CESBC Diverse Voices Webinar Series:

Community-based Approaches to Making Evaluation Attainable & Equitable presented by Caitlyn Bennett, Sheila Matano & Jodi Mucha

WHEN:  Friday, April 16, 2021 from 12 pm to 1 pm Pacific Time

WHERE: Zoom. You can check your computer's requirements here

COST: Free (long distance charges may apply if you dial in rather than use Zoom app)

LANGUAGE: English

REGISTRATION: Register on Zoom

Presented by Caitlyn Bennett, Sheila Matano & Jodi Mucha

Webinar description:

Diverse Voices: Community-based approaches to making evaluation attainable & equitable

Building healthy, equitable communities for all includes project planning, reflecting on implementation progress, and learning from the healthy community development process—a field of practice known as evaluation. Through the application of evaluation practices, evaluators have the power to influence policies and mitigate systemic inequities that negatively impact our health and well-being.

Through the work conducted at BC Healthy Communities and the Canadian Evaluation Society – BC Chapter (CESBC), we know that many community organizations and their members incorporate evaluation practices into their work without realizing it, highlighting that you don't need to be an “evaluator” to perform evaluation work and contribute to healthy, equitable policy development.

Please join BCHC and CESBC on April 16 from 12:00–1pm Pacific Time for our webinar, Diverse Voices: Community-based approaches to making evaluation attainable & equitable. Through a facilitated discussion with our equitable evaluation colleagues, we’ll explore the application of feasible, equitable evaluation principles in B.C. community settings, and the significance of reciprocity when engaging in community partnerships to collaboratively learn together.

This webinar fulfills reflective and situational practice competencies for the CES Credentialing Program.

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Our Presenters:

Caitlyn Bennett
Food Action Coordinator, Edible Pathways/Harvest Hut Projects @Town of Olive

Caitlyn Bennett is a recent graduate of the University of Calgary where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Political Science. While at the University, Caitlyn had the opportunity to work for National Student run Non-Profit; Meal Exchange where she learned about student food insecurity. The following year she was the VP of Communications for the Sustainable Development Goals Club on campus. Caitlyn returned to her hometown of Oliver where she took the job of Food Action Coordinator with the Town of Oliver working to implement their community food action plan. This job was Caitlyn’s first opportunity to work for a municipal government or participate in public engagement. Since then, Caitlyn has been able to explore public service by training as a municipal clerk, working with the Parks and Recreation Society as a Parks Ambassador, working as a bylaw officer, and being a Recreation Assistant with Parks and Recreation.

Sheila Matano
Vice-President @Canadian Evaluation Society, BC Chapter

Sheila Matano is a researcher and evaluator with over a decade of experience in program evaluation, strategic planning and stakeholder engagement. She is also currently the vice president of the BC Chapter of the Canadian Evaluation Society (CESBC). Most recently, she spearheaded the creation of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at CESBC and is hosting the Diverse Voices Series, which aims to highlight community evaluation projects, programs, and organizations across BC and beyond that incorporate Equitable Evaluation in their practice. Sheila specializes in working in complex environments and has worked with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and foundations worldwide to help improve their project activities and outcomes. She helps organizations achieve their mission and strategic goals by using conversations and data to facilitate better decision-making, raise awareness, raise funds, develop policies, and demonstrate their work's impact.

Jodi Mucha
BC Healthy Communities

Originally from a small rural community in the interior of BC, Jodi has a broad base of experience supporting communities to build on capacity for healthier communities both at the local and international level. She holds a Masters in Environment and Management and over 25 years of community health promotion experience. She has a strong background in change management, community engagement and leadership. Through her work at BC Healthy Communities, she provides expertise in multi-sectoral collaboration and partnerships, systems thinking, the healthy communities approach and practical approaches to understanding the links between the determinants of health.

As a hobby, Jodi runs ultra-distance trail races, facilitates leadership courses and maintains her backyard garden.

If you have any questions, please contact Sheila Matano at BC+VicePresident@evaluationcanada.ca