If all nonprofits are mission-driven, why do we need formal statements? And aren’t mission and vision statements really the same thing?
Being "mission-driven" can mean radically different things to different people. Our Ask ACT site has a case example that helps illustrate this. You definitely need a clear statement, just to make sure that all your key players are in agreement about what your organization’s purpose and core values are.
In my experience, some people do think that mission and vision statements are the same, but I don’t. Organizations benefit from being able to succinctly state their "purpose" (mission), or the reason they exist. Purpose, at its best, is something your organization aspires to, rather than something it expects to reach. These examples illustrate such missions:
“Provide transitional housing for homeless families.”
“Improve the quality of life through a balance between technology and nature.”
“Support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children so that they can thrive in safe, permanent homes.”
Such mission statements provide a guiding star to help an organization stay on track and keep their activities well-focused.
Vision statements, in contrast, are best if they are very concrete and describe a desired future state, at a specific point in time, thus providing the organization with a clear focus. Visions galvanize efforts. When well executed, strategic plans yield achievement of the vision.
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Dear Ms. Richmond,
I just happened to Google (rank 29 on page 3 ) your review here with the search term “ the board’s values and beliefs “ because I happened to be struggling with this issue.
When I think of ‘values’ and ‘beliefs’ things like honesty, integrity, love, valuing the gift of life, friendship, family, children and people in general, and all those warm fuzzy thoughts of etcetera, and etcetera come to mind (my personal mission statement).
Therefore, writing this particular section, in a letter that will be given to our prospective Board Members was proving to present quite the challenge for me!
We are a fairly new NPO, still in the start-up phase, that has yet to form a strong BOD or launch a first program (due to a lack of funding-which is probably due to lack of proper structure) with no such ‘proven’ values or other results to state. The realization in the lack of structure is what prompted the writing of a brief informational package for Board suspects, opps, did I say that! I mean prospects
and hence started me upon this Google query to find your review.
I wanted to take the time to say thank you because this post was most enlightening in that:
Realization One: we could actually write in terms of Aspiration Values.
Realization Two: Our Mission statement for our organization is already written (which is often criticized) and another Mission statement has been written for our first program (which is still confidential).
I really had not thought to structure a statement of our core values and beliefs from the current Mission statements… Was trying to make it harder than it was by coming up with an entirely new and unique statement! I know, Duh!! Sometimes, one really cannot see the Forrest for the trees!
If you have written reviews like this on Vision statements, I’d love to read that also.
Most of the time when I find information or written advise/reviews on these topics the examples/explanations are just not very clear or concise in that they are written like a Thesis instead of the simple, clear and easily understood review such as you have given here. I will search your sites archives if it permits (have not tried yet).
Please feel free to add me to your newsletter or enzine if you have one Ms. Richmond. I would really enjoy receiving it.
Once again Thank You for the review!
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Marilyn A. Magallanes
MTIN & TTTC Founder
http://www.TeachThemToCare.org
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»» Posted by: Marilyn A. Magallanes on April 14, 2008 06:38 PM