This evaluation analyzes the structure, process and outcomes of the MIRA program in southwest Nebraska and northeast Colorado in 1998 and 1999. Participant evaluations of MIRA workshops and trainers are included as a separate attachment to this Cluster story.
The evaluator visited the "Lost Treasures" Cluster four times, once prior to its final selection and subsequently three additional times to attend workshops, interview team members and join Steering Committee meetings. The evaluator also arranged for a telephone conference call with Steering Committee members when the Cluster as a whole was considering withdrawing from the MIRA program entirely.
Ongoing contact during the fall and early winter as workshops were being held was maintained via e-mail, telephone and written correspondence with several Steering Committee members. The primary contact initially was Steve Smith of Imperial who had helped to write the proposal and who served as an adult mentor to Nick Rigel, an Imperial High School student and the first Steering Committee Chair. After the third workshop, primary contact was maintained with Megan 0'Byrne, a Siratton High School student who replaced Nick as Steering Committee chair.
As projects were approved, contact was also made with Ron Daniel from Southwest Nebraska Resource Conservation & Development Area in Cambridge, which acted as the fiscal agent for the Lost Treasures Cluster.
