Evaluating For Success!
by Family Councils Ontario
So far in 'Back to Basics' Month we've discussed the definition and benefits of a Family Council, turning goals into action, and dividing the work to meet your goals. This week we're going to turn our focus to how we know we're on the right path: evaluating how your Family Council is working. Sometimes Family Council members don't see the importance of evaluating their meetings, activities or structure. Evaluating can help determine if your Council is effective and meeting the needs of its members.
What are some of the specific reasons to evaluate how your Council is working?
- To ensure members needs are being met
- To ensure that you are on track meeting your mission/purpose statement and goals
- To reassess your organizational structures including your Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct
- To identify what can help make your Council more effective based on past experiences
- To celebrate and recognize the strengths/resources/successes within the Council and its activities
When should you evaluate?
- On a regular basis or whenever the needs to evaluate is expressed
- If membership is down and there are concerns about the Council continuing
- After a challenging or unexpected experience
- At least annually for a formal evaluation
- After the completion of a large project, activity or initiative
What do you evaluate?
- Council organization and leadership structure (Terms of Reference, Code of Conduct, nomination and election processes)
- Member participation (does each member have a role to play in the Council? Do people speak openly and freely? Do members feel respected and valued?)
- Administration and staff participation/relationships (does your Council have a strong, effective, respectful relationship with the Home's staff and administration? Is your Council satisfied with administration/staff participation/attendance at meetings?)
- Constructive Council involvement in the Home (does your Council's work benefit all residents, families and staff? Are your activities, projects and initiatives successful and well-received?)
How do you evaluate?
- Complete a Family Council Self-Evaluation Questionnaire annually (see our Resources section for a sample)
- Use a Kleenex box or other container for anonymous suggestions that are read out on a regular basis
- Pair and share, then report to the whole Council at a Council meeting
- Discuss as a Council and use a flipchart to record and review feedback
- Review previous evaluations when the next evaluation is done to see how the feedback has been incorporated
- Check in informally regularly; ask 'how was this meeting for everyone?' or 'does anyone have any feedback to share?'
Checking in with your members and evaluating regularly will help to ensure that members' needs are met and that your Council is on the right track. There is no perfect model for all Family Councils. The most important measure of your Council's success is how you feel about your Family Council!