1. chapter 8
Program Goals and Objectives
Russell & Jamieson

2. Program Rationale
A programming purpose is specific to the reason the organization was established.
Needs change and vary.
(continued)

3. Program Rationale (continued)
What is the reason for the program?
Goals and objectives help us answer this question.
Reasons must reflect organizational mission and community needs.

4. Professional Philosophies
Recreation program goals mirror professional philosophies.
National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association
Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies
Philosophies establish the customer as the starting point.
Recreation professionals are providing a “human service.”

5. Mission Statement
A mission statement is a summary of the organization’s purpose.
Bylaws
Legislation
Long-range planning
(continued)

6. Mission Statement (continued)
Prepared goals and objectives match the organization’s mission statement.
The programmer must maintain focus while preparing programs.

7. Other Values
Programmers are also influenced by laws, risk management, research findings, and knowledge gained.
Education is a career-long undertaking!

8. Formulating Goals
Program goals are abstract, idealized statements of desired outcomes.
Goals carry forward the statement of purpose contained in the mission.

9. Selecting and Crafting Goals
Practicality
Are goals appropriate and feasible?
Relative importance
What is vital toward the fulfillment of the mission?
Incompatibilities
Goals in conflict must be negotiated and resolved.

10. Recipe for Writing Goals
Review the mission.
Review needs.
Review resources.
Brainstorm all possible goals.
Determine the appropriateness of each brainstormed goal.
Develop first-draft goal statements.
Analyze drafts with staff and client input.
Revise and finalize goal statements.

11. Program Objectives
Program objectives are measurement points for goals.
There are three types of objectives:
Implementation objectives
New services, staff assignments
Outcome objectives
What organization desires for participants or the community
Behavioral objectives
Specific actions clients will perform

12. Standards Standards are approved guidelines of practice.
“There shall be written and specific objectives established for each program or service” (Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies, 2003).

13. Writing Program Objectives
Specificity
Measurability
Criteria
Delineated constituency