Post by Virginia on Feb 21, 2015 20:25:23 GMT
Identifying stakeholders can be challenging with community and statewide programs. Below are some tips that I've used in the past and key things to consider as well as an example from a recent project I worked on. There are a couple of key things to consider when selecting stakeholders to engage in a program and in the evaluation:
- Who are the major players? These are your funders, program administrators, agency leaders (i.e. the overarching agency where the program(s) are hosted, and representatives of the population you are serving.
- Who are other interested and engaged partners who may be tangentially related to the project? Often partner agencies, other service providers working with the same population, legislators or policy makers in the jurisdiction, and additional community/jursidiction leaders
- Outside the box? Keep an open mind and eye as initial conversations with the first stakeholders occur to identify other potential stakeholders to invite to the table. Often these can include community members/organizations with a vested interest in your intervention or target population or organizational/individual partners who can help address a particular challenge that your program may be encountering (i.e. public transportation or community centers as meeting locations)
You can begin identifying key stakeholders in several ways:
- Low hanging fruit - these are the partners who were engaged in the program/system/policy planning, in any grant planning or submission, or are key service providers/program recipients. Make sure to engage these individuals first and begin discussions regarding other needed partners, program planning, and expectations of each other.
- Step 2 - through discussions with the closest stakeholders, begin to brainstorm ideas about other key partners who may help support the program, provide additional resources, and possibly benefit from the outcomes of the program. Look for potential partners/stakeholders where there is an opportunity for win-win to occur.
- Step 3 - Throughout all of your meetings with stakeholders keep an open ear for potential new partners and stakeholders to bring to the table. Often these groups will be identified as challenges and issues come up during program planning and implementation.
Reaching out to stakeholders:
It is important to reach out in person whenever possible, particularly during the initial stages of program planning and development. The core program team should develop a standard method for regular, consistent communication with key partners. As mentioned in the presentation, regular and consistent communication is essential to ensuring ongoing engagement of partners. Some potential ideas for engagement include:
- Steering committees that meet on a regular basis either virtually or in person
- Advisory councils that meet less frequently but more likely in person to provide advice and guidance, particularly useful when challenges are encountered
- Newsletters and mailing lists
To maintain engagement of stakeholders, it is important to ensure that all partners/stakeholders understand their role and contributions. Allow opportunities for stakeholders to provide feedback and then finish the communication circle by sharing back with them how the information has been incorporated. This may require balancing and negotiating competing information and requests from multiple stakeholders. Stakeholders need to understand the purpose and value of each meeting as well as their roles and contributions. This information can help with maintenance of engagement and interest.
- Who are the major players? These are your funders, program administrators, agency leaders (i.e. the overarching agency where the program(s) are hosted, and representatives of the population you are serving.
- Who are other interested and engaged partners who may be tangentially related to the project? Often partner agencies, other service providers working with the same population, legislators or policy makers in the jurisdiction, and additional community/jursidiction leaders
- Outside the box? Keep an open mind and eye as initial conversations with the first stakeholders occur to identify other potential stakeholders to invite to the table. Often these can include community members/organizations with a vested interest in your intervention or target population or organizational/individual partners who can help address a particular challenge that your program may be encountering (i.e. public transportation or community centers as meeting locations)
You can begin identifying key stakeholders in several ways:
- Low hanging fruit - these are the partners who were engaged in the program/system/policy planning, in any grant planning or submission, or are key service providers/program recipients. Make sure to engage these individuals first and begin discussions regarding other needed partners, program planning, and expectations of each other.
- Step 2 - through discussions with the closest stakeholders, begin to brainstorm ideas about other key partners who may help support the program, provide additional resources, and possibly benefit from the outcomes of the program. Look for potential partners/stakeholders where there is an opportunity for win-win to occur.
- Step 3 - Throughout all of your meetings with stakeholders keep an open ear for potential new partners and stakeholders to bring to the table. Often these groups will be identified as challenges and issues come up during program planning and implementation.
Reaching out to stakeholders:
It is important to reach out in person whenever possible, particularly during the initial stages of program planning and development. The core program team should develop a standard method for regular, consistent communication with key partners. As mentioned in the presentation, regular and consistent communication is essential to ensuring ongoing engagement of partners. Some potential ideas for engagement include:
- Steering committees that meet on a regular basis either virtually or in person
- Advisory councils that meet less frequently but more likely in person to provide advice and guidance, particularly useful when challenges are encountered
- Newsletters and mailing lists
To maintain engagement of stakeholders, it is important to ensure that all partners/stakeholders understand their role and contributions. Allow opportunities for stakeholders to provide feedback and then finish the communication circle by sharing back with them how the information has been incorporated. This may require balancing and negotiating competing information and requests from multiple stakeholders. Stakeholders need to understand the purpose and value of each meeting as well as their roles and contributions. This information can help with maintenance of engagement and interest.