Mission, Vision & Values : The Heart of Your NGO Presentation for the YSEALI Program April 28, 2015 By: Keri McWilliams, MPA

Mission, Vision and Values Mission = Your nonprofit’s purpose Vision = The impact we intend to make Find the Path to your Vision Issue Mission Planning Action Vision

Vision Statements This is the place to dream big! Imagine the organization was wildly successful, with unlimited resources and no barriers whatsoever. If you achieve your vision, how would the world be different?

Your vision checklist: Vision Statements A good vision is… Your vision checklist: Inspiring Focuses on serving the world Is very ambitious Describes the ideal result you want to achieve Does it excite you? Does it tell the world about the good you want to do? Is it bigger than you? Is it simple? Is it clear? Is it about what you can give and not about what you’ll get?

Mission Statements: Define the organization’s purpose. Are short, clear and simple (only need to be one or two sentences). Capture how you serve people, animals, the environment (what ever it may be). Needs to tell people how you intend to achieve your vision.

Organizational Values Our values guide our decisions and tell the world how we interact with our staff, board, volunteers, clients, donors, partners, stakeholders and other constituents. Value: any thing has a value to the organization. Examples of Values: Integrity Honesty Quality Fairness Empowerment Professionalism Fun Balance Trustworthy Loyalty Partnership Accountability Respect Creativity Communication Teamwork Diversity Safety Responsibility Growth Optimism

Examples of a Vision, Mission and Values from a Missoula Nonprofit: The Missoula Food Bank Vision: The Missoula Food Bank envisions a community that works together in building a hunger-free Missoula. Mission: The Missoula Food Bank provides emergency food to people and strives to reduce hunger.

Examples of a Vision, Mission and Values from a Missoula Nonprofit: The Missoula Food Bank We respect and treat every person with dignity, empathy and equity. We believe that access to nutritious food is a basic right of every person. We respect the concept of client choice in the selection of available food. We provide compassionate service that is proactive, innovative, and collaborative. We believe that we must be excellent stewards of our resources. We act with openness, integrity and accountability. We actively advocate for solutions to hunger.

Mission, Vision and Values Who participates in writing or re-writing the mission, vision and values for an organization? In the United States, the board of directors of the organization owns the mission; they make the final decision with guidance, input and suggestions from key staff members. The staff has every day responsibility for achieving the mission. They have critical information and we want and need their participation. Constituents (such as funders, donors or volunteers) can bring a valuable perspective.

Questions to ask yourself about your organization when thinking about mission and vision. 1. What needs to be done that only we can do, or that we can do better than anyone else? 2. Who benefits from our products/services and how? 3. How do we accomplish our work? 4. What do we value most? 5. How broad or narrow is our focus?

Use your mission and vision statements to… 1. Define your organization to the world. 2. Guide your decision making. 3. Inspire your constituents (clients, community, board, staff and donors). 4. Promote your cause.

Activity: Reviewing Your NGO’s Mission, Vision & Values