--- title: 'Session 8: Self-Evaluation and Pathways' collection: Cooperative Foundations path: >- Cooperative Foundations/Peer Support Playbook/Session Guides/Session 8: Self-Evaluation and Pathways parentDocument: Session Guides outlineId: 5233cb08-c16e-4c02-b726-5b0ce313961d createdBy: Jennie R.F. --- > **Session content:** See [Session 8: Self-Evaluation and Pathways](/doc/session-8-self-evaluation-and-pathways-BKKaLmqOxN) for the full curriculum. ## **What happens in session** The final session. Studios do a personal reflection (private) and a studio self-assessment (collective, shared with Baby Ghosts). The studio assessment rates seven areas on a 1-5 scale (from Considering/Reflecting to First Draft of Documentation): values/purpose/alignment, governance, decision-making/meetings, equitable economics, conflict/repair, program reflection, and what's next. The session covers post-program supports (Ghost Guild, workshops, PS recruitment, incorporation resources) and closes with a collaborative zine activity and group celebration. :::info This is a closing session. Your role is less about facilitating new content and more about helping your studio reflect honestly and plan for what comes next. The assessments are the core deliverable. ::: --- ### :eyes: **Your role during session** * Observe how your studio approaches the assessments – honest and reflective, or rushing through? * During the studio assessment, note whether they're aligned on their ratings or if there's disagreement about where they actually are * Watch for emotional responses during the closing – this program has been intense, and endings can bring up unexpected feelings * Participate in the zine activity and closing – you're part of this community ### 👆 **Your role after session** * Make sure the studio assessment gets completed (personal reflection individually, studio assessment together) * Schedule a final PS meeting for this week to help them complete assessments and talk about next steps * Make sure they understand Ghost Guild and post-program supports \ :::tip Your weekly PS sessions end after this week, but you're still part of the community. Many studios appreciate knowing you're available for occasional check-ins as they hit milestones or challenges, but there is no obligation. ::: ## **This week's Studio Support Meeting: Assessments and What's Next** ### **📚 Materials** * Personal reflection prompts (on slides and in session curriculum) * Studio self-assessment template (on studio Miro board) * SOFT (Studio Operating Framework Template) from Session 5 * Any notes or documents the studio has created during the program ### :world_map: **Context** This is your last formal PS meeting with this studio. The goal is to help them complete their assessments with honesty and specificity, and to set them up for continuing this work without you. Resist the urge to sugarcoat or wrap things up neatly. The most useful thing you can do is help them see clearly where they are – strengths and gaps alike. ### **👆 Before the session** * Review your notes from the full program – what patterns have you noticed? * Review the studio's SOFT, values map, and any other documents they've produced * Prepare your own honest assessment of where the studio is * Think about what you want to say to this studio at the close --- ### **🌊 Session flow** #### **Check-in (5 min)** How are you feeling about the program ending? Some people will be relieved, some sad, some anxious about what comes next. --- #### **Personal reflection (10-15 min)** If they haven't done the reflection yet, give them quiet time to sit with the prompts now. This is private – you don't need to see it or discuss it. But you can offer: * Take your time with this. Be honest with yourself. * Where have you grown? Where do you still feel uncertain? * What do you need from your collaborators that you haven't asked for yet? If they've already done it, ask: Anything you want to share? --- #### **Studio self-assessment (20-25 min)** Work through the seven areas together. For each, the studio rates themselves 1-5: 1. **Considering/Reflecting** – Thought about individually, not discussed as a team 2. **Discussing Collectively** – Talking together but no decisions 3. **Brainstorming** – Actively generating ideas and exploring options 4. **Sifting/Sorting** – Narrowing down, making choices, working toward alignment 5. **First Draft of Documentation** – Something written down – a policy, process, or shared agreement **Go through each area:** **1. Values, purpose & alignment** * Can each person name your studio's core values? Do those match? * Do you have a documented values statement or Why/What/How? **2. Governance** * What's documented in your SOFT and what's still informal? * Do you have a membership/removal process, even a rough one? **3. Decision-making & meetings** * Are you using a named framework? Rotating meeting roles? * What decisions still happen by default? **4. Equitable economics** * Have you had the money conversations? Compensation, transparency, IP? * What's decided vs. what's still avoided? **5. Conflict & repair** * Do you have a conflict process – even informal? Have you used it? * What tension have you identified, and what is still lingering? **6. Program reflection** * What worked about this program for you? What didn't? * What do you wish had been different? **7. What's next** * What's your plan for revisiting governance and values after the program ends? * Who's responsible for scheduling that? --- **Your role during this:** Push where they need it, and acknowledge progress. Make sure they're not too hard on themselves. --- #### **What's next (10-15 min)** Help them make concrete plans: * When is your next governance review? Put it on the calendar right now. * Who's going to be your accountability partner for keeping up these practices? * What's the first thing that will slip? How will you catch it? Talk about Ghost Guild (launching later this month) and post-program supports. Make sure they know what's available. If anyone is interested in becoming a PS for a future cohort, encourage them to talk to Jennie and eileen. --- #### **Close (5-10 min)** This is your moment! Share what you've observed over the program – what you're proud of, what you're hopeful about, where you think they'll need to stay vigilant. Be specific. Then let each studio member share something too: * What's something you're proud of from the program? * What conversation did you have that you wouldn't have had otherwise? End with care. --- ### :star: **Tips** If they rush through the assessment: * This is the last structured reflection you'll do with support. Take the time. ### **🏁 After the session** * Ensure the studio assessment is submitted (goes to Baby Ghosts) * Encourage each person to finish their personal reflection if they haven't yet * Share your own PS observations with the program team – what this studio needs going forward, what to watch for, where they're strong * Thank the studio for what you learned from them. \