however, there needs to be an agreement regarding who takes responsibility for them. I love being with kids but sometimes they can be a distraction if I or the group wants to seriously focus/study
• Children are okay if at a meeting oriented towards children like we used to have at Hildegard's
• It will be hard to define what constitutes a child. 12 and below? I think what we are leaning toward is children who do not infringe on the weekend due to their behavior. (Or lack of parental supervision) ANYONE disrupting the group despite age should be required to button up or leave. So I have a problem answering this question with the responses that have been supplied.
• Children should only attend when there are specific activities for them, lest they become a distraction. It depends why people are coming to the meetings....to participate in a community, or to study, learn and share.

4. What topic areas would you like to see covered at meetings? (choose as many as you like)

16% - Physical survival skills: fire, tanning hides, bow-and-arrow, flintknapping, shelter, edible plants, etc
16% - Nature study: plants, animals, birds, trees, weather, etc
16% - Caretaking
15% - Tracking
15% - Awareness exercises
11% - Tracker Scout exercises
11% - Philosophy: pipe ceremony, drumming, sweatlodge

• Other: Activities like the organic farming weekend, other environmental issues/sustainable living topics
• Other: Guest speakers
• Other: A balance of all the above.
• All of the above. I think it is good to have a theme in mind for the weekend, as we've often done in the past. I would love to have more outdoor or camping meetings like the ones we've tried to have at the Crown Land or Warsaw, but that doesn't seem to be the main draw. I'm confused. If people are saying that we spend too much time sitting around and not doing anything, then why are these "camping" outings the most poorly attended?
• I would like to focus on mostly on ANY physical skills. I enjoy the pipe and other philosophy skills; however, at this point I don't feel comfortable doing it with the Ontario Trackers currently existing group.

5. Meeting focus (pick one)

86% - Meetings should focus on the things that are taught at the Tracker School or in Tom's books AND any other things that are similar
7% - Meetings should focus strictly on things that are taught at the Tracker School or in Tom's books
7% - Meetings can focus on just about anything

Comments:

• Focusing solely on Tom Brown material seems a little like tunnel vision. At the same time, there is a purpose and focus around why the group exists.
• What if the meetings focused on a long term goal to be achieved by the members? For example; 1. the assemblage of a search and rescue team whose long term goal might be to offer their services to area police; 2. a tracking team who use "cybertracking" gear to monitor a specific area with long term conservation goals in mind. The possibilities are endless.
• Open to all topics whether they are specifically Tracker related or not. The sharing of knowledge is a wonderful thing.
• Who decides what's "similar"? Maybe change my answer to the first choice to make sure the new-agers & flakes can't take hold (again).
• Anything to do with wilderness skills.
• Mostly what Tom teaches but also other similar activities may also be considered.
• This is, after all, a "Tracker" group, therefore, why wouldn't it focus on Tracker material to the exclusion of other things? I know that for example, if there is a hang-gliding club, that they will discuss hang-gliding and not sewing machines (even though sewing machines are used to sew together the fabric of hang-gliders!!).

6. Who should be "allowed" to attend the meetings? (pick one)

71% - Anyone who has an interest in Tracker stuff, with some knowledge of the gathering's topic or focus
21% - Anyone who wants to come, regardless of interest
8% - Only those who have either read Tom's books or been to the Tracker School
0% - Only those who have been to the Tracker School

Comments:

• I can remember learning from Georgina and I know Peter picked up a lot from Frank.
• I don't believe it should be open to all. A group is formed to provide a place for like-minded people to gather & share ideas/learn new things together, etc - if anyone is allowed to attend, the group will soon become watered down, which is what we've seen happen with the current group.
• If we keep a FOCUS on the Tracker/wilderness stuff, those who aren't into it will weed themselves out.
• For consistency, a group needs to share a common language and similar philosophy.
• Anyone who has an interest in the group or its activities, and does not disrupt the focus of the meetings.
• What I have seen of the current group, they do not have enough focus to handle the distraction of "outsiders" ("anyone can attend"), and it is exactly this which has watered down what the group does.

7. Organization of meetings: (pick one)

70% - Organization of each meeting should be cooperatively shared by several people
23% - Each meeting should be organized by the host
7% - Organization of meetings should be revolved amongst various group members, one at a time
0% - One person should organize ALL meetings
0% - Don't need to organize meetings (other than picking a date) -- just let them happen

Comments:

