Blessed Family Association (BFA) Survey Results — Chad Hoover

Survey Responses • 3,000 surveys mailed to Blessed Families • 250 completed and submitted by mail or via the website

Survey Areas • Personal Data • Services Sought • Services Volunteered • Family Retreat • Funding • Additional Comments

1) Ways a Family Association Might Help You Areas: – Family formation, growth & health – Religious education services – Counseling services – Information services – Strengthening communication

Survey Results Score 3 2 1 0 NA Section 1 - Family formation & growth Blessing or Matching your children - guidance for parents 486 150 36 22 4 19 Improving relationships between parents and children 390 108 66 27 2 28 Improving relationships between spouses 362 97 71 32 1 30 Financial Planning 290 71 77 52 4 27 Marriage, sexual relations and gener issues 279 62 93 43 10 23 Retirement planning 254 57 83 48 15 28 Understanding death, grieving and survival 251 56 83 56 9 27 Choosing a college/planning for college 248 57 77 67 4 26 Depression and menopause 237 51 84 60 11 25 Health, Nutrition and Fitness education for the family 191 39 74 83 4 31 Fertility and Adoption Issues 103 28 19 119 22 43 Section 2 - Religious Education Services Church traditions 423 120 63 19 6 23 Sunday School curricula 326 87 65 33 19 27 Il Shim preparation 325 82 79 27 15 28 Moral Education 271 80 31 9 2 109 Section 3 - Information services Counseling services Family counseling 276 70 66 48 10 37 Counselor training 261 65 66 52 11 37 Marriage counseling 257 63 68 55 7 38 Personal counseling 205 43 76 64 8 40 Section 4 - Information services Maintain a calendar of events 417 114 75 20 2 20 Maintaining a membership directory 403 108 79 20 3 21 Maintaining a directory of services 397 106 79 18 4 23 Provide data about colleges where Unificationists are attending 344 90 74 35 7 25 Grass Roots Newsletters 325 74 103 23 5 26 International home stay information 272 65 77 43 17 29 Media Preference - Strengthening communication on shared interests & concerns Develop action plans based on consensus 286 69 79 32 14 37 Publish information collected 73 17 22 8 5 179 Hotlines and referral assistance 65 16 17 8 8 182 Collect input on shared interests 64 14 22 9 6 180 Convene discussions and develop consensus 56 11 23 10 5 182 Media Preference -

1. Family Formation & Growth

Score 3 2 1 0 NA Blessing or Matching your children - guidance for parents 486 150 36 22 4 19 Improving relationships between parents and children 390 108 66 27 2 28 Improving relationships between spouses 362 97 71 32 1 30 Financial Planning 290 71 77 52 4 27 Marriage, sexual relations and gener issues 279 62 93 43 10 23 Retirement planning 254 57 83 48 15 28 Understanding death, grieving and survival 251 56 83 56 9 27 Choosing a college/planning for college 248 57 77 67 4 26 Depression and menopause 237 51 84 60 11 25 Health, Nutrition and Fitness education for the family 191 39 74 83 4 31 Fertility and Adoption Issues 103 28 19 119 22 43

2. Religious education services

Score 3 2 1 0 NA Church traditions 423 120 63 19 6 23 Sunday School curricula 326 87 65 33 19 27 Il Shim preparation 325 82 79 27 15 28 Moral Education 271 80 31 9 2 109

3. Counseling services

Score 3 2 1 0 NA Family counseling 276 70 66 48 10 37 Counselor training 261 65 66 52 11 37 Marriage counseling 257 63 68 55 7 38 Personal counseling 205 43 76 64 8 40

4. Information services

Score 3 2 1 0 NA Maintain a calendar of events 417 114 75 20 2 20 Maintaining a membership directory 403 108 79 20 3 21 Maintaining a directory of services 397 106 79 18 4 23 Provide data about colleges where Unificationists are attending 344 90 74 35 7 25 Grass Roots Newsletters 325 74 103 23 5 26 International home stay information 272 65 77 43 17 29 Media Preference -

