Lodges sometimes develop “tunnel vision” regarding the success of their events. Too often, lodge leaders don’t take time to evaluate how others perceive lodge events. After a lodge event is over, there can be a tendency to start focusing on the next project instead of taking the time to figure out what went well and how the last event can be improved. This is especially true regarding Ordeal weekends. Lodge leaders frequently don’t take the time to solicit feedback regarding Ordeal weekends, and particularly lodge leaders don’t ask new Ordeal members what they thought about the Ordeal weekend. Consider using a New Member Ordeal Survey like the one attached to gather data regarding how your new members experienced their Ordeal. You might learn something interesting!
New Member Ordeal Experience Survey
Please rate how you enjoyed the different portions of the ordeal weekend:
1 - Not So Great 6- Great
Your Unit Election
1 2 3 4 5 6
Registering for the Ordeal
1 2 3 4 5 6
Pre‐Event Emails & Communication
1 2 3 4 5 6
Friday Night Registration
1 2 3 4 5 6
Friday Night Ceremony
1 2 3 4 5 6
The Ordeal Experience
1 2 3 4 5 6
Saturday Night Ceremony
1 2 3 4 5 6
Saturday Lodge Banquet
1 2 3 4 5 6
Saturday Evening Fellowship
1 2 3 4 5 6
New Member Orientation
1 2 3 4 5 6
What is one thing you really enjoyed about the Ordeal?
Is there anything besides more food and less work that we could do to improve the Ordeal experience?
The above resource was submitted by Owaneco Lodge, Connecticut Yankee Council, in Milford, Connecticut. The lodge has used this survey at each Ordeal since 2010. During that time, the lodge has learned quite a bit about how new Ordeal members feel about the Ordeal experience.