The 1996 American Evaluation Association conference in Atlanta featured a session on strategies to promote monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs). At that time, there was a lengthy list of proposed initiatives to be undertaken in CARE. With the perspective of hindsight and reviewing the achievements of the past eight years, CARE believes that the strategy that had the most significant impact on strengthening the quality of its program development, monitoring, and evaluation was the creation of a set of standards. The implementation of the standards as well as their development are also viewed as important. This is the story of that process, told by the person who led the effort. CARE International is one of the world's largest independent global relief and development organizations. The organization operates in over 72 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. CARE's 11 offices in Europe, Australia, North America, and Japan are independent nonprofit organizations. These offices contribute to and help manage over 750 projects around the world that benefit over 45 million people every year. The United Nations, World Bank, the European Union, USAID, and the British government all support CARE's global programs. CARE maintains a staff rich in diversity. Out of more than 12,000 employees, over 11,000 are nationals of the countries where CARE conducts programs. (Contains 1 exhibit.)