Canadian Evaluation Society - Ontario Chapter

The Art and Science of Producing Effective Infographics
2018-09-28 12:30 - 17:00 (America/Toronto)
Description

Data visualization as a hot topic in the evaluation world, especially in knowledge transfer activities. The interactive and multi-modal workshop will focus on a specific type of data visualization, namely infographics – artistic or graphic presentation of data to communicate insights. We will briefly orient infographics in the realm of data visualization, illustrating the different types of infographics. Then our focus will shift to the science of why we use infographics in communicating to our various audiences (clients and funders). We then venture into design theory, calling on the works of data visualization experts Bernard Marr, Stephanie Evergreen, Garr Reynolds and Edward Tufte. The bulk of the time will be aimed at specific design elements of graphics, colour, and font, which provide the visual cues to our most important element: the data. We will then put these elements together with examples, and then look at resources and tools for infographic production. The session will conclude with a short question period.
Learning objectives:
By the end of the Workshop, the participant will be able to:

Compare the different types of infographics and situate them in the greater web of data visualization
Understand the basic tenets of design theory and how the brain process and information
Identify and appraise the design elements of effective infographics
Locate and use various resources and tools for effective infographic production

In addition, this workshop aims to strengthen capacities in line with the following Competencies for Canadian Evaluation Practice:

2.8 Identify data sources
2.13 Assesses trustworthiness of data
2.16 Reports evaluation findings and results
3.5 Serves the information needs of intended users
4.6 Reports on progress and results
5.1 Uses written communication skills and technologies

About the Facilitator
Dr. A. Sidiq (Sid) Ali, CE is the Managing Director of Research & Evaluation Consulting Inc. He is one of Canada’s leaders in credentialing program development and evaluation, utilizing his psychometric and program evaluation expertise to lead high-stakes licensure and certification projects within professional governing bodies and regulators, such as the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals and the Royal Bank of Canada. Sid has been the recipient of the University of Toronto’s department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning’s Doctoral Scholarship and the National (U.S.) Science Foundation’s Evaluators’ Institute scholarship. He has earned the Credentialed Evaluator designation, authoring many evaluation and technical reports, publishing articles in magazines, Canadian and international scholarly journals, including twice in the Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation, and presenting his work at national and international conferences in the domains of education, evaluation and credentialing. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Humanities and Education, as well as a Master’s degree and Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Educational Measurement and Evaluation from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-art-and-science-of-producing-effective-infographics-tickets-48078149038.

