10C Member Survey: Findings & Next Steps
During 10C’s 2024 May Member Month 10C gathered stories and feedback from 10C members to help understand 10C’s impact and how to better support a growing community of changemakers – thank you to all who participated!
Survey Results
At the time the survey was conducted, there were 288 changemakers in 10C’s membership, including: 107 organizational members, 131 individual members, 24 student + volunteer members, 26 Nourish members. Since then, our membership has grown to over 300!
22% of active 10C members completed the survey.
- 32% of survey responses came from members who were new to 10C in 2024
- 38% of survey responses have been members for between 1 and 3 years
- 30% of survey responses had been members for 3 or more years.
Themes of Change
This survey helped 10C to better understand the impact of programs, services and offerings across three interconnected themes: Connection, Learning and Capacity Building.
Connection
10C builds and strengthens social and community networks. 81% of survey respondents said that 10C has helped build their personal and professional networks. For some, this happens right away with new members feeling more connected upon their first few visits. For others, this happens over time as members meet and connect with each other through formal events and chance encounters in shared spaces. All survey respondents who have been at 10C members for 3 or more years said that their professional and personal networks have grown as a result.
“I don’t know how to describe it, but I’d call it “pass by conversations”: whenever I pass by people in the hallways and have conversations, those have been a hallmark at 10C. I’ve probably learned more about the world and life and random fun things in “pass by conversations” than anywhere else.”
– 10C Member, 2024 Member Survey
Learning
10C is a hub for learning for action. 80% of survey respondents said they had learned something valuable from 10C and other members. Through events hosted by 10C and the community, members share their expertise and get the help and resources they need. This happens in formal ways through workshops and learning events and more casual conversations and connections.
“The people at 10C are amazing…other members are supportive, too. I remember struggling with the marketing part of my business plan and overhearing a couple of people at another table talking about setting up a business. They invited me to join their conversation, and I ended up meeting someone who knows a lot about social media. He even sat down with me for an hour to help me out. That kind of thing just doesn’t happen at a coffee shop.”
– 10C Member, 2024 Member Survey
Capacity
10C inspires and motivates changemakers. 74% of respondents to the survey said that their personal and/or organizational capacity had increased as a result of their 10C membership. This increased to 82% for those who have been members for 3 or more years. We learned that increased capacity looks different for different members. Some experience an increased sense of confidence, seeing themselves as more effective changemakers. Others described how expansion of their networks or the development of new skills made contributions to their personal or organizational growth.
“The 10C First Floor Gallery has provided me the opportunity to hold my first Artist Exposition in over 10 years, as a newly Disabled Artist it has empowered myself as well as others in the Guelph Disabled Community to continue to pursue the Arts and has caused a renewal in some who thought it time to stop, slow, or give up.”
– 10C Member, 2024 Member Survey
Space for Change
10C activates space for change. A key theme emerging from the survey was how 10C members have leveraged access to shared space to create change. 70% of survey respondents said that access to working and event space has had an impact on them and their work.
“I appreciate the access to smart, engaged, and active community thinkers and activists that help workshop challenges in my own work. I have accessed coworkers for help on learnings about decolonizing my work, and about staging actions to make citizen voices heard.”
– 10C Member, 2024 Member Survey
The stories shared by members demonstrated that working and being together not only increased capacity – but led to learning, sharing and connection across the 10C membership. Individual changemakers gained access spaces to work that feel welcoming and are flexible enough to meet a variety of needs. They feel happier, more productive and better connected to community networks.
“Simply 10C has given me somewhere to go! Since working from home full-time can feel isolating, its great to have a space to hear others through the hall, say hi and chat. I’ve also invited [colleagues to work here] people from my company here as a hub outside of Toronto and it has helped everyone in the Kitchener, Waterloo and Guelph area get closer.“
– 10C Member, 2024 Member Survey
Whether it is the chance meetings with like-minded individuals or intentional gatherings to learn and solve problems, the shared spaces activated by 10C and its members help people to make change in a variety of ways. We heard that members value the convenience of work and event space downtown and value sharing space with other changemakers. Shared spaces act as a catalyst for change – members describe how they feel inspired at 10C and are able to see new possibilities.
