Murdi Paaki Regional Rugby League Council Inc
Murdi Paaki Regional Rugby League Council Inc, trading as Creative Community Concepts, dedicated to connecting and empowering regional and outback NSW communities, reached a critical juncture in its growth journey.
They recognised the need to adapt and evolve their programs and initiatives to better serve their beneficiaries. In 2021, facing complex and dynamic challenges, they sought our expertise to conduct a developmental evaluation—a dynamic and flexible approach to evaluation that emphasises learning and adaptation.
The service offering:
As Creative Community Concepts chosen partner, our mission was clear: to facilitate a developmental evaluation process that would help them unlock their full potential and achieve their social impact goals more effectively. The organisation's leadership was committed to embracing change and learning from their experiences, making them ideal candidates for this approach.
Approach
Co-Creation of Evaluation Framework: Our first step was to collaborate closely with Creative Community Concepts leadership and stakeholders to co-create the evaluation framework. Together, we identified key programmatic areas to focus on and developed an overarching Program logic model, alongside nested logic models for each of the six Program activities.
Real-Time Data Collection: We used video interviews, photography and vox pop questionnaires to gather information from community participants. We also used team meetings and discussion after community events to gather information from the CCC staff and other community partners. Rather than relying solely on end-of-year reports, we met with the team and continuously gathered data to ensure data integrity and provide real-time insights into program effectiveness.
Feedback Loops: To foster a culture of learning and adaptation, we facilitated regular feedback sessions with Creative Community Concepts team members. These sessions allowed us to share emerging findings and engage in constructive discussions about potential adjustments to their programs.
Utilisation-Focused Reporting: Rather than traditional lengthy reports, we provided concise, actionable insights on an ongoing basis. Our reporting emphasiased the practical application of findings, making it easier for Creative Community Concepts to make informed decisions.
Outcomes
Enhanced Program Effectiveness: Through the developmental evaluation process, Creative Community Concepts identified areas where their programs could be improved. They made real-time adjustments, resulting in increased program effectiveness and a higher level of impact on their beneficiaries.
Strengthened Learning Culture: The organisation's culture underwent a profound transformation. They embraced a learning mindset, valuing experimentation and adaptation and became comfortable with change.
Greater Accountability and Transparency: The developmental evaluation approach led to greater transparency in Creative Community Concepts operations. Funders and service delivery partners appreciated the organisation's commitment to continuous improvement, leading to increased support and funding opportunities.
A Lasting Impact
Our role was not just to evaluate but to facilitate a journey of growth and transformation. Creative Community Concepts decision to embrace developmental evaluation has had a lasting impact on their ability to fulfill their mission and purpose. Their dedication to learning, adaptability, and accountability has not only improved their programs but also strengthened their position as a leader in the community development and not-for-profit space.
“The Centre team are very professional and has a great ability to articulate strategies in a way that is easily understood. They feel like part of the CCC crew now and we have learnt a lot that we can utilise moving forward with future projects to ensure we are capturing quality data’. - CEO, Creative Community Concepts
