Highlights from EAC-BC’s Membership Survey

Well, it’s taken us a while to compile the data and analyze the results, but it was worth the wait, because there are some surprising (and not-so-surprising) results. Here are the eight questions we asked members:

1.    What sort of editing work best describes you?
2.    Which EAC services did you use in 2010 OR intend to use in 2011?
3.    Please rate the importance of the following EAC services to you.
4.    Please rate the importance of EAC-BC social events to you.
5.    What social events would you like to see EAC-BC host?
6.    What age range do you fall in?
7.    How many years have you been editing?
8.    Where do you reside?

We’re not going to bore you with the raw data. But, if you’re interested in seeing the numbers for yourself, you can view the results here (PDF, 113 KB). So now, on to the good stuff.

Question 1

When it comes to the type of editing work we do, (freelance vs. in-house, full-time vs. part-time) it’s no surprise that the majority of respondents were freelancers, either full-time or part-time. What’s interestingis that the next largest group of editors (those who selected “other”) are mainly composed of editing and writing instructors. In-house editors made up the second smallest group of respondents, leaving editing students and those who are simply interested in editing as the smallest portion.

Question 2

EACers love to read, and it shows. Our local and national newsletters were the most-used EAC services. Unsurprisingly, the Online Directory of Editors, monthly meetings, the annual conference, and the online job hotline were the next most used. The least used service for respondents was mediation.

Question 3

The services which ranked most often as “very important” turn out to be the Online Directory of Editors, the annual conference, and certification. Happily for us WCE staffers, most respondents agree that West Coast Editor is important. Much like the response to question 3, our national and local newsletters had the highest level of agreement between respondents, who ranked both as “important.” The two services most often ranked “unimportant” are the @editors.ca email address and the contract collective (now defunct).

Question 4

It came as a surprise that very few respondents rated EAC-BC social events as “important” or “very important.” However, from the comments, it appears that this is most likely to due to travel and time constraints.

Question 5

A number of suggestions for EAC-BC social events were offered.Two that were repeated were a September event for new members and finding a way to combine a social event with professional development. A number of respondents also requested social events on the Island, events that take place at the beginning of the year, and events on weekends. Noted!

Question 6

Almost half of respondents were between the ages of 45 – 59, followed by those ages 30 – 44 and 60 or over. This means less than 10% of surveyed members are under the age of 30.

Question 7

Nearly half of responding members have been editing for 20 or more years, which is interesting, because the next greatest number of members have been editing for less than 10.

Question 8

Unsurprisingly, more than 60% of our membership lives within driving distance of our monthly meetings. However, a quarter of surveyed members have to take a ferry to come to our monthly meetings and professional development seminars; these members reside on Vancouver Island or the Sunshine Coast.