Affiliate (AAT) Survey Results - A Brief Glimplse

One of 5 bar charts from the Survey

The Affiliate Action Team (AAT) that has sponsored the quarterly VOICES gatherings (next one is Wednesday, February 4 at 7PM ET), sent out a survey in early December 2025 to all Affiliates and other Maryknollers who received the Monday Morning Update. The next edition of NSFA will feature more complete and comprehensive results. This post just gives a brief take on that survey.

76 people responded to the survey. The vast majority were Affiliates, but a few others also responded. The responses came from 25 chapters, including multiple responses from several. Two among the 25 – Guatemala and Kenya virtual – are international chapters. While the language (English) and cultural content of some questions clearly reflected a U.S. leaning, it is encouraging that two international chapters responded. Hopefully, some of those chapters will also carry out a kind of survey (assessment) that speaks more specifically to the respective culture.

Including name and chapter, there were just 9 questions in the survey. Five of the results had an associated bar chart attached. Two responses (6,9） included just text responses. The chart at the top shows the results of #7 the Affiliate Satisfaction Question – What do you most enjoy about being a member of the Maryknoll Affiliates. It’s probably not a surprise that 1) Feeling supported by others who share our struggles and are engaged in similar faith based… and 2) Hearing the stories rose to the top. Those are strongly felt human needs for almost everyone. Getting the newsletter and attending Chapter meetings weren’t too far behind.

Question 6: My suggestion for an initiative. How I could help with it…  Here is a small sample of some of the repeated responses

·        Have an in-person conference (MAC)

·        Offer immersion trips – perhaps through MKLM or the Society

·        Consider setting up a chat room for some other forum for chapter leaders to share best practices

·        Consider more workshops and/or retreats on Eco-spirituality

·        How to live and take meaningful action under the present U.S. Administration

·        Acknowledge that we are an aging body…but, still vital and committed.

Members of the AAT are: Jim & Ann Coady, Dick Horstman, Ralph Maughan, Santa Orlando, Kathy Ress, Mary Ryan-Hotchkiss, Bob Short, Lou & Janet Tullo, Celine Woznica.

NOTE that the AAT is not part of the legislative function of the Affiliates. The Affiliate Board makes any decisions that address new directions, structure or financial areas.