By Priya Small on May 11, 2013
Evaluation experts often define evaluation as a systematic endeavor. Recently I have been considering what this really means. How do we carry out a more systematic evaluation? How do we translate this into practice? Aim for Consistency Aim for consistency in data collection efforts. Data should be collected the same way every time. How [...]
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By Marion Conway on April 23, 2013
The Nonprofit Finance Fund has released their 2013 State of the Nonprofit Sector report. This is the fifth year for this large and comprehensive study. Almost 6000 organizations responded to the survey. The report includes an online analyzer which enables you to analyze data by state, sector, size, and low income communities. Be sure to check out this aspect of the report.
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By Priya Small on March 25, 2013
A focus group is a moderated group discussion that focuses on particular topics of interest. Moderators lead focus groups and usually follow a discussion guide of open-ended questions. Here are some tips for planning for focus groups in program evaluation, gleaned from my reading of Richard A. Krueger’s and Mary Anne Casey’s excellent book, Focus [...]
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By Marion Conway on March 11, 2013
Mentoring doesn’t have to be based on tutoring, leadership development, careers or some other focused goal. I do and like that kind of mentoring too. But this bonding with girls that I have so much in common with and yet have differences with has something so special about it. I can’t find the few words to capture it. But we cross generations, cultures and economics and explore our common experience. They are interested in our past and we are interested in their future. Colleges and careers enter into easy conversation – not formal counseling.
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By Marion Conway on February 25, 2013
Boards – In the last few years there has been a great deal of progress with governance – even for small organizations. Board members are taking this responsibility much more seriously and this is good news. Now what is also happening is that Boards are beginning to wake up to their responsibility for financial management and fundraising. They are connecting the dots…if you approve a budget you also need to ensure that the revenue is there to support that budget. And Behold! That often requires fundraising.
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By Priya Small on February 7, 2013
I remember, as a child, dutifully memorizing the life-cycles of frogs and butterflies. Now as an evaluator, I find myself participating in a work-related life-cycle of sorts too, though no need of painstaking memorization here: Evaluation Planning –>Negotiating the plan –> Conducting the evaluation (negotiating this) –>Reporting –>Planning of future evaluations…–>(and the cycle continues) While [...]
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By Priya Small on January 19, 2013
“It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson This post is part 2 in a series of posts dedicated to the committed stakeholders I’ve worked with over the past year, who continue to inspire me to follow [...]
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By Marion Conway on January 16, 2013
A common situation in small organizations is this: the finance department consists of a bookkeeper, the executive director’s background is as a program manager and there are no accountants on the Board. Many of these organizations are continually at the edge of a fiscal cliff and deal with ongoing crisis with staff cutbacks or skimping in other ways that actually hurt the organization. Even small nonprofits need to have a sound financial strategy.
Some action steps should include:
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By Priya Small on December 24, 2012
“It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson This post is dedicated to the committed stakeholders I’ve worked with over the past year, who continue to inspire me to follow their example of helping others. The season [...]
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By Priya Small on November 30, 2012
A warm thanks to all who’ve reached out since the start of this blog. I began this series of posts thinking of a couple of my readers who consider themselves relatively new to evaluation. But regardless of whether we’re newer, seasoned or somewhere in between, isn’t there always something new to learn? This is why [...]
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Marion is a popular facilitator of workshops and Board retreats. Her expertise includes strategic planning, board development, governance and harnessing the power of technology. [Read more ...]
Priya Small has extensive experience in collaborative evaluation planning, instrument design, data collection, and grant writing and facilitation.