New Training Opportunities for MicroTest

[Community Development Banking List]

Original message from: tamra.thetford@aspeninst.org





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MicroTest is pleased to announce a new way for microenterprise development organizations (MDOs) to join MicroTest, and for current MicroTest members to refresh their understanding of how MicroTest data collection and reporting works. To learn more regarding the benefits of participating in MicroTest, please visit: www.microtest.org<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=ubpbdtda...l&id=preview>.

Data on program effectiveness and client achievement, generated through MicroTest, is even more important in these tough economic times when fund-raising is particularly challenging. MicroTest, developed 12 years ago by FIELD (the Microenterprise Fund for Innovation, Effectiveness, Learning and Dissemination), is a proven tool to help practitioners gauge the performance of their programs and the outcomes of their clients, and document results for key stakeholders.

Marian Doub of Friedman Associates is now a certified MicroTest trainer, able to provide on-site individual or group training to programs interested in joining or renewing MicroTest membership. This arrangement leverages the strong relationship MicroTest has with Ms. Doub, who has worked with MicroTest as a member's representative and served as a consultant to MicroTest on measurement issues. Ms. Doub's experience consulting with MicroTest members, as well as her strong capacity in adapting participatory research and evaluation methods to build the internal capacity of nonprofits, makes her an excellent choice for organizations interested in joining MicroTest. Because she can deliver customized training at an organization's convenience, MDOs will now be able to become MicroTest members at any point during the year.

To help new programs get started using MicroTest-and to help existing MicroTest members refresh their data collection skills-Ms. Doub of Friedman Associates offers two training packages: 1) Customized on-site 1½-day training, and 2) Group 2-day training with 4 or more organizations.

Packages include:

* Training that covers a hands-on, learning-by-doing introduction and practicum in the MicroTest Program Performance and Outcomes systems-requirements, purpose, data collection, reports, and use of the results to get your program up and running with MicroTest;
* Up to five (5) one-hour phone consultations for members: one pre-training, two post-training follow-up, and two healthy systems/troubleshooting check-ins to prepare for MicroTest reporting for up to two years; and
* The first year of MicroTest membership for new members.
The fee for the on-site package is $2,500, plus travel and lodging expenses. The fee for the group training package is $1,500 per organization (up to 3 staff per program), plus travel and lodging expenses. Additional technical assistance and training for building your program's integrated data/knowledge management systems is available as well. Questions about Ms. Doub's training services can be addressed to: marian@friedmanassociates.net<mailto:marian@friedm anassociates.net> or 415-641-6032. To learn more about Friedman Associates, please visit www.friedmanassociates.net<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=ubpbdtda...x&id=preview>.






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