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EMEC (Experimental Model Evaluation Committee) Update and Call for Chapter Participation

Ann Carr and Joe Santos, co-chairs, Marie Wren, Catherine Endicott, Ann Hayden MM and Beth Begley need your participation and input.

The goal of our committee is to facilitate and to coordinate the participation of Affiliates in evaluation of the experimental regional model which has been in effect for the past two years. Is it working? How can we improve? Should we design a different model?

We encourage you to give high priority to scheduling two meetings this Fall to engage in this evaluation process using the perspective of Appreciative Inquiry. Resources follow.

SUGGESTED QUESTIONS FOR MEETING

1. Describe an experience with the Maryknoll Affiliates that was particularly heart warming for you?
   a. Did someone in your region beyond your Chapter help to facilitate this?
   b. How did or how might a Regional Coordinator facilitate or support these important experiences in Affiliate life?
    
2. What elements do you believe have been important to the success of your Affiliate Chapter?
   a. Have new elements developed since implementation of the regional model?
   b. How have or how might the Regional Coordinators, Executive Coordinator and Affiliate Board support you in cultivating these elements?
   
   
3. What vision attracted you to joining the Maryknoll Affiliate movement?
   a. Have you experienced the regional model as potentially enhancing this vision?
   b. Is the regional model in keeping with your broad vision of the Affiliates?
   
   
4. Please share what most excites you about the Affiliate regional model.
   
   
5. Imagining the Maryknoll Affiliate future, what organizational structure is most compelling for you?
   
   
6. Can you offer a story of how you have experienced the pillar of community both within and beyond your Chapter?
   a. Has your Contact Person contributed to this?
   b. Your Regional Coordinator?
    
7. How has engagement with your fellow Affiliates deepened your understanding of the spirituality pillar?

SUGGESTED PROCESS FOR MEETING

1. Each chapter will have access to the PowerPoint on the Appreciative Inquiry model. The emphasis of this model for use in meetings is on focusing on the best of what is, versus identifying problems and problem solving, and then dreaming about what might be - visioning the future. Either the contact person or the committee member will present the powerpoint. Through using this model it is hoped to encourage a culture of growth, engagement and dialogue using the chapters as dynamic focus groups, and encouraging story telling as members share their experiences.

2. Following that, some pointers on listening skills which facilitate heart sharing of the members are presented as follows:
a) As an individual member is sharing, refrain from judging, questioning, or challenging them on what they are sharing. Since this is a personal heart sharing it is true for that person.
b) Also refrain from interjecting one's own experience or thoughts while a member is sharing.
c) Refrain from discussing their sharing or thoughts.
d) In summary the task for members is simply to listen while one person is sharing. If what they are saying is not clear, clarifying questions may be asked or their sharing may be reflected back to them to make sure it is understood correctly.

3. The facilitator of the meeting then presents the questions to be used in eliciting member sharing. (See separate list of questions- link). Each member of the chapter then gets a chance to share from their heart as they reflect on the best of what is or has been for them in the Affiliate experience, including the regional model, and envision/ dream about the future - what might be.

4. Someone in the chapter meeting is asked to record the responses of each member.

5. Please submit the responses as recorded to Joe Santos This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by November 20, 2011. We look forward to an abundance of 'Affiliate Harvest' in all of your sharings. The committee will summarize the findings, looking for common themes, and present findings to the Board in 2012. Hopefully the findings will then be used to again dialogue about the design of what will be, and then move on to creating and implementing that vision. This would complete the four phases of Appreciative Inquiry- Discovery- the best of what is, Dream - envision what might be, Dialogue/Design - this is what will be, Destiny - creating implementing.