Testimonials Workshops

Get to Great Conference held September 2009

"This is the best professional development I've experienced in my 35 years in education.” - Mike Chirco, Superintendent, Marcus Whitman CSD

"The conference was stimulating and helped me to realize that I can bring the results approach to everything I do." - Rick Amundson, Superintendent, Lyons CSD

“Get to Great is serving to galvanize our school district into truly setting achievable goals in improving the entire educational experience for our students. It is not "a new program", but instead an embedded leadership staff development effort that helps school district leaders pull together all efforts and focus them on the achievement of desired goals.” - Suzanne E. McLeod, Ed.D., Superintendent, Union-Endicott CSD

Kate B. Reynolds Workshop Testimonials - workshop held in June

To get straight to the point, I would tell a friend that they should endeavor to attend a similar session. Since attending the session, rarely a day goes by that I am not thinking about some insight, principle or kernel of truth you shared with us and trying to wrap my arms around how to best put these constructs into action.

At this time, I am prepared to overhaul the customer satisfaction survey for our Health Link program. Recognized by The Children's Defense Fund as a promising approach for reducing racial infant death disparities and improving access to prenatal care, Health Link provides intensive family support through Community Health Workers in an effort to improve maternal, infant and child health and family self-sufficiency.

Thank you for delivering an exceptional day of learning (i.e. you can expect an "enduring change in behavior" on our part in response to what you shared with us)
James Cowan, DVM, MSPH,Allied Health Services Director
Healthy Rowan! Coordinator

I have not stopped talking about the information that you shared with us at the workshop (office staff, board members ,church and even my husband).  I found that looking for results rather than numbers is of much greater importance in what ever your endeavors may be.  Our domestic violence program will really start gearing all of our work in a more outcome based framework.  First thing on the list will be to develop job results instead of descriptions as soon as my board reconvenes in September.  Thanks for a most productive day one of the best information workshops I have attended in a long while. 
Sue Proctor

On the way home from the session in Winston Salem, I called my office and spoke to two key leaders on my team.  I asked them both to reprioritize their week and attend the Greenville session.  I wanted the Manager in charge of a large contract in our office to attend for the tools related to the results orientation.  I know he produces results and we need to find ways to put those out there - perhaps on the home page of the new websites we are working on!  I wanted our training director to attend to witness a great trainer in action - to put some of the tools to use in what we deliver.  I particularly appreciated how all points were made through terrific, memorable stories!   Finally, I wanted them to attend together because I knew they would be full of energy all the way home after such a great training.  We met and processed together and have started  using what we learned!  Thank you!!
Sally Herndon Malek, MPH Head,
Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch, Division of Public Health
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Great ideas.  Caused me to stop, think and evaluate what I am doing now. I now understand what Kate B. Reynolds is looking for and why.
Great workshop.
Van Nelson, Winston Salem Rescue Mission

The workshop was very informative, energetic and raised many good topics for further discussion in our organization. I believe we will be able to use many of the tools and ideas to re-energize our organization. Thanks for such a great event.
Sam Matthews, Executive Director
The Shepherd's Center of Winston-Salem

Primarily, it got me thinking about viewing things from a different perspective. Not about just becoming more “outcome oriented,” but about how to do what’s best for my organization and our kids. Yes, I would strongly recommend it to a friend.
Sara Smith

The value of the outcomes workshop for me was to begin to think differently about the work that I do.  The focus of my work is community education and professional training for domestic violence and sexual assault.  I particularly found the information about informing vs. persuading quite helpful. We want folks to not only receive information but to change behaviors and/or take action.
Thanks again for the follow up!
DeWanna T. Hamlin

Thank you for sending the information!  The workshop was excellent - I got a lot out of it.  The challenge is that changing established procedures requires a sustained and consistent team effort.  I have forwarded these on to my CEO, as he is very interested and could not attend the workshop that day. 
Kathy Banks, Director of Counseling
CCCS of Forsyth County, Inc.