Essential Skills Series September 2018
2018-09-10 08:30 - 2018-09-13 16:30
September 2018 Essential Skills SeriesLocation: Oakham House, Ryerson University. 63 Gould Street, Toronto ON M5B 1E9
Date: September 10-13, 2018, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Cost: CES Member: $1150 / CES Student Member: $575 / CES New Practitioner Member (Ontario only): $862.50 / Non-member: $1437.50 / Non-member student: $718.75
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and coffee breaks will be provided
Registration deadline: September 4, 2018, 12:00 PM
Registration URL: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/essential-skills-series-september-2018-tickets-47870377588
This 4-day course was developed by the Canadian Evaluation Society to provide participants with a basic understanding of the main models and practices associated with the profession of evaluation. Prior knowledge of evaluation and of social science research methods is not required. There are no examinations associated with the course, nor is there any homework. Participation in all 15 course modules entitles you to a Certificate of Completion from the Canadian Evaluation Society.
Participants will gain basic levels of knowledge, skill and appreciation with respect to the essential elements of evaluation, equipping them to enter and participate in the evaluation field and develop as evaluation professionals.
Course Competencies
Participants will be able to describe in basic terms:
• the uses and benefits of evaluation (1)
• common settings in which evaluation takes place (1)
• where evaluations and performance monitoring fit in the program cycle (1)
• underlying theories related to evaluation, and their implications (1)
• the historical and technical context in which evaluation takes place (1)
• the range of terminology used in evaluation (1)
• causes of, and responses to, resistance (4)
• potential misuses of evaluation (4)
• cultural considerations in conducting evaluations (4)
• ethical considerations with respect to evaluation (6)
• evaluation standards (6)
• evaluation as a profession (9)
• the role of CES, including the CE system (9)
• special applications of evaluation (15)
• the relevance of, and processes associated with:
o identifying evaluation objectives (2)
o identifying and engaging evaluation clients and stakeholders, and establishing roles (2)
o develop a program profile (3)
o creating evaluation questions (5) and indicators (7)
o common data collection methods (8, 10)
o creating an appropriate and valid evaluation design, including the selection of data collection methods (11)
o collecting data, including performance monitoring (12)
o data management (12)
o assessing data quality (12)
o data analysis, including cost effectiveness analysis (12)
o determining evaluation scale and budget (13)
o project management (13)
o synthesis of evidence leading to the development of conclusions and recommendations (14)
o evaluation reporting and dissemination (14)
Participants will also gain elementary experience in:
• creating logic models (3)
• developing indicators (7)
• question construction (5)
• creating an evaluation matrix (11)
• writing findings statements (12)
• creating a reporting plan (14)
About the Facilitator
John Allen has worked in the area of Program Evaluation, Performance Measurement and Strategic Planning for more than 35 years, serving on governments at the national, provincial / state and municipal levels in Canada and the United States as well as the not-for-profit sector. Before becoming a consultant John was an Ontario public servant with the Treasury Board Secretariat and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. While with Treasury Board, John implemented Ontario’s first formal performance measurement and evaluation process, Managing By Results. That system remains the conceptual framework of Ontario’s results based management initiatives to this day.
John works on client projects on his own and in partnership with Power Analysis Inc. of London, Ontario. As well as undertaking project assignments in all his areas of speciality, John also provides training on those subjects. He is a vendor of record with the provinces of Ontario, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, British Columbia, the Federal government and Nunavut Territory. He is an instructor for the Canadian Evaluation Society, the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario and the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association.
John is an instructor in public sector management topics with the University of Alberta’s School of Business, the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University and the Schulich School of Business at York University.
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/essential-skills-series-september-2018-tickets-47870377588.

Eval Cafe: OTF’s Evaluation and Measurement Hub Discussion
2018-07-24 17:00 - 19:00
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) had launched an online shared learning environment, the Knowledge Centre, to help connect Ontario’s nonprofit sector. This site includes a discussion forum, and a resource library that will grow with the sector’s engagement.
The discussion forums are centered around OTF’s six Action Areas, and two other topics currently, evaluation and measurement, and open data. OTF’s hope is that this site will be a space that can help make connections across the nonprofit sector and where people can share stories, challenges opportunities, and important resources.
As mentioned above, one of the discussion forums focuses on evaluation and measurement (Measurement Hub). Come join Stacey McDonald, the Measurement Hub’s moderator on Tuesday, July 24th to help us discuss how this space can be useful to people doing evaluative work in the nonprofit sector. OTF wants to hear from you about what types of discussions or resources would be most helpful and how such as space could help you in your work.
To help individuals with kids and/or other evening engagements attend our events, we are testing out a 5pm start time. The discussion will get started around 5:30pm, followed by time for open networking.
Light snacks will be provided courtesy of CES-ON.
Tickets: https://www.meetup.com/Evaluation-Cafe-Toronto/events/252675605/.

