Finance Highlights 2008 0729 - Laserfiche WebLink

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OPERATIONAL EVALUATION Overview In the Operational Evaluation section of this report, we will examine 5 areas that affect organizational sustainability: Needs Assessments; Creating Strategic Partnerships; Succession Planning; Volunteer Recruiting, Development, and Retention; and Reviewing Infrastructure Efficiencies. In the two Needs Assessments sections, we review DSFRC's outreach efforts, service quality, and community reputation. In the first Needs Assessment section, we look at marketing and public relations communications within the community. In the second section, we review DSFRC's ability to meet its commitments to clients, peer agencies, its Board and staff, and funding organizations (and, in the Board of Directors' case, the Board's ability to meet commitments to DSFRC). These factors directly impact DSFRC's ability to achieve its mission. In the section titled Creating Strategic Partnerships, we examine ways in which DSFRC can partner with community businesses and agencies in order to better serve the client. These strategies include asking businesses to help DSFRC extend its reach by offering discounts to those in need, arranging for businesses to support DSFRC's mission through volunteerism, and forming liaisons with other, similar agencies to share strategies for addressing common non-profit business challenges. In the Succession Planning section of this report, we examine the stability of programs/departments and key personnel positions by reviewing current, and suggesting other contingency plans. We also evaluate the strength of documented procedures and policies that act as maps to the agency's operations in the absence of experienced leaders. In the Volunteer Recruiting, Development, and Retention section, we look at the current ways in which DSFRC uses volunteers and then briefly comment on upcoming reorganization in this area. Reviewing Infrastructure Efficiencies discusses a few organizational vulnerabilities not mentioned in prior sections. Needs Assessments: Evaluating marketing and public relations efforts Evaluating how well DSFRC markets, communicates, and especially serves its target audience (clients and agencies) is the most significant measure of service agency's success in achieving its mission and is a major factor in sustaining the agency. sustainability Study: Davis Street Family Resource Center-4/08 Page 13 of 96