Benchmarks for a Better Vermont

BBVT Performance Institute Panel at VT Nonprofit Conference: Real Life Application of the Culture of Accountability

Anne Lezak — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:44:04 +0000

WATCH THE VIDEO that aired on CCTV of a panel of Performance Institute participants discussing how they are using RBA to make a difference in their organization and with their clients.

Panelists: Dolly Fleming, Executive Director/Mercy Connections

James Lockridge, Executive Director/Big Heavy World

Lee Trapeni, Shelter Case Manager and Mary Hayward, Board Member, Morningside Shelter

Facilitated by BBVT Trainers Karina Ware, Stacey Miller, Sue Graff, Diana Wahle

“Data-Informed” versus “Data-Driven” Nonprofit Culture

Anne Lezak — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:31:19 +0000

From the book, Measuring the Networked Nonprofit, by Beth Kanter and KD Paine (keynote speaker at the 2013 Vermont Nonprofit Conference): The term “data-driven” has been used to describe organizations that rely solely on cold hard data to make decisions. Being data-driven sounds great—in theory. But, because it doesn’t acknowledge the importance of basing decisions on multiple information sources, it can doom an organization to epic failures.”

Research Proves Advantages of Working in Cohorts

Kate Jellema — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:41:06 +0000

We’ve learned a good deal over the past 10 months since welcoming our PI teams into the Performance Institute. Among the learnings is how much most teams value the opportunity to meet together and share with one another, with the BBVT trainers as facilitators. A brief research-based article by TCC Group concludes that “Cohorts provide a unique environment for reflecting, challenging, and validating assumptions, which enables learning to take place. Participants are free to share ideas and resources with one another. These group interactions provide stimulating and dynamic settings where the ‘whole is greater than the sum of the parts.’” Here is the link to the article, Working in a Nonprofit Cohort.

High Horses Spreads the Word on Outcomes

Kate Jellema — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:39:51 +0000

Susan Goodell (PI participant) and consultant Cathy Hybels, PhD will be presenting at the Region One Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Conference. The abstract is as follows:

Outcomes Evaluation (OE): Implementing Therapeutic Riding (TR) effectiveness studies is complex and there are numerous decisions required of TR Centers that wish to begin measuring the outcomes of their programs. High Horses will share the decision process we used to design an OE pilot study, what we learned, and how our experience is shaping our next steps forward in achieving TR program accountability.

Our initial OE efforts highlight the need for collaboration with other TR centers to build a credible base of research on TR effectiveness over the long-term. We will share with our audience our efforts to build a collaboration of centers focused on sharing ideas and creating common tools that will assist in building an empirical research base to advance the profession.

BBVT Performance Institute Participants to Present at March 2013 Nonprofit Conference

Kate Jellema — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:36:31 +0000

We were delighted to be asked to showcase Benchmarks for a Better Vermont at a session of the March 21 Vermont Nonprofit Conference: Benchmarks for a Better Vermont: Real Life Application of the Culture of Accountability. Presenters are:

James Lockridge/Big Heavy World,
Lee Trapeni/ Morningside Shelter,
Dolly Fleming/ Mercy Connections.

The session will be moderated by the BBVT trainers. You can also catch BBVT team members Lauren-Glenn Davitian, Lizann Peyton, Anne Lezak and Kate Jellema presenting at various points in the program.

BBVT with Marlboro College Graduate School are proud sponsors of this conference. The theme, “the data-driven nonprofit,” helps to advance BBVT’s core goals.

Mark Friedman Presents to Joint Legislative Session

Kate Jellema — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:33:25 +0000

On Feb. 7, Mark presented a succinct summary of the RBA framework and its practical application to a joint session of the Vermont Legislature. Common Good’s Legislative Day was intentionally held on the same date, and a number of BBVT team members were there. We can now all hear the presentation, thanks to Lauren-Glenn Davitian of Common Good VT, who got permission from Mark Friedman to tape and share it.

You may watch the program on-line by clicking here:
http://www.cctv.org/watch-tv/programs/vermont-nonprofit-legislative-day-2013-mark-friedman-results-based-accountability

Vermont Accountability Compact – Sign and Be Counted!

Kate Jellema — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:32:16 +0000

We are pleased to announce a new Vermont Accountability Compact. The goal of the Compact is to build a strong cadre of Vermont nonprofits who agree “to support, promote, and regularly assess our progress on the implementation of a culture of accountability in our work.”

Many of us around the state have been energized by Mark Friedman’s recent visits to Vermont and the dovetailing of mutually-reinforcing efforts to build a culture of accountability in Vermont. The Vermont Accountability Compact creates a common framework to guide the efforts of those who seek to participate actively in the creation of a cross-sector culture of accountability in the state of Vermont.

The Compact was developed over the past several months by the cross-sector Vermont Accountability Group, with guidance from Mark Friedman. Signing on to the Compact represents a personal and organizational commitment to advance performance measurement and accountability standards.

We are excited to see many of our BBVT team members, participants and partners signing on to this historic document!

Mark Friedman Brings Results-Based Accountability Training to Vermont – Wed., Sept. 12

Anne Lezak — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 14:57:17 +0000

RBA 101 – More information and registration

Slate of 17 Vermont Nonprofits Selected for BBVT Performance Institute

Anne Lezak — Sat, 26 May 2012 10:56:43 +0000

Read the press release HERE

BBVT Performance Institute Application Period Begins!

Anne Lezak — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:36:08 +0000

Click on the Performance Institute Application to make sure you qualify and to apply. The application period is from Wed., March 28-Friday, April 27.