• I really don’t know. It seems to be an unfair burden on those hosting to do all the organizing but it seems to be the best formal method. I suppose there is nothing stopping people from offering to help the host (although I have never chosen to do so).
• Someone or several people have to organize a meeting. Whether it is held at their home, someone else's home or in a local park, someone has to carry the focus and momentum forward or nothing will get done.
• The host could have a list of activities suitable for the location of the meeting/time of year. On the morning of the meeting the attendants could decide by consensus (and quickly) which activities they will pursue, perhaps a couple of activities could occur simultaneously if that's what people choose.
• To organize meetings with the cooperative involvement of several people would be ideal, but in today's busy world, it is difficult for folks to get together to plan. Also, who would choose those individuals and how? Gets into too much politics for my liking.
• My past experience with another group - each person volunteered a topic and time and organized it on their own or with a partner. The topics were chosen at random. This worked in terms of sharing leadership. I would suggest that the group agree on a unifying theme or connection from one gathering to the next so that the whole year has some sense of focus.
• People should be able to have input to the meeting. When a meeting is announced, people should be able to "send an agenda" of what they want included, then a consensus is, hopefully, reached as to what to do for that meeting.
• Meetings used to have a theme planned well in advance, sometimes up to 8 months ahead.  Then people were able to plan ahead and bring their materials.  Thus there was very little organizing needed.

57% - Should only have activities planned for part of the meeting time 
43% - Should be structured with activities planned to fill up all or almost all of the meeting time 
0% - Should not be structured at all, just let things happen

People seem to want at least some unstructured time, perhaps to visit with each other or to work on whatever they wish.  A compromise might be to keep this unstructured time to a minimum, or to have it coincide with mealtimes.

Comments:

• So what's with the Protestant work ethic that says we have to be doing something all of the time? Is appreciating each other's company or appreciating nature not worth while?? I've always looked at skills as a means to an end, and that end is being comfortable, aware and appreciative of your surroundings
• Having planned and hosted several meetings, we can share that it is important to have a full agenda prepared. Whether the agenda is followed to the letter or not is determined by many variables. For example, it depends on the attendees and their level of interest and participation.
• Perhaps not all but a good part of it, with appropriate breaks when/if needed.
• Some of the best Tracker meetings I've been fortunate to attend were well structured. I learned the most at these, shared lots, and most everyone was into it! Some quiet time to reflect and journal at the end of each 'session' would be very good.
• It will be very hard to "stop" people from socializing. It is human nature to "hang" around others that make one feel good. Thus, mostly plan, but not every minute of it.
• I think many people come for the down time and serenity of being away from phones etc. The offline discussions and mingling are a positive thing. Just as long as that is not the core of the gathering.
• The gatherings that I have heard the most positive feedback about were the ones that were filled with activities and focused time.  Included in this was time spent simply appreciating Nature.

9. In your opinion, is there too much time spent on food preparation and eating at the gatherings? (pick one)

57% - Yes
43% - No

Pretty evenly divided.  I guess the message is that mealtimes could be cut back a little bit.

Comments:

• It depends on the gathering. Sharing food is one of the most basic ways for communities to bond and give thanks. I wouldn't want to interfere with that. In general, I don't think this is a problem.
• The food preparation and eating is a family ritual, a time for sharing of personal interests and a time to connect with those you do not have time to chat with during the learning sessions. (Knowing one can chat during a mealtime helps to keep the distracting chatter to a minimum during the sessions). Also it is time needed to change the pace.
• Can there ever be too much time spent on food?????!!!!!!!
• I find that mealtimes break the momentum of the meeting.

General Comments:

