Hot Items
Call for Papers – Due Monday, March 22, 2010 at 5 p.m.
We need presenters for the 2010 Spring Exchange (scheduled for Friday, May 14, 2010 at the Quest Business Center in Columbus). The deadline for submission is Monday, March 22, 2010 at 5 p.m. There are two proposal tracks. Track 1 is related to the conference theme (Mixed Methods in Evaluation), and Track 2 (Evaluation Practice) invites evaluators to share about various aspects of their work. Please review the announcement for details on the submission process. In addition, everyone submitting a proposal should review the OPEG presenter guidelines. If you have any questions about the submission process, please contact OPEG Vice-President, Shon Bunkley (614-224-5917, ext. 104). This event provides an ideal venue for graduate students as well as veteran evaluators to share their research with other professionals.
OPEG Spring Exchange – Save the Date – Friday, May 14, 2010
Our Spring Exchange is beginning to take shape. The theme is Mixed Methods, and we are excited to have Dr. Donna M. Mertens of Gallaudet University as the keynote speaker. Please join us at the Quest Business Center in Columbus.for an engaging day of evaluation presentations and networking. We will post the program and registration materials as soon as they become available. Anyone is welcome to submit a presentation (see Call for Papers above) for this event. The OPEG Program Committee and Board review all submissions and select sessions that appear to be the best match with members' interests as expressed in our evaluation surveys.
OPEG Welcomes Out-of-State Members
OPEG welcomes members from outside Ohio, too! We have members from border states (Kentucky, Michigan, West Virginia, and Indiana) as well as members who leave Ohio for school or new jobs. Maintaining one's membership in OPEG is a great way to network with Ohio colleagues. In addition, our Spring Exchange and Fall Workshops are open to everyone - members and non-members. Members, however, receive extra benefits (such as online to all presentation materials). Keep in mind that membership is still our low 1980 rate of $30 for professionals, and we lowered our student rate to $20, so OPEG is truly a bargain! To join or renew your membership, go to the Membership page. To verify that your membership dues are current, contact the OPEG Treasurer Karen Shaner (330-264-9029).
OPEG Board Positions - Call for Nominations
The Ohio Program Evaluator's Group (OPEG) is completely run by volunteers. We are currently seeking nominations for the following Board positions that will open this spring: (Treasurer, Secretary, and three At-Large representatives). The Treasurer and Secretary are working positions that are critical to the operation of OPEG. Serving in these roles is a great way to meet and connect with OPEG members. Thus, if you sincerely want to serve on the Board and have strong financial management and/or documentation skills, please consider running for one of these positions, The current Treasurer, Karen Shaner (330-264-9029), and Secretary, Jan Upton (614-571-9088), will be glad to answer your questions and have offered to help with the transition.
The Board meets quarterly either via conference call or in Columbus, Ohio. This is a great opportunity to get involved, promote the field of program evaluation, and network with other evaluators. Of course, such service looks great on a resume! If you are interested in one of the opening positions, please submit the information requested in the provided form to Rob Fischer via e-mail by Friday, April 9, 2010. Be sure to include your name, employer, phone number, e-mail address, and brief professional bio. New Board members will be announced at the Spring Exchange on Friday, May 14, 2010. The term begins July 1, 2010.
Download the Elections and Awards PDF.
Call for OPEG Awards
OPEG is currently seeking nominations for the 2010 OPEG Awards. Awards will be presented at the Spring Exchange on Friday, May 14, 2010. If you wish to nominate someone for one of the two awards described below, please e-mail the information requested in the provided form to Rob Fischer. Nominations are due by April 9, 2010.
Roberta O'Keefe Recognition Award: To recognize an OPEG member involved with serving and promoting OPEG in an exceptional manner. Nominees must have held one or more OPEG offices or committee chairs; promoted OPEG programs at the local, regional, or state level; completed or engaged in several OPEG special assignments; and have been an active OPEG member for 5+ years.
Evaluation Recognition Award: To recognize an individual and/or special body of evaluation work. Nominees must have conducted quality program evaluation; promoted evaluation efforts at the local, regional, or state level; completed or engaged in an exceptional study; and conducted or participated in a number of evaluation studies.
Download the Elections and Awards PDF.
Membership Renewal
Please remember to renew your OPEG membership. We also welcome new members at any time. See letter from Rob Fischer, OPEG President, that highlights the benefits of participating in Ohio's evaluation community. OPEG has never increased its membership fee. Take advantage of our 1980 bargain rate--$30 for professionals and $20 for students! To join or renew your membership, go to the Membership page. To verify that your membership dues are current, contact the OPEG Treasurer Karen Shaner (330-264-9029).
Members Only Section
Please note that we have updated the user name and password. We periodically e-mail those to current members, but if you are a current member and have difficulty accessing this restricted section, contact Jan Upton. We have loaded available presentation materials and resources from OPEG's 2009 Fall Workshop and Spring Exchange. Many of the materials from prior year sessions are also posted. We will continue to upload conference materials from the latest conferences as those become available.
OPEG PowerPoint Presentation, Handout, and Letter from OPEG President
We have prepared additional information about OPEG (PowerPoint presentation) that everyone interested in evaluation in Ohio is encouraged to review. In addition, if you would like an OPEG representative to speak to your group or agency, please contact Rachel Holbert . Please also review the letter from OPEG President Rob Fischer inviting your active participation in OPEG.
AEA and OPEG Discussion Lists
Discussion lists are a great way to stay informed about critical evaluation issues and network with other evaluators.
AEA listservs
There are AEA listservs for a wide range of content areas. You do not have to post messages and a Digest option is available for those who do not want to receive a message every time someone posts.
Many OPEG members are on EVALTALK and EVALBUSINESS.
AEA List name: EVALTALK
Topics: All types of evaluation (over 2000 evaluators are subscribed)
Sponsor: Official list of the American Evaluation Association
Information link: http://bama.ua.edu/archives/evaltalk.html
For assistance contact: Kathleen Bolland
AEA List name: EVALBUSINESS
Topics: Topics of interest to independent consultants
Sponsor: Independent Consulting Topical Interest Group (TIG) of the American Evaluation Association
For assistance contact: Stephen Maack
OPEG maintains a Yahoo group - This has been dormant, but if members start using it, we could begin to have more Ohio-based networking.
Reduction in OPEG Conference Fees for Students
The OPEG Board recently lowered its student conference rate to $40, so with the $20 membership, the cost for students to participate in events will be a very reasonable $60. For professionals, the cost is still $75 for conferences and $30 for the annual membership. Our Spring Exchange and Fall Workshop are all-day conferences with provided lunch so these are truly great rates.
OPEG Service Opportunities
OPEG members have numerous opportunities to become more involved in the organization's activities. See the Service page for details about available committees, their activities, and contact people. We currently need assistance with the Program Committee (Contact Shon Bunkley) and the Membership Committee (Contact Rachel Holbert). We also like to have 2-3 photographers at each event (Contact Jan Upton). We encourage all members to consider becoming more active in OPEG. It is a great way to build your resume, get to know other evaluators, and promote quality evaluation throughout the state.