Preparing the Groundwork
for Evaluation

1.4 Promote a pro-evaluation attitude

Stakeholders may agree on the type and purpose of an evaluation and still do so without any measure of enthusiasm or commitment.

Understand the role of volunteers and staff in evaluation

"Do an attitude check - look at evaluation not as a chore or burden or something to be afraid of, but as a learning opportunity and a chance to analyze your program and its effectiveness and make changes to improve it."
– Doris Martin, Family Services Program Director
House of Friendship, Kitchener, Ontario.

Potential volunteer and staff concerns

• evaluation may be potentially threatening to volunteers and staff
• time and paper work for little value
• irrelevant to daily needs and routines
• imposed from above or outside
• not responsive to staff/volunteer concerns or input

Potential remedies

Start with an inclusive evaluation planning process

• staff and volunteers are more likely to understand the value of evaluation, treat it seriously and feel more comfortable

Consider an outcomes evaluation as a mutual search for knowledge and understanding about how best to help participants.

Value the role of volunteers and staff in conducting the evaluation

• as a continuation of volunteers’ and staff desires to help youth through their involvement
• volunteers are vital to evaluation as a program’s eyes and ears
• Include evaluation as a priority in training, manuals and briefings
• encourage volunteers to think about what they see and do in the program and communicate their thoughts
• stress the need for reliable observations, interviews and records as the foundation of evaluation

Listen to staff concerns

• be aware of staff and volunteer needs
• build in sufficient time for consistent, specific record-keeping and feedback sessions into schedules
• monitor and attend to problems
• create regular opportunities for communication so volunteers know their observations are expected and valued