2010 ARPAS Strategic PlanFinal Survey Results

Presented at the GC MeetingNew Orleans

July, 2011

Survey Basics

Total of 55 questionsJournal, Newsletter, Website, Respondent &

ARPAS sections

Web based survey, 472 responded436 completed entire surveyMany thanks to Keely Roy and the FASS IT

staffThanks to the committee members: Keith

Lusby, Randy Shaver, Bill Braman, Jeff DeFrain & Kenneth Cummings

PAS Journal

1. How do you rate the value of the PAS journal to you professionally? Scale:1 - 5 : low - very high  Results:    3.48

average

2. How important is the PAS journal to you?Scale:1 - 5 : not at all important – very important

Results    3.37   average

3. Should we continue to publish hard copies of the PAS journal?Yes:31.1% No: 68.9%

PAS Journal4. Would you like to have the capability of doing key

word/author searches of all back issues of PAS on our web site?Yes: 95.2% No: 4.8%

5. How do you feel about the papers published in the PAS? too basic:2.5% too applied:8.0% about right:89.5%

6. How applicable are the papers published in the PAS to you? rarely used:10.9% occasionally useful:29.8%

useful:37.0% often useful:17.4% consistently useful:5.0%

PAS Journal7. What topics of papers published in the

PAS would you like to see more of? Nutrition:81.7% Reproduction:35.0%

Genetics:12.9% Physiology:25.3% Food Science:13.1% Animal Welfare:35.4%

Other:13.8% Management, horses, forages, personal interest, microbiology & international to name a few

8. Would you like to see papers on Government Regulation in the PAS? Yes:65.3% No:34.7%.

PAS Journal

9. Would you like to see papers on Public Policy Issues in the PAS? Yes:64.8% No:35.2%

10. Would you like to see papers on Community Outreach in the PAS? Yes:42.0% No:58.0%

11. What is your overall satisfaction with the PAS? Very Dissatisfied:0.7% Dissatisfied:3.5%

Undecided:19.7% Satisfied:64.0% Very Satisfied:12.1%

PAS Journal

12. Do you have any suggestions to improve the quality and/or impact of the PAS journal?92 narrative responses will be summarized

13. Have you published a paper in the PAS Journal?Yes:26.0% No:74.0%

Newsletter

14. What frequency do you think is right for the ARPAS Newsletter? monthly:15.2% bi-monthly:20.3%

quarterly:61.6% yearly:2.9%

15. What topics do you think should be included in the ARPAS Newsletter?industry news:85.8% book reviews:34.9% expert

opinion:56.7% meeting information:84.2% organization news:79.1% other:3.8%

Newsletter

16. From the previous question please list your top three topic areas for the ARPAS Newsletter.

Industry news   1.69 1:54.2%   2:22.6%  3:23.2%  Book reviews    2.31 1:21.2%   2:27.1%   3:51.8%  Expert opinion  2.04 1:23.2%   2:49.1%  3:27.7%  Upcoming meeting information    2.30     1:14.0%    

2:41.7%   3:44.3% Organization news  1.86 1:41.8% 2:30.5%  3:27.7%  Other    2.56 1:11.1%      2:22.2%      3:66.7%  

Newsletter

17. What is your preferred delivery method for the ARPAS Newsletter?

hard copy:2.4% electronic:91.4% both:6.2%

18. What is your overall satisfaction with the ARPAS Newsletter?

Very dissatisfied:0.9% Dissatisfied:2.0% Undecided:30.2% Satisfied:62.0% Very Satisfied:4.9%  

Newsletter 19. Do you have any suggestions to improve the

quality and/or impact of the ARPAS Newsletter? No, 7 respondents Shorten officer report, make the officer report more

relevant: More substance, more concise: Have not read, or do not read: Improve ARPAS status and member recognition, 4 each

Political/economic issues including sending it to politicians: Have sections by discipline/species: Correct, timely and proofread information: Random comments that refer to previous questions answered by the respondent: Information on how members can publish articles and articles by experts, 2 each

Encourage member input: Prefer hard copies: Prefer Blog for members only: Provide information on funding opportunities, government policies: More value for the cost of membership, 1 each

Newsletter 19. Do you have any suggestions to improve the

quality and/or impact of the ARPAS Newsletter? Summary by newsletter editor: It was observed from the

respondents that either do not change the newsletter or shorten it with less information regarding the officer reports, but increase ARPAS membership status through member recognition. Another group, does not read the newsletter. Possibly, this will change is the newsletter is shortened and/or reformatted. Some members would like to be able to write articles in the newsletter. 