5. Strengthening communication

Score 3 2 1 0 NA Develop action plans based on consensus 286 69 79 32 14 37 Publish information collected 73 17 22 8 5 179 Hotlines and referral assistance 65 16 17 8 8 182 Collect input on shared interests 64 14 22 9 6 180 Convene discussions and develop consensus 56 11 23 10 5 182 Media Preference -

Family Formation, Growth & Health Blessing and/or Matching your children - guidance for parents

180 160 150

140 120 100

80 60 36 40 22 19 20 4 0

Family Formation, Growth & Health Choosing a College / Planning for College

180 160 140 120 100 77 80 67 57 60 40 26 20 4 0

Family Formation, Growth & Health Fertility & Adoption Issues

180 160 140 119 120 100

80 60 43 40 28 19 22 20 0

Family Formation, Growth & Health

Improving Relationships between Spouses

180 160 140 120 97 100

60 40 32 30

Family Formation, Growth & Health Improving Relationships between Parents & Children

180 160 140 120 108 100

80 66 60 40 27 28 20 2 0

Family Formation, Growth & Health Financial Planning

180 160 140 120 100 77 80 71

40 27 20 4 0

Family Formation, Growth & Health Health, Nutrition & Fitness Education

180 160 140 120 100 83 80 57 60 48 40 28 15 20 0

Family Formation, Growth & Health Understanding death, grieving & survival

180 160 140 120 100 83 80 56 56 60 40 27 20 9 0

Family Formation, Growth & Health Marriage, sexual relations & gender issues

180 160 140 120 100 93

80 62 60 43 40 23 20 10

Family Formation, Growth & Health Depression & Menopause

180 160 140 120 100 84 80 60 60 51

40 25 20 11

Family Formation, Growth & Health Retirement Planning

180 160 140 120 100 83 80 57 60 48 40 28 15 20 0

Religious Education Services Sunday School Services

180 160 140 120 100 87 80 65 60 40 33 27 19 20 0

Religious Education Services Il Shim Preparation & Ceremony

180 160 140 120 100 82 79 80 60 40 27 28 15 20 0

Religious Education Services Church Traditions (e.g. 5am Pledge, Holy Days)

180 160 140 120 120 100 80 63 60

40 19 23 20 6 0

Religious Education Services Moral Education Programs

180 160 140 120 109 100 80 80 60 40 31

Counseling Services Counselor training (mentoring)

180 160 140 120 100 80 65 66 60 52 37 40 20 11

Counseling Services Personal Counseling

180 160 140 120 100 76 80 64 60 43 40 40 20 8 0

Counseling Services Marriage Counseling

180 160 140 120 100 80 68 63 55 60 38 40 20 7 0

Counseling Services Family Counseling

80 70 66 60 48 37 40 20 10

Information Services Maintain a Membership Directory

140 120 108 100 79 80

60 40 20 21 20 3 0

Information Services Maintain a Directory of Services

180 160 140 120 106 100 79 80 60 40 23 18 20 4 0

Information Services Maintain a Calendar of Events

180 160 140 120 114

100 75 80 60 40 20 20 20 2 0

Information Services Publish Newsletter on Grassroots Campaigns

180 160 140 120 103 100 74 80 60 40 23 26 20 5 0

Information Services Provide data on colleges Unificationists are attending

180 160 140 120 100 90 74 80 60 35 40 25 20 7 0

Information Services Publish info on international homestays for students

180 160 140 120 100 77 80 65 60 43 40 29 17 20 0

Strengthening Communication Hotlines & Referral Assistance

182 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 16 17 20 8 8 0

Strengthening Communication Collect input on shared interests & concerns

180 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 22 14 9 20 6 0

Strengthening Communication Publish information collected

179 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 17 22 20 8 5 0

Strengthening Communication Convene discussions & develop consensus around issues

182 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 23 20 11 10 5 0

Strengthening Communication Develop Action Plans based on Consensus

180 160 140 120 100 79 80 69 60 32 37 40 14 20 0

2) Ways to Help Develop a Family Association • Members already volunteering/working • Interested in volunteering • Interested in receiving training

