Don't be surprised if you get a strange phone call some time over the next few weeks. What's that? You get them already?
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No, this won't be from some mysterious call centre on the sub continent, wanting to discuss your NBN connection, or pay-TV package. Nor will it be from a disenfranchised member of an African royal family, who will reward you tenfold if you can just forward a few thousand dollars to bank account number ...
No, nothing quite as fanciful, but worthwhile nonetheless.
This call will go out to 900 local residents as part of Maitland City Council's research into their current services.
From Monday, independent research company IRIS Research will start contacting residents using randomly selected phone numbers to participate in a 20-minute survey. The caller may ask to speak to a person of a particular gender or age group to ensure they capture a sample that represents our community's make up.
The survey aims to find out what facilities and services residents in the Maitland LGA use or don't use - and to understand why that is the case. The aim is to build on the results of Council's biennial Community Survey, last undertaken in December.
Council General Manager David Evans says the survey will generate new insights that will help streamline future service design, delivery and communication.
In other words, take the 20 minutes required and you will be rewarded with better delivery of services.
According to Mr Evans: "'We know from our Community Survey that overall, our community is consistently satisfied with Council, our services and the way we manage our community's assets.
"We want to take this one step further and find out how our residents use our facilities, what services they may not use but notice and value as they go about their lives, and their preferences for communicating with and receiving information from Council.
"This will allow us to take an increasingly customer centric approach to service design and delivery, leaving us better informed to meet the evolving needs of our growing community."
Residents may expect to receive a call in the afternoon or evening on weekdays, and between 10am and 4pm on Saturdays.
Yes, you have better things to do ... but it might be time well spent. And it's not as painful as watching the Knights.
