Portland Community Squash
Theory of Change Explained
Theory of Change
A Theory of Change (TOC) is sometimes referred to as the missing middle between the current community conditions and the desired outcome an organization hopes to achieve.
The subsequent slides will explain how to read the PCS Visual Theory of Change.
The interactive version is available at pcsquash.com → menu → about us.
TOC - Step 1 - Challenge, Mission, Vision
The first step is defining the challenge, mission, and vision. We start with the current conditions and define what we are working towards.
Challenge: The opportunity, wellness, and integration gaps in Portland are hindering our human and social capital and therefore limiting the city’s ability to advance individual and societal goals.
Mission: To operate an accessible community center that holistically supports and unites its members.
Vision: The PCS membership will have an abundance of human and social capital to advance individual and societal goals.
TOC - Step 2 - Ground the Strategy in Peer Reviewed Academic Theory
PCS is working with Meredith Whitley, PHD, Editor of the Sport for Development Journal on the model, academic theory, and evaluation. PCS uses four academic frameworks to support the model.
Hall + Davis’ Communicate Bond Belong Theory and Putnam’s Social Capital Theory guide our social capital development. Social Capital - the networks of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively.
Ryan + Deci’s Self Determination Theory and Whitley’s Sport for Development Theory guide our human capital development. Human Capital - the skills, knowledge, and experience possessed by an individual or population, viewed in terms of their value or cost to an organization or country.
TOC - Step 3 - Adding the PCS Outcomes
The community squash model was developed on three sequential outcomes: Access, Equity, and Cohesion.
Access: PCS enrolls members that reflect the city's demographics.
Equity: PCS teaches members the opportunity pathways, relationships, and skills they need to thrive within the community
Cohesion: If PCS gets the first two right, members spend time in the community over a long time horizon and form a strong sense of belonging and empowerment
TOC - Step 4 - Adding the PCS Phases
PCS has two distinct phases:
Guided Phase: Member participates in staff lead programs that move a member from the access outcome to the equity outcome.
Self-Guided Phase: Member navigates community offerings independently and move from the equity outcome to the cohesion outcome.
TOC - Step 5 - Understanding the Guided Phase
The Guided Phase is broken down to three levels:
Guided Interventions: These are our resource and staff intensive programs that offer the most support for emerging members, including: Rally Portland, Farm Team, Camp Fish Hawk, Family Squash + Clinics, and Advisor + Mentor Program.
Equity Preconditions: The guided interventions are designed to teach members pathways for personal + professional growth, multicultural + multigenerational relationships, and lifelong health and wellbeing.
Equity Outcome: Member has the knowledge, support, and skills to thrive.
TOC - Step 6 - Understanding the Self-Guided Phase
The Self-Guided Phase is broken down to three levels:
Self-Guided Interventions: These are the offerings that our members can take advantage of on their own, including: social events, wellness offerings, squash offerings, volunteering, co-working, and soon, the cafe.
Cohesion Preconditions: The self-guided interventions are designed to enable members to pursue their own pathways for personal + professional growth, multicultural + multigenerational relationships, and lifelong health and wellbeing.
Cohesion Outcome: Member feels a sense of belonging and empowerment.
TOC - Step 7 - Understanding Evaluation
PCS designed this Theory of Change to also double as an evaluation dashboard. On the website version, click on any trapezoid to see the ‘actual vs target’ for that intervention, pre-condition, or outcome.
Red Trapezoids: Below Target
Yellow Trapezoids: Approaching Target
Teal Trapezoids: Above Target
Black Trapezoids: No Evaluation
Visit the website to use the interactive Theory of Change