July 2018 Essential Skills Series
2018-07-09 08:30 - 2018-07-12 16:30
This 4-day course was developed by the Canadian Evaluation Society to provide participants with a basic understanding of the main models and practices associated with the profession of evaluation. Prior knowledge of evaluation and of social science research methods is not required. There are no examinations associated with the course, nor is there any homework. Participation in all 15 course modules entitles you to a Certificate of Completion from the Canadian Evaluation Society.
Participants will gain basic levels of knowledge, skill and appreciation with respect to the essential elements of evaluation, equipping them to enter and participate in the evaluation field and develop as evaluation professionals.
Breakfast, lunch, and coffee breaks and included in the registration fee.
Course Competencies
Participants will be able to describe in basic terms:
• the uses and benefits of evaluation (1)
• common settings in which evaluation takes place (1)
• where evaluations and performance monitoring fit in the program cycle (1)
• underlying theories related to evaluation, and their implications (1)
• the historical and technical context in which evaluation takes place (1)
• the range of terminology used in evaluation (1)
• causes of, and responses to, resistance (4)
• potential misuses of evaluation (4)
• cultural considerations in conducting evaluations (4)
• ethical considerations with respect to evaluation (6)
• evaluation standards (6)
• evaluation as a profession (9)
• the role of CES, including the CE system (9)
• special applications of evaluation (15)
• the relevance of, and processes associated with:
o identifying evaluation objectives (2)
o identifying and engaging evaluation clients and stakeholders, and establishing roles (2)
o develop a program profile (3)
o creating evaluation questions (5) and indicators (7)
o common data collection methods (8, 10)
o creating an appropriate and valid evaluation design, including the selection of data collection methods (11)
o collecting data, including performance monitoring (12)
o data management (12)
o assessing data quality (12)
o data analysis, including cost effectiveness analysis (12)
o determining evaluation scale and budget (13)
o project management (13)
o synthesis of evidence leading to the development of conclusions and recommendations (14)
o evaluation reporting and dissemination (14)
Participants will also gain elementary experience in:
• creating logic models (3)
• developing indicators (7)
• question construction (5)
• creating an evaluation matrix (11)
• writing findings statements (12)
• creating a reporting plan (14)
About the Facilitator
Dr. Keiko Kuji-Shikatani, C.E., is an internal evaluator with the Ministry of Education, infusing evaluative thinking in collaborative teams to build sector capacity for the use of evidence to inform decisions. She shares her DE expertise widely leading interministerial collaborations, evaluation capacity building for governments both in Canada and internationally, through universities, civil societies and EvalPartners.
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/july-2018-essential-skills-series-tickets-46511284504.

2018 CES Ontario AGM + Member Consultation
2018-06-19 08:30 - 12:00
Please join us for the 22nd annual CES Ontario AGM + Member Consultation! This event is open to all members of the Canadian Evaluation Society – Ontario chapter, as well as interested members of the public.
Event Agenda:
8:30 – 9:00 AM: Registration, Breakfast & Networking
9:00 – 10:00 AM: AGM
10:00 – 10:30 AM: Break & Networking Event
10:30 – 11:55 AM: CES Ontario Integrated Strategic-Operational Plan Member Consultation
11:55 – 12:00 PM: Closing Statements
Member Consultation:
Sonja Nerad from SN Management will be facilitating a session at the upcoming Annual General Meeting. The purpose of this 90-minute session is to provide members of CES-ON with an opportunity to engage in the current strategic and operational planning and inform the Board of Directors decision making process as it looks to establish its three-year priorities. In advance of the session we will share a “Backgrounder” that will set out the key issues that are facing our organization and provide the evolving context for our strategic planning. SN Management will ask members to critically reflect on the key issues and help to shape the emerging strategic plan by assessing a series of opportunities and options for strengthening the Chapter’s relevance and sustainability over the coming three to five years.
About the Consultants:
Sonja Nerad, founder and owner of SN Management is excited to be supporting the CES-ON to develop an integrated strategic and operational plan. SN Management is a fully incorporated management consulting firm established in 2011 specializing in planning, operations improvement and innovation. We use a strengths based approach grounded in principles of respect and trust to help organizations achieve tangible and practical results while building capacity for continuous learning, innovation and sustainability.
The SN Management Team includes Sonja Nerad, associate Fredrick Kreutlein and Leigh Himel, CEO, Gravity Partners, a brand strategy, marketing and communications planning firm. Together, we offer CES-on our expertise in:

Strategic and business planning
Integrated brand assessment, planning and marketing
Stakeholder engagement, consultation and change management
Organization/system review, design, development and capacity building
Full cycle program planning, evaluation, performance measurement and reporting
Partnership development, front/back office and corporate integration
Leadership coaching, mentoring and interim management.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2018-ces-ontario-agm-member-consultation-tickets-46382059990.
