ARRM's Daily Dispatch

Survey Says: Member Satisfaction Grows

Daily Dispatch - Friday, June 20, 2008

In March, 2007, ARRM disseminated our third-annual Member Satisfaction Survey to 700 members.

The survey was distributed to ARRM’s Bulletin Board list. One hundred ninety-two members participated in this year’s survey, and the response rate of 27% is identical to last year’s response rate.

Member Satisfaction Continues to Grow

The overall satisfaction rating continued to increase this year, with 55.2% of the respondents indicating they were “very satisfied” with ARRM benefits compared with 54.4% in the 2006 survey. In 2006 and 2007 the strongest satisfaction among ARRM members was with the following benefits:

• Legislative Advocacy,
• Publications, and
• Conferences.

Encouraging Trends

• In 2007, a majority of the respondents strongly agreed to the statement "ARRM understands the service needs of my organization." In 2005 and 2006, the majority agreed to this statement.

• The question of whether the member would “recommend ARRM’s services or events” has shown a steady increase over the years, from 87% reporting Yes in 2005 to 93% in 2007. In 2007, there was no difference found between members and their rating of Government Relations. In 2006, new members (e.g. less than 5 years) rated Government Relations higher than members of more than 5 years.

• The 2006 finding of upper-level management rating Education and Training lower than Program and other positions was not replicated in 2007.

Continued Improvements

1. Streamlining committees and committee work.
This is an area of continued improvement that was noted in last year’s survey. ARRM has begun using technology, such as the First Friday Phone-In, to disseminate critical news and information to members so that working committees may be more focused on meeting goal and objectives.

2. Provide more training in Greater Minnesota and offer more online/web-based training. 
In response to the 2006 Satisfaction Survey, ARRM introduced an online training on grassroots advocacy in February, 2008. Based on the positive response to this training, ARRM staff and committees will continue to develop ideas for additional online training modules, with plans to create more web-based resources in 2009.

3. Provide better technical assistance and member support.
In 2007, new members (less than 5 years) rated committees, task forces and publications higher than long-standing members (greater than 5 years). Additionally, several members expressed an interest in cultivating a more meaningful, personal relationship with ARRM. Recognizing the need for additional outreach, the Member Services Committee is developing a recruitment and retention plan to implement in late 2008, which includes connecting with members on a regular basis.

Next Steps

Going forward, ARRM will conduct the Member-Satisfaction Survey biannually, with the next survey coming out in the early part of 2010 to evaluate ARRM’s 2009 services. In the alternate years, the Member Services Committee will conduct interviews and focus groups with particular membership segments, which will help us better understand the results of the Satisfaction Survey.

Incontentinance Products

Bruce's Blog/Daily Dispatch

One Minute Message 6-10-08

There have been some recent policy changes regarding approval of inconteninanc products. There have been some changes in the absorbancy and number of items that will be approved for individuals. Click on the link to read the current policy. 

http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplg?IdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVERSION&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&dDocName=dhs16_141185

Minnesota CCD begins planning for major legislative push in 2009

Daily Dispatch – June 3, 2008

Yesterday about 40 people with disabilities, advocates and providers belonging to the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) started planning for the next two legislative sessions.

CCD co-chair Steve Larson, from The Arc of Minnesota, noted that the disability community dodged several budget cutting bullets during the 2008 legislative session, but we will face huge challenges next year because the state is predicted to face a budget deficit that could exceed $2 billion.

ARRM will be active on critical CCD work groups over the summer as CCD prepares its legislative package to be introduced at the beginning of the 2009 session. We will be supporting a broad range of initiatives regarding support services, education and transportation – among many.

At yesterday’s meeting we advocated for a rate increase (COLA), wholesale system redesign, an ICF/MR plan for the future and protecting non-profits from property taxes. A major CCD emphasis will center around PCA services with the expectation that the legislature will be putting PCA funding and regulations under the microscope in 2009. The Legislative Auditor will conduct a detailed analysis through the summer and fall.

CCD will also crank up public relations and grassroots efforts – two things ARRM also has on our agenda in the next few months to elevate the importance of services to people with disabilities as a priority in Minnesota.

Odds and Ends

Daily Dispatch- Minute Messages June 2, 2008

• ALERT!  There have recently been some issues with e-mail sent from ARRM not making it to member's mailboxes.  Please check your junk folder and/or check with your IT folks to assure that ARRM is an approved "sender".
• First Friday Phone In- we have worked to correct the technical issues and have a plan in place should there be a problem on Friday.  A reminder with the phone number and pass word will be sent out on Wed.  Please join us for the latest updates on issues important to ARRM members.

Barb Jacobson