Community and volunteering
Write a short community survey
People answer a survey when they can see why each question matters. Tie it to one decision your group needs to make, word the questions neutrally, and make any demographic question optional.
A text to start with
Write a short survey to help our neighborhood association decide whether to apply for a small grant to add benches to the park at [location]. We need to know whether residents use the park, whether seating would change how they use it, and whether they have concerns. Keep it to five questions or fewer. Don't ask for a name or address. If you include an open comment field, make it optional. Flag any question that might push respondents toward yes.
Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.What to check before distributing
Read each question aloud and ask whether the wording makes one answer sound more acceptable than another. 'Would you like more comfortable seating in the park?' is loaded because it presents the change as obviously good. The assistant should flag questions like that, but check them yourself too. Keep a demographic question only if the decision needs it, and make sure the way you distribute the survey does not collect names or emails you said you wouldn't ask for.
Using the responses
When results come in, paste the tallies into the conversation and ask for the main pattern and any notable splits. If the results are mixed, ask for a short plain description of the disagreement for your committee. Do not ask for a recommendation the data cannot support.