Winter Survey Poetry of 2023

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

Related Articles

• Winter Survey Poetry of 2022
• Winter Survey Poetry of 2021
• Winter Survey Poetry of 2020