• I think that one of the main distractions and things preventing us from getting things done at OT weekends is the fact that people trickle in all day Saturday. It makes it very difficult to start something (especially when those arriving late are playing a critical role). I remember many Saturdays where my frustration arose from constant postponements of activities because someone or another was due to arrive "within an hour". I don't know how to fix this, but I'm positive that it has been the source of a considerable amount of the inactivity that people may be complaining about. Perhaps it may be worthwhile to publish or make known a rough agenda for the days so that people know what they might be missing if they are late, or know that people may not be at home or in camp when they arrive at a certain time.
• Tracker People are all strong willed and often uncompromising in their attitudes towards things. This is an asset when it comes to many things that we feel we are battling against in our society. However, we must also keep it in mind when we are dealing with each other. Our perspective should be that of the tribe, where individuals always felt free to peruse personal interests and priorities as long as the tribe's needs and integrity were maintained. We're all different people. I've seen it before. When we start applying the hard line we have to often present to society to the tracker weekends, we lose perspective. These are not additional opportunities to stress ourselves out. I've always felt that the OT weekends had a few specific purposes. 1) To allow members to share skills that they have developed or acquire from courses. 2) To allow people with like attitudes to nurture, reinforce and encourage each other. 3) To collectively give thanks for the wilderness and for the tools we have been given to appreciate it.
• This is strictly personal opinion, however I wonder if the group had a group purpose (purpose beyond self), and impassioned need to carry out that purpose, than quite possibly some of the questions that you have posed in this survey (eg. length of gathering, who should be allowed to attend, focus of gathering) may resolve themselves in the process of pursuing that goal.
• The non-scheduled time in a meeting is generally a great time for folks to socialize and enjoy each other away from the theme of the weekend. This is really important time. Sort of quality time if you will to maintain and further develop relationships with fellow Trackers.
• Gatherings need to be much more focused. There is too much sitting around and chit-chat time.
• Our only problem with attending the meetings is the fact that our life situation and commitments have changed. We are involved in many things that fill up our lives, leaving little time for a commitment to tracker weekends. We value most if not all of the things that the trackers practice and wish that we had more time to attend. Unfortunately, at this point in time, we chose other things over tracker weekends. Of course, we'd love to see trackers continue and thrive so that they'd be there when we could find the time to become more involved.
• The OT are obviously going through some growing pains. Or lack of growing as it may appear right now. The dynamics need to be reviewed and altered for the needs of the overall participants. Not everyone will ever be satisfied with the need to change or with the process of change, nor with the end result of the change. The main goal of the group ( it is hoped ) is the learning process...how we can each grow and develop and learn the skills that will enhance our connection to the Mother Earth herself. If the Mother herself can offer such an amazing balance in spite of the variations and diversities upon her, surely we can find some way to do the same.
• Tracking is too difficult to organize in a group and people are at different stages or not interested. Meetings should be one day (Saturday is probably best for most people so they can relax on Sunday) People from far away should be able to sleep over one night if possible. People should come and expect to do something right away (not sit around for three hours!)
  "Field trips" are good so people wake up and get motivated. Meetings should have either good location or adequate raw materials (ie flintknapping rocks, basketmaking materials, etc.) Nature walks are never a waste of time (as long as it isn't a walking social, by that I mean wandering the trails as a tight pack of loud, jabbering, zero-awareness demi-zombies). Less talking about Tom and more doing. People should be willing to get a little dirty. Physical skills are generally more beneficial to people who haven't seen/tried them yet, or a new technique to share with everyone. Most of us have seen hide tanning and don't need to go over it again unless there is something new to add (which there undoubtedly is, but there are better topics).
  Meetings should in general geared to a smaller, more intimate group. We're not the Tracker school and don't need Ontario-wide, three day meetings.
• Everyone has a different purpose for being at the gatherings. Some are there to socialize, have a semi-relaxing weekend, take a break or whatever. That is fine. Mine is to focus and study the skills and
  philosophies. I think there needs to be a unifying vision or purpose for the Ontario Tracker group or the energy of the group will continue to scatter and dwindle.
• 1. It is a whole new group of people and I'm reluctant to go away for a weekend with a group of strangers. For me, a relaxing weekend is getting together with people I know/friends.
  2. At previous meetings, some people began embracing every new idea or philosophy that came along. Got kinda flaky in some aspects. They were like leaves blowing in the wind. When the wind changed, they'd just go along with it. I could have made up some nonsense about the power of snail shells, and by the next meeting, some of them would have shown up in snail-shell suits, and extolling the virtues of eating a snail shell at every meal. They had no strong core beliefs to anchor them. I found some of them a bit shallow, (and judgmental at times).
  3. I also found a strong contradiction between what they said they believed and their actions. They would say they were tolerant of others, yet their actions and words showed them to be quite intolerant of others whose ideas contradicted their own.
  By no means is this true of all of them. Many of them were quite sincere, deep, open people. But because they were tolerant and open, they allowed the more outspoken (i.e. obnoxious) to start dominating topics and conversations. Sometimes I felt like it was new age evangelism.
  4. Other reasons include being very busy on weekends especially in the summer, and reluctance to travel very far in the winter. And, many meetings focused on making "trinkets" or ideas. I wanted hard-core survival techniques. I can talk ideas while doing hand-on stuff. Don't need to sit around a fire all day chatting, but not doing anything else.
• If we can define the goals of the tracker group as a whole, then maybe we can define whether it is to be a private club or not. I hate using that word "private" because it has many dangers attached to it. But this survey hovers around that topic. An idea would be to have meetings by invite only hosted by the person lending their place. Some people may feel a meeting open to the public would be beneficial. They could host such a meeting. In another case a person specifically interested in philosophy may choose to invite only those with advanced philosophy training. This may end up excluding certain people, but it might suit the needs of the group better. You could have a series of specific meetings geared to ALL. And others that are by invite only. Again we have the dangers of a clique, but it may also create subgroups that are more active in specific areas. Hard to say.
• I have only attended two or three of the Ontario Tracker gatherings and have enjoyed them a lot. I did find it a little cliquey but I was able to get over that quite quickly. A couple of the meetings I attended had lots of down time, where no one really did anything with the exception of socializing. However, if you started to get things going then all went quite well.
  There is a wealth of information and knowledge in the group and I found it very helpful. Over the past years that I've been involved with Tracker type things I found that there were lots of people who are very interested in the stuff but that they were too busy to get together with....I would think that that might be part of the problem.
  I would hope that my family situation will get to the point where I can become more active again and hope that the gatherings continue until that point.

Back to Meetings Index Page