Gwangju International Center

GIC Talk review

SPEAKER: Joel Keralis
CO-WRITERS: Elizabeth Augustoviz
GIC TALK DATE: August 22, 2015
GIC TALK TITLE: Data Driven Growth: Application of Current Opinions to GIC Programming
  

Today’s speaker, Joel Keralis , an international  intern at the GIC, presented about the recent survey project that was designed to evaluate from GIC members, the public, and GIC staff members.

First, Mr. Keralis  talked about the importance of numbers and the reasons he had for creating the survey project. He said, “The purpose of numbers is to guide the discussion.”  According to Mr. Keralis before this survey project the GIC did not have a central database that could be used to reference in  important discussions.  He designed this survey to establish that type of database.

Next, the speaker spoke about the overall goal of the project which was to get opinions from both members of the GIC and nonmembers about what they knew about GIC programs. He stated that it was important to see what GIC members knew about the programs because it can show how well information is being distributed to members.  Conversely, it is also important to know what the non-members know about the GIC to see what their impressions of GIC programming are and use that information to better serve them in the future.

Then, Mr. Keralis went over some of the data finding of the survey. Over 150 people responded to the survey, this number includes members, non-members, and GIC staff. To highlight some of the survey’s findings briefly: most international GIC members are between the ages of 25-35, whereas Korean GIC members are in their 40-50s, and the highest reason why non-members do not become members of the GIC is because of the membership price.

The survey also asked what services that people wanted the GIC to provide. The number one response was the GIC should provide information for Gwangju residents. The survey affirmed the GIC is doing a good job at providing information because the two highest rated programs were the Gwangju News and the Interpretation/Translation service.

Mr. Keralis concluded his talk by stating that these numbers should be just a guide in the discussion about the future of the GIC.  What really matters is what the members and the staff of the GIC want the center to become in the future.