National Community Literacy Leadership Conference

1
National Community Literacy Leadership Conference
Read, Rattle Roll

• Conference Session Evaluation
• March 2008

2
Pre-Conference Session Evaluation
Percent
Session Rating
3
Pre-Conference SessionWhat was the most
interesting and informative part of the session
for you?
Summary of comments

• Slides that demonstrated financial implications
  of addressing literacy.
• Ideas for indicators to track.
• Books to use as guides in evaluation efforts.
• Information on specific strategies to use
  (depending on what your coalition is
  evaluating).
• Learning about different measurements that are
  reportable.
• The how part, including the graphs and
  discussion about financial impact.
• Types of evaluations.
• Importance of process.
• Identifying the many different pieces of data
  that can be collected relatively easily.
• The 2 exercises we did he really made his
  point.
• The style of the group activities.

Evaluating Your Coalitions Impact
4
Pre-Conference SessionWhat part of the session
would you have done differently?
Summary of comments

• Get to the coalition evaluation questions
  earlierwe are ready for that!
• More cost/benefit ratio.
• Unified systems for measuring/benchmarking
  across coalitions continuums (with national
  support).
• More depth.
• Nothing- it was great!
• More time spent on the how, with less time
  spent on the what.
• Maybe a larger room would have been nicer.

Evaluating Your Coalitions Impact
5
Pre-Conference SessionOther comments or
suggestions
Summary of comments

• More emphasis on what to do with the data, or
  how best to collect data.
• This was excellent!
• More time to share/hear ideas of specific
  measures used by others, as well as lessons
  learned in evaluation pitfalls and successes.
• More, deeper, more.

Evaluating Your Coalitions Impact
6
Pre-Conference SessionWhat was the most
interesting and informative part of the session
for you?
Summary of comments

• She shared her experience gave me ideas about
  the possibilities for this issue area.
• Learning what others are doing and where to
  start.
• Hands on.
• Resources links, articles, publications, etc.

Health Literacy
7
Pre-Conference SessionWhat part of the session
would you have done differently?
Summary of comments

• Practical application examples.
• More hands on, brainstorming and activities.
• Maybe a case study showing steps of how to
  build partnerships.
• More time for peer sharing.

Health Literacy
8
Pre-Conference SessionOther comments or
suggestions
Summary of comments

• A take-away.
• Great emphasis on what works in NY may not be
  the model for everyone.
• Great at achieving what she set out to do.
• Please provide copies of slides/powerpoint.
• Give opportunity for participants to write down
  questions and speaker respond either via email
  and/or chatroom.
• Potential agenda.
• Thank you!

Health Literacy
9
Pre-Conference SessionWhat was the most
interesting and informative part of the session
for you?
Summary of comments

• All the information was new to me and the
  group.
• There is not just one model.
• Stages of development.
• Community literacy plan.
• Learning what is possible.
• Learning what other coalitions are doing, how
  they got started and how theyre maintaining.
• Learning that so many coalitions have faced
  resistance.
• Learning that providers other than adult
  literacy agencies should be part of a coalition.
• Level of emerging infusion of community.

Tool Kit for New Emerging Coalitions
10
Pre-Conference SessionWhat part of the session
would you have done differently?
Summary of comments

• Terrific and very well put together Margaret
  and Gail were a great team and did an effective
  job there is nothing I would have done
  differently.
• Shorten the time.
• The picture activities were not as helpful,
  but the discussion was.
• More discussion on how to create and implement a
  community literacy plan.
• Since I came with a group I wanted more time to
  huddle with them (but understand this wouldnt
  have been appropriate).

Tool Kit for New Emerging Coalitions
11
Pre-Conference SessionOther comments or
suggestions
Summary of comments

• Very good stuff!
• Handouts of the power point presentation.
• More QA time.
• It was very helpful to be taken through the
  stages of coalition development and leadership,
  and to see how important it is for leadership to
  come from those other than literacy providers.
• The service infusion and funding infusion
  information was important.
• This was one of the BEST workshops I have ever
  attended at a conference!
• Margaret Doughty is wonderful.
• Break up the first day into sessions.

Tool Kit for New Emerging Coalitions
12
Pre-Conference SessionWhat was the most
interesting and informative part of the session
for you?
Summary of comments

• Hearing from the panels expertise-Joanne was
  very knowledgeable. Nice approach.
• Hearing from others.
• Table discussion among participants.

The Currency of Community
13
Pre-Conference SessionWhat part of the session
would you have done differently?
Summary of comments

• Shorter, or a break in the middle.
• Shorter time frame 3.5 hours wouldve been
  enough time.
• Group participants according to specific
  literacy focus (adult, ESL, etc.). One
  facilitators fixation with poverty and
  unemployed didnt fit what our focus is.

