It’s time for a holiday tradition here at Polco — winter survey poetry! Each year since 2016, the Polco staff pens a few lines inspired by their love of surveys, data, and community engagement. This year, we highlighted some popular poems of the past and mixed in a few new ones.
So take a little break and enjoy a sleigh full of poems!
Rethink Engagement Haiku
By Angelica Wedell, Communications Director
Rethink Engagement
Data-Driven Decisions
Human Connections
Twas the Night Before the Ballot
By Sonya Wytinck, COO
Twas the night before the ballot
and all through the town
Not a council-member was nervous
nowhere a frown
The research was done
by pros with great care
Results representative
of folks everywhere
Survey questions were vetted
to ensure they were clear
Understanding the decision
would impact us for years
Best practices in sampling
were used through and through
To expand resident input
beyond the vocal few
Data was collected,
cleaned and weighted
Analyzed and reported
with results simply stated
Funds for recreation
with a mil levy renewed
Downtown revitalization
with support pre-approved
Now staff can push forward
with this guiding light
Good governance to all
and to all a good night
The Winter Fun Bowl
By Erin Caldwell, Survey Research Principal
There was a director of parks
Who wanted a community “spark”
To fight the doldrums
And increase the fun
Of residents stuck in the dark
He wanted a community read
On just what would meet the need
To chase away blues
And bring up the mood
So he sent out a public plea:
“Please come do our wintertime poll
That’s been posted online on Polco”
Residents responded
A new game was founded
And thus was born the Winter Fun Bowl
Residents flocked to the winter time sports
That were played on the parks and the courts
Participants cheered
As the new games premiered
And high ratings were given in the follow-up reports
The Magic of Surveys
By Alissa Punwar, Senior Survey Associate
The magic of surveys
The back and forth
Ask and answer
Feedback and action
Curiosity driving the process
The voice of the people coming to life
Collective knowledge
Bringing about change
The magic of surveys
Data To the Rescue
By Jessie O’Brien, Copywriter
We live in confusing times
There’s lots of information floating in our minds
It can be hard to take frank action
When there’s so much pulling at our attention
So if you want to make the best choices
You must cut through distracting noises
Don’t worry—data can help you
And give you guidance on what to do
So you can feel confident in your decisions
This is a part of Polco’s mission
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