Click here for a PDF version of this FAQ.
When will the FSA Member Baseline Survey be open?
The full survey will be open from May 15, 2017 until 11:59pm, Sunday, June 18, 2017.
Who can take the survey?
The survey is open to all FSA Members. FSA members include faculty and technical staff in BCIT technology programs, Applied Research, Learning and Technology Services, and Student Services, those employed on PTS contracts as instructors, administrators, and curriculum developers as well as markers and student employees.
What is the purpose of the survey?
- To establish a baseline for collecting information from FSA members to enhance and provide direction for the work of the FSA.
- Establish a set of metrics for long-range comparisons
- Act as a tool for strategic planning
- Inform FSA work plans
How often will this survey happen?
This is the first time we are doing a survey of this kind. Our hope is to do it regularly. Depending on how this first year goes we will determine what ‘regularly’ means – it could be annually, biannually, or less frequently.
Where and how will the survey results be shared? What will be done with the results?
The initial results will be reviewed by FSA staff. Initial analysis for the purpose of reporting out will be done by a working group of FSA staff and board members. We are aiming to have an initial report out in October 2017. The survey results and report will be posted in the Member Portal of the FSA website. The results will be used by the FSA in its future strategic planning, by FSA staff to improve our work if necessary, and by FSA members to guide discussions of key issue faced by the union. Some findings may be reported publically to advance the interests of FSA members.
Will the data be shared with BCIT management?
BCIT management will not have access to the raw data or individual responses. We expect to be able to use the aggregated results to improve our representation and advocacy when meeting with management. In doing so, we will ensure that the information shared does not lead to the identification of specific members. The analysis and reporting provided to members in October 2017 will initially be shared with our Board, Tech Reps, and in the Member Portal section of our website. While those are all member-only forums we cannot guarantee that no one will share that with someone outside the FSA unit. These reports will not include identifying information.
Why should I take the survey?
The survey is your opportunity to share feedback anonymously on your experience as an FSA member. Survey results will be used to help the FSA:
- Know more about FSA members
- Know what’s important to FSA members
- Find out how we are doing
- Collect information from members about our work
Many of you will have participated in surveys that seem to have had no impact. As a democratic organization, running this survey on a recurring basis and making the results available to members will allow you and your FSA colleagues to hold the Board of Directors accountable for acting on the information you provide.
Why are you offering incentives? And how does it work? What are the incentives?
Offering incentives increases response rates. A higher response rate means more reliable information to base decisions on. Incentives also recognize that the time you take to do this survey is valued.
At the end of the baseline survey you will be redirected to a new survey and offered a chance to enter the draw. You do not need to enter unless you want to be in the draw. And the surveys are completely separate from each other so entering your contact information for the draws will not link you to your survey answers.
We will draw for a $100 VISA gift card each of the five weeks that the survey is open. Once the survey is closed, we will draw for an iPad. Once you win a draw you will not be entered for any subsequent draws. Winners will be announced on our survey page.
Are all the survey questions mandatory?
No. Several questions are mandatory because they are needed to help us analyze other responses and provide clearer direction on important matters. If you are not comfortable answering these questions, you may choose to exit the survey and none of your responses will be submitted. If you feel uncomfortable answering any optional question, you are free to skip that question and move on to the next.
How long does it take to complete the survey?
The survey should take 15 minutes to complete. While Survey Monkey does not offer a ‘save and complete’ later option you can always take breaks during the survey. The best option is to finish a page and hit ‘next’ to make sure all the responses on that page are complete. No responses will be submitted until you reach the end of the survey and hit ‘done’.
How will I access the survey and is it confidential?
You will receive an email providing an access link on May 15, 2017. The email will come from Survey Monkey and the link generated will be specific to your email address.
If you do not receive an email on May 15th please first check your spam folder/settings to see if the email was caught. If you still don’t have the email, you can then contact the FSA and we will ensure you are able to complete the survey. The settings have been configured to not collect IP addresses in the survey results therefore increasing the confidentiality of the responses.
The survey platform, Survey Monkey, also has a privacy policy for anyone who wishes to review it.
Is it possible to identify and link my responses back to me?
You will not be asked to provide your name or any individual identifying information as part of the survey. There is a possibility that you could be identified from your responses depending on the information that you choose to provide in comments/open-ended questions.
Why is there a question about my treatment by the FSA based on protected human rights grounds in BC?
We recognize that, with an increasingly diverse workforce, understanding the opinions of different segments of our member population may assist us in becoming a more inclusive and stronger union. This question is not for the purpose of identifying individuals but to ensure that the FSA is treating all members as they must.
On what date and time will the online survey close?
The survey will close on Sunday, June 18, 2017 at 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time.
If I have questions about the survey, who should I contact at the FSA?
For any questions or concerns please contact Kyla Epstein, Member Engagement Officer – kepstein@bcit.ca or 604.432.8569. If you don’t feel comfortable contacting Kyla, you can contact Paul Reniers, Executive Director – paul_reniers@bcit.ca or 604.432.8696.