The Currency of Community
14
Pre-Conference SessionOther comments or
suggestions
Summary of comments

• Workforce specific session with business and
  corporate representatives.
• The schedule shouldve been 9-3 every day with
  time out at night to mingle 7-9pm.

The Currency of Community
15
Opening Session Dr. Shirley Raines
Percent
Session Rating
n for this session 26
16
Dr. Shirley Raines Comments

• Good.
• Good info.
• Informative about University of Memphis.
• Excellent welcome.
• I like the comment about infant mortality and
  its link to literacy.
• Good local AE representation.
• Wonderful presentation.
• Excellent speaker with a great perspective on
  issues of literacy and partnerships.
• Heart felt and interesting.
• She was preaching to the choir.
• Wonderful.
• Added new insights.

Comments
17
Showcasing Unique Coalition Initiatives
Percent
Session Rating
n for this session 26
18
Showcasing Unique Coalition Initiatives Comments

• Enlightening.
• Fritz was masterful in bringing a strong
  discussion point -Mary asked great questions.
• I learned a lot and really lGood to hear what
  others are doing.
• It was great to hear from so many other
  coalitions.
• Not the best use of time.
• More time needed to be built in for this. Each
  table needed a designated moderator to keep
  people focused.

Comments
19
Luncheon Session Health Literacy Panel
Percent
Session Rating
n for this session 28
20
Luncheon Session Workforce Literacy Panel
Percent
Session Rating
n for this session 25
21
Luncheon Session Comments

• Format not conducive to in-depth exchange of
  info. Better to do one panel and give more time
  to the topic.
• Great panels.
• I could not hear much of what Andrew said. I
  liked the time keeping that kept speakers focused
  and us on schedule.
• More best practices models.
• Too short to get real understanding hard to
  take anything awaybut was interesting.
• Would like to hear each speaker for a little
  longer period of time (10 min.).
• Health very encouraging, exposing many of us to
  an aspect of literacy were not familiar with.
  Workforce only 1 of the panelists presented a
  pointed, on-topic program.
• Too many so we didnt get a very deep sense of
  any.
• Good information.
• Social justice lady was strong. Comments were
  not specific enough. Regarding health, Kym was
  great and to the point, Barbara was great.
• Content areas were selectively timely and
  useful.

Comments
22
Coalition Scale-Up
Percent
Session Rating
n for this session 26
23
Coalition Scale-Up Comments

• Involvement was heightened so proved to be
  useful.
• Vicky was good.
• Good info and interaction.
• Excellent panel.
• What was this even about? I didnt personally
  gain much from this panel.
• Great.
• Great ideas shared.
• Good.

Comments
24
Featured SessionLiteracy as a Tool for Social
Justice
Percent
Session Rating
n for this session 26
25
Literacy as a Tool for Social Justice Comments

• Cut time of prepared speech in half and allow
  time for questions from floor. She was
  entertaining but only tangentially relevant.
• Excellent panel.
• Too tired to focus.
• Less about social justice than the
  organizations.
• Good.
• A little disjointed.
• Great messagesbut less and less got past my
  earlobes because of the same format, same
  roomthe lack of variety lulled me into
  disinterest in spite of outstanding content.
• Very passionate and informed panelists.
• Put this earlier in the daythis is a compelling
  topic.
• Inspiring thoughts and challenges.
• I thought some of the panelists needed more time
  (particularly David Rosen and Daphne).
• This should have been the first panel. Got to
  the heart of the people we serve and learn from.
• Speakers were great, but we were all
  brain-drained by then.
• Really glad it was a topic, but panel
  info/presenters didnt go very deep.
• David was great good examples.
• Most amazingly excellent.

Comments
26
Funding Fright Lessons to Learn
Percent
Session Rating
n for this session 18
27
Funding Fright Lessons to Learn Comments

• Very informative, but some of it elementary.
• Very nice panelgreat specifics.
• Excellent.
• Not terrifically helpful.
• The panelists all talked about how to apply to
  their specific foundations no general
  strategies, no examples of successful
  applications, or how to cultivate relationships.
• I would have liked more discussion from national
  folks rather than local.
• Way too basic informationI wanted more
  opportunity to talk to my peers about this and
  learn their successful methods.
• More these folks were honest, generousdo this
  again.
• Appreciated the honesty of the funders.
• Well organized.
• General funding info.
• Not new info to anyone whos ever written
  grants.

