Comments on: How Much Assessment is Enough? http://toolsforshuls.com/?p=538 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:59:58 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: How Much Assessment is Enough? | JewPI http://toolsforshuls.com/?p=538&cpage=1#comment-1793 How Much Assessment is Enough? | JewPI Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:55:44 +0000 http://toolsforshuls.com/?p=538#comment-1793 [...] individuals take regular stock of their lives: where they’ve been, where they are presently, and Read More » Share and Enjoy:Tags: assessment, post, Read More, stock, topicTools for Shuls »Related [...] [...] individuals take regular stock of their lives: where they’ve been, where they are presently, and Read More » Share and Enjoy:Tags: assessment, post, Read More, stock, topicTools for Shuls »Related [...]

]]> By: Jim Egolf http://toolsforshuls.com/?p=538&cpage=1#comment-1534 Jim Egolf Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:31:04 +0000 http://toolsforshuls.com/?p=538#comment-1534 Regarding assessment (now that I dig out) it seems that a useful tool we have developed would best be found in Pirkei Avot chapter 5:12-18. When we look at things we have begun to ask the questions, “What was well planned and went well? What was well planned and went poorly? What was not well planned, but well received, and the fourth, what was not planned well and did not go well?” Assessment, though has a tendency to be used and abused when it becomes a sledgehammer with which to assault a part of the congregation (or a professional). While I understand the useful and necessary use of assessment, I wonder how such a tool is used to drive nails rather than to drive home a particular persons or group of peoples agenda. Too much of our organization life has no meaningful feedback. Yet, at what point does feedback cripple, disaffect, and become destructive in congregational life? Can quick assessment not lead to quick judgments? (and) What would assessment look like if it were the total aggregate taken in by all involved as opposed to a small group? Regarding assessment (now that I dig out) it seems that a useful tool we have developed would best be found in Pirkei Avot chapter 5:12-18. When we look at things we have begun to ask the questions, “What was well planned and went well? What was well planned and went poorly? What was not well planned, but well received, and the fourth, what was not planned well and did not go well?” Assessment, though has a tendency to be used and abused when it becomes a sledgehammer with which to assault a part of the congregation (or a professional). While I understand the useful and necessary use of assessment, I wonder how such a tool is used to drive nails rather than to drive home a particular persons or group of peoples agenda.

Too much of our organization life has no meaningful feedback. Yet, at what point does feedback cripple, disaffect, and become destructive in congregational life? Can quick assessment not lead to quick judgments? (and) What would assessment look like if it were the total aggregate taken in by all involved as opposed to a small group?

]]> By: CO-STAR Blog » Blog Archive » How Much Assessment is Enough? http://toolsforshuls.com/?p=538&cpage=1#comment-1509 CO-STAR Blog » Blog Archive » How Much Assessment is Enough? Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:52:41 +0000 http://toolsforshuls.com/?p=538#comment-1509 [...] the latest from Rabbi Herring’s Tools for Shuls blog.  Read more and comment for a chance to help shape his upcoming book Tools for Shuls: A Guide to Make Over Your [...] [...] the latest from Rabbi Herring’s Tools for Shuls blog.  Read more and comment for a chance to help shape his upcoming book Tools for Shuls: A Guide to Make Over Your [...]

]]> By: hherring http://toolsforshuls.com/?p=538&cpage=1#comment-1485 hherring Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:55:35 +0000 http://toolsforshuls.com/?p=538#comment-1485 There's no reason for assessment to intrude into an experience when it's done well. Even when someone is evaluating a program as an observer, that person should ideally be able to blend into the background. Also, I want to separate two issues. One is "measuring Jewish identity," and there you're correct. Often, very narrow parameters are used for defining what that means. On the other hand, the kind of assessment that I'm referring to relates to measuring the impact of programs and processes--are they working toward advancing the mission of the congregation. There’s no reason for assessment to intrude into an experience when it’s done well. Even when someone is evaluating a program as an observer, that person should ideally be able to blend into the background.

Also, I want to separate two issues. One is “measuring Jewish identity,” and there you’re correct. Often, very narrow parameters are used for defining what that means. On the other hand, the kind of assessment that I’m referring to relates to measuring the impact of programs and processes–are they working toward advancing the mission of the congregation.

]]> By: Kerry Olitzky http://toolsforshuls.com/?p=538&cpage=1#comment-1467 Kerry Olitzky Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:22:00 +0000 http://toolsforshuls.com/?p=538#comment-1467 Assessment is ok as long as it doesnt disrupt the experience itself. In addition, I want to be sure that the assessment takes into consideration the continuum of Jewish life and is not limited to the same set of 3 or 4 rituals that demographers commonly use to get a pulse on ritual observance. Furthermore, often if you scratch beneath the surface of many programs, especially for youth and young singles, success is related to issues of intermarriage and their prevention. I think, by the way, this is what keeps many young people away as well. Assessment is ok as long as it doesnt disrupt the experience itself. In addition, I want to be sure that the assessment takes into consideration the continuum of Jewish life and is not limited to the same set of 3 or 4 rituals that demographers commonly use to get a pulse on ritual observance. Furthermore, often if you scratch beneath the surface of many programs, especially for youth and young singles, success is related to issues of intermarriage and their prevention. I think, by the way, this is what keeps many young people away as well.

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