36 - Data-Powered Storytelling for Coalitions

Abstract Information: Effective coalitions and collaboratives use data to tell a compelling story that engages their community and communicates their results. This interactive, participative workshop will help evaluators: 1) apply a participative and community empowered approach to evaluation; 2) use data to develop action plans; and 3) assist coalitions with interpreting and using data to tell their story. Woven throughout each topic will be guidelines to incorporate cultural humility, equitable evaluation, and anti-racism. The presenters will use a combination of large and small group discussions and exercises, individual reflections, think-pair-share activities, and minimal lecture.

Relevance Statement: Many evaluators work with coalitions and collaborative groups. Coalitions and collaborative members can benefit and be more effective in their work if they have the capacity to use data for planning, to gather data to evaluate their processes and outcomes, and if they can use the data to share their successes within their communities and beyond. Evaluators can benefit from learning methods to engage with coalitions and collaboratives to develop action and evaluation plans and then to interpret their data to tell their story. Engagement in this collaborative process between coalition members and evaluators helps to build trust, and informs the evaluation so it is more culturally and contextually relevant. Strengthening evaluators' ability to engage in such participatory practice is consistent with all of the AEA Evaluator Competencies and Guiding Principles. The result will be higher quality, more useful and relevant, culturally equitable evaluations.