Already Working and Volunteering • Education – 99 • Youth Activities – 62 • Summer Camps – 45 • Counseling – 23

Can Volunteer In…. • Mentoring – 38 • Publishing – 17 • Web Design – 11 • Event Planning – 31 • Correspondence – 27 • Accounting / Bookkeeping - 9

Would like to be trained in…

• Counseling members– 65, Counseling non-members – 49 • Education of members – 45, Educate, bless non-members – 55 • Public relations – 48 • Outreach to neighbors – 99 • Minister Outreach – 51 • Create guest-friendly services- 55 • Develop Local Ministries – 43 • Develop Campus Ministries – 18 • Develop Music & Arts Ministries - 41

Family Association Retreats

Family Association Retreat Members Interested in Attending *note: “No” includes those who did not answer 180 160 140 120 100 80 s 60 40 20 0 Yes No

Family Association Retreat

Distance Willing to Travel

0 0-50 50-100 100-200 250+

Family Association Retreat Amount willing to pay, per person, per day

0 0-$25 $25-50 $50-100

Family Association Retreat How many children?

0 0 1 2 3 Over 4

Funding the Association

Funding the Association How Much Per Month? *these funds total approx. $30,000/year

0 $0 $0-5 $5-10 $10-20 $20-40 $40+

Funding the Association Source of Funds *does not include those who answered both

Member Church (natl) N/A

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 AK AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IL IN KS LA MA ME MD MI MN NB NC NE NV NH NJ NY OH OK OR PA RI SC GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

TN TX VA VT W A WI

Comments “We live far away from a church center and would appreciate the ability to “network” with other couples. It would be necessary that any organization acknowledge the real situation of couples, as opposed to the ideal standards. We need more help achieving those ideals, not judgment or guilt for what we know is our current failure. Thank you!”

Comments “I think this is necessary because blessed families do need someplace to go to express their concerns. Currently, I think a lot of people are unsure about where to do that and where to tap into resources such as counseling, 2nd gen issues, youth issues, reblessing issues, etc. …. I think there should be AT LEAST one person in the country who’s sole responsibility is being available for blessed families to connect them to resources they may need. That is the minimum. Beyond that a team of counselors should be available to travel if necessary to various parts of the country to counsel and educate members on blessed family issues.”

Comments “Thank you for your initiative. It is great, it’s needed to revive the BFA. For many years (maybe 8 years) we donated with our tithing to church a portion to BFA, is that money still there, is that the seed money that you have???? Our family is willing to help in any way possible. May God bless all your efforts.”

Comments “I believe that in the process of forming the Family Federation for World Peace, the “Church” destroyed the support system for Blessed Couples… If the Blessed Family Association is to be a truely supportive organization, it must not be led from the top down, but set up as a organization that will provide resources to strengthen and support Blessed Couples.”

Comments “Thank you for taking it upon yourselves to revive and create this type of association. I think it’s important to keep in mind that couples may have different needs depending alot on which Blessing they come from. For older couples, the main concern may be matching their children. For younger couples, personal and relational growth and development, child care issues, and financial security may be more relevant concerns. ”

Comments “I think most of these activities are better and more effectively dealt with at the local or regional level, although a national group could help facilitate and initiate activities. However, matching, adoption and directory services could be an area where a national organization could have an immediate impact and tangible benefit. …. Thanks for taking taking the ball and running with it.”

Comments “Both my wife and I work for Church businesses long hours and weekends. We currently don’t have the time to volunteer. Financially we are struggling to meet our needs. We appreciate your understanding our circumstances.”

Comments “NORMA AND I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN BUSINESS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW, SHE IS SELF EMPLOYED AND I GOING ON 8 YEARS AS A MANAGER WITH CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORES. CRACKER BARREL IS RATED AS AMERICA’S #1 FAMILY RESTAURANT THAT DOES NOT SERVE ALCOHOL. AS A GENERAL MANAGER MY INCOME IS SUBSTANTIAL AND I WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO EDUCATE OTHER MEMBERS IN THE FOOD BUSINESS.”

