Oregon Program Evaluators Network upcoming events

Dabbling in the Data: Hands-On Data Analysis Activities for Teams (Friday, June 05, 2026)

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 19:00:00 GMT

OPEN will be hosting a virtual presentation titled "Dabbling in the Data: Hands-On Data Analysis Activities for Teams" by Corey Newhouse from Public Profit.

As evaluators, we are at our best when interest holders use our findings to get better at what they do; meaning making with data is a powerful way to achieve this goal. Data analysis can seem like a daunting task for many in mission-driven organizations, requiring specialized knowledge and years of training. Public Profit wrote Dabbling in the Data: A Hands-On Guide to Participatory Data Analysis to give evaluators, and the folks they work with, a jumpstart in interpreting data collaboratively.

In this one-hour virtual workshop, participants will preview select Dabbling activities, ranging from "get to know your data" to more in-depth approaches. We'll discuss the ways in which participatory data analysis promotes more rigorous evaluation practice by engaging interest holders in meaning-making. Participants will start their own Dabbling action plan to apply what they have learned to their own work.

More about our presenter:

Corey Newhouse got her start as a teacher at Summerbridge Cincinnati in the early 1990s and has been involved in educational equity and social justice movements ever since. She founded Public Profit to build a team that would seamlessly blend social science research methods, organizational change strategy, and a deep commitment to supporting changemakers. Corey’s formal training is in program evaluation, education policy, and statistical analysis. Prior to launching Public Profit in 2007, Corey was a Senior Policy Associate with Children Now, supporting the policy team with data and evaluation, and as an Associate with HTA, a strategy and fundraising consulting firm. Corey earned her MPP at UC Berkeley and her BA at Columbia College.

As the Founder and Principal of Public Profit, Corey leads the team’s strategic direction, external relationships, and business development. In addition, Corey serves as an internal thought partner to project teams, assisting with the design of Public Profit’s engagements in evaluation, capacity building, and strategic program design. She is co-author of Public Profit’s Creative Ways to Solicit Stakeholder Feedback and Dabbling in the Data, and a contributor to Evaluation Failures: 22 Tales of Mistakes Made and Lessons Learned (Sage Publications). She is a co-editor of the volume, Measure, Use, Improve! Data Use in Out-of-School Time (Information Age Publishing).

*This event will be recorded. All registrants will be sent the recording and any other resources shared after the event.

Online World Cup Bracket Challenge (Thursday, June 11, 2026)

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Join OPEN's Online World Cup Bracket Challenge!

With the World Cup just around the corner, why not evaluate your predictive powers against those of your fellow evaluators? The deadline to complete your bracket is June 11th.

This year's tournament, hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, is the largest ever, featuring 48 teams. You can predict who will make it into the knockout rounds, and then the result of every game, here. This platform is free and independent from FIFA, and it'll take only a few minutes.... unless you really want to do your research! Once you've made your bracket you can join the OPEN prediction league with the code HQ9LG7.

You'll also have an opportunity to evaluate your choices with your fellow OPEN members at our July 15th networking event at Migration Brewing, just a few days before the final.

If you have any questions or want help setting up your bracket, you can contact us at info@oregoneval.org.

This event is free for everyone, not just OPEN members. There are no prizes, except pride!

Evaluation in Progress (EIP) (Wednesday, June 17, 2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Are you currently grappling with a needs assessment or facing challenges with a survey question that could benefit from an additional perspective? Perhaps there's a specific area in evaluation that has captured your interest, and you're seeking recommendations or advice. Maybe you want to explore a topic covered in a recent OPEN webinar in more detail or talk about how to apply it in your work. Look no further! Connect with fellow professionals at our next online "Evaluation in Progress" (EIP) event.

This virtual gathering provides evaluators, irrespective of their project stage, with the opportunity to showcase their work and receive constructive feedback and insights from peers. Join us for an informal and enriching session during your lunch break, where you can bring your burning questions, engage in professional development, and expand your network.

