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Deborah, I read your question and thought you would benefit from 2 resources available at the Donor's Forum website. One is an annual board questionnaire; the other is a self-assessment for board members to complete.
Here are the links to the docs:
http://www.donorsforum.org/s_donorsforum/bin.asp?CID=11898&DID=26897&DOC=FILE.DOC
I was looking for information on board evaluation and came across your 2009 program (see below. If possible, could you share the information that was presented at this program. Thanks.
Evaluation in the nonprofit sector can be a challenge. Nonprofits typically have fewer staff, a dedication toward delivering services (fulfilling the mission) instead of conducting evaluation, and are typically not trained in evaluation. Yet these same challenges can strengthen evaluation in nonprofits. We are dedicated toward our missions! We want to prove that we are indeed fulfilling our mission and evaluation is how we can do that. We are are versatile and willing to do what is needed to accomplish the mission. Given the right training, nonprofits can tell their story through some basic nonprofit evaluation techniques.
The Nonprofit Evaluation Convening was held on September 22, 2009, with Dr. Tosha Cantrell-Bruce from the Department of Public Administration at University of Illinois at Springfield. Dr. Cantrell-Bruce provided an overview of different evaluation methods. The convening focused on the application of these methods by nonprofits. We discussed how specific nonprofit characteristics such as board governance and volunteerism is related to evaluation. Dr. Cantrell-Bruce has offered to provide more detailed meetings focusing on specific evaluation methods if requested.
The evaluation forum provides an ongoing discussion about content covered in the training. You can also request a copy of the presentation by e-mailing Dr. Cantrell-Bruce at University of Illinois at Springfield.
I will be attending an evaluation conference next week. In particular, I am interested in sharing resources I learn from Kathryn Newcomer and her session on nonprofit evaluation. Check back the week of June 21 for my notes from the following workshop:
Using Program Evaluation to Improve Nonprofit Outcomes
Funders, communities, and service recipients themselves ask that nonprofits show results and demonstrate progress towards service goals. Yet, identifying, measuring, and reporting on service outcomes in ways that attend to the multiple stakeholders involved can be a challenging task. This workshop will help evaluators, program officers, and program administrators working in the nonprofit sector by providing an overview of the practice of outcomes assessment tailored to the nonprofit context. Attendees at the session will:
*Learn what/who drives program evaluation and outcomes assessment in nonprofit service providers,
*Explore uses of performance data in the nonprofit sector,
*Discuss challenges to measurement of social service program outcomes, and
*Develop strategies for making measurement decisions.
Many resources exist to assist nonprofits in evaluating their programs, board, or overall impact. Check this group often to find out what resources you may be able to use.
