COMPASS was created in 2000 by Social Science professionals, deeply committed to Israeli society and the global Jewish sphere. Our aim is to provide a map and a compass based on Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) to help guide social change organizations to maximize their results. We believe that our actions lead to social impact, ultimately resulting in a fairer, more united and open-minded society.
The focus of everything we do at COMPASS is: PEOPLE.
We respect people from all walks of life, we like to meet them and listen to their fascinating stories, we like to gain an in-depth understanding of their thoughts. We see it as a privilege that our work gives us the opportunity to empower people.
The building blocks of mutual professional creation
Mastering innovative know-how to provide the appropriate solution
Adapting ourselves to the dynamic environment
We respect, appreciate and are sensitive to diverse cultures in our work
Focusing on providing practical value and promoting social impact
COMPASS’s contribution to social change organizations is based on varied solutions: Characterization and development of “theories of change” and models, planning and executing evaluative frameworks and monitoring systems, aimed at generating learning. Our solutions are relevant for a wide range of social processes, from focused programs through strategic policy guidelines affecting wide population bases.
Our approach and professional tools are tailored to each specific case according to the unique characteristics and needs of the organization. We either do the work ourselves, or we guide the organization towards internal evaluation capacity building.
We believe in models, in sound theories, and in case studies. Yet, our work is aimed at utilization and action: principles and consequences pointing your way ahead.
COMPASS sees itself and the organizations that it partners with as belonging to a “community of change”. As members of this community we work together, and believe that partnership, collaboration and reciprocity are the ingredients for optimal results.
Youval Porat during Principles Focused Evaluation Workshop moderated by Michael Q. Patton – click to watch a tribute to Leonard Cohen
We are pleased to include the following list in the hope you find resources that are useful to you. If you are seeking additional information, we encourage you to contact us.
For readings on evaluation methods and tools – with thanks to Dr. Judy Samuels for the recommendation. Substantial information can be found here.
A variety of concepts displayed as a periodic table on Sara Vaca’s web site
If you are unfamiliar with advanced evaluation methods, we recommend reading Developmental Evaluation, Principle Focused Evaluation and Outcome Harvesting
To better understand the concept of a “community” we recommend reading the first chapter of “For the Purpose of Mutual Change” (Hebrew only) written by Dr. Sarah Shedmi of “Shdemot” at Oranim College
Introduction of U Theory is recommended by our friend Tali Raz from the HATRIBUNA, dealing with participatory leadership
Our friend Dr. Liora Pascal, former head of Evaluation unit at the Avi-Hai Fund, staunchly recommends participating in the annual conference of the American Evaluation Association (AEA). We tried it and we are hooked! This is what Youval posted on FedCentral following the 2018 conference
One of the few research papers written about the General Staff Forum was written by Yotam Amitai and Tamar Barash. You can read it here (Hebrew only)
Evaluation processes have evolved in the last few years from a hierarchic process managed by ‘experts’ to a participatory process. Our friend David Fetterman recently published a book on the subject
How many times have you tried to explain what evaluation is and got all tangled up? Dana Wanzer tries to supply an answer to the connection between research and evaluation
Traditional evaluation among youngsters used to treat them as subjects. Cara Karter suggests we climb the ladder and integrate youngsters in different levels of evaluation decisions. Worth a thought, isn’t it?