Social & Impact Evaluation

"It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving." —Mother Teresa (Attributed)

The most desired measure for any solution is IMPACT. In the video, Lasting Impact Kevin Starr states there are three ways to measure impact: 

  • Know your mission
  • Measure the right thing
  • Measure it well
Starr suggests a mission statement of no more than eight words which include a verb, target population, and outcome. An example of a mission statement is: Get African families out of extreme poverty. In order to know what to measure Starr says to ask yourself, "If I could only measure one thing to know if I fulfilled my mission statement what would it be?" The difference between what happened because of a solution and what would have happened without it is IMPACT. 

When setting off to create social innovation Starr asks the following:

  • Is it needed? 
  • Does it work? 
  • Will it get to those who need it? 
  • Will they use it right?

These questions are paramount when desiring to get involved in community service or social innovation. 

Keith Morton in, Starfish Hurling and Community Service the point is made that damage can be done by good intentions. Morton suggests, "Don’t go charging out to help. Talk, listen, build relationships, know yourself, your environment; work with others where they and the situation itself can teach you how to act with more and more knowledge and effectiveness."

Lasting Impact Video- https://vimeo.com/17292835

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