Overview
Title
Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (FBNP) Partner Meeting Survey
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The U.S. Agency for International Development wants people to help them make a survey better. This survey is for groups that work with them to make sure everything goes well, but they want ideas on how to make the survey easier and smarter for everyone who fills it out.
Summary AI
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking public comments on a new information collection related to their Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. This survey targets contacts from faith-based organizations that met with USAID in 2024. They aim to gather feedback to improve their engagement process. Comments on the survey's necessity, usefulness, and methods to reduce the burden on respondents are welcome within 60 days of the notice.
Abstract
The U.S. Agency for International Development/Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (USAID/IPI/LFT/FBNP), as part of the Agency's continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following new information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Comments are requested concerning: Whether the proposed or continuing collections of information are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the burden estimates; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of the information on the respondents.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document provided is a notice from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regarding a new survey initiative by the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (FBNP). This initiative is part of an effort to collect feedback from roughly 70 faith-based organizations that engaged with USAID in 2024. The main purpose of the survey is to improve the agency's partnership processes by understanding the outcomes of these engagements. Public comments are invited within 60 days to assess the survey's relevance and to suggest ways to minimize the burden on respondents.
General Summary
USAID is looking to gather feedback from faith-based organizations to enhance their collaboration experiences. The collected data will be managed through Google Forms, offering a streamlined, digital approach to information gathering. This initiative supports USAID's mission to ensure effective partnership practices and reduce the administrative load associated with such surveys.
Significant Issues and Concerns
The notice raises several issues that warrant attention:
Lack of Detailed Information: The document does not specify the contents or questions of the survey, leaving respondents unclear about the focus and scope.
Data Privacy Concerns: There is no mention of privacy measures concerning respondent data submitted via Google Forms, potentially raising concerns about data protection and misuse.
Cost Transparency: The notice lacks detailed information on any costs associated with the survey, which could reassure stakeholders that resources are being used wisely.
Burden Estimates: The stated burden of 20-25 hours for 70 respondents seems low and is not well-explained, raising questions about the respondent workload estimates.
Survey's Purpose and Use: It's unclear what specific outcomes the survey aims to evaluate and how the collected information will be utilized to improve processes.
Alternatives to Electronically Conducted Survey: There are no provisions for respondents who might have limited access to digital tools, which limits participation options.
Implications of Not Conducting the Survey: The document ambiguously suggests negative consequences if the survey isn't carried out, without offering specific examples or scenarios.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, the document exhibits a proactive approach by USAID to seek engagement and transparency, signifying their commitment to improving partnership dynamics with faith-based organizations. However, without clear information on data handling and survey details, public trust in the process might be undermined.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Positive Impacts:
Faith-Based Organizations: These groups would potentially benefit from better engagement and support from USAID, as feedback from the survey may lead to improved collaboration practices.
USAID Staff: By collecting structured feedback, the agency's staff can gain clearer insights into partner needs and enhance their approaches to stakeholder engagement.
Negative Impacts:
Respondents' Concerns: Without explicit data privacy assurances or alternative participation methods, some respondents may hesitate to provide honest feedback.
Resource Allocation: If cost implications are significant and not transparently managed, stakeholders might question the efficiency of the initiative, possibly leading to criticism of resource usage.
In conclusion, while the initiative by USAID to engage and improve relations with faith-based organizations is commendable, addressing the aforementioned issues could further enhance the transparency, efficiency, and trustworthiness of the process.
Issues
• The document lacks detailed information about the specific contents and questions of the survey, which could help respondents better understand what is being requested.
• There is no estimated cost associated with the survey or a breakdown of potential costs to ensure that spending is not wasteful.
• The document does not specify if there are any particular privacy measures in place for the data collected via Google Forms, which might be a concern for respondents who are submitting their information.
• The estimated total annual burden hours range is given as 20-25 hours, which seems low for 70 respondents. More clarity on how this was calculated would be beneficial.
• The abstract states that the survey aims to 'collect information on outcomes following the partner's meeting'; however, it does not clarify what specific outcomes are being evaluated or how this information will be utilized.
• There is no mention of alternatives to the electronic survey method for those who might have limited access to or are uncomfortable with digital forms.
• The wording 'If the collection is not conducted, it will affect the ability of USAID/IPI/LFT/FBNP to improve their partner engagement process' is vague and does not clearly explain what specific consequences may arise from not collecting this information.