| Session Title: Intermediate Consulting Skills: A Self Help Fair |
| Think Tank Session 203 to be held in Capitol Ballroom Section 2 on Thursday, Nov 6, 9:15 AM to 10:45 AM |
| Sponsored by the Independent Consulting TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Maura Harrington, Southern California Center for Nonprofit Management, maura.harrington@yahoo.com |
| Discussant(s): |
| Mariam Azin, Planning, Research & Evaluation Services, mazin@presassociates.com |
| Christina Lynch, Partners in Evaluation and Planning, colynch@verizon.net |
| Courtney Malloy, Vital Research LLC, courtney@vitalresearch.com |
| Geri Lynn Peak, Two Gems Consulting Services, geri@twogemsconsulting.com |
| Dawn Hanson Smart, Clegg and Associates Inc, dsmart@cleggassociates.com |
| Victoria Straub, SPEC Associates, vstraub@specassociates.org |
| Patricia Yee, Vital Research LLC, patyee@vitalresearch.com |
| Abstract: This skill-building workshop will allow experienced independent evaluation consultants to interact with colleagues with less experience in order to demonstrate and share some of their hard-earned lessons. A series of seven Topic Tables will be set up, each with an experienced Table Leader who is prepared to share information about one consulting topic they enjoy and do well. Time is provided for participants to both ask questions and contribute their ideas. Every 15 minutes, participants will circulate to a different Topic Table. Topics include: - How much are you worth? Budgeting for staff and expertise - Contractual considerations concerning confidentiality and copyrights - How to handle the lean times; supplementing your evaluation business - How close is too close? Long term relationships with clients - The development of effective, collaborative evaluator-client relationships - Innovation on the fly: generating new ideas for evaluation from the world crucible - Streamlining your evaluation |