The COGR Membership Survey, conducted in August–September 2019, garnered responses from 331 participants, predominantly representing public universities (66%), with experienced professionals making up the majority—54% having more than 20 years in the field. Despite high membership engagement, most respondents (79%) have never participated on the Board, committees, or working groups, although 87% expressed willingness to do so in the future; however, 61% indicated a lack of awareness about how to get involved.
Meeting logistics and formats were generally well-received, with positive feedback for customer service, meeting organization, and relevance of session topics. Networking opportunities with federal representatives were especially valued (94%), and there was a balanced preference regarding concurrent sessions at meetings. The frequency and number of meetings per year were viewed as appropriate by a significant majority (70%). While communications such as COGR Updates and publications received high marks for quality and usefulness, only a small proportion of members access the organization’s website or use social media for updates, preferring meetings and newsletters. Engagement with the COGR Board, committees, and staff is an area identified for improvement, with many members expressing limited understanding of these groups’ functions or how to engage with them. The survey highlighted COGR’s efforts to be inclusive, acknowledged candid feedback on diversity, and confirmed that nearly all respondents felt that COGR addresses issues important to their institutions while operating consistently with its mission. Overall, the survey results provided actionable insights and underscored members’ appreciation for the organization, along with identified areas for enhanced communication and engagement.