20. Will you contribute an article to the ARPAS Newsletter?

Yes:33.6% No:66.4%  

Website21. Have you visited the ARPAS website?

Yes:96.4% No:3.6%

22. If yes, for what reason? membership directory:60.3% access PAS:62.8% report CEU’s:84.2% other:5.5%

23. If yes, were you able to find what you were looking for on the ARPAS website?Yes:98.6% No:1.4%

24. What is your overall satisfaction with the ARPAS website? Very Dissatisfied:0.5% Dissatisfied:1.8% Undecided:12.2%

Satisfied:73.7% Very Satisfied:11.8%

Website 25. Do you have any suggestions to improve the

quality and/or impact of the ARPAS website? Top 3 responses:

More user friendly. There were 8 comments regarding problems with the website. Specifically, links not being logical/ linear, simpler and uncluttered, frame layout issues, navigation and password confirmations.

Up to date information. There were 10 comments regarding the need for more current information. There were also some wants for more information, such as board certifications, USDA website links for research related info, calf related information and issues politically and economically in animal science.

Other. The remaining comments were about issues such as maintenance, speed of site, adding a quarterly topic, or no response.

Respondent26. What is your current level of ARPAS

certification? RAPS:3.2% PAS:76.6% Board Certified:17.5%

Emeritus:1.6% Other:1.1% 2-RAS 1-Retired PAS 1-I have no idea  

27. What is your main area of interest or discipline? Nutrition:82.4% Physiology:5.6% Genetics:4.1% Food

Science:1.8% Animal Welfare:3.2% Other:2.9% (applied animal science and animal

pathology, Management[2], Dairy cattle management, Calf Milk Replacer, Manure Management, Equine Biomechanics, Parasitology, Ag Law, Agricultural Environment, Forages, Animal Management) 

Respondent28. What species are you most involved with?

Beef:57.8% Dairy:60.0% Horse:19.1% Swine:15.5% Goat:10.8% Sheep:13.7% Poultry:14.8% Aquaculture:4.0% Companion Animals:7.4% Lab Animals:0.7%

Other:1.8% (Deer, Exotic animals[2], zoo[2], cervid, Meat, camels) 

29. What best describes your job function?Nutritionist/Feed Representative:43.2% Technical

Service:23.4% Extension/Teaching:18.7% Research/Academia:20.9% Research/Industry:9.5% Veterinarian/Animal Health:1.8% Allied Industry:8.1% Private Consultant:15.5%

Respondent29. What best describes your job function,

cont’d?Other:5.6% (Retired[2], Industry Executive, VP animal

industry non-profit, Research/Government[2], Student, Food & Drug Regulation, Ag Law Attorney, Graduate Student[2], Extension/ Research, Animal Welfare Auditor – PT, Nutrition/ Management, Government regulatory[2], Govt, Administration[2], international development [2], marketing manager, Part Time Academics (1-2 days per week), Retired[2], Purchasing Agent) 

30. What is your age? <25:0.5% 26-35:12.5% 36-45:17.3% 46-55:32.3% 56-

65:28.2% 66-75:8.4% >76:0.9%

Respondent31. Which state do you live in?

42 states & 4 foreign countries

32. Do you work across state lines? Yes:78.9% No:21.1%

33. Do you work regionally or nationally? Regionally:58.6% Nationally:41.4%

34. Are you a member of a local ARPAS Chapter? Yes:24.3% No:75.7%

35. If yes to the previous question, which chapter do you belong to? CA, DC, PNW, CO, PA, SGP, AR, MW, +?

Respondent36. How often do you use your ARPAS

affiliation in your line of work? daily:16.8% weekly:10.6% monthly:33.3%

yearly:39.2%

37. How often do you get asked about your ARPAS affiliation? daily:0.5% weekly:0.7% monthly:22.1%

yearly:76.7%

38. Do you use your ARPAS certification?On your business cards?:83.2% On your correspondence?:68.7% In your business advertising or authorship?:39.0%

Respondent39. If any No answers to the previous question,

Why? Top 3 Responses:Not necessary or unwanted. There were 30 responses

commenting that adding the ARPAS certification was unnecessary to their name, or that they simply did not want to take time to add it.

