The Good Enough Guide

Even when people affected by the emergency have participated throughout the project, some people will know more about it than others. Here are some tips for giving a verbal report about the project to the community in general.

Keep it short

Don’t hide information but aim to help people remember the main points about what has happened.

Think what people need to know

Prepare a verbal presentation that suits people’s needs.

Emphasise key points

If you can, use posters, quotes, photos, slides, tables, and charts.

Encourage participation

A Question & Answer session, a panel, or a short play can help.

Encourage people to say what they think

People may have conflicting views of the project and the changes it is making. Think ahead about how you will deal with these different views.

Listen and be tactful

Try to maintain a good atmosphere and good relationships between people, especially if they express different views. Try to end the discussion on a positive note.

From Partners in Evaluation: Evaluating Development and Community Programmes with Participants, © Marie-Thérèse Feuerstein 1986. Reproduced by permission of Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

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