The information was practical and the presenter kept your attention by keeping the audience involved.  I thoroughly enjoyed the day. 
Leslie Dixon, Budget & Grants Analyst
Pitt County

The session has changed my way of thinking and my way of conducting meetings, especially our Team meetings.  The whole vocabulary shift has caused me to think more about energy, mine and our team's package, plus the concept of Result Descriptions instead of Job Descriptions.  I have shared with people here at work and all of this information can be applied to many realms of our work.  Thank you.
Jill Jordan

I'd tell them to absolutely attend because it will give them permission to change the way they write and communicate with funders and within their own organization. Too often we feel compelled, even pressured, to use a grants "language" that is often incomprehensible to those not immersed in a particular field. After a session with Hal, I'm moving to write in a way that will enable anyone to understand the information about which I'm writing. I know instinctively it will meet with good, strong, positive results.  I also loved Hal's description of the school program! It has inspired much thought and conversation "in-house" at my agency. We are tossing around ideas as a result and are amazed at the wealth of creative ideas have sprung from the session Hal led. His enthusiasm is beyond contagious...it is fueling and inspiring!
Lynne Bradley Hiltz

The workshop was very helpful.  It helped us solidify why results oriented evaluations are helpful for both ends of the evaluation (i.e., the evaluator and the evaluatee), and set us on track to use strategic mapping for the strategic plan we are about to embark on.  Thanks for the materials and thanks for the workshop. 
Susie Deter, Threshold
Durham, NC

I think the outcomes workshop was great. I would definitely recommend it to a friend. I am particularly interested in the energy audits and the result descriptions. I know you mentioned forming groups in the non-profit sector but I was wondering about the service industry as well. I live in the Outer Banks of NC and there is a true need to address the energy drain of much of the service workforce in our area.
Sheila F. Davies, Substance Abuse Project Manager
Dare County Health Department

The workshop offered clear and concise discussion of ways to improve our grant-making by making it more relevant to the reader.  A refreshing approach that I look forward to utilizing in the future.
Charlene Broome, Grants Development Coordinator
South Piedmont Community College

Outstanding approach to outcomes thinking.  I'd heard/seen you at the NC Center for Nonprofits and wanted to participate in a fuller session.  I brought along a colleague.
Douglas B. Borwick, Ph.D., Director
Not-for-Profit Management and Arts Management Programs

Very good day at ECU.  It was a refreshing “under-use” of PowerPoint.  J  There were some very good ideas regarding focusing on “achievements” versus “who we serve”.  I am taking this back to my board for a “strategic mapping” meeting this weekend.  I would be interested in participating in the Results description tools.  Thanks. 
Larry Reinhart
Elderhaus Inc.

This is a new way of thinking, working and valuing the work we do on a daily basis.  It is a must for supervisors, grant writers, and those who have monies that wish to pay for a product.  I have found this advance way of thinking provides a new measure of for my personal life and especially my work life.
Emily Perry

You did a great job and I think everyone learned from you while enjoying your personality.  The event was a top notch event, as usual.  Understanding the human impact/outcome for the various programs will help agencies share best practices to improve health and life.
Norma K. Rife, Director of Development & Special Projects
Iredell County Health Department

I would tell someone who asked they should definitely attend your session.  I found it energizing and challenging in good ways.  I have given much thought to some changes I could make within my organization that would help the staff feel more empowered and supported. I have talked about them with my administrative team and we plan further discussion once we read the attached materials you sent.  Thanks so much. 
Anne Burke
URBAN MINISTRIES OF WAKE COUNTY
Renewing Lives, Restoring Hope

This is a very good workshop to attend if you have to write grants.  The information about Core Know How and “Definition by Achievement” helped me to understand outcomes. 
Sue Goodman

Actually, I believe this presentation is one of the better workshops I have attended in the past few years.  The information given was very relevant and timely.  I came away with information I could actually use—not just theory.  I would highly recommend this presentation and presenter to others.
Sharon Wilcox, RN, BS - Program Coordinator
Hospice of Wilkes Regional Medical Center