Aiki Peace Week 2010 Results


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Robert Kent <
Date: Sat, Oct 16, 2010 at 11:24 PM
Subject: [AE Board] Re: Aiki Peace Week Survey replies so far

We’ve now had 29 responses to the Aiki Peace Week survey in English, and 9 in French (thus slightly better than 10% of participating dojos). Both survey results are pasted below.

As with any statistics, you can find good news and bad news if you look hard enough. In general I’d call responses very positive (noting that these results are from the 10% of participating dojos who took the time to take the survey in the first place), and would think that if we were all together in one place when reading these, there might be a bottle of champagne involved.

To share results online, I would have to upgrade my surveymonkey subscription ($20 a month or $200/year). Until we have that in the budget, here are the results pasted into an email - I’m not sure if it will format intelligibly (it looks ok for me, but who knows what it will look like on your end):



Response Summary
Total Started Survey: 
29
Total Completed Survey: 
27  (93.1%)
PAGE: IAPW NEWS AND APPEAL
DownloadCreate Chart1. How did you hear about International Aiki Peace Week (IAPW)? (check all that apply)
  answered question 23
 
skipped question
6
 Response
Percent
Response
Count
email from Aiki Extensions
60.9% 14
email from fellow teacher
21.7% 5
Informed by my Aikido organization/federation
17.4% 4
told by member of my dojo   0.0% 0
read about it online
21.7% 5
heard it mentioned at a seminar
8.7% 2
Show repliesOther (please specify)
1. Serve on PDI Team Mon, Oct 11, 2010 12:07 PM Find...
2. Facebook Fri, Oct 8, 2010 2:50 AM Find...
3. Facebook.com Thu, Oct 7, 2010 11:15 PM Find...
4. Aikido Journal Daily Newsletter Thu, Oct 7, 2010 9:21 AM Find...
5. Robert Kent's fantastic communications - in person, via email, the great Aiki Extension Website Thu, Oct 7, 2010 7:50 AM Find...
6. Organizing committee Mon, Oct 4, 2010 8:49 AM Find...
7. On the comittee organising it! Sun, Oct 3, 2010 12:17 PM

7
DownloadCreate Chart2. What made you decide to take part in IAPW? (check all that apply)
  answered question 27
 
skipped question
2
 Response
Percent
Response
Count
A good fit for my dojo community
37.0% 10
A good fit for what I try to teach my students
77.8% 21
A chance to get new students on the mat
55.6% 15
To make connections with other dojos in my area
29.6% 8
To make connections with dojos around the world
48.1% 13
To focus public attention on the peaceful character of Aikido, even though it is a martial art
74.1% 20
Show repliesOther (please specify)
1. easy to handle becouse of such professional tools like this survey, Prss Kid, Dojo Map. Tue, Oct 12, 2010 2:12 AM Find...
2. contributed a piece Fri, Oct 8, 2010 8:25 AM Find...
3. Aikido is Love, that is the spirit of O-Sensei... Fri, Oct 8, 2010 2:50 AM Find...
4. Being part of a collective spirit engaged in the PEACE aspects of Aikido; linking with other dojos and dojo chos focused on depth of O'Sensei's message (vs. solely technical aspects) Thu, Oct 7, 2010 7:50 AM Find...
5. I wanted to make the step of connecting Aikido with society, to go beyond the practice on the tatami with concrete exercises Thu, Oct 7, 2010 4:39 AM

