Capacity Building Int./ Watershed Network Meetings

Capacity Building Grants Program

Program Evaluation Training  * January 9 – 10, 2008

Nearly 50 participants from the groups participating in the Capacity Building Initiative convened at Northbay Adventure Center in North East, MD for a comprehensive training on Program Evaluation.  OMG Center for Collaborative Learning provided the training and facilitated very constructive work sessions with participants to help integrate evaluation into their organizational decision making. Training topics included why evaluation is important, developing a Theory of Change for your organization and/or programs, designing and implementing evaluation tools and putting the results to work for you!

   Copies of the presentations are included below:

Theory of Change PP

Why Does Evaluation Matter PP

Putting Evaluation to Work for You PP

Outcomes & Indicators PP

Method Selection PP

Evaluating Advocacy PP

 

Capacity Building Initiative Kickoff Proceedings

The Chesapeake Bay Funders Network hosted the first meeting of the Watershed Network on June 27 & 28th at the Rockwood Manor in Carderock, MD.  Watershed organizations and Riverkeepers from Maryland and Virginia met for two days to review the results of their organizational assessments, learn about new strategies in organizational capacity building and evaluation, and to meet and learn from other groups in the watershed who protect and restore local streams and rivers.

Highlights of the Kickoff event include:

- Presentation on the Evaluation and the Role of Organizational Learning with Jared Raynor of the TCC Group
- Presentation on the Capacity Building Initiative grant program and opportunity to learn more about individual organization's online assessment scores
- Open Dialogue and Listening Session with the Jeff Lape of the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program
- Workshop with Cindy Schwartz of the League of Conservation Voters and a federal policy update with Pat Stuntz of the Chesapeake Bay Commission
- Interactive break out sessions and networking opportunities with Fran Flanigan and Terry Cummings of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Power Point presentations and handouts are provided below:

Program Agenda                              

CBI Recommendations Summary presented by Jamie Baxter with the Chesapeake Bay Trust              

CBI Evaluation Plan Overview presented by Jamie Baxter with the Chesapeake Bay Trust

Organizational Learning and the Role of Program Evaluation and the handout of the Four Core Capacity Description presented by Jared Raynor with the TCC Group

Beyond Politics Training presented by Cindy Schwartz with the League of Conservation Voters

Capacity Building Initiative Timeline presented by Kerri Bentkowski with the Chesapeake Bay Trust

For more information on the Capacity Building Initiative or the Chesapeake Watershed Network, contact Jamie Baxter or Kerri Bentkowski at (410) 974-2941.