‘Ohana Dialogues
Community Outreach
and Qualitative Data
Collection
March 24, 2015
Mission
HACBED is a nonprofit
intermediary that works
to build the capacity
of families and
communities so that
they have choice and
control to push at
social, economic, and
environmental justice.
Agenda
 Quantitative
vs. Qualitative
 ‘Ohana Dialogue Overview
 Helpful Tips
 Practice Session & Reflection
 Process & Follow-up
 Pros & Cons
 Examples & Discussion
Quantitative Data Collection
 Survey
/
Questionnaire /
Test
 Market Research
 Financial Review
 Etc.
Qualitative Data Collection
 Interviews
 Focus
Groups
 Observation
 Etc.
Examples of Use
 Strategic
Planning
 Program Evaluation
 Supplementing
Quantitative
Research
 Etc.
‘Ohana Dialogue Overview
 Facilitated
talk stories



small group
Facilitator & recorder
Open ended
questions
Informal setting
 Synthesis
themes
of stories into
Open-Ended Questions
 What

is working well?
Frame the conversation positively
 What
are some challenges/areas of
improvement?

Negatives
 What’s
one thing you wish you could
change?

Excite & mobilize people
Helpful Tips
 Active




Listening
Do not interrupt interviewee
Allow them to finish stories
Ask follow-up questions to their stories (not just a
list of pre-written questions)
Do not lead the interviewee – Avoid loaded
questions
 Do
not assume you know the answer or ask for
confirmation
Tips cont…
 Empathize



Observe in addition
to listening
Immerse yourself in
the story – Try to
understand what
they are feeling
Ask related questions
Try it out!
 “Tell

Me a Time When” activity
One person records, the other tells a story
 Tell
a real story about a memorable work
experience/moment (positive)
 Listener should record as accurately as
possible


Switch
After story telling, ID 3 common themes
between the 2 stories
Reflection
 How


did it feel?
As the story teller?
As the listener?
 Questions?
 Comments?
‘Ohana Dialogue Process
 Facilitator
& Recorder Team
 Individual Synthesis of Themes
 Group Discussion of Overall Themes
 Report Back to Participants

Co-Determine Next Steps
Pros
 Often
unearths vivid stories
 Puts interviewee at ease


Encourages narrative
Provides a listener
 Good
for getting at difficult answers or
sensitive issues indirectly
 Builds or strengthens relationships
Cons
 Time




consuming
Especially compared to traditional interviews
Requires patience – Takes time to get to real
answers (indirectly)
Intensive recording can be strenuous
Additional analysis required – Post session
Organizational Alignment Example
 Worked




with a placement agency
Recently replaced original (and only) leader
Financially struggling
Rift between employees (2 offices)
Communication issues and unwillingness to
change
Community Outreach Example
 Went
into community to collect
qualitative financial data




Underrepresented communities
Spoke with families, parents, children, etc.
One-on-one and focus groups
Was able to reveal stories that could not be
told with data alone
Discussion
 Do
you see potential for you to
incorporate ‘Ohana Dialogues in your
work?
 If so, how?
Mahalo!
Keoki Noji
Chief Operating
Officer
HACBED
(808)550-2661
knoji@hacbed.org