A heartfelt thanks to the many JASNA Southwest members and friends who participated in our recent event survey. We appreciate your comments and suggestions! We offered participants a chance to enter to win a 10-pound U.K. Jane Austen banknote, and the winner was Doris Ford, a lifetime member of JASNA. Congratulations Doris!
Following is a short overview of the responses we received, which will be invaluable as we endeavor to continue improving our events and offering you diverse and dynamic programming.
An overwhelming majority, more than 80 percent, of members are most influenced by the topic in deciding whether to attend a JASNA Southwest Regional Meeting. Our readers enjoy a wide range of topics:
  • 93 percent favor historical/academic discussions
  • 85 percent prefer Regency-era history talks
  • 72 percent enjoy comparisons between Austen and other authors or historic productions
  • Some 64 percent are interested in presentations on traditional film, television and other adaptations
  • More than 44 percent prefer presentations on new media/modernized adaptations
  • Nearly 56 percent enjoy hearing from authors of Austen-related books

While numerous participants noted that location is a consideration in their decision to attend, many commented that they understand how difficult it is to find a central meeting place for such a far-flung membership — as we are spread out from Ventura County to Orange County to Riverside and Temecula and beyond. We will continue to strive to rotate meeting venues to make it convenient for as many members and potential members as possible to attend.

Of our previous venues, the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens garnered the highest favorable rating, at 74 percent. Most of the previous venues rated 30 percent or higher and were fairly evenly distributed in terms of preference.

Members expressed significant interest in the potential for new workshops, including:

  • Regency dance lessons (68 percent)
  • Calligraphy (49 percent)
  • Silhouette drawing (46 percent)
  • Painting, reticule making and bonnet trimming (each at 39 percent)

In terms of special events:

  • More than 90 percent expressed interest in an afternoon tea
  • 84 percent favored a field trip to a museum with a relevant exhibition
  • 76 percent said they would enjoy a film adaptation screening/discussion
  • 61 percent would like to see salons on a specific Austen topic
  • 53 percent are interested in a wine and cheese discussion
  • 42 percent favored a Regency ball or game day/evening
Thank you again for sharing your feedback, and please feel free to reach out anytime by writing jasnasw@jasnasw.com. We look forward to hearing from you!