We started with a presentations from Palmer Moe (review of Year 1 through 3 accomplishments), Nancy Villa (demonstration of web-based data entry/report system and Megan Kromer (logic behind KCF data collection requirements and future directions for evaluation.)

Large Group Discussion: What Is and Isn’t Working?
The participants were divided into four groups and each group was facilitated by two EMBA students. The format for this session was to simply ask: What is working well within PMNC? People answered spontaneously and their answers were recorded on large sheets of paper that were posted on the wall. After everything was said that was going to be said, another question was asked: What is NOT working so well within PMNC? Again, answers were spontaneous and were recorded.

Small Group Discussions:
After lunch we had small group discussions that were centered on three questions. People met in groups of eight, discussed each question and each group then shared their top two insights with the entire audience. Each question was posed, discussed and shared before moving on to the next question.

The questions and the rationale for each were:

1) Think back to the beginning of Precious Minds, New Connections and when you first received funding…what about this program was most exciting to you?
We asked this question to help people remind themselves and get in touch with their initial enthusiasm. While no lack of enthusiasm was expected, it is important that people remember the beginning. We believe we are making history with PMNC and the recounting of that history is important in order to build a strong foundation (no pun intended) for the future.

2) Now that you have been involved for over a year, what have been the surprises? What have been the unexpected challenges?
We wanted to allow frustrations, obstacles, unanticipated outcomes and successes to emerge on equal footing and within a framework that encouraged discussion. We also felt that by asking open-ended questions we would find themes and common trends. Every effort was made to suspend our own assumptions and projections and to allow those at ground-zero to openly express their perceptions.

3) In order to generate energy and learn from each other, how can we develop a Learning Community? What would a Learning Community look like to you? What are other options for creating and sustaining energy?
As was already mentioned, this meeting was designed as a “first in a series”; but, it was important to also check this assumption. Did the people working with parents and implementing PMNC feel the need or have the desire to develop a learning community? How did they think they best benefit from each other? While we firmly believe that sharing information, reducing “competition” between agencies and developing a stronger community dedicated to parents and children is important, the method in which this is done must have everyone’s input.

Closing the Day
After the small group discussions, we organized back into the groups we started with in the morning. We asked people to share their thoughts to one question: What do you know now -- after being at this meeting today and having the conversations with each other -- that you did NOT know before the day started. We felt it important that people give time to thinking about and articulating their feelings about a day devoted to their own thoughts and reflections. People volunteered their answers, one at a time. Thanks to the participants, this turned out to be an inspiring and moving way to end the day.

What We Learned »