I’m Susan Kistler, the American Evaluation Association’s Executive Director, who is happily enjoying a long holiday weekend and preparing for the new year. This week I learned about a great opportunity that I wanted to share.
Hot Tip – Free Developmental Evaluation Virtual Book Club: The Plexus Institute is hosting a book club reading of Michael Quinn Patton’s Developmental Evaluation. Approximately each week, they are reading a new chapter, then getting together via phone on Mondays at 1:00 PM Eastern Time from January 23 to April 16 to discuss the chapter. You can attend one or all (although more of course would be better!)
Developmental Evaluation has been on my reading list all year. This is just what I need to become more informed about DE. I’m signing up and invite others to join me if you wish. More info and the free RSVP signup form is online here.
Get Involved: We’re starting a new category for aea365 for 2012, entitled “Get Involved” focusing on actions that go beyond reading and clicking and downloading, to engaging more fully with AEA and/or the evaluation community. Here’s the first option, sign up for the book club and become an active reader and contribute to the discussion. Also, add a note to the comments below. It would be great to know of other aea365 readers who are participating and perhaps we can leverage our shared learnings.
Rad Resource: Michael Quinn Patton wrote about Development Evaluation on aea365 in July of 2010 when the book first came out. His post may whet your appetite for learning more and help you to decide whether reading Developmental Evaluation and/or participating in the book club is right for you.
Happy New Year one and all.
Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the aea365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an aea365 Tip? Please send a note of interest to aea365@eval.org. aea365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators.
Thank you for this information Susan! I have sent in my RSVP and look forward to learning more.
Great idea! The Arizona Evaluation Network hosted a Developmental Evaluation book club last year that was very fun and helpful and the New Mexico Evaluator’s are doing one this year as well. Glad to know there are other alternatives. I look forward to your tweets/posts about your learning! Happy New Year!
Thanks for pointing this out Susan. I’ve RSVPed and am planning on participating.
Thanks to the generosity of Wilson Grau I have a copy of Patton’s book. I have been reading and re reading it.
I have already registered for the Clubs meetings on the book.
Many thanks for this opportunity to enrich my knowledge and practice.
Great idea, Susan. I’ve been involved with the Plexus Institute for some time and find their activities very worthwhile. I’ll plan to join the DE monthly book club calls as often as possible.
Thanks Susan. This is a wonderful opportunity (and free, no less). I’ve already registered!