The next TC USSF meeting is on Sunday, September 30, 2-4 pm, at Intermedia Arts. Please let us know if you will be attending, so we know how much materials to bring.

Monday, August 13, 2007

RFQ to assist the USSF evaluation

Request for Quotations (RFQ) to Assist the US Social Forum Evaluation

Timeframe: Now until October 31, 2007

Expectations: There are two phases to the evaluation

Phase One: Preparation for, facilitation of and follow-up to the Sept 23-26 meeting of the national Planning committee

Phase Two: Implementation of the evaluation plan overseeing of deliverables

We are looking for one proposal that includes (with breakout) phase one and phase two. We are looking for a strong lead consultant to oversee both phases of this project working with one or more other consultants to provide needed services or expertise. It is our expectation that the lead consultant will include and name additional consultants they would work with to complete the evaluation

Deadline: Your response to the RFQ is due by end of day Friday August 17, 2007. Your RFQ will be considered an all-inclusive quote covering all direct and in-direct cost. Please include cost such as supplies, travel, etc.

Submit to: George Friday via email at ippn@igc.org

Essential Skills: Strong facilitation and excellent writing skills
Flexible and open to chaos
Able to work within a team structure
Strong interviewing skills

Tasks: Work with team to create agenda for Sept. Mtg.
Work with team to design instruments related to outcomes
Assist in writing deliverables

Outcome: Antidotal—stories from the social forum during and after
Deliverable: DVD

Outcome: Analytical—research based, demographics and political analysis
Deliverable: Summation Report

Outcome: Process and Procedures
Deliverable: Publication

Background and Purpose
The National Planning Committee (NPC) of the US Social Forum (USSF, the Forum) is conducting a comprehensive evaluation of its planning and implementation process and is seeking consulting services to assist with the evaluation and facilitate the 3 day NPC evaluation meeting beginning September 24th 2007. We are seeking a team of 1) a lead facilitator and 2) a co-facilitator for face to face meeting(s).

Successful applicants will have skills in providing assessment, evaluation, and facilitation in addition to a keen understanding of the political values of the USSF and group dynamics.

Plan of Action
the USSF evaluation consultant(s) will perform or cause to be performed the following duties:
1) Communicate with the Evaluation Team to create a structure to support the NPC and related sub-groups (as needed) through the evaluation process – this includes setting goals, objectives, and deliverables for each respondent segment. Stakeholders include (but are not limited to) a) the Local Organizing Committee, b) NPC working groups, c) plenary working groups, d) staff, and e) regional committees. This includes interviews with focus group to be identified by the NPC.
2) Compile and summarize data collected from sources named in 1) a-d at the September evaluation meeting and help team to determine how it will be used in the overall evaluation process.

3) Assist the NPC evaluation work team to design the evaluation process and meeting agendas.

4) Facilitate the 3-day meeting to yield recommendations and/or action plans for building needed capacity and sustaining effective support for future Social Forums.

5) Develop an analysis and report that can help move us towards 2010.
Criteria for facilitators:
· Be objective
· Familiarity with social justice movement building work.
· Political alignment with the National Planning Committee and familiarity with social forum process
· Have strong facilitation skills.
· Ability to provide tools and methodology to conduct committee, working group, staff and team evaluations
· Ability to navigate and lead through large group dynamics
· Ability to recognize and walk a group or individual through issues of gender, age, class, race, sexuality, ability, and political alignment.
· Ability to deal and respect strong personalities and strong opinions
· Ability to identify, name and sift through what is political and what is personal.
· Knowing when to intervene and when not to.
· Conflict resolution skills
· Strive for a balance of qualitative and quantitative measurables
· Rigorous follow through
· Sense of humor
· Flexibility and ability to redirect quickly
· Good at summing up and pushing for lessons
Deadline: Your response to the RFQ is due by end of day Friday August 17, 2007. Your RFQ will be considered an all-inclusive quote covering all direct and in-direct cost. Please include cost such as supplies, travel, etc.

Submit to: George Friday via email at ippn@igc.org



We will reply to all who submit a RFQ’s by August 30, 2007

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