Feel free to reach out to Jason Normand at jason.normand@multco.us if you have any questions or concerns.

We look forward to your participation in this collaborative and supportive environment!

*EIP events are not recorded.

Engaging Communities and Sharing Power in Decolonizing Evaluation (Thursday, July 09, 2026)

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 19:00:00 GMT

OPEN will be hosting a virtual presentation titled "Engaging Communities and Sharing Power in Decolonizing Evaluation" by Minji Cho, Ph.D.

This session introduces key principles of decolonizing evaluation and guides participants through a scenario-based application exercise. Aligning with the 2025 AEA conference themes of Transforming Evaluation, Engaging Communities, and Sharing Leadership, this session challenges dominant and imperial evaluation norms and expands perspectives by centering relationality, reciprocity, and self-determination in evaluation practice. Participants will critically examine how power dynamics shape evaluation design, data collection, and interpretation. Through facilitated discussion, they will explore principles and strategies for meaningful community engagement, power-sharing, and ethical, just evaluation practices. This session will help participants both learn and unlearn – equipping them with practical approaches to transform evaluation ecosystems in ways that are inclusive, ethical, and community-driven.

More about our presenter:

Minji Cho is a program and policy evaluator with a Ph.D. in Evaluation and Applied Research Methods. She has a background in social work and international development, specializing in decolonizing international development program evaluation and local-driven methodologies.

*OPEN online events are typically not recorded. However, we encourage presenters to share information and resources from their session after the event to everyone who registered in case you were not able to attend.

In-Person Networking Event (Wednesday, July 15, 2026)

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:30:00 GMT

OPEN is organizing an in-person networking and social event at Migration Brewing - Glisan Brewpub.

This is a great opportunity to connect with peers, share best practices, and learn from each other's experiences. Whether you are a seasoned evaluator, a newcomer to the field, or just curious about program evaluation, you are welcome to attend this informal and friendly event. We’ll have a fun icebreaker activity to get conversations flowing.

This event is free for both OPEN members and non members. The event is also no-host (i.e. pay for your own food and drinks). Please register so we have an idea of how many people to expect.

5 Things to Know Before You Launch Your Program: Strategy, Data, and Governance (Thursday, July 30, 2026)

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 19:00:00 GMT

OPEN will be hosting a virtual training titled "5 Things to Know Before You Launch Your Program: Strategy, Data, and Governance" by Dr. Danielle Lemi, PhD, Kapwa Sol Insights.

In the rush to meet a pressing community need, many mission-driven teams launch programs without a plan to ensure they have the right data to show their impact or the necessary board alignment to ensure sustainability. As a result, staff often lack the data to make real-time decisions, while board members are left unsure of how the new initiative fits the organization's strategic vision or fiduciary responsibilities.

After attending this 90-minute micro training, you will be able to:

Clarify the outcome you're driving towards and ensure it aligns with the Board’s strategic plan.
Understand the distinction between the Board’s role in governance (approving the "why" and "what") versus the staff’s role in management (executing the "how").
Identify the specific data you need to collect to not only improve the program but also report on ROI and impact to the Board.
Determine the key decision points throughout the program's lifecycle and identify which require Board consultation versus staff authority.
Identify all stakeholders affected by these decisions—from program participants to board directors—and how to keep them engaged.
Receive a checklist for program launch readiness that includes a "Board Questions & Answers" prep sheet.

More about our presenter:

Dr. Danielle Lemi, PhD, is the Founder & Principal of Kapwa Sol Insights.

Kapwa Sol Insights provides executive-level research governance for civic, political, and advocacy organizations undertaking high-stakes research initiatives. We work with executive leaders responsible for ensuring that major research investments advance institutional strategy, inform consequential decisions, and contribute meaningfully to the field. By formalizing purpose, defining decision authority, and aligning research to organizational priorities before execution accelerates, Kapwa Sol Insights transforms research initiatives into strategic assets that strengthen institutional positioning, clarify accountability, and support decisions that hold up under scrutiny. For inquiries, visit https://www.kapwasolinsights.com