We started with a fun activity in which we broke up into teams of three. One person had to describe an image, the artist had to draw what described, and the third person observed how well the team spoke, listened, and acted. It was a perfect analogy for the public speaking in which the speaker talks and the audience listens, interprets, and acts. The observer was like our Toastmasters evaluators, trying to pick out how and why the communication worked or didn't.
Danita pointed out that evaluations are most effective when we compare someone's performance to a standard or model. For example, at toastmasters, the standard is to communicate effectively and meet the objectives in our manuals. An evaluator should compare the speaker's performance to how well they've met these objectives. If you're evaluating an employee, you would compare their performance to their job description and work plan. Those are the models that describe how the individual should perform. The evaluator tries to help the individual learn how well they meet these objectives and suggestions for how they can improve to better meet their objectives next time.
Danita suggested we think about evaluations in this outline:
- Introduction
- Praise, things the individual generally did well
- Specific comments about the individual's objectives
- Points for improvement
- Acknowledge the speakers potential and encourage their continued effort
We had the opportunity to try out her suggestions during Lauren White's speech Abraham Lincoln. In the end, Danita reminded us that evaluations are meant to help our speakers, employees, and others improve and grow. She suggested these:
Eight Behaviors of Effective Evaluators
- Know the objectives to which you're comparing the individual's performance
- Listen and observe
- Personalize your language (Use "I" as you describe your opinions.)
- Acknowledge and praise actions that met objectives
- Give suggestions for improvement of actions that did not match up
- Evaluate performance of speeches, not their content
- Inspire the the individual to continue their effort by stating their potential
- Stay on task; remember, evaluations are about your speaker or employee... not about you!
Thanks to everyone who came out and made this Evaluations Workshop a complete success!
End of Meeting Announcements
- We have new evaluation tools. Whether you're a scheduled evaluator or just want to practice, please remember we have evaluation forms you can use, and help us remind others that these are available.
- Christy is working on the agenda for the next 3 months. Those who were able to make it out last night saw a preview, but keep in mind, this is not yet final. She'll email the group with the final document when it's ready.
- Holiday bash and gift for Jade. The holiday bash will be Dec. 20 at Angelo's and will focus around a white elephant gift exchange game. If you can make it, bring a gender-neutral gift (approx. $10) wrapped, and be prepared for fun! We will also be giving Jade (our server) a gift card and card. If you would like to contribute, and haven't emailed me already, please do so by Monday Dec 17. I will not be at the Dec 6 meeting. Please bring your contribution to the Dec. 20 meeting.
- It's Holiday rush at Angelo's, and we get moved around. During the busy times at Angelo's there's a chance that we will get booted from the private room and moved into the main dining area. If you don't see us in the back, check the main dining area.
- Follow Oyster Point Speakers on Facebook! One of our guests last night came to our meeting because she learned about it on Facebook. If you're on Facebook, follow us to get event updates, find interesting articles about professional development, and more! We're at https://www.facebook.com/
