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Session Title: Learning How to Start and Succeed as an Independent Evaluation Consultant
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Panel Session 807 to be held in International Ballroom E on Saturday, November 10, 1:50 PM to 3:20 PM
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Sponsored by the Independent Consulting TIG
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| Chair(s): |
| Jennifer Williams,
J E Williams and Associates LLC,
jew722@zoomtown.com
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| Discussant(s):
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| Michael Hendricks,
Independent Consultant,
mikehendri@aol.com
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| Abstract:
Veteran Independent Consultants will share their professional insights on starting and maintaining an Independent Evaluation Consulting business. Panelists will describe ways of building and maintaining client relationships, and share their expertise related to initial business set-up and lessons they have learned. Discussions will include the pros and cons of having an independent consulting business, the various types of business structures, methods of contracting and fee setting, as well as the personal decisions that impact on having your own business. They will examine some consequences of evaluation in the context of conducting independent consulting in diverse settings. The session will include ample time for audience members to pose specific questions to the panelists.
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Evaluation of National Evaluation Programs: A Partnership Perspective
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| Amy Germuth,
Compass Consulting Group,
agermuth@mindspring.com
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Dr. Germuth is an experienced teacher and school administrator with expertise evaluating PreK-12 and reform initiatives as well as business/industry collaboratives.
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Learning to Grow and Direct a Small Business in the Field of Educational Evaluation
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| Kathleen Haynie,
Kathleen Haynie Consulting,
kchaynie@stanfordalumni.org
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Dr. Haynie, Director of Kathleen Haynie Consulting, has been an evaluation consultant since 2002. Her current projects span the field of science education: early childhood, K-12, learning, teaching, and assessment. She will discuss the "growing pains" of a developing business - bringing in projects; balancing workloads and priorities; hiring staff; budgeting; communicating with universities, school districts, and corporations; developing new business under time constraints.
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Learning From Reflections of 30 Years of Evaluation Experience
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| Mary Ann Scheirer,
Scheirer Consulting,
maryann@scheirerconsulting.com
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Dr. Scheirer has been an evaluator for 3 decades, working in a variety of settings including higher education, government agencies, large consulting firms, and now, Independent Consulting. Her presentation will focus on her current evaluation of several projects funded by the same local foundation.
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International Evaluation Consulting: Learning From one Woman's Perspective
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| Tristi Nichols,
Manitou Inc,
tnichols@manitouinc.com
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Dr. Nichols is a program evaluator with a sole proprietorship consulting business, and concentrates primarily on international issues. Her reflections about consulting, international travel and the types of decisions she makes (which take into account her family) will be of interest to novice, veteran, or aspiring independent consultants.
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| Jennifer Williams,
J E Williams and Associates LLC,
jew722@zoomtown.com
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Jennifer E. Williams Ed.D., is President and Lead Consultant of J. E. Williams and Associates, an adjunct professor, licensed counselor, and Independent Consultant. She has extensive experience conducting education, social and market research and program evaluation. Her research agenda includes cultural sensitivity in all professional practice, business/economic inclusion, and abuse education, prevention and intervention (substance abuse, sex abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, school/workplace violence, etc.). She will share lessons learned when she transitioned from employee to independent consultant and gained a contract from the former employer.
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