USDA National Facilitation of NIFA Volunteer Monitoring Efforts Website http://www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer/ XVI- Evaluating Your Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program University of Wisconsin University of Rhode Island Introduction This publication briefly explains why you should evaluate your volunteer monitoring program. It provides examples of what to evaluate, and discusses five essential steps for doing evaluation by means of a case study. Additionally, resources noted throughout the document and at the end provide considerably more information about conducting a program evaluation than can be covered here. November 2012 Fa c tshe e t XVI Jennifer Kushner, Jenna Klink, Kris Stepenuck, Ken Genskow, Elizabeth Herron and Linda Green This is the fourteenth in a series of factsheet modules which comprise the Guide for Growing Extension Volunteer Monitoring Programs, part of the National Facilitation of Extension Volunteer Monitoring Efforts project. Funded through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the purpose of this project is to build a comprehensive support system for Extension volunteer water quality monitoring efforts nationally. The goal is to expand and strengthen the capacity of existing Extension volunteer monitoring programs and support development of new groups. Please see http://www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer/ for more information. Why Evaluate? There are three primary purposes to evaluation: 1. To inform you about the state and effectiveness of your program or initiative For guidance on how to plan your program with your end goals in mind, see the Extension Volunteer Monitoring Network’s Guide for Growing Programs module “Designing Your Monitoring Strategy” http:/www. usawaterquality.org/ volunteer/pdf/GuideBook/ Designing_Your_Strategy_IV. Pdf. It can assist you in creating an evaluation plan right from the start. There is an old African proverb, “The person who aims at nothing will surely hit it.” Evaluation offers the structure to more clearly articulate what you are ‘aiming at’ and whether/how closely you ‘hit’ your target. What to Evaluate There are many different aspects of a program one can evaluate. In terms of program improvement , here are just a few examples of types of guiding questions: 1. Is the program effectively reaching those it intends to serve? 2. What aspects of the training are most engaging? Most disengaging? 3. Is the program run in a way that is cost effective and/ or sustainable? 4. To what degree is the program successful in achieving its goals? 2. To provide information that can be used to evolve, refine or improve your efforts, and 3. To collect evidence of progress toward, or achievement of, intended outcomes in order to communicate the impact of your project When you evaluate, you show what you have accomplished, which is important both in terms of accountability and making the case for future funding.