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Question: Dear Advisor Team,
I'm writing from a small rural town in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Five years ago a small group of local ladies got together with the vision to showcase our town (increase tourism) and to increase social cohesiveness (racially segregated and diverse). We started the Encounter East Griqualand Country and Garden Festival which is in our 5th year this year (see website: www.encountereg.co.za). It has proved a wonderful success - starting with around 400 visitors over the 3-day event and ballooning to over 1000 visitors last year. The Festival has more than 60 "events" which include gardens, music, agricultural events, a parade, a street market, children's activities, food at every venue, wild flower and birding walks and talks, guest speakers, book launches etc. Next week we will be meeting to start talking about Encounter 2015. As the "facilitator" to our planning sessions, this year I have the challenge of a group that are tired. I like your section on institutionalising the initiative - I think the Festival should start looking more like a business than a committee - and I will use the 8 questions to structure the discussion. But, what other tools, tips, or strategies can I use to invigorate the group? I'll obviously start with brain-storming and discussing our successes - but, I feel, in our hearts, we know that. What else can fire up the group again? We will also have some POTENTIAL new committee members at the meeting (I've asked that they also be invited), so that they are clear about the current committees "malaise", but are made to feel part of the reason for its continuation....Any ideas? I would be most grateful. (P.S. The entire committee volunteers their time - we had a part-time marketing person, who is leaving us this year), Kind regards

Answer:

Hi Dr. Roets - I would suggest developing a Theory of Change and develop Program Logic Models. You can begin by developing an outcomes-based theory of change so everyone discusses and knows what success looks like for various stakeholders. The Annie E. Casey Foundation has some good tools. I would suggest exploring their website.

Question Date: Thu, 01/29/2015