Lack of knowledge. There were 13 responses commenting that they either did not know themselves what the PAS meant or that their colleagues did not know what the certification means. There were also comments regarding the fact that there is not enough widespread recognition of the certification, so they thought it was unnecessary to add it.

Other. The remaining comments regarded issues such as there not being a local chapter for them, not having time to redo business cards, or recent membership.

Respondent40. Are you comfortable fielding questions on

the purpose of and ARPAS membership? Yes:85.6% No:14.4%

41. Do you feel that your affiliation with ARPAS gives you a competitive advantage in your line of work?Yes:57.9% No:42.1%

Respondent42. How important is ARPAS membership in your

profession? (rank all on a scale of 1=not very important to 5=very important) To you?    3.98 (Average)    1:4.3%   2:3.6%    3:17.6%    4:39.1% 

5:35.4%   To your supervisor?    2.93 (Average)    1:18.9%    2:17.7%    3:26.9%   

4:24.5%    5:11.9%   To your peers?    3.21 (Average)    1:9.6%    2:11.9%  3:35.4%   

4:33.8%    5:9.4%   To your customers?    2.85 (Average)    1:15.7%     2:17.3%     3:39.6%  

  4:21.4%     5:6.0%  

Respondent43. How important is Board Certification in

your profession? (rank all on a scale of 1=not very important to 5=very important)To you?    3.27     1:17.1%    2:12.6%    3:20.3%   

4:25.8%    5:24.2%  To your supervisor?    2.53 1:32.6%    2:17.0%   

3:23.4%   4:18.5%   5:8.5%  To your peers?    2.73 1:23.4%     2:16.1%    

3:32.4%      4:20.5%      5:7.6%  To your customers?    2.44   1:31.0%    2:18.9%   

3:31.0%    4:13.5%    5:5.7%  

Respondent44. How important were each of these in

your decision to join ARPAS? (rank all on a scale of 1 - 5)For professional credentials?    4.21 1:2.9%      2:3.4%   

3:10.0%    4:36.7%    5:46.9%  

For access to the Professional Animal Scientist?    3.63 1:5.9%    2:10.0%    3:25.3%    4:32.6%    5:26.0%  

To increase the image/status of animal science?    3.95 1:2.5%    2:5.7%     3:19.5%     4:38.9%     5:33.5%  

The annual ARPAS symposium?     2.51 1:21.0%      2:25.9%      3:37.9%      4:11.4%      5:3.7%  

Other    2.73   1:36.4%      2:13.6%      3:18.2%      4: 4.5%      5: 27.3%  

Respondent45. Rank the following as to their importance to you:

(1 most – 8 least) ARPAS membership  1.67 1:62.8%   2:24.0%   3:6.6%   4:2.6%   5:1.2%  

6:0.5%      7:1.2%   8:1.2% PAS journal    3.00 1:18.3%    2:29.1%    3:22.2%    4:11.4%   5:7.9%   

6:7.2%   7:2.5%    8:1.5% ARPAS website    3.82 1:1.6%    2:14.9%   3:28.1%   4:26.3%    5:17.2%   

6:8.8%   7:2.9%   8:0.3%  Board Certification  4.15  

1:19.3%   2:18.5%   3:8.4%  4:4.9%    5:10.3%  6:12.8%   7:20.7%   8:5.2%   ARPAS membership directory    4.35 1:1.9%    2:9.8%    3:22.0%    4:21.7%  

5:18.8%   6:16.4%   7:7.7%    8:1.9%   ARPAS Newsletter    4.81 1:0.5%  2:6.0%    3:11.7%   4:22.1%  5:26.8%   

6:20.5%    7:10.7%   8:1.6%  Annual ARPAS symposium    5.77 1:0.0%    2:4.9%    3:7.2%    4:8.7%   

5:11.3%   6:25.5%   7:37.1%    8:5.2% Other    7.14 1:3.6%    2:3.6%    3:0.0%    4:0.0%   5:3.6%  6:7.1%    7:14.3%   

8:67.9%  ARPAS Participation in PACCO, ARPAS FMC feeding management

certification, Seriously doubt the value. $85/yr for nothing, chapters   

Respondent46. What are three suggestions to improve

the value of ARPAS certification to you? Top seven responses are listed below.Greater recognition (by industry, administration,

peers, across other species such as companion animal, non-ARPAS members, universities)

Increase advertising: at the producer level, provide examples on its impact to members, target producers, sell the advantage to public, government agencies, advertise in popular press magazines, encourage producers to seek members out at tradeshows

