APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY
In consultation with alumni, current students, and evaluation experts, Nourish International will design a program to support alumni in traveling to past project sites. Nourish International will design the tools and train the participating alumni to conduct evaluations in accordance with the SOCAT method. Alumni will apply to participate in the program and will be selected based on their skills and experiences. When possible Nourish International will select alumni to return to communities they've worked in before. Nourish International will train the alumni participants during the 2 months before departure.
IMPLEMENTATION, TIMELINE, AND DELIVERABLES
Nourish International plans to design this program by June 2012. They aim to pilot the program with one alumnus during summer 2012 and possibly have a staff member conduct a second round pilot. Nourish International will provide support for travel arrangements, evaluation trainings, tools for conducting evaluations, and results on the impact of their past projects. Nourish International will work with UNC Gillings School of Public Health, MEASURE Evaluation and IntraHealth in designing this program.
Alumni volunteers will be trained in evaluation methodology, quantitative and qualitative measurements to effectively work with community members to evaluate past projects. Through this program Nourish International will engage 6 alumni and evaluate 6 projects in the first 2 years.
This program will address two strategic issues. First, Nourish International currently engages students throughout their college career but has few opportunities for involvement post-graduation. Second, Nourish International is constantly seeking to evaluate the impact of their international development projects but is limited by staffing and location. Nourish International will create a program to engage their alumni in measuring Nourish International's social return abroad.
SEEKING: Financial Resources, Best Practice Information
For the Alumni Project Evaluation Initiative, Nourish International will need financial resources to support the staff time in designing the program and the alumni traveling costs. They are seeking to learn more about best practices from others conducting evaluations, particularly first-hand via trained volunteers.
OFFERING: Best Practice Information, Media/Marketing Opportunities
Nourish International has experience designing evaluations and training students. They have a network of current students and alumni who would be interested in participating in and promoting this program.
