At Better Serving Diverse Communities with Evaluation, 78 attendees (including 18 presenters) gathered in Albuquerque to explore opportunities, experiences, and learning related to evaluation practice with diverse communities.
Sessions highlighted local evaluation skills, knowledge, and perspectives; and featured:
1) An Opening Keynote Panel, "What Do We Mean By Evaluation?"
2) Small Group Discussions
3) Multiple Breakout Sessions, and
4) A Closing Panel Discussion, "Evaluation for Learning: Funder and Grantee Perspectives"
Included here are photos, reflections, and resources from the day. Huge thanks to all the presenters who generously shared materials, and to everyone who participated in this day of learning and networking!
1) Opening Panel, "What Do We Mean By Evaluation?"
- Mark Friedman shared an introduction to Results-Based AccountabilityTM. For more information, see Mark's presentation, RBA Overview flyer, and session handout. Additional resources about RBA are available here
- Laura Chanchien Parajón shared her experience applying Community Based Participatory Research to public health initiatives in Nicaragua
- Teri Wimborne provided an overview of Collective Impact and how it's being used by Mission:Graduate in Central New Mexico to "move the needle" on graduation rates
- Sonia Bettez facilitated a summary discussion with panelists, and received questions for panelists from the audience
2) Small Group Discussions
In small table groups of 4 - 8 people, participants engaged in reflection discussions following the Opening Panel. To help "kick-start" conversations, four conversation prompts were provided:
- What experience do you have using these approaches?
- What challenges do you foresee with using them?
- What opportunities do you have to apply these approaches?
- What other evaluation approaches have you used in working with diverse communities?
3) Breakout Sessions focused on sharing practical evaluation skills and tools:
- Christina Brigance and Amy Muchna shared an overview of a handful of online reporting and data visualization tools that they've used in their work. Their presentation is available here
- In a workshop that focused on learning-by-doing, Ian Esquibel introduced inclusive facilitation tools and techniques
- Terry Schleder's presentation examined the intersections between public health and evaluation practices; and shared methods and resources for evaluators working in fields both inside and outside public health
- Megan Dunn Davison and Ruth Juárez presented an overview of and hands-on exploration of Tableau, an online data visualization tool
- Participants in Kay Bounkeua's session worked in small groups to create collages that responded to the question, "How does health show up in our communities?" Collages were shared out to the whole group, while key themes were identified and coded in real time
- Mohammed Alkwaz, Sara Deewa, Sarah Hogan, and Danielle Parker of UNM's Refugee Well-being Project shared how their program uses Community Based Participatory Research
4) Closing Panel
- Mariah Heredia-Griego, Evaluation Consultant and Harold M. Walters, Program and Evaluation Officer - both with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation - and Renée Goldtooth-Halwood, Evaluation Specialist with the Notah Begay III Foundation shared their perspectives on how funders, grantees, and evaluators can work together to engage participants and community members in evaluation and learning practices that are meaningful, relevant; and that honor diverse values and experiences