| Session Title: When Community Passions and Personal Callings Meet Empiricism: Exploring the Interpersonal Side of Program Evaluation Policy Shifts |
| Demonstration Session 806 to be held in Centennial Section E on Saturday, Nov 8, 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM |
| Sponsored by the Independent Consulting TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Michael Lyde, Lyde and Associates, drlyde@charter.net |
| Abstract: A community-based agency has a rich history of effecting positive change in the lives of its clients. One critical element missing from this history is a catalog of formal evaluation reports that provide a counterpoint to the many testimonials and other qualitative evidence of the agency's effectiveness. A new program evaluation team is contracted and takes numerous steps to remedy the evaluation limitations of this agency and they live happily ever after, right? Perhaps, but some of the underlying work (i.e., relationship building, empowering agency staff, etc.) is the focus of this demonstration session. Inherent in any paradigm shift is the clash of philosophies and resistance to change. This demonstration will provide a forum for the presentation, exchange, and refinement of strategies that professional evaluators can utilize to overcome these challenges. |