Evaluators often focus on the effectiveness of our clients’ programs or our clients’ teams, and it can be difficult to make time to reflect and build positive cultures within our own teams. This workshop is focused on elevating your evaluation practice by starting with our internal evaluation teams. The Emergence Collective team will explain our own internal organization structure, how we organize our project teams, how we give and receive feedback, concrete project management principles, and what it looks like to consider and embed equity in our work with each other and our partners. Our team will share 3-4 specific tools (e.g. 2x2 feedback practice, biweekly meetings, internal kickoff surveys, and a culture of learning assesment) we have found helpful to walk the talk on being more effective and reflective in our team and approach to project management. We will also provide a facilitated space for collective reflection of how other Michigan evaluators are focusing on and building strong internal work cultures. We strongly believe that to do our best work for and with the field, we need to regularly take a mirror to our own practices. We’re excited to share what we’ve found successful and reflect on how to apply equitable organizational culture and project development principles to teams of multiple evaluators, evaluators working with non evaluation staff, and evaluators working with external partners.

Presenters: Mary Mattson & Ramona Perry