Comments
28
Framing Awareness A Look in the Mirror
Percent
Session Rating
n for this session 8
29
Framing Awareness A Look in the Mirror Comments

• Great speakers presentation good interaction
  with participants.

Comments
30
Communitywide Planning Measurement
Percent
Session Rating
n for this session 6
31
Communitywide Planning and Measurement Comments

• Great participation.
• I liked the group discussion model good
  moderation.
• Great group interaction.
• Conversation disjointed and unclear, but some
  good discussion occurred.

Comments
32
Public Funding for Intermediaries
Percent
Session Rating
n for this session 16
33
Public Funding for Intermediaries Comments

• Introduction was too long. Not much useful info
  in session.
• Good info.
• No name plates on table.
• More best practice specific streams.
• Excellent lots of useful information,
  especially for those seeking funds for first
  time.
• Nice diverse panel.
• One speaker did not say anything specific or
  useful. Others were great.
• Good session.

Comments
34
Luncheon Panel The Really Hot Questions
Percent
Session Rating
n for this session 20
35
Luncheon Panel The Really Hot Questions Comments

• One dominated conversation.
• Very helpful.
• Great to hear from VALUE.
• So much use of terms and acronyms that were
  worthless to me as a business rep to a coalition.
  Many times I empathized with low literate people
  because I couldnt keep up with what was being
  said. As a coalition board member, the diagnostic
  assessment tools mean nothing to me.
• Dull.
• Raised some critical questions.
• More.
• Should have been titled Public
  Awareness/Advocacy Issues or something more
  accurate.
• Good information.
• Good perspectives.
• Didnt get much as far as specifics from this,
  but I might be tired.

Comments
36
Spotlighting Coalition Needs
Percent
Session Rating
n for this session 5
37
Spotlighting Coalition Needs Comments

• Not tiredthis one was good.
• Most valuable session needed way more time
  with other EDs.
• Good showing.

Comments
38
Governing Well
Percent
Session Rating
n for this session 7
39
Governing Well Comments

• Vicki Clark is fantastic especially on Friday
  afternoon. Very energetic and funny. Very
  knowledgeable!!!
• Too much for 1 hour.
• Excellent good strategies group
  involvement.
• Vicki was terrific great interaction, not
  enough time.

Comments
40
Closing Session Madan Birla
Percent
Session Rating
n for this session 9
41
Closing Session Madan Birla Comments

• A must teaching for coalition builders if you
  want sustainability.
• Good way to finish thanks for the book!
• Very good much better than I expected.
• Awesome!
• Great.
• Questions led to specifics on how to initiate
  into life balanced well idea is great.

Comments
42
How would you rate the overall conference
experience?
Percent
Session Rating
n for this question 21
43
Overall Conference CommentsWhat did you like
the best? (1 of 2)

• The hotel was perfect and Memphis is a great
  location.
• (1) The social justice components, (2) I thought
  the panels were run and moderated very well,
  especially since these formats at other
  conferences can be the sessions that throw off
  the whole agenda.
• The meals served were excellent. Food very
  good.
• Networking opportunities with other coalitions
  across the country as means to avoid reinventing
  the wheel.
• Informally and formally hearing and learning
  about programs, services and collaborations
  across the country.
• All of our efforts gaining momentum respect
  and sharing.
• Finding common issues between my coalition and
  others throughout the country. Learning better
  ways to report and measure outcomes.
• Meeting other coalition leaders and learning
  from their experiences.
• Dr. Ruby Paynes talk Thursday at dinner being
  able to network with so many like-minded people.
• (1)Formal and informal chance to learn from our
  peers. (2)Wide array of topics. (3)More
  opportunities than usual for table talk.
• The conference provided excellent opportunities
  to meet new people, learn new lessons, share
  program outcomes.
• (1) Thursday night speaker! (and I was dreading
  another speaker) (2)Everything was so
  professional yet we were pampered at every
  minute.
• Facility and food, presenters, good location,
  binders.

Comments
44
Overall Conference CommentsWhat did you like
the best? (2 of 2)

• The networking and peer teaching was rich and
  varied.
• Getting tips/ideas on resources for
  evaluation/fundraising/advocacy that I can look
  at over the next year! Lots of info (though at
  times overwhelming).
• Covered a variety of useful topics provided
  much food for thought!
• Multiple opportunities for networking and
  discussion. Well planned, great coverage of
  topics.
• Learning best practices, meeting
  others/developing relationships.
• Loved that so many of the attendees had the
  opportunity to share what they do love peer
  learning.
• Excellent enjoyed and lots of ideas of what to
  do not to do and people to call when we have
  questions.
• The pre-conference session answered most of the
  questions that I came with. It gave me a clearer
  perspective on what work has to be done when I
  return to my city.
• The smaller sessions (and pre-sessions) were
  particularly informative and helpful. Having
  Marty Fiksterbusch on a panel was also great. His
  voice was so important.
• Networking.
• Good regional spread and representation.
• Vicki was great, networking, building on last
  year.
• Panel presentations.

