1. Designing for Social
May 1, 2014

2. Re-Connecting
Your name tags are coded with colored dots.
(There are four colors)
Please seat yourselves according to color code:
 EVERYONE at the table should have the same color dot

3. Re-Connecting
 Welcome & Introductions of New Faces
 Warm-up
 The importance of “Designing for Social”

4. Re-Connecting
Warm-up
Describe an experience when an acquaintance
became a friend. How did that happen?

5. ShareFest 1
Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont & Emanu-El
 Deep-dive glimpse into congregation’s experience
 Key success elements & take-aways
 Input from other congregations
 Inquiries from other congregations

6. Scarsdale Synagogue
Annual FUNdraiser

7. Goals of the FUNdraiser:
not just to raise money!

8. GOALS
• To build community
• To create intimate settings
• To make people matter
• To remove psychological barriers to attending

9. To Build Community
• FUNdraiser Committee
• Intimate setting for dinner
• After attendees have dinner in hosts’ homes everyone comes
together at the synagogue
• Havdalah
• Fund-A-Need

10. To Create Intimate Settings
• Dinners are hosted in congregants’ homes for
groups of 8 – 12 people
• 1 ½ to 2 hours to socialize in an intimate setting
with gracious hosts
• People may be grouped with friends or with
people they don’t know at all

11. To Make People Matter
• Honoree: Jody Glassman, Director of Early Childhood
Education Program “Mazel Tots”
• Celebration of the 13th year of Mazel Tots: the students
and the teachers
• Journal – opportunity for people to send a personal
message
• Younger members matter: this is a celebration of the
program that their children attend

12. Invitation

13. Journal

14. To Remove Psychological Barriers
• By having dinner in a host’s home, people arrive at the
synagogue together
• Removes the barrier created by the trepidation of walking
in alone to a large event

15. Evening Format
• Dinner in hosts’ homes (6:00 – 8:00pm)
• Celebration at Synagogue (8:15 – 11:30)
• Dessert buffet, beverages, wine (8:15 – 11:30)
• Silent Auction
• Havdalah
• Live Auction, Fund-A-Need
• Dancing and Socializing

16. How To Make the Dinners Work
• Commitment of leadership and Fundraiser Committee
• Hosts: Start with Board members, people who are
“connectors”
• Hosts – some will invite people they know, helping raise
attendance
• Explain how attendees are “assigned” to hosts

17. Reverse Side of RSVP Card
A highlight of this dinner format has been the opportunity to get to know
fellow congregants in a small and informal setting. We will connect
each of you with a warm and welcoming host, who is looking forward to
meeting and dining with you.
Your host will be contacting you prior to the event to discuss details
If you have friends with whom you would like to dine, or people you
would like to get to know better, please list them below, and we will do
our best to accommodate you.

18. Letter to Hosts
Dear Ellen and Scott,
Thank you for hosting the dinner portion of our FUNdraiser in your home. Below are the names of your
guests with their contact information. Please contact them to let them know that they are invited to join
you at your home, to give them your address/directions, to ask them to bring a dish if you are having a
“pot luck” dinner and to remind them when to arrive (we recommend 6 pm).
We are relying on you to make sure that you and your guests arrive at Scarsdale Synagogue between
8:00 and 8:15pm (at the latest) for the balance of the evening. Remember, you are not serving dessert.
We will be having dessert, a silent auction, live auction and entertainment at the synagogue. Wine and a
“signature cocktail” will be served, as well as soft drinks, coffee and tea. It is important that everyone
arrive no later than 8:30pm so that our program runs smoothly.
If you have any questions, please call Donna at 722-4043 or email at donnasuevitale@gmail.com.
On behalf of the FUNdraising committee, thank you so much for graciously agreeing to host at your
home. You are setting the tone of the evening, which we know will be warm, friendly and fun.

19. “Thank You” Means “You Matter”
Dear Ellen and Scott:
On behalf of the Annual FUNdraiser Committee and all of us at the Synagogue, I want to thank you for
participating in our FUNdraiser on April 5.
By graciously hosting dinner at your home, you kicked off the evening with warm hospitality and a sense of
community that carried through the entire event. Thank you for setting the tone for our FUNdraiser.
Your presence and generosity at the celebration at the synagogue are greatly appreciated and contributed to
making this year’s FUNdraiser an unprecedented success. We surpassed our $40,000 goal for our synagogue
operating budget and raised $55,900 for equipment for our new playground.
We are delighted that you joined us for this very important evening. It would not have been the same without
you!
Best regards,
•
•

20. REVIEW OF GOALS
• To build community
• To create intimate settings
• To make people matter
• To remove psychological barriers to attending
• And Yes, To raise money

21. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR EVENT!
Donna Vitale Ruskin
Scarsdale Synagogue
donnasuevitale@gmail.com

