Chesapeake Bay Program Independent Evaluator – GIT 6 Review & Next Steps

Independent Evaluator (Charge from PSC ) Charge: o Develop a set of options for Principals’ Staff Committee consideration and approval for establishing a process for independent evaluation of the Chesapeake Bay Program activities with input from CAC, STAC, and LGAC (including consideration of an option for no action) o Provide a draft work plan/outline that provides the steps and analytical work to establish the process Review evaluation activities already occurring in the Chesapeake Bay Program Partnership Analyze approaches that other geographic programs are using Include an iterative process between the Management Board and GIT6 for each major step in the workplan GIT6 should include estimated costs of all options being considered

Reviewing current and potential evaluation activities What areas of program management might benefit from periodic evaluation? Are the areas currently evaluated? If not, how could such evaluations be conducted? What is the cost for new evaluations? Recommendations based on cost-benefit.

CAC requested consideration of: striving for increased public confidence by undergoing independent evaluation ( MB – referred to Editorial Board) Conduct systematic independent as well as internal evaluations on an as needed basis to assess the integrity of strategy implementation, the root causes concerning any incomplete progress in achieving key goals and outcomes, and to improve program effectiveness and efficiency. (GIT Chairs Meeting – referred to Issues Resolution Committee) Public Comments Received Regarding Independent Evaluation

Decisions Needed Today ( ) Decision to support this work to fulfill charge from PSC. Identify volunteers to begin work. Decisions Needed Today & Next Meeting