5
PAGE: AIKI PEACE WEEK ACTIVITIES AND OUTREACH
DownloadCreate Chart1. What activities did you schedule as part of Aiki Peace Week? (check all that apply)
  answered question 25
 
skipped question
4
 Response
Percent
Response
Count
Normal classes, but talked more about Aiki and Peace
68.0% 17
One special class, open to the public, with non-traditional content
52.0% 13
A seminar with Sensei from nearby schools all together
16.0% 4
A seminar with one Sensei, but inviting students from all over
4.0% 1
Show repliesOther (please specify)
1. Hosted Jose Bueno on his AikiBiking tour. Tue, Oct 12, 2010 3:17 AM Find...
2. Four special classes, free and open to the public. Mon, Oct 11, 2010 12:10 PM Find...
3. Each class had a different topis relevant to Peace Week, 3 classes in all. Sun, Oct 10, 2010 1:13 PM Find...
4. opening classes to join with no money... Fri, Oct 8, 2010 2:54 AM Find...
5. one class focusing on embodied peacemaking and aikido (free) and one free workshop on the physical movements of aikido (less of a conflict resolution emphasis), and a demonstration Thu, Oct 7, 2010 9:42 AM Find...
6. We conducted a four hour class at the Farmer's Market in Durango, with handouts, large signs of OSesnei quotes... Thu, Oct 7, 2010 9:23 AM Find...
7. conflict resolution using body as metaphor (incorporated some Leonard Energy training exercises) Thu, Oct 7, 2010 7:52 AM Find...
8. Held a week of applying Aikido with different themes: Aikido and Music, Aikido and Non-Violent Communications Thu, Oct 7, 2010 4:57 AM Find...
9. Not scheduled, but as an unexpected gift that came to us through Aiki Peace Week, was a visit from Brazil in our dojo (José Bueno from Sao Paolo). That was truly a precious exchange and contact for me! Thu, Oct 7, 2010 4:50 AM Find...
10. in-depth discussion on conflict management and resolution - used physical techniques to explore the mindset and intent of conflict. Thu, Oct 7, 2010 4:15 AM Find...
11. Social media content distribution Mon, Oct 4, 2010 8:58 AM Find...
12. Also sooght to get some new faces on the mat. press release didn't really have an effect, but I was able to badger a number of firned stop participate and that made it special for me and special fro the classes as a whole I think.

12
Download2. For each of your activities listed above - what went well and what would you change for next time?
  answered question 19
 
skipped question
10
 Response
Count
Show replies
1. Although published in local media, nobody felt attracted by our invitation to an open dojo day. Probably our activity started to late and could have been better organized well in advance. Tue, Oct 12, 2010 4:25 AM Find...
2. Was well recpted by the students.

Long discussions in the short period of time with Jose. Maybe other activities will follow based upon his visit. Invitation to his dojo in Brazil.
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 3:17 AM Find...
3. Newspapers didn´t react, must tell them earlyer next year. Tue, Oct 12, 2010 2:15 AM Find...
4. For the first time in Austin, we were able to get 6 different instructors from 6 different styles all teaching, and on neutral ground. I consider this to be Austin's inaugural TAB, and beginning with getting aikido people talking and training together.
Not sure how to do it better next time, but would like to get the remaining instructors on board, and more public participation.
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 12:10 PM Find...
5. No change Sun, Oct 10, 2010 1:13 PM Find...
6. Rather awkwardly, our advertorial did not get into the local paper so we did not get off the starting line.

Next time we will tackle marketing much earlier.
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 7:48 AM Find...
7. it was good organisated... Fri, Oct 8, 2010 2:54 AM Find...
8. I used some of the exercises which Quentin introduced when he visited and developed them and talked about the work of Aiki Extensions.
It generated a good atmosphere and lots of members made donations.
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 2:27 AM Find...
9. The class went very well. I would advertise it more in the local media. Fri, Oct 8, 2010 1:14 AM Find...
10. Next year we want to invite all our friends from the dojos all over Roumania and I want to do a double seminar one open for everybody (aikidoka and public) and one special for our students. Thu, Oct 7, 2010 11:20 PM Find...
11. I had hoped that there would be a greater turnout from the public. I believe that I would try to talk to appropriate reporters in order to get a newspaper article (s) on our programs rather than have a student e-mail press releases. Also, perhaps not hold the peacemaking workshop on a Tuesday - perhaps a weekend would be better.

