Scenario Nine

The organizing committee for the Grandview gardening program knew that at the conclusion of the proposed gardening program, someone would have to make a report. The Beed Foundation required one. Beyond that obvious need, however, they wondered if there was any other reason for report writing. Everyone looked at each other, all thinking the same thing: "I really don't feel like writing another report. I do some form or other of reporting every day of the week!" At this point, Ruth broke the silence. She said, "I'm sure that no one here needs or wants any extra work. But you probably remember that when I started this whole thing, the administration said that they would be delighted if I would do the legwork, but they would need to know what I was doing all along the way. They needed to keep their board of directors apprised." She concluded, "Don't we owe a report to the administration so that they can be prepared for the board?" Mike Ramirez spoke up, "Ruth, I'm sure you're right. What does everyone else think?" The logic of Ruth's statements had, indeed, reached everyone at the meeting. Luis agreed, too, but he had been through a few evaluation experiences and still didn't feel that he understood the fine points of writing an evaluation report. At this juncture, the voice from the corner of the room said, "Ask Judy Hallowell to write it!" Even as the group cheered the idea of having someone else do the job, they knew that Judy had been there to coach; she hadn't been hired to do the evaluation or to write the report. Finally, Mike said, "What do you think about a compromise? We can call Judy and ask her to give us a few more hours of her time to at least get us going in the right direction on our evaluation report." Mike heard a unanimous "yes" to his suggestion. With that he concluded the meeting and went directly to the telephone to call Judy Hallowell.

For who do you write the evaluation report for and what are the key components of the evaluation report?