The Self-Assessment Workbook (SAW) is a tool to help build the capacity of the HFC Network.
The goal of the SAW is to assist a HFC coalition in determining for itself the critical elements for effective organizational management and network functioning and to identify those areas in need of strengthening or further development. The SAW is designed to enable organizational learning, foster team sharing, and encourage reflective self-assessment within an anti-hunger coalition. It can be used for strategic planning, evaluation and building group cohesion.
Not intended to be a scientific method, the value of the SAW is in its collaborative, self-guided process. It offers organizations and coalitions a chance to reflect on their current status compared to recognized standards and best practices.
A secondary goal of the SAW is to help the Alliance to End Hunger determine technical assistance and training needs across the HFC Network.
The objective of this section is to assess the clarity of the organization’s motivation, purpose, and stability by reviewing its guiding principles, structure, and oversight mechanisms. Word | PDF
Sub-Sections: Vision, Mission and Values, Legal Status, Governing or Advisory Board, Leadership and Succession Plan
Resources: Vision, Mission and/or values statements, By-laws or articles of incorporation, Terms of reference for board members, Board meeting minutes, Succession plan, Certificate of legal registration
The objective of this section is to assess the organization’s capacity to develop and use key policies, procedures and systems to manage its general operations and functions. Word | PDF
Sub-Sections: Organizational Structure, Operational Policies, Procedures, and Systems, Filing and Information Systems
Resources: Policy and procedures manuals, Samples of administrative forms
The objective of this section is to assess the organization’s ability to maintain a satisfied and skilled staff/volunteer workforce, and to manage operations and staff time in order to implement quality programs. Word | PDF
Sub-Sections: Staffing (levels, hiring, retention), Job Descriptions and Staff Supervision, Personnel Policies, Compensation (stipends, salaries, and benefits), Volunteers and Interns
Resources: Staffing plan, Recruitment policy and guidelines, Personnel manual, Job descriptions, Volunteer/intern policy, Compensation policy, Vacancy and turnover data, Retention policies, Performance appraisals
The objective of this section is to assess the quality of the organization’s financial systems, policies and procedures and the staff’s knowledge of the system. Word | PDF
Sub-Sections: Financial Policies and Procedures, Internal Controls, Financial Documentation and Reporting, Financial Planning and Sustainability
Resources: Financial manual, Accounting journals, Chart of accounts, Payment vouchers, Staff training plan, Signatory policy/authority matrix, Budget, Budget tracking sheet, Financial reports, Strategic plan
The objective of this section is to assess the organization’s planning, management of external relations, means of identifying and capitalizing on new resources, and decision-making policies. Word | PDF
Sub-Sections: Strategic and Operational Planning, Resource Mobilization, Engagement with Donors, Communication Strategy: Documentation and Reporting, Internal Communication Decision-Making, Stakeholder Involvement, Knowledge Management
Resources: Strategic plan, Operational plan, Stakeholder list and analysis, Resource mobilization plan
The objective of this section is to assess the organization’s ability to fulfill network functions in order to benefit member organizations. Word | PDF
Sub-sections: Size & Diversity of Membership, Membership Process and Outreach, Member Involvement, Coordination, Member Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
Resources: Membership records, Documents defining membership criteria / conditions / procedures for joining the network, Network meeting notes and reports, Strategic plan, Annual work plan, Network website
The objective of this section is to assess the organization’s planning and implementation of anti-hunger programming. Programming should address real and measured community needs, utilize the existing community assets, and be sustainable so that changes to funding or staffing do not threaten key programs. Word | PDF
Sub-sections: Assess Hunger in the Community, Community Asset Mapping, Hunger Free Communities Planning, Implementation of Anti-Hunger Interventions, Sustaining Anti-Hunger Interventions
Resources: Strategic plan, Operational plan, Stakeholder list and analysis, Resource mobilization plan, Annual report(s), End hunger or Strategic plan.
The objective of this section is to assess the network organization’s ability to implement projects or programs that meet member needs and/or advance the objectives of the organization; and the extent to which standards are used and programs are monitored and evaluated for performance. Word | PDF
Sub-sections: Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)/Quality Assurance (QA)
Resources: Project agreements, Project designs / plans, M&E plans, Annual plans, Work plans, MOUs with partner organizations
The objective of this section is to assess the organization’s ability to analyze public policies related to its organizational focus and its capacity to plan and implement advocacy initiatives. Word | PDF
Sub-sections: Organizational Commitment, Knowledge and Skills, Policy Analysis, Advocacy Strategy and Implementation, Engagement with Government, and Sectoral Leadership
Resources: Organizational strategic plan, Action plan, Work plan, Advocacy strategy or action plan, Position papers, Policy briefs, Advocacy materials, Project documents or reports related to advocacy projects
The objective of this section is to assess the organization’s need for and capacity to incorporate a racial equity lens into the planning, decision making and overall management of its work and the organization itself. At the end of the section users should be able to identify organizational need and capacity, gauge and gain organization buy-in, analyze current programs and policies, and plan and integrate racial equity. Word | PDF
Sub-sections: Need and Capacity, Organizational Buy-in, Analysis and Evaluation, and Planning and Intervention
Resources: Strategic plan, Racial equity toolkits, Racial equity glossary, Stakeholder list and analysis, Additional racial equity resources/guides
The Alliance to End Hunger maintains a resource library for the Hunger Free Communities Network at http://alliancetoendhunger.org/resource-library/. This library contains helpful materials including Hunger Free Community plans, reports and assessments, information about federal nutrition programs, tools and resources. For the areas where your organization self-ranked as ‘Basic’ or ‘Moderate’ please consider the additional resources in this Capacity Building resource guide. Word | PDF
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