10C can help amplify changemaking efforts by supporting the use of shared space and resources!
How is 10C better serving members and the community?
The survey provided valuable insights into member experiences and has helped our team better plan to increase connection learning and capacity in the years to come!
Connecting to the community and other members is a key reason people join 10C. 10C supports this kind of connection in both formal and informal ways. Here’s how!
10C Lunch Room: Monday – Friday join us in the sunroom for some casual tunes and conversation. Bring your own lunch or purchase lunch from the Nourish Cafe to enjoy while you chat and connect.
Gather and Connect: 10C’s Gather and Connect is a monthly opportunity to drop by and tap into the incredible community around you, make connections, build relationships and find out what others are doing in Guelph. The gathering takes place on the last Wednesday of the month from 4:30PM to 6:00PM at 10C (42 Carden Street). No registration is required – everyone is invited to stop by.
A new Member Directory is coming in the fall of 2024. We are creating a simple and accessible online database where members can share information and get to know one another.
Monthly Member News – online and in your inbox. Don’t forget to check out the Member News for offerings from members, and submit your own offerings. The Member News is sent out in 10C’s monthly newsletter and posted online at https://10carden.ca/news/. Have questions about the Member News? Contact Paige paige@10carden.ca
Make sure you are subscribed to 10C’s Monthly newsletter to get 10C and member news straight to your inbox! Follow 10C on our social channels of Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin.
Register 10C’s monthly Breakfast Blend series. This is a chance to learn from other members and gain new skills and knowledge to grow your business or project!
- September: Where there is a will, there is a way!
- October: Selecting Bookkeeping Software
- November: Small Business Scale Up
People need a variety of flexible work options. Great news! There are lots of different ways to work at 10C – from casual to more permanent.
Hot-desking is 10C’s most flexible option. Come in anytime between 9-5, Monday – Friday and work at 10C for just $10/day. We also have 5 day hot-desking passes available for just $40. Hot-deskers can access work spaces in the First Floor Gallery, Sunroom, Library as well as empty desks in the 2nd Floor Coworking Hub. Lunch is available for purchase daily from the Nourish Cafe.
Coworking at 10C can offer remote employees a structured, professional and for some, a much needed social space! We have a range of coworking options:
- Full-time Coworking provides a dedicated desk in one of 10C’s coworking zones. For $350/month you receive 24/7 access to 10C, a dedicated workspace, pop-in access to meeting rooms (pop-in access limited to 1hr to ensure equal access for all coworkers) and more!
- Part-time Coworking provides access to shared workstations in ant of 10C’s open concept workspaces for up to 65 hours per month. For $125/month you will receive 24/7 access to 10C, pop-in access to meeting rooms and can design a schedule that works for you!
Private Offices at 10C offer dedicated space for individuals or teams to work. 10C spaces are flexible and we can work with you to find an office setup that works! Please contact info@10carden.ca for office lease inquiries.
Practitioner Hub Package gives practitioners (naturopaths, RMTs, counselors, therapists and others) access to two regular half-day (4 hour) or one full-day (8 hour) bookings per week. Contact Jess – jess@10carden.ca to learn more about how we are supporting practitioners!
Accessibility and Comfort at 10C. There are many accessibility features throughout 10C including button operated entry and washroom doors, gender neutral washrooms and an elevator. We have Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification and strongly encourage a scent-free environment. We also offer stand up desks in some coworking and hotdesking locations and external monitors. If we can help make our workspace more comfortable – get in touch with Jess – jess@10carden.ca.
Still looking for a work option that meets your needs contact info@10carden.ca – we would love to help!
People join 10C to grow their projects and ideas. 10C is here to support this growth!
- Access to grant resources: 10C has access to Imagine Canada’s Grant Connect Portal – this is a great resource for anyone looking to find and apply for funding. 10C Members can access the portal at 10C – just contact us info@10carden.ca to learn more.
- Support for food businesses: Do you have a food business – or want to start one? 10C supports local farmers and food entrepreneurs at the Nourish Kitchen and Guelph Farmers’ Market.
- Mentorship: 10C members have access to expertise and knowledge through 10C’s Member Mentorship Services. See the website for more information and pricing options and contact jess@10carden.ca to learn more.