98 - Rapport-building as requisite to understanding the assets and needs to complete the needs assessment

Abstract Information: While needs and asset assessments are an important precursor to evaluation, soliciting the perspectives of various individuals in the process is critical to understanding the needs and assets of the entity. This is particularly true in the case of entities that have never been the focus of internal evaluation efforts. This poster highlights important learnings for creating and maintaining rapport during the needs and asset assessment process derived from the completion of a department-focused needs and asset assessment using a critical, transformative lens. Understanding the ontology, epistemologies, and values of yourself as an evaluator and the social context of the evaluand -including power dynamics- are important considerations that can support or inhibit the rapport-building process. The presenter will discuss various aspects of rapport building, including negotiating access to the organization, understanding the interests of various evaluation stakeholders, and sharing collected data in a way that prevents harm and amplifies and empowers the voices of stakeholders who are traditionally marginalized. This presentation is targeted across the evaluator-experience spectrum, from novice to expert. keywords: rapport building, evaluator values, needs and asset assessment, evaluation lens keywords: