Research Made Easy: Strengthening Funding Requests and Evaluation

Date: 1/29/2014
Time: 9:00 AM TO 12 Noon

#306-620 View Street
Victoria, BC V8W 1J6

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Event Description: For more information and to register, visit, http://volunteervictoria.eventbrite.ca/ The Community Social Planning Council is happy to offer: Research Made Easy: Strengthening Funding Requests and Evaluation The word “research” is loaded. For many, visions of wide-eyed graduate students or librarians dance in their heads. But fear not! Research doesn’t have to be intimidating or your life’s work. It can actually be helpful in determining the effectiveness of your programs for your clients or to help you prepare to address emerging trends in our community. And, most importantly, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming! In this hands on workshop, learn how you can use simple research methods to strengthen your funding requests, reporting and evaluation, and how to use data to understand and meet changing community needs. You’ll receive an introduction to easy to use research techniques (like surveys, focus groups and interviews) and have the opportunity to develop and practice using research tools that you can apply in your programs tomorrow. *please bring a laptop or tablet if you can for some hands-on exploration You will learn: How to use and source existing research and information to strengthen your funding applications and reporting How to use easily accessible data sources to understand key trends that effect the community and your client population How to easily incorporate research tools, like focus groups, surveys and interviews, in your programs for evaluations and reporting About what “evidence-based policy making” is and how it effects your work Who should attend: Staff and volunteers responsible for grant writing and funding applications Program managers and Executive directors Anyone with responsibility for program evaluation About the facilitators: Marika Albert Marika Albert is responsible for the Community Social Planning Council’s poverty reduction and prevention initiatives. She conducts research on housing affordability, poverty reduction and prevention strategies, and monitors and reports on socio-economic trends for BC’s Capital Region. Her skills and experience cover a wide range of research methodologies and techniques, including community development research, program evaluation, population-level health research and organizational performance measurement. Before coming to the Council, Marika worked as a Research Analyst at BC Stats and as a Research Associate for the McCreary Centre Society in addition to research consulting on a wide range of community research initiatives. She received her Masters of Arts in Sociology from Simon Fraser University in 2006. Sarah Amyot Sarah is responsible for the Community Social Planning Council’s community economic development programs. Sarah has a wealth of experience in leading CED and community development initiatives, and supporting broad-based, multi-sector collaborations. Sarah is an experienced project manager and social enterprise developer and has worked extensively as a dedicated advocate with youth, women’s and anti-poverty groups. Prior to joining the Council, she worked as the Youth Engagement Coordinator for BC Healthy Communities and as a researcher with the Canadian Social Economy Research Partnerships. Sarah holds a MA in Studies and Policy and Practice from the University of Victoria. About the venue: This workshop will be held at the Volunteer Victoria learning space. Light refreshments, baked goods and fruit will be served. Parking is most easily found at the Bay Centre underground parking or the Yates City of Victoria Parkade.


Directions:
Volunteer Victoria

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