NEXT MEETINGS: Thursday, April 3, 2003
DECISIONS/AGREEMENTS:
Attending: Fred Blackwell, Bill Wong, Eric Cone, Don Davenport, Elena Serrano, Karen Stevenson, Joy Moore (Casey Foundation), Pat Constantine, Pat St. Onge, Page Tomblin, Deb Montesinos, Jennie Mollica, Stan Gentle
Urban Strategies Council’s contract expires at the end of March. Fred has been talking with Collaborative members and it seems that most people are not ready or interested in a change. The group agreed that USC’s contract should be extended for another six months. Fred will work with USC to build into the contract capacity building opportunities for Collaborative members. Fred asked for volunteers who would like to work with him to identify what capacity building skills Collaborative members are interested in. The following people volunteered: Don Davenport ; Jennie Mollica ; Stan Gentle.
Fred provided background on the Casey Foundation’s cross site survey. The survey will track progress against common ground indicators. A standardized survey will be used in each site. Each site will have the opportunity to add 15 unique questions in order to gather data that will be useful to that particular site. We need to begin thinking about what our 15 questions will be. There may also be opportunities to hire local residents to administer the survey door-to-door. We may want to think about sub-contracting with local CBOs. Fred asked for volunteers to work with him on the survey. Volunteers: Isabel Toscana; Don Davenport ; Page Tomblin ; Elena Serrano ; Karen Stevenson .
Copies of the Casey Foundation topic paper on Theory of Change were handed out. Each of the cluster groups will develop a theory of change for their area of work. Concern was expressed that spending a great deal of time on developing a theory of change may detract us from getting to specific work. The group agreed that we should build on what we’ve already done, and not start over from scratch.
Fred suggested that we think about the theory of change as a transitional piece that would serve as a bridge to a concrete set of strategies. He raised the question of “whose theory of change this will be?” Will it be owned by people who are not at the Collaborative table? We may need to educate people about what theory of change is, if we want broader community input.
It is premature to talk about where to assign work until the clusters have met. We should think of the cluster work as a different process. The cluster groups are stepping back to think about outcomes, indicators, and work plans.
We should begin with a data collection process, and based on the information gathered formulate an agenda. The LLP could help by developing a survey instrument that CBOs could use to gather data from their constituents and by providing data on economic conditions in the Lower San Antonio . If approached in the right way, this process could serve as a leadership development process as well as a data collection process. A common survey instrument will ensure that the data collection is done methodically.
The Casey Foundation should issue the invitation to the first FES Cluster meeting. The agenda of the first meeting should include: overview of FES ; initial process and timetable; and agreement on participation.
EBAYC will convene the Education cluster. They will follow a similar process to the one proposed for the FES cluster.
The question of whether this cluster should be a Safety Cluster or a Health Cluster was raised. The Health Work Group had some concerns that health could be eclipsed if it were a safety cluster, and that safety is ultimately a health issue. However, the Planning Committee felt strongly that it should be a Safety Cluster—not a Community Health Cluster—because safety is the most important issue for residents.
There was a suggestion that the 23rd Avenue Work Group should evolve into the Safety Cluster. EBAYC felt strongly that they should be separate. EBAYC is currently working with the Alameda County Health Department on juvenile justice issues. The Safety Cluster could be an outgrowth of this work. EBAYC and the Health Dept. could convene the Safety Cluster.
It was suggested that we move forward with the FES cluster and Education cluster, and hold off on the Safety Cluster for the time being.
Pat St. Onge suggested that we consider holding regular community meetings—on a set day every month—so we begin to establish a regular pattern of meetings. This issue will be discussed at the April Planning Meeting.