I did like your mandate of free classes, although I often think that people sometimes make a bigger commitment to attending if there is a nominal fee (or perhaps sliding scale).
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 9:42 AM Find...
12. I would have more shade, or a white cover for the blue mats, or at least two socks on each foot to help with the hot sunny mats. Thu, Oct 7, 2010 9:23 AM Find...
13. It went very well. Mostly Aikido students came, some "lapsed" students. Also my husband, who had never stepped on the mat with me, and the entire family of one of my teen students. Ages 7 to 70, roughly. All were astonished and pleased with the practices offered, found them useful and applicable in their life, and expressed desire to do it again.

I might put more energy in spreading the word in the community next time.
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 8:22 AM Find...
14. my press releases went out too late - I would get them out sooner next time Thu, Oct 7, 2010 7:52 AM Find...
15. Both were great. In the future though we would try to find other ways to make the whole thing public in our surroundings here. What kind of publicity is helpful and where would it make sense - that has to be sorted out. Thu, Oct 7, 2010 4:50 AM Find...
16. worked great Thu, Oct 7, 2010 4:15 AM Find...
17. Although we promoted to the community through posters, local newspaper articles, and local online events, our event was rather dismal. Only a few students turned up for our class, and only a couple for our free taster class!

I think, next year, I will focus more on the benefits to be had and spend a few weeks doing a series of demonstrations. If they wont come to me, then I will go to them!
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 3:40 AM Find...
18. All went well. Next time: 1) invitations roll-out to the public earlier and in three phases to set expectation, confirm expectation, and remind of events. 2) encourage (through advance invitation/communication and check-ins), deploy online, and teach more content from others rather than featuring my own work which locals can get any time. 3) work toward a live feed with at least one international dojo each night of the Peace Week 4) start and encourage cycles of email messages passed from dojo to dojo to be shared on bulletin boards and read during or after classes. Each Sensei/dojo could create one unique message and share it with multiple other dojos, creating a collection of Peace Week messages Mon, Oct 4, 2010 8:58 AM Find...
19. Next year, i would like to try and organise a special seminar to kick the week off. I will aim to get all UK based dojos participation.

19
PAGE: GROWING AIKI PEACE WEEK
DownloadCreate Chart1. Aiki Extensions put a lot of effort into spreading the word, posting what they hoped was useful content, and trying to keep everyone thinking about IAPW and why it was important. How effective and useful were their efforts? (pick the choice that best represents your feeling)
  answered question 25
 
skipped question
4
 Strongly AgreeAgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly DisagreeNo OpinionRating
Average
Response
Count
The Website explained the idea clearly and made me want to sign up 36.0% (9) 60.0% (15) 4.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 1.68 25
Having the invitation letter in my own language was very useful 39.1% (9) 39.1% (9) 13.0% (3) 4.3% (1) 0.0% (0) 4.3% (1) 1.82 23
The Google Map helped me find all the dojos near me and around the world 40.0% (10) 36.0% (9) 16.0% (4) 4.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 4.0% (1) 1.83 25
The Press Kit materials were helpful 33.3% (8) 33.3% (8) 20.8% (5) 8.3% (2) 0.0% (0) 4.2% (1) 2.04 24
I used the Press Kit materials 33.3% (8) 25.0% (6) 16.7% (4) 16.7% (4) 0.0% (0) 8.3% (2) 2.18 24
The Lesson Plan materials were helpful 4.0% (1) 44.0% (11) 48.0% (12) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 4.0% (1) 2.46 25
I used the Lesson Plan materials 12.5% (3) 25.0% (6) 41.7% (10) 16.7% (4) 0.0% (0) 4.2% (1) 2.65 24
I found the weekly letters leading up to Aiki Peace Week helpful 36.0% (9) 36.0% (9) 24.0% (6) 4.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 1.96 25
I shared the weekly letters with my dojo or others 24.0% (6) 16.0% (4) 36.0% (9) 12.0% (3) 4.0% (1) 8.0% (2) 2.52 25
I found the daily letters during Aiki Peace Week helpful 30.4% (7) 30.4% (7) 26.1% (6) 8.7% (2) 0.0% (0) 4.3% (1) 2.14 23
I shared the daily letters with my dojo or others 24.0% (6) 8.0% (2) 48.0% (12) 8.0% (2) 4.0% (1) 8.0% (2) 2.57 25
I'm glad Aiki Extensions created International Aiki Peace Week 88.0% (22) 8.0% (2) 4.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 1.16 25
I look forward to participating in next year's Aiki Peace Week 80.0% (20) 16.0% (4) 4.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 1.24 25
I plan to encourage other dojos to join Aiki Peace Week 52.0% (13) 28.0% (7) 20.0% (5) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 1.68 25
I am considering joining Aiki Extensions as an individual member 41.7% (10) 16.7% (4) 25.0% (6) 12.5% (3) 0.0% (0) 4.2% (1) 2.09 24
I am considering having my dojo join Aiki Extensions as an institutional member 40.0% (10) 8.0% (2) 36.0% (9) 8.0% (2) 0.0% (0) 8.0% (2) 2.13 25
Show repliesOther Comments Welcome

