Evaluating Engagement: Exploring Principles-Focused Evaluation

Join us for the 4th installment in the Skillful Engagement Series to learn with world-renowned author, evaluation consultant and thought leader Michael Quinn Patton. Michael will share insights from his most recent work and thinking on Principles-Focused Evaluation, which examines whether principles are clear, meaningful, and actionable, whether they are actually being followed, and whether they are leading to desired results.

As engagement practitioners, we’re often involved in planning and implementing principles-based programs and initiatives, and we know how inspirational it can be to articulate principles and dig deeply into their meaning, adherence, and consequences. We also often take as a given that strong engagement with communities, organizations and stakeholders leads to better decisions and stronger, more resilient outcomes – but many of us struggle with how to actually assess and evaluate how effective our work is.This interactive session will include opportunities to apply a principles-focused evaluation lens to your innovative engagement work.

Please bring examples of any principles that your organization has articulated and be prepared to share them and work with them — Michael will lead the group through activities and worksheets from his forthcoming book.

Skillful Engagement is a community of practice for engagement practitioners. The series showcases innovative projects and speakers, provides a forum to share knowledge and challenges, and acts as a catalyst to inspire and support the growing engagement sector. This work reflects a shared understanding that improved engagement of communities, organizations and stakeholders leads to better decisions and stronger, more resilient outcomes.

The Skillful Engagement Series is a partnership between SFU Continuing Studies, SFU Public Square, and SFU Centre for Dialogue Civic Engage Program.

Facilitators: Shanthi Besso and Jenna Dunsby