Tougher standards/basic qualifications, biannual recertification, “police” ethics in the field

Respondent46. What are three suggestions to improve the

value of ARPAS certification to you? Promote state licensingHeightened enforcement of code of ethics/bylawsIncrease opportunity for CE beyond distant meetings

(web/satellite/etc.) & networking for members, opportunity for examinations

Increase member benefits (liability insurance, publishing in PAS, legal entity, recognize hours training & maintenance)

Respondent

47. Would you be willing to accept a small increase in annual dues to be used to enhance the visibility of ARPAS and the value of ARPAS membership? Yes:74.3% No:25.7%

Future of ARPAS

48. If we (animal agriculture) continue to keep quiet, PETA and HSUS will help write the regulations to put animal agriculture out of business. AVMA is starting to be more vocal in this area. Should ARPAS also participate in these discussions/debates?Yes:97.3% No:2.7%

Future of ARPAS

49. If yes to the previous question, what is the best way for ARPAS to participate? Most recommendations/comments related to

“channels” of communicationMembership overwhelmingly supports cooperating

with AVMA other organizations to advocate ARPAS position. Secondary is FASS and national/state livestock organizations.

Future of ARPAS49. If yes to the previous question, what is the best

way for ARPAS to participate? “Channels of communication”

Media:Press releases, Print media Articles, Position (white) papers,

Interviews, Advertisements, TV and radio, Spokespeople, Provide members “talking points”

Advocacy/Lobbying Social Media – Facebook, Twitter Join with other advocate organizations

NIAA, the National Institute for Animal Agriculture; Other Animal/poultry societies, Animal Ag Alliance, Feedstuffs, AVMA, FASS, FARM, PAACO, Livestock organizations, AFIA

Spokespersons suggested -Trent Loos, Temple Grandin

Future of ARPAS

49. If yes to the previous question, what is the best way for ARPAS to participate? “Channels of communication”List of experts to press, hearings, and regulatoryTask forcesWeb site and PAS JournalSymposia“ARPAS Membership Call to action”Elementary/secondary/university education

programs Certification program in animal handling

Future of ARPAS

49. If yes to the previous question, what is the best way for ARPAS to participate? “Conclusions continued”

Message somewhat split between advocating scientific solutions to production ag. issues and addressing animal welfare issues.

We may want to consider a committee within ARPAS that deals with advocacy through position papers, articles, press releases, developing a list of “experts” from ARPAS membership and issuing “call to action” from the membership when needed

Future of ARPAS49. If yes to the previous question, what is the

best way for ARPAS to participate? “Conclusions continued”

Be proactiveLeadership-Develop ARPAS “credibility”, ARPAS

Committee dedicated to advocacy, “Call to action” from membership, “Take em on”!, Promote ARPAS certification

Who should be our audienceCongress, state legislatures and policy makers;

Consumers/Public, invite them to farms; Students

Future of ARPAS 50. Are you aware that ARPAS has an Educational

Foundation? Yes:28.1% No:71.9% 51. What type of educational pursuits would you

recommend the Foundation monies be used for? Top four most common responses are listed:1) Educational support for students-Provide scholarships for

domestic and international animal sciences students (attending US colleges and universities) at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Provide support for animal sciences graduate students to attend scientific meetings. Provide support for Congressional and executive fellowships and scholars-in residence awards relative to political and economic issues impacting animal science and animal husbandry (government & industry).

Future of ARPAS

51. What type of educational pursuits would you recommend the Foundation monies be used for?

2) Educational support for consumers-Educational programs, guidelines and materials aimed at school children and the general public promoting proper nutrition and the value and importance of animal agriculture. Educate the public on the cost of economic inputs to ensure that animals are raised in a healthy and humane manner and that our food supply is the safe.

Future of ARPAS

51. What type of educational pursuits would you recommend the Foundation monies be used for?

3) Educational support for ARPAS members-Sponsor professional development programs for ARPAS members. Provide support for speakers at regional meetings and symposia. Support a “Leadership Academy” to help develop leaders in Animal Sciences that can learn how to navigate the political realm (funding and policy making) and insure that animal agriculture in the US remains strong. Encourage and educate those about to graduate in the animal sciences of the value of becoming ARPAS members. Develop programs to involve more ARPAS members. Establish an "early warning" system that enables members to alert ARPAS when action is needed.

