How Evaluators are Like the Dentist

How Evaluators are Like the Dentist

Organizations, such as nonprofits and coalitions, are often reluctant to invest in evaluation. Many only do so when a funder requires it.

Which leaves evaluators, at least this one, feeling a bit like a dentist. That professional you know you need to see, but you sure don’t want to. Maybe the metaphor is resonating with me right now because I just had a filling replaced.

I wish nonprofits and coalitions committed to evaluation, and not just when its required.

It makes me kind of sad to be honest.

Because when organizations do commit, great things happen.

Our clients have experienced:

1. Growth in the?evaluative thinking. That is, the ability to ask evaluative questions that help them make decisions about how to improve their programs and community strategies. I’ve seen them learn to dig into their data, think critically, then move to action.

2. Growth in their organization’s?evaluation capacity. Evaluation capacity happens when evaluation becomes part of everyday business. Processes are aligned so that data collection is more streamlined, is focused on organizational goals, and data use is expected and encouraged. Evaluation no longer feels burdensome.

3. When staff are engaged in evaluation, it helps build a?culture of learning. Findings are not feared, even when outcomes are not what we hoped. Failing forward is embraced. This encourages honesty within all levels of the organization and helps everyone work collaboratively.

4. Oh ya, and we finally get to those illusive?outcomes and strategies?that make organizations and communities better.

There’s nothing I enjoy more than helping my clients help their communities. Watching them learn to value evaluation is a bonus.

Here is what one Executive Director said about our work:

“Ann Price and her team were great to work with. They were responsive, proactive, and made sure we kept on track with our work. They provided the framework to help us more clearly look at our goals, outcomes, what we were measuring and what we weren’t.” – Nancy Friauf, President and CEO of Partnership Against Domestic Violence (Retired)

Take Care friends. And hug your local evaluator today.

Alan Yu

Inspirational Speaker, Author, Facilitator, Coach and Grant Writer

1 年

It's the double pain of having to see what you don't want to see and also to have to pay to see that. However, the sooner I know that I need to do something different because what I was doing is proving not to work, the more comfort rather than pain I will experience because I will find the right thing to do. Evaluation actually helps us to feel comfortable in our planning/visioning/strategy work. We do have to look back before we can look forward.

回复

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Ann Price的更多文章

  • Does Your Year-end Impact Report Have You Stressed?

    Does Your Year-end Impact Report Have You Stressed?

    It’s that time of year. If your mailbox is anything like mine, it’s jampacked with two things these days.

  • How to Create an Evaluation Plan for Nonprofits

    How to Create an Evaluation Plan for Nonprofits

    In the nonprofit world, making an "impact" is what funders want you to do. What you really desire is to make a…

  • Why is evaluation important for nonprofits?

    Why is evaluation important for nonprofits?

    If you’re reading this, you’re probably passionate about making a difference through your nonprofit work. But here’s…

    1 条评论
  • Got Data?

    Got Data?

    ????You've got a boatload of data--now how do you make sense of it all? Do you know the difference between an outcome…

  • Cards Anyone?

    Cards Anyone?

    Truth be told, I have never been much of a gamer. I was more of a book nerd.

    3 条评论
  • Is Evaluation Passé?

    Is Evaluation Passé?

    How do you view evaluation? Do you view it as something you HAVE to do? Or maybe you don’t find it useful. Or maybe it…

  • Best Practices for Building Stronger Communities: Deep Listening, Interactive Meetings, and More

    Best Practices for Building Stronger Communities: Deep Listening, Interactive Meetings, and More

    Are you working towards making a significant impact in your community? It is said that change takes time, and Steven…

  • Why is Evaluation So Difficult?

    Why is Evaluation So Difficult?

    One summer when I was in elementary school, my mom sent me to a summer camp. Fun fact? I have 8 brothers and sisters…

  • 3 Steps to Take Right Now to Rev Up Your Coalition Meetings

    3 Steps to Take Right Now to Rev Up Your Coalition Meetings

    Last week I attended and presented at the Georgia School of Addiction Studies. I must be honest; it touched a few…

    3 条评论
  • Are you boring your community coalition?

    Are you boring your community coalition?

    Are Your Boring Your Community Coalition? I have attended a lot of community meetings in the almost twenty years I have…

    2 条评论

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了