Very, very good job!!!
Keep up the efforts and good work!!! All the best!
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 11:25 PM Find...
2. I am a member.

We are a very small dojo in a very small community, somewhat isolated (next dojo 1.5 hrs drive away). This event helped us feel more connected with the big Aikido world, a much larger context than we usually have available here.
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 8:26 AM Find...
3. already belong to Aiki Extensions as an individual and dojo Thu, Oct 7, 2010 7:53 AM Find...
4. I am a member of Aiki Extensions already. If my aikido group was "institutional", maybe I would make it join AE as well.
As german I found the letters of Bertram Wohak very helpful and encouraging. I didn't like at all the program-translated daily letters. These programs are not intelligent enough to cope with texts like that, they are just not intelligeable. Either no translations or translations made by a translater (although I'm bad in writing in english, I might do that, if given the text a day before)
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 4:59 AM Find...
5. thank you Thu, Oct 7, 2010 4:16 AM Find...
6. I should have shared weekly letters with dojo members and would do in the future. Sun, Oct 3, 2010 12:21 PM

6
PAGE: HELPING OUT NEXT TIME
DownloadCreate Chart1. Lastly, if you would be willing to help us expand Aiki Peace Week for 2011 and beyond - adding more activities, improving the website, recruiting more dojos, getting the word out to more countries - what is it you would like to help us with?
  answered question 13
 
skipped question
16
 Response
Percent
Response
Count
Translating the website or invitation letter into more languages
7.7% 1
Translating the lesson plans and press kit materials into more languages
7.7% 1
Helping add functions to the website
23.1% 3
Helping make a documentary
23.1% 3
Acting as a National Coordinator for Aiki Peace Week in my country
69.2% 9
Serving as a member of a National Coordinating Committee in my country
69.2% 9
Printing and mailing invitations / flyers to dojos in my country
23.1% 3
Sponsoring a larger seminar for my country or region
46.2% 6
Show repliesOther (please describe)

1. my one criticism (or concern) is regarding hagiographical perceptions of O Sensei in relationship to Aikido that I found in some of the Peace week literature. In my studies, it seems like he certainly believed in an idealistic, utopian construct of peace and harmony, and of course he believed in it in the context of the martial encounter. But I think it was actually his son who began to popularize a different construct of Aikido as a path to harmony in any socio- political sense (witness O Sensei's appreciation of rightist support -- he just wanted to practice aikido - he may not have explicitly advocated rightist political views, so I would describe him on some level as amoral, rather than political or immoral). 

I only mention this because we should be careful that we carefully evoke O Sensei's contribution to Aikido (perhaps emphasizing his technical vision), and not distort his idealistic vision(based on shinto constructs having to do with cosmological alignment in contrast, say with Reverend King's clearly activist approach to social change) with our own admittedly wonderful but different perceptions of aikido as a path to peacemaking. 