Future of ARPAS

51. What type of educational pursuits would you recommend the Foundation monies be used for?

4) Educational support for producers and allied industry- Sponsor symposia and workshops for producers, extension and industry personnel that have direct application to animal agriculture. This is the target audience for ARPAS members and will help increase our image and visibility. Support the work of FASS in Washington.

Future of ARPAS

52. Do you believe ARPAS membership requirements should be loosened (i.e. no species exam requirement) for highly experienced scientists, consultants, or industry representative? Yes:21.7% No:78.3%

• 53. What are three suggestions to increase ARPAS membership?• In general, the overall theme was to create greater awareness

of ARPAS and its benefits. In regard to changing ARPAS requirements, it was ~ 2/3 to 1/3

for making it easier to be a member without the exam, but with other “certification”.

Future of ARPAS

53. What are three suggestions to increase ARPAS membership? Cont’dThe greatest number of responses were for themes of:Public relations (getting the word out about ARPAS)

(44)Miscellaneous (34)Student recruitment (33) Make ARPAS a graduate requirement (18)Change ARPAS requirements (11)

Future of ARPAS 54. What would you suggest that ARPAS can

do to increase/improve its image/significance/ reputation?1) Advertise and promote the value individual members and our organization bring to their employers, clients, the public, government and academia through PR articles, advertisements in trade publications, press releases, publications and point-of-contact literature. Differentiate ARPAS from trade associations, unions and pure scientific organizations. Revise our website home page so a visitor can quickly learn our purpose and positioning as an organization.

Future of ARPAS 54. What would you suggest that ARPAS can

do to increase/improve its image/significance/ reputation?2) Keep our standards for continuing education and ethics high and be rigorous in our certification process. Mentor students and graduate students and encourage them to seek professional certification in ARPAS.

3) Be proactive on issues affecting animal agriculture and align/collaborate with like-minded organizations. Form an expert committee for dealing with issues and enter policy debates.

Future of ARPAS

54. What would you suggest that ARPAS can do to increase/improve its image/ significance/reputation?4) Place a high value on ARPAS membership and position the PAS Journal as a first choice for applied animal science articles.5) Encourage members at all levels to become involved in the affairs and activities of ARPAS. Recognize the professional accomplishments of our members

One member’s response Q#54

The next two slides contain just one example of the depth and detail of many of the responses that where given for this question.

Respondent #144: I joined ARPAS because I believe in the value of continuing professional improvement and the need for an agricultural professional to be certified as many non-AG professions require. Unfortunately, our industry does not put value on ARPAS membership.

One member’s response Q#541. To improve the image of ARPAS, we need to conduct workshops for ARPAS members only. For example, each year ARPAS should offer internet workshops for ARPAS members only. These workshops would focus on the latest advances in Nutrition, Reproduction and Management and they would be species specific. The presenters at these internet workshops would be ARAPS members and they would volunteer their time.2. Have ARPAS members who hold key positions in AG companies write articles in the PAS which focus on keys to success in the workplace. For example, an ARPAS member in technical services could write an article on how ARPAS membership helps them stay current when it comes to new ideas. They could also write articles on how to be successful in a technical services position.

One member’s response Q#54

3. Have a mentoring program where older ARPAS members could provide advice to younger ARPAS members. This could be done via the ARPAS web site where ARPAS members could ask questions of other ARPAS members.

4. Have an ARPAS breakfast at the ADSA/ASAS national meeting where those interested in learning about ARPAS could interact with other ARPAS members and have the ARPAS president give a short presentation on the value of ARPAS membership.

Future of ARPAS

55. What should be the focus for ARPAS in the next five years? Increase ARPAS Visibility – “Build the Brand” and

“Tell the Story”More education to membership Promote “Science-based Agriculture”Professional and pro-active “voice” to address

animal welfare, food safety, sustainability, etc.

1) Increase ARPAS Visibility – “Build the Brand” & “Tell the Story”

Promotion – 4 (# of specific responses)Certification and continuing education-6Credentialing, credibility -2PAS-8Relationship with governmentBroaden baseLivestock/poultry community-4Students-3Internet, web, social networking-2Local chapters-2

2) Professional and pro-active “voice” to address:

Animal agriculture-5Production animal research-2Animal welfare and well being - 23Food Safety-3Sustainability-11

Global warming, environmental

Lobbying -2

3) More education to:Membership-3Policy makers, regulators-7Non-agriculture public, consumers-13Producers-2

4) Promote “Science-based Agriculture”

General comments without specifics