22. Mission Possible
TEN CONSIDERATIONS
WHEN DESIGNING FOR SOCIAL
EMOTIONS
1. Helping people feel safe/having a buddy
2. Remove awkwardness/structure/ice-breaking
3. Intimacy/transparency
4. Inviting/modeling vulnerability

23. Mission Possible
TEN CONSIDERATIONS
WHEN DESIGNING FOR SOCIAL
WEAVING THE NETWORK
5. Design with empathy – understand your audience
6. Get to know the interests/skills in the room; invite/empower others to lead/teach
7. Scaffolding for shared interests/needs (get outside the comfort zone)

24. Mission Possible
TEN CONSIDERATIONS
WHEN DESIGNING FOR SOCIAL
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
8. Think on multiple social levels: 1:1; group; person to community
9. Space design – where, what, how. Vibe and structure
10. How to continue connections after. How are you planning for the long term
results?

25. Mission Possible
YOUR MISSION,
SHOULD YOU ACCEPT IT
(it’s not really a choice)

26. Mission Possible
APPLYING DESIGN THINKING TO
DESIGNING FOR SOCIAL MISSION
Design the Problem
Empathize
Ideate
Get Input
Refine & prototype
Test
Iterate as needed

27. Mission Possible
APPLYING DESIGN THINKING TO
DESIGNING FOR SOCIAL MISSION

28. Mission Possible
SHARING & IMPROVING DESIGN
(Use modified Critical Friends Protocol to share and
improve design ideas of Mission Groups 1 & 2)

29. Mission Possible
CRITICAL FRIENDS PROTOCOL
1. Presentation by Mission Possible team (3 minutes)
2. Clarifying questions from group (3 minutes)
3. Hot/cool feedback from group (4 minutes)

30. ShareFest 2
430 DeMott Avenue:
Central Synagogue of Nassau County
Reconstructionist Congregation Beth Emeth
 Deep-dive glimpse into congregation’s experience
 Key success elements & take-aways
 Input from other congregations
 Inquiries from other congregations

31. Lunch: Sustenance
& Socializing
Get more acquainted with others
who share similar issues and interests
in other congregations

32. Mission Possible
SHARING & IMPROVING DESIGN
(Use modified Critical Friends Protocol to share and
improve design ideas of Mission Groups 3 & 4)

33. Mission Possible
CRITICAL FRIENDS PROTOCOL
1. Presentation by Mission Possible team (3 minutes)
2. Clarifying questions from group (3 minutes)
3. Hot/cool feedback from group (4 minutes)

34. Observe
Design
Experiment
Refine
The Design Process

35. Why evaluate?
The purpose of evaluation
is to improve not (only) to
prove.
Daniel Stufflebeam

36. What Are SMART Goals?
•Specific
What will participants know, feel, do believe?
•Measurable
How can we assess success in observable ways?
•Action-oriented
What will we DO?
•Realistic
Are the goals achievable?
•Timely
Are they achievable in the available time?

37. Formative
evaluation
Summative
evaluation
Developmental
evaluation

38. What are Some Concrete Indicators of Effective Programs that
are “Designed for Social”?
What will success look like…
• for individual participants?
• for sponsoring institutions?
• for the community?

39. Making Sure You Hit the Mark
Choosing the Methodology
to Evaluate Your Project

40. Front End Work:
Laying the groundwork for your evaluation
• What are the goals of your project?
• What do you want to know?
• Who are your evaluation audiences?
• How will you use the information?

41. Not everything that
counts can be
measured…
Not everything that
can be measured
counts.
Albert Einstein

42. • Extract data from written records
(e.g., surveys)
• Survey individuals or groups (participants, non-participants,
parents, teachers, employers, general public, etc.)
• Individual interviews
• Focus groups
• Structured observations
Possible methodologies

43. SAMPLE : After Action Review Chart
Strengths Weaknesses Retain/Change in
Future
Follow-up
Planning Process
Communication
Logistics
Staffing
Schedule/Timing
Program Content
Implementation
Learner Impact
Organizational
Impact

44. Observation Protocols
• Types of observations:
o Non-participant/Passive observation
o Participant observation
• Goals of observations
• Descriptive observations (initial, general)
• Focused observations (on aspects relevant to research question)
• Selective observation (to purposively grasp central aspects
• Phases of observation planning
• Selection of a setting (where and when)
• Definition of what is to be documented in observation
• Training of observers for standardization

45. Focus Group Interviews
GOAL: obtain perceptions on a focused topic in a supportive, non-threatening environment
METHODOLOGY:
 + 7-10 participants
 best conducted with groups that have commonalities
 skilled interviewer
 ‘safe’ environment.’
 no effort to reach consensus -- rather give voice to multiple perspectives.
PLANNING:
 Identify goals
 Identify participants
 Create Interview Protocol
ANALYSIS:
 Trace common themes, interesting divergences
 Identify areas for further exploration
FOLLOW UP:
 Thank yous
 Sharing findings
 Follow up (individual and/or group as appropriate)

