Your
group will need to evaluate both projects and processes if you wish
to improve your effectiveness and stay on track. Unfortunately, many
grassroots groups rarely evaluate either.
Don't
evaluate when trying to create
Avoid evaluating and criticizing when trying to generate ideas. If you
are facilitating a meeting, prohibit criticism when the group is brainstorming.
Make
honest evaluation part of your group's culture
Make a habit of asking what worked and what could be better for both
actions, and projects. Consider a round to evaluate group process at
the end of meetings.
If you don't ask for honest feedback, you won't get it. Unhappy people
will simply drop out. To get the most honest feedback, make responses
anonymous, and obtain responses from people outside your immediate group.
Check
on benefits to members
At the end of actions ask participants about benefits. Did you learn
anything? Did you have too little or too much to do? Did you have any
fun? Did you feel part of the group?
Compare
results with objectives
Is there a gap between what is happening and what you want to happen?
If there is a persistent gap, you might consider getting help from a
professional organizer. Another way of dealing with a persistent gap
is to revise your objectives.
Get
people involved! ->
Community
Organizing
The
Citizen's Handbook:
A Guide to Building Community in Vancouver
© Charles Dobson / Vancouver Citizen's Committee