Ellis Amdur in particular has made some good comments in this context.
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 9:53 AM Find...
2. No opinion as yet.

Want to take the chance to thank everybody who put so much juice, energy, enthusiasm and love into making this happen. I was happy with Paul Linden's plan, and used some of the practices he shared. Thank you Paul.
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 8:29 AM Find...
3. I do have the desire and willingness to participate more directly in this wonderful project. Caveat is "ability" at the time is based on my dojo's ability to survive a very challenging financial time - freeing me up from extra jobs I've taken to support dojo (taking away from extra time to do things like this). Hope this makes sense. Thu, Oct 7, 2010 7:57 AM Find...
4. I am sort doing all of these already, but would love to get some support. Sun, Oct 3, 2010 12:23 PM

4
Download2. If you would like to connect with us to discuss any of your answers or how you might get involved with International Aiki Peace Week 2011 and beyond, or if you would like to join Aiki Extensions to support any of our ongoing projects, please provide your name, email address, dojo, and country. Thank you very much for your participation.
  answered question 14
 
skipped question
15
 Response
Percent
Response
Count
Show repliesName:
100.0% 14
Show repliesDojo:
100.0% 14
Show repliesCountry:
100.0% 14
Show repliesEmail Address:
100.0% 14
The 14 who responded to the last question - about connecting with us to discuss answers, are actually 13, as one repeated. 4 are rather well known to us (Ross Robertson, Piers Cooke, Quentin, and Brandon) I know Mary Tesoro (as does, I’m sure, Brandon) and Ben Pincus.:

Prof. Dr. Thomas Christaller Tue, Oct 12, 2010 3:19 AM Find...
2. R. Robertson Mon, Oct 11, 2010 12:13 PM Find...
3. Charles McCarty Sun, Oct 10, 2010 1:16 PM Find...
4. Nicolae Mitu Fri, Oct 8, 2010 4:28 AM Find...
5. Detlef & Thea Radüntz Fri, Oct 8, 2010 3:01 AM Find...
6. Piers Cooke Fri, Oct 8, 2010 2:31 AM Find...
7. Nicolae Mitu 4 Dan Aikikai Thu, Oct 7, 2010 11:31 PM Find...
8. Benjamin Pincus Thu, Oct 7, 2010 9:53 AM Find...
9. Erika Rein Thu, Oct 7, 2010 8:29 AM Find...
10. mary Tesoro Thu, Oct 7, 2010 7:57 AM Find...
11. Judith Elze Thu, Oct 7, 2010 5:01 AM Find...
12. Michael Aloia Thu, Oct 7, 2010 4:18 AM Find...
13. Brandon WilliamsCraig Mon, Oct 4, 2010 9:00 AM Find...
14. Quentin Cooke Sun, Oct 3, 2010 12:23 PM






And now the French replies:
Response Summary
Total Started Survey: 
9
Total Completed Survey: 
7  (77.8%)
PAGE: LES NOUVELLES ET APPEL DE LA SDPA
DownloadCreate Chart1. Comment avez-vous entendu de la Semaine de Paix Aikido (SdPA)? (Merci de cocher tous les rèponses applicables)
  answered question 9
 
skipped question
0
 Response
Percent
Response
Count
Dans un email venant de Aiki Extensions
11.1% 1
Dans un email venant d’un profersseur
11.1% 1
d’une membre de mon Aikido Fédération
66.7% 6
d’une membre de mon dojo   0.0% 0
Sur l’internet
44.4% 4
Pendant une conference   0.0% 0
d'autres, s'il vous plaît spécifier 0
DownloadCreate Chart2. Pourquoi avez-vous decidé de participer dans cette évènement? (Merci ce cocher tous les rèponses applicables)
  answered question 9
 
