Evaluation

COMPLEX THOUGHTS

A good way to make sure that your organization is on the right track is to evaluate your organization. This should take place at least once a year (more frequently if problems occur). Good times to evaluate are before officer transition and during goal setting sessions. Here are some basic staring questions:

• Are our members taking an active role in the organization?
• Is there a positive climate among group members?

Ask more specific questions which relate to your organization. Be sure to answer these questions with specific examples.

Evaluating your meetings from time to time is also important:

• Are our meetings run effectively?
• What made this meeting productive and effective?
• What made this meeting unproductive and ineffective?

MEETING EVALUATION FORM

Criteria 0 (low) to 10 (high) rating

Preparation

1. Members informed ahead of time
2. Members fully prepared for their role and contribution
3. Members committed to dealing with common issues
4. Comfortable, uninterrupted, set-up room
5. Meeting started on time
6. Clear, well-presented agenda

      

Organization

7. Agenda followed efficiently with flexibility
   
8. Focused on one issue at a time
   
9. All viewpoints of each issue fully considered before moving on
   
10. Smooth dialogue occurred throughout the meeting
    
11. Good pace maintained reflecting group momentum
    

     

Participation

12. Members actively contributed to a balanced membership
13. Members clearly presented their genuine ideas and feelings
    
14. Members listened attentively to other ideas
    
15. Members responded directly and constructively to others’ input
    
16. Spontaneous combination of creative energy and thought stimulated full disclosure
    

    

Climate

17. Spirit and emotional level of group was high
    
18. Discussion dealt with issues and their solution, not personalities and their conflicts
    
19. Individuals accepted others’ viewpoints without personal attack
    
20. Members supported the leaders as they guided the group
    
21. Disruptions and interruptions were smoothly disposed of
    

     

Closure

22. Final judgment suspended until all input tapped
    
23. A summary of the meeting’s goals was stated
24. Discussion steered effectively to consensus and then stopped
    
25. Action items clearly announced and documented
    
26. Follow-up monitoring mechanism established
    
27. Meeting ended on positive feeling and mutual understanding
    
28. Leader was consistent with meeting agenda and flow from one speaker to another
    
29. You felt the you gained something new from this meeting
    
30. Your overall opinion of the meeting, in a positive view

Remember to also ask open-ended questions and answer with examples.