Complex Thoughts

Evaluation

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 questions with which to start:

• 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?

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EVALUATIONS, CHECK OUT THE COMPLEX RESOURCE FILE AND THE ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS RESOURCE LIBRARY. 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

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

CLIMATE

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

CLOSURE

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

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

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