1007 - Beyond Intent: Transformative Strategies for Effectively Engaging Communities

Abstract Information: Community engagement is an essential component of impactful social change, yet many efforts fall short due to a lack of understanding, misalignment of goals, and unaddressed barriers that hinder meaningful interaction and collaboration. Recognizing these challenges, our workshop is structured to provide a comprehensive framework for participants to critically examine their own engagement practices, understand the nuanced needs of communities, and develop strategies that are both responsive and respectful of those needs. Through a blend of interactive exercises, reflective practices, and evidence-based strategies, this workshop goes beyond the superficial layers of engagement to uncover the root causes of disconnection and misunderstanding.

Upon completion, participants will possess a deep understanding of the principles underpinning successful community engagement, including transparency, trust, and mutual benefit. They will be equipped to conduct self-assessments and organizational reflections to recognize and mitigate biases and privileges that may impact their engagement efforts. Moreover, attendees will learn to identify and navigate barriers to engagement, utilizing practical tools such as asset and ecosystem mapping and decision trees to foster empathy, inclusivity, and measure readiness and accessibility. Participants will gain insights from facilitators who double as active members of their communities and subject-matter experts, integrating these perspectives into practical advice for early evaluators, community organizations, and anyone struggling to introduce themselves to communities. Content will challenge attendees to conceptualize an engagement process that starts with self-assessment and leads to a prioritization community needs and voices. By focusing on the challenges that make community engagement difficult, "Beyond Intent" offers a path towards more impactful, sustainable, and meaningful connections.

This workshop promises to bring a fresh perspective to evaluation methods and practice, challenging the status quo and advocating for a paradigm shift towards methods that are more reflective of and responsive to the needs and realities of diverse communities. By prioritizing community engagement as a central component of community efforts, it adds a critical dimension to the discourse on how evaluative work can be conducted in a manner that truly amplifies and empowers community voices. This shift is not merely theoretical but has practical implications for how evaluations are designed, implemented, and utilized, paving the way for a more equitable and impactful practice. For the audience, particularly younger and newer evaluators, this workshop is not just a learning opportunity but a call to action. We invite you to be at the forefront of driving change within the evaluation field, armed with innovative strategies and a deep commitment to ethical and participatory practice. The workshop will inherently reinforce standards of quality in evaluation practice, including credibility, transparency, inclusion, self-reflection and positionality, by ensuring that these standards are met not just in theory, but during the workshop itself.