skipped question
0
 Response
Percent
Response
Count
Bonne pour la communauté de mon dojo
22.2% 2
Bonne pour ce que j’essai d’ensegnier à mes étudiants
55.6% 5
Pour donner la chance aux nouvelles étudiants d’entraîner
11.1% 1
Pour faire connéction avec d’autres dojos dans mon endroit   0.0% 0
Pour faire connéction avec des dojos dans tout le monde
55.6% 5
Pour attirer l'attention du public sur le caractère pacifique de l'Aïkido, même si elle est un art martial
100.0% 9
autre raison (merci de spécifier) 0
PAGE: LES ACTIVITÉS ET INFLUENCE DE LA SDPA
DownloadCreate Chart1. Quelles activités avait vous choisi pour la SdPA? (Merci ce cocher tous les rèponses applicables)
  answered question 9
 
skipped question
0
 Response
Percent
Response
Count
Des classes normaux, mais en parlant plus de l’esprit de l’Aikido et la paix
88.9% 8
Une classe spéciale, ouvert au publique, contenant de l’emphase sure les idées non traditionaux
33.3% 3
Une conférence enseigner par des ensignants de plusieurs dojos dans mon endroit   0.0% 0
Une conférence enseigner par q’un enseignant, mais invitant des étudiants de plusieurs dojos   0.0% 0
Hide repliesautre raison (merci de spécifier) 1
1. un défilé en ville , en tenue (keikogi+hakama) Thu, Oct 7, 2010 2:19 PM Find...
Download2. Concérnant chaque activité écrit au dessus – que ce qu’a passé favorablement, et que ce que vous changeriez?
  answered question 5
 
skipped question
4
 Response
Count
Show replies 5
PAGE: L’AVANCE DE LA SDPA
DownloadCreate Chart1. Aiki Extensions a mis beaucoup d’effort pour communiquer aux dojos, en affichant ce qu’ils croyaix était informative, et en essaiyant de souvenir tous le monde de la SdPA, et en souvenant tous le monde de l’importance de la SdPA. Est ce que ces méthodes etait utils? (Merci de choisis tous les choix applicables)
  answered question 8
 
skipped question
1
 Entièrement d'accordD'accordNeutrePas d'accordFortement en désaccordPas d'opinionRating
Average
Response
Count
Le site-web était claire et m’a encouragé à enrigistrer 25.0% (2) 37.5% (3) 12.5% (1) 12.5% (1) 0.0% (0) 12.5% (1) 2.14 8
Ayant la lettre d'invitation dans ma propre langue a été très utile 37.5% (3) 25.0% (2) 12.5% (1) 12.5% (1) 12.5% (1) 0.0% (0) 2.38 8
La carte de Google m’a aidé a trouver tous les dojos prêt de moi et dans le monde 25.0% (2) 75.0% (6) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 1.75 8
Les matériaux dans le “Press Kit” étaient utils 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 50.0% (4) 12.5% (1) 25.0% (2) 12.5% (1) 3.71 8
J’ai utilizé les matériaux dans le “Press Kit” 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 12.5% (1) 25.0% (2) 25.0% (2) 37.5% (3) 4.20 8
Les plans de leçon étaient utils 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 37.5% (3) 12.5% (1) 37.5% (3) 12.5% (1) 4.00 8
J’ai utilizé les plans de leçon 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 28.6% (2) 14.3% (1) 28.6% (2) 28.6% (2) 4.00 7
J’ai trouvé que les lettres envoyées pendant les semaines précédant la SdPA étaient utils 0.0% (0) 25.0% (2) 50.0% (4) 25.0% (2) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 3.00 8
J’ai partagé les lettres avec mon dojo, et celles des autres 0.0% (0) 42.9% (3) 14.3% (1) 14.3% (1) 14.3% (1) 14.3% (1) 3.00 7
J’ai trouvé que les lettres quotidiénnes pendant la SdPA etaient utils 0.0% (0) 25.0% (2) 37.5% (3) 12.5% (1) 25.0% (2) 0.0% (0) 3.38 8
J’ai partagé les lettres avec mon dojo et celles des autres 0.0% (0) 25.0% (2