I know that Rothwell here in Ottawa used it, and found it highly valuable.

We're thinking seriously about it, but wondering how different it is from the StatsCan data and the HRDC labour market analysis.

 We were in the pilot project a couple of years ago, and I've helped a couple of congregations interpret their data in the latest intake (our Presbytery is covering the cost for all the congregations.)

I found the information quite useful in a variety of ways, both in getting to know the folks in the congregation better, and gettting to know the folks in the community better. We've used it to focus our marketing, to plan programming, etc.

In response to DKS q'n - the Environics includes the StatsCan data. The Environics' data, however, comes out of a social economics / marketing perspective, so it gives a great deal of information on people's likes and dislikes, what they value, what they don't value, etc., as well as demographic data. I don't know HDRC's data, so can't comment on it. (The other piece of information - the data is quite granular - and can be brought down as small as a single postal walk.)

Hope that helps!

Christ's peace - r

Interesting. the HRDC data is related to workforce demographics; age breakdowns and so on. I've also seen marketing data (not Environics) which gives us solid CMA housing, income and demographic data.

If the Environics data applies their 16 categories, I did find they were not consistent with our community. I had that discussion a couple of years ago with Michael Adams. I'm not saying he's wrong; just that the data didn't seem to fit.

Given that we are one of the smallest cities with postal walks (I have the route map, in fact) I'm not sure how that degree of granularity would be useful.

I guess I'm really asking "What more than I already know about my city does it tell me?"

 I don't know, DKS. If you'd already done an in-depth socio-economic exploration of your community, probably very little. Though most of the congregations I've had the chance to work with were quite surprised with what the data said about their community.

About the accuracy... the sociology student in me believes that the Environics data is extremely accurate, even in those data-sets that make me go, "What is going on here!?" The companies who purchase the data for their marketing believe it is accurate, as well - and base multi-million dollar campaigns on it. Like you with Michael Adams, I'm not saying that you're experience is wrong, just that I've pretty regularly seen how the data gives background to a pretty accurate story.

I don't know if you would find the information useful, I just know that it was really helpful for understanding the context in which I'm serving.

Christ's peace - r

This is really timely to read about ... a few folks in Hamilton Conference are (I think) going to an Environics training event next week ... so it's great to hear that some other groups are finding the info so useful.   I would imagine that in some communities, while we think we know what's going on, there may be differences beyond our usual range of interaction that would be surprising & interesting to know about, particularly when looking at outreach activities that may be helpful.  Our own views of community can sometimes by skewed, for a whole variety of reasons. 

That's what troubles me. We've done the contextual study and it tests valid with other sectors like business and City Hall. The congregation accepts the information and we've been doing planning for ministry based on what we have found.

Not me.

No.

n/a.

I'm a Baptist.

Anyone get the impression that if someone one a plane became violently ill and a call was made over the loudspeaker for a doctor to come forward, Jae would rush to the sick man and say, "I'm not a doctor, but I am a Baptist?"

LOL.  It's becoming quite a refrain isn't it?

I prefer you when you're being witty, chansen - as opposed to browbeating us with rationalism.

Keep this up, and I'll be sorry you're keeping your porch light off for my Canadian trip. 

Thank you everyone, particularly, Richard and DKS for the pros and cons.

As far as I know our congregation has never done any demographic research - we are a small town and I think people believe they know everything there is to know but I am sure they will be surprised by what they discover.

LB

PS - Jae, I used to be a Baptist, it is a curable and the world becomes a bigger place once treated.

That's a good one... and probably true.

I downloaded and read the report shortly after it came out, and participated in one conference call to discuss the findings and format.  Passed the report on to our JNAC Committee.  I believe they found the information very useful in preparing our JNAC report, especially since our pastoral charge serves a rural area.

 Hi, DKS - 

I'm not sure why it should trouble you. If your congregation believes it already has an accurately researched picture of the demography and socio-economic values lived by the people in your community, then there's no need to spend the money on the Environics data.

Christ's peace - r

 By the way, jae - 

I'm sure that Environics would be happy to talk with an association of Fellowship Baptist congregations about doing work-ups of community data for them, as well.

This isn't just a United Church of Canada thread.

Christ's peace - r