Key Impact Measurements

Outcome

Indicator

Graduates recognize themselves as a member of a larger social fabric and therefore, consider social problems to be at least partly their own.

80% of graduates indicate that their sense of ‘personal responsibility for issues affecting the community' is high.

Results: this graph demonstrates the impact we are most excited about.  While we did not achieve 80% we definitely shifted the thinking of our participants in a critical area.

Outcome

Indicator

Graduates demonstrate effective leadership through developing skills in the areas of:

1)   Building confidence in their leadership abilities

2)   Understanding and valuing consensus decision making and collaboration

3)   Engaging & embracing diverse perspectives

Results from evaluations administered at the end of each session day, reflect a gradual increase of:

1)   Confidence around leading efforts both within the workplace and the community.

2)   Success in using collaborative methods

3)   Positive experience in dealing with others, by seeking out diverse opinions to add value to your own.

Results: this area focuses on the ‘effectiveness' of our graduates, which to appropriately measure requires the establishment of a ‘360 Degree feedback' process - to have others participate in the assessment of an individual's performance in a specific area - such as leadership.  In the past, ‘360 Degree Feedback' programs required engaging outside firms to administer the survey tool, assimilate the data, and provide the necessary feedback and coaching for individuals to process the feedback and establish a development plan. With the internet, the survey instruments have become available on-line and at a reasonable cost, so we are exploring  the feasibility of implementing a 360 Degree feedback program as a 'pilot' for the class of 2010.

In the meantime, we can report some results from the class of 2009 that - while they were self reported - do lend credibility to the impact of the program in the area of building skills in our participants.

• 85% reported that their ‘interest in leading change efforts within their community' increased or significantly increased.

• 96% reported that their ‘interest in leading collaborative efforts within their organization' increased or significantly increased.

• 93% of the current class reported that their ‘interest in leading collaborative efforts within the community' increased or significantly increased.

• 93% reported that their ‘willingness to surface and deal with difficult issues' increased or significantly increased.

• In March, 75% of the class, reported that they had a ‘high' level of engagement amongst their class members - people they met just 6 months earlier. This increased to 93% in April.

• 34% of the class rated their classmates as trustworthy at the beginning, this increased to 94% at the end of the program! Here are some other noteworthy changes in trust levels.

Outcome

Indicator

Graduates ‘step up' to community leadership roles and opportunities in both political and non-political arenas.

80% of current class increase their willingness to take on leadership roles within the community.

80% of all graduates increase their level of civic engagement within 18 months of graduating.

Results: the following graph depicts how RFL is creating a pipeline of leaders for the community.  As we continue to develop and graduate more skilled leaders, it is our goal that all city council and elected boards consist of RFL graduates.