STRATEGIC PLANNING FACILITATION

Pat Smith provided Striders staff and board of directors with support throughout the entire planning process.  She made sure we understood both the value of the process and the importance of using our product as a tool – not a document to be shelved.

Deborah Kathman, Executive Director
Chautauqua Striders

 EXECUTIVE TRANSITION & SEARCH

During her tenure as Interim Executive Director, Pat Smith guided our board through a difficult transition period.  Her expertise and knowledge of board and management issues were invaluable, and her “can do” attitude helped us in working through a maze of issues.  She was able to quickly assess our needs, offer solutions and help our board move forward expeditiously.  The JNP board highly recommends Pat and would hire her again in a heartbeat.

Nan Eaker, President Board of Directors
Joint Neighborhood Project

CAPACITY BUILDING SERVICES

On behalf of the Trustees of the Gebbie Foundation, I would like to thank you for the excellent job you did in facilitating our recent two-day retreat.  You did your homework well, you provided excellent background information and a thorough agenda. You understand the issues, you nudge us along when we needed to be nudged and you made sure we properly resolved the issues that needed to be resolved. We were particularly impressed with the manner in which you made sure all participants were truly participating and with the summary you provided at the end of retreat.  You made my job of retreat chair very easy.

We all look forward to working with you again soon..

Marty Coyle, Trustess
Gebbie Foundation, Inc

 CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOPS

Building Better Boards through Strategic Governance, Family Services of Warren , Inc., Warren, PA. and Joint Neighborhood Project, Jamestown, NY

• I liked the way in which the training was structured and delivered. It framed a lot of things I knew about boards in a much more coherent and organized manner.
• Excellent style of presentation
• Pat was organized, prepared and easy to follow
• Very thorough presentation.  Well presented and well received
• Worthwhile – very well done
• Very interesting, felt that Pat Smith held everyone’s attention
• It was perfect…tailored for us!
• Thanks for your role in shaping JNP – you’ve been remarkable

Strategic Planning – Project Blueprint, Chautauqua County

Thanks for lending your time and talents toward making our training program a successful one. Your workshop "Strategic Planning" was very informative and very well received by Project Blueprint participants.

P. Richard Fleurant,
Director of Community Building
United Way of Southern Chautauqua County

Comments from the evaluation questions: "What was the best part of this workshop?" from the Project Blueprint participants:

• Give and take with participants
• Well organized - good material - good presenter
• She made it really fun! I liked the values exercise!
• She let people bring their opinions to the table
• Pat is very knowledgeable and honest - great exercises! Keep them....

 FOCUS GROUPS & RETREAT FACILITATION

• Pat did a great job! Mixed fun and direction
• Better than expectations!!
• I liked the whole procedure – everything fell into place for us
• Ms. Smith made a tedious process fun, entertaining and a real learning experience. I came to these sessions as an intern.  I came grudgingly – but went away feeling glad I came.
• It was a pleasure getting to know you.  It was fun and informative.
• Pat. You’ve done a marvelous job of facilitating this process.  I know we are sometimes a difficult group to deal with, but you handled us with patience and humor.  Thank you.
• Thanks Pat. We needed your help….
• Pat had good structure & methods
• Pat was an excellent facilitator.  Kept us on task.