46. Data mining & Document review
 Conduct secondary analysis of existing data to
answer specific questions (e.g., how many
congregants fall in particular demographics; re-
analyze findings from recent surveys to answer
specific questions (e.g., Measuring Success
survey);
 Use techniques such as Language Audit

47. Quick Reflection
USES:
 Providing feedback to inform future programs
 Assessment of impact
 Assessment of participants’ experience
 Supporting synthesis and reflection by participants
Can be administered on site or online (immediately following program/event)

48. What do you need to know? How (and when) will you measure it?
What do you need to know about your project, and how will you measure it?

49. What do you need to know about your project, and how will you measure it?
What do you need to know? How (and when) will you measure it?
1. How does what you proposed match up with
what is being delivered on the ground?
Where are the breakdowns? What are the
obstacles? What changes are needed?
2. How are key stakeholders (learners, parents,
educators, leaders, funders) experiencing the
project?
What is valued/not? What is enhancing and
what is difficult/getting in the way?
3. What are the intended and unintended
consequences of the project on key
stakeholders (in terms of know, do, believe,
belong)?
How is the impact of the project on the
organization?
4. Based on stakeholder responses/actions, what
are the key elements that:
- need to be nurtured/enhanced?
- modified (in what ways?)

50. What do you need to know about your project, and how will you measure it?
What do you need to know? How (and when) will you measure it?
1. How does what you proposed match up with
what is being delivered on the ground?
Where are the breakdowns? What are the
obstacles? What changes are needed?
HOW: Annotated observation; after-action review
WHEN: During programs/classes/events; weekly?
Monthly? After each event? What if some of the key
work is in-between events???
2. How are key stakeholders (learners, parents,
educators, leaders, funders) experiencing the
project?
What is valued/not? What is enhancing and
what is difficult/getting in the way?
HOW: Annotated observation; quick-feedback
surveys/interviews with all types of stakeholders
WHEN: During programs/classes/events; weekly?
Monthly? After each event? What if some of the key
work is in-between events???
3. What are the intended and unintended
consequences of the project on key
stakeholders (in terms of know, feel, do,
believe)?
How is the impact of the project on the
organization?
HOW: Annotated observation; quick-feedback
surveys/interviews/skills demonstrations with all
types of stakeholders/after-action reviews
WHEN: During programs/classes/events; weekly?
Monthly? After each event? What if some of the key
work is in-between events???
4. Based on stakeholder responses/actions, what
are the key elements that:
- need to be nurtured/enhanced?
- modified (in what ways?)
HOW: After action review
WHEN: Weekly? Monthly? After each event?

51. Evaluation Planning Worksheet
FOCUS
PROGRAM GOALS
DESIGN CRITERIA
EVALUATION
QUESTIONS
INDICATORS
BENCHMARKS
MILE MARKERS
ASSESSMENT TOOLS
DATA SOURCES
COMMUNICATING &
ACTING ON FINDINGS
What issue/problem does
the program address?
What is/are the target
population(s) for the
program?
What are the program
goals?
Which of these goals do
you want to evaluate?
What is important to you
to measure or evaluate?
What questions are
important to answer?
e.g.:
Do you want to expand the
program?
Do you want to improve
the quality of the
program?
Are you concerned about
the efficiency of the
program/program
resources?
Do you want to assess the
effectiveness of the
program in achieving its
goals?
Do you need descriptive
information about the
program for PR or other
reporting purposes?
What evidence can you
look for that will tell you if
the program is in its way
to achieving its goals?
Are there some goals that
are instrumental or
secondary to achieving the
over-arching goals of the
program?
[distinguish between
inputs, activities, outputs
& outcomes]
What assessment tools
can you use to uncover
evidence of goal
achievement?
[e.g., interviews, surveys,
questionnaires, focus
groups, community
forums, observations,
analysis of program
records]
Who/what are the best
sources for data
collection?
How?
When?
Where?
To whom?
By whom?

52. You’ve Got Your Results –
So Now What?

53. What do you do with:
 Positive results?
 Negative results? [Fail Forward!]
 Neutral/inconclusive results

54. Use your findings!
Refine

55. 7th Inning Stretch
Move to sit in congregational teams

56. ShareFest 3
Park Slope Jewish Center
 Deep-dive glimpse into congregation’s experience
 Key success elements & take-aways
 Input from other congregations
 Inquiries from other congregations

57. Bringing It Home
SITTING IN CONGREGATIONAL TEAMS:
 What have we learned?
 How will we use it?
 Announcements about coming events, next steps