Comments
45
Overall Conference CommentsWhat would you have
done differently? (1 of 2)

• More time for each panelist, end at 4pm.
• More time with exhibitors.
• Repeat the pre-conferences.
• Instead of having the panelists speak for 7
  minutes each, I think it would be good to have a
  moderator for each panel and have more of a
  dialogue and more QA.
• I would shorten the pre-session or break it up.
  I would change the format of the first day of the
  conference. Id rather have had 2 sessions.
• The actual schedule was different from the
  printed schedule- confusing.
• I was (and still am) conflicted about Ruby
  Paines presentation.
• Have questions from the audience instead of on
  cards involve the participants more.
• This years conference really lacked in one
  area the table/small group discussions where we
  can ask our peers about their challenges and
  learn more detail about how they got where they
  are today.
• Vary the presentation style one or two panels
  are great, but eight is torture.
• The reception was tighta bigger room.
• The schedule couldve been more balanced.
  Thursday was too longtoo much sitting. The first
  day should be longer than the second 2 days. The
  Friday schedule should end by 200.
• Normally - no dinner speaker, but she was great!
  No lunch speakers give us topics and let us
  discuss at tables.

Comments
46
Overall Conference CommentsWhat would you have
done differently? (2 of 2)

• More time for networking.
• (1)Shorter sessions less packed schedule.
  (2)Some way to involve learners .
  (3)Shorter day on Wednesday so we could see
  Memphis.
• More break time, especially on Thursday. Fewer,
  longer breaks wouldve been better. A few of the
  panelists seemed ill-prepared or a bit off-topic
  maybe brief them better next time?
• Your team will have lots of good ideaslets
  meet again!
• Wednesday afternoon trips to Graceland and
  T were a turnoff in conference
  advertisement.
• Less panels more time to work in groups and
  digest the ideas being presented.

Comments
47
How would you rate the hotel?
Percent
Session Rating
n for this question 27
48
Overall Conference CommentsHow would you rate
the hotel?

• The hotel was perfect and Memphis is a great
  location.
• Great lunch on Thursday, even better on Friday.
• Rooms above average.
• Nice service, affordable prices.
• Pretty good.
• Great food, very nice accommodations and
  reasonably priced. Outstanding.
• Excellent.
• Good.
• The hotel was great but there were few options
  for mealsnone without taxis which were very slow
  to come.
• Very good the food was excellent.
• Staff great, room OK.
• I stayed at Fogelman Conference Center.
• I was at Fogelman Center no food, and room
  wasnt cleaned or resupplied one day.
• Fogelman.
• Excellent.

Comments
49
Overall Conference CommentsMore comments?

• Margaret is dynamic, and all conference
  organizers fantastic. THANK YOU!
• Dr. Payne was a poor choice for Thursday
  evening. The controversy around her research
  should have been aired.
• Would have liked an organized Memphis tour.
• Thank you Margaret, Hanna, et al!
• If the primary goal of one of the break-out
  sessions is to forward the agenda of Literacy
  Powerline (Friday morning Community Planning and
  Measuring Impact) should make that clear. Its
  fine to have conversations that meet the
  objective of NIFL and Powerline but make it
  clearersome people in the session thought it
  would benefit them more than it did (and probably
  would have chosen a different session). Also,
  some information was too basicespecially the
  fundraising panel. Were more experienced than
  the presenters realized.
• Thank you! Memphis is great!
• (1) If pre-conference had started later in the
  day as opposed to starting early and ending
  early, I could have attended. (2) Many presenters
  (Thursday) did not provide specific information
  to help us- it was more inspirational messages
  instead. Thank you for bringing us together. It
  was GREAT!!!
• I would like to see a more specialized session
  available on fundraising and/or marketing.
• First time experience at a literacy focused
  conference Thank you for making it a good
  experience!! Thanks to Hannah for being a
  wonderful hostess and coordinator.
• Would like to see a conference devoted to adult
  literacy/workforce issues only. Reserve handing
  out gifts to planning committee at a more private
  time. All the attendees dont need to sit through
  it.
• As an exhibitor, it was great to have access to
  the conference. It really helped me see where the
  movement is going and how our services might
  contribute. Thank you for being so welcoming and
  inviting.

Comments