Comments “Top comment: I’m not sure why I’m not your letterhead I have more qualifications than 3/4 of the people on the letterhead. I’ve been through all the problems + won!” … (this is the only form that was sent FEDEX to meet the deadline)

Comments “There is great power in getting blessed families together beyond regional boundries. We only interact with couples in our region. This limits our ability to maintain friendships and prevents our kids from getting to know other blessed children. Thank you for this effort”

Comments “It is too late for the counseling that was needed for our family and second generation, except our youngest maybe.”

Comments “I’ve got mixed feelings about this. I’m no longer active in the church, having retired myself from it in some disgust. ….. So NOW you’re thinking about this? A bit too little too late isn’t it? In many ways I’d like to rejoin the spiritual community I’d dedicated my life too, but not if it will be in the least under foreign authority figures, and if there is no public accountability for the use of funds. Not if its the same old same old. What have you to say to this?”

Comments “Be certain to do what you say you will do. So far so good. I appreciate the survey. I expect continuing feedback on the progress and process. Thank you.”

Comments “More attention to match childless Blessed couples who want children with Blessed couples who want to offer a child. Suggest an international network. Divine Prinicple Academy is very successful here in Atlanta. I would suggest this program by adopted throughout our church.”

Comments “God speed, I hope you can make this work. I think the future of the American Movement depends on this or something like this that puts more emphasis on Blessed Families and their needs. However, so many times I have gotten my hopes up for something like this only to find that focus and direction changes and all is forgotten. Forgive me if this time I take the wait and see approach.”

Comments “It seems that somehow BFA should be able to work through the local church structure, not seperate. However there are those who live far away from a church center.”

Comments “Every city where there are 20 families or more should have a BFA representative - who doesn’t do anything else (meaning they are NOT the regional director, state leader, WFWP president, youth pastor, etc., etc.)”

Comments “need to address the needs of those who wish to adopt/those who have a child they are no longer able to care for. make it clear which aspect/service of the BFA our contribution will go to. How about fundraisers similar to those done by PBS, an item of memorabilia for a specific amount. Let’s learn from Mr Walton of Wal- Mart, numerous small amounts can add up to more than a few large donations.”

Comments “We do not have any family in the U.S. Being in the ripe old age of 77, what about Blessed Grandparents Association or whatever?”

Comments “i odn’t have a family yet, so i’m not very interested in your services at this time. however, i feel that there is a need for a blessed family support group, and here’s my input: GET MORE JAPANESE MEMBERS ON THE ADVISORS AND ORGANIZING COMMITTEE. the american church is made up of more than white folks and a few korean leaders. japanese blessed families’ needs and interests can be better served by having japanese couples in the committees.”

Comments “This sounds good. Most church families that I know are on thier own, mostly because of finacial reality and survival. ….. These questions should have been asked 20 years ago!! Lets do this. Also, lets deal with reality, so we can have time and energy for ideals and mission work.”

Comments “with a member directory, it would be great if we had a family profile that includes the work or mission responsibilities/constraints of the parents so we could reach out to each other, in support or to commiserate with those in similar circumstances as ourselves.”

Comments “Someone, or Guidelines for, ‘Jacob children’s’ matchings. Camia says the ones she knows don’t have a central point and feel ignored and unsure about this process for themselves.”

Comments “It would be refreshing to be run by Americans…”

Comments “At this point, we have a dismal record of bequeathing the tradition of the Blessing to our 2nd gen. Approximately 80% of 2nd gens 20 and over (in America, Asia and Europe alike) have broken Blessings, were never Blessed and are, for the most part, disaffected from the Church. I believe this problem is our number one priority. We need to look this crushing reality directly in the face and determine what we will do as an association of Blessed families to stop this alarming trend.”

Comments “Groups that need to be added (to volunteer areas): Families who lost their spouse are increasing/ counseling and support are definitely needed, Parents who lost children”

Comments “This should be a serious organizational attempt. To participate in activities like this will require time. I for one, do not have time to waste. I would welcome the opportunity for participation but only if this is a serious, viable, structured, long term effort. Governance by an elected board…etc. ”