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Session Title: Where You Stand Depends on Where You Sit: How Evaluators' Roles Influence Evaluation Capacity Building
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Panel Session 841 to be held in Panzacola Section H4 on Saturday, Nov 14, 1:40 PM to 3:10 PM
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Sponsored by the Non-profit and Foundations Evaluation TIG
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| Chair(s): |
| Johanna Gladfelter Morariu, Innovation Network Inc, jmorariu@innonet.org
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| Abstract:
Evaluation capacity building is a well-researched topic; a recent Google search turned up more than 2 million page hits. The prevailing familiarity of the field with evaluation capacity building ("ECB") has led us to overlook the effect evaluator role has on ECB approaches and goals. This panel will explore how three different types of evaluator roles, an evaluator within a nonprofit that both operates and funds programs; an evaluator within a multiservice nonprofit organization; and an evaluation consultant, affect the panelists' ECB approaches and goals. Each panelist will present on their organization's evaluation philosophy, reflect on their experiences with building evaluation capacity, and summarize what he/she has found to be effective. The panelists will highlight those aspects of their organizational context that have either supported or hindered ECB efforts. After the panelists present, they look forward to a lively exchange with the audience.
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Different Approaches for Building Internal Evaluation Capacity
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| Lester Baxter, Pew Charitable Trusts, lbaxter@pewtrusts.org
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Les Baxter is director of the Planning and Evaluation (P&E) program at The Pew Charitable Trusts, a national nonprofit with primary offices in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. P&E views evaluation as a fundamental part of a larger organizational strategy designed to advance Pew's mission. Les will discuss the objective of evaluation at his organization and the primary roles that evaluation plays. He will identify the many effective approaches that P&E has used to strengthen evaluation capacity at Pew, from developing formal policies to focusing on the importance of informal human interactions. Les will also summarize the challenges inherent in building evaluation capacity in an organizational environment with multiple clients, diverse programs, and different levels of support for the evaluation enterprise.
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Improving Nonprofit Service Delivery Through In-house Evaluation
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| Isaac Castillo, Latin American Youth Center, isaac@layc-dc.org
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The Latin American Youth Center (LAYC), a multi-service nonprofit organization located in Washington, DC, has received national recognition for its ability to document the effectiveness of their services and modify programming based on findings. LAYC maintains an in-house team of three full-time employees devoted to data collection and evaluation for the organization.
LAYC's Director of Learning and Evaluation, Isaac Castillo, will share his expertise on the culture change that took place at LAYC which led to data-based decision making using evaluation results. He will also share thoughts on the importance of staff-led evaluation efforts intended to improve services for clients.
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An Evaluation Consultant's Approach, Experiences, and Lessons With Evaluation Capacity Building
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| Johanna Gladfelter Morariu, Innovation Network Inc, jmorariu@innonet.org
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Johanna Gladfelter Morariu is an evaluator with Innovation Network (www.innonet.org), a nonprofit evaluation consulting firm that works to increase the evaluation capacity of the nonprofit sector. Evaluation capacity building ("ECB") is at the heart of Innovation Network's mission, free tools and resources, and consulting projects. Johanna works with many organizations to increase evaluation capacity: increased evaluation capacity is the end goal in some projects, and in other projects increased evaluation capacity is but one component. She will discuss how she has moved beyond being seen as an "outsider" with consulting clients to being a trusted, valued team member. In this session Johanna will draw on a variety of projects to illustrate approaches, experiences, and lessons from the perspective of an evaluation consultant.
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