By Greg Ellison

(Sept. 23, 2021) After gaining sign-off from the Board of Directors last week, a property owners’ survey created by the Ocean Pines Strategic Planning Committee is being released on Sept. 27.

Strategic Planning Committee Co-Chairman Bernie McGorry presented survey specifics and related costs during the board meting on Sept. 15.

“We feel pretty good about where we’re at,” he said. “We’ve had … good input from a lot of good homeowners.”

McGorry said the Communications Committee assisted in developing plans for distributing and collecting survey data.

Ocean Pines property owners’ survey, which was last conducted in 2018 with 1,800 respondents, seeks comments from residents on the development of long-range planning and association priorities.

McGorry said the goal for survey responses is 1,000 evenly divided between full and part-time residents.

“Any larger than 1,000 the margin of error is small,” he said.

Returns from families with and without children are of high priority.

“The last survey was unrepresented by younger families,” he said.

McGorry said Marketing and Public Relations Director Josh Davis has been instrumental in survey design and development.

While primarily an online survey, additional options are being deployed to provide residents access through alternative means.

“It’s a hybrid approach,” he said.

McGorry said 2,500 “reminder business cards” containing a phone-scan QR code would be placed at select locations, including the Sports Core Pool, Yacht Club, Golf Course, Ocean Pines Library, the Administration Building and Community Center.

“Go right to your phone and take the survey,” he said.

Also, McGorry said 300 hard copies and collection boxes would be available, split between the Administration Building, the CPI office and the Parke.

Lastly, surveys can be requested by phone or email.

Other marketing efforts for the survey include press releases and a hyperlinked banner planned on the association website.

McGorry said the survey would be conducted for minimal costs.

“The bottom line is $650 to print some things,” he said.

Additionally, a $1,260 premium was paid for Survey Monkey, which is active through next year.

“Hopefully, we will do other surveys,” he said.

The survey total expense is far below end totals incurred to send out hard copies in 2018.

“I’m not sure of total costs last time, but it was at least $8,000 for mailing,” he said.

Director Dr. Colette Horn, who serves as Strategic Planning liaison, introduced a motion to approve distribution plans and related costs that received unanimous support.

To access the survey, visit surveymonkey.com/r/OPPropertyOwnerSurvey.