Getting Started

WHY?

 * A big part of strategic planning is figuring out vision, mission and values
 * By thinking strategically, you can have greater awareness as a nonprofit of who you are, what you do, and why you do it
 * This awareness can help point your nonprofit in the right direction and guide your team in making sound decisions



VISION

 * 'A vision statement says what the organization wishes to be like in some years’ time. It’s usually drawn up by senior management, in an effort to take the thinking beyond day-to-day activity in a clear, memorable way.'
 * Thus, the vision is aspirational and normative - what we want to be or the outcome we want to bring about in the future
 * Career Skills Incubator's vision: 'boundless empowerment'

MISSION

 * 'Mission describes what business the organization is in (and what it isn’t) both now and projecting into the future. Its aim is to provide focus for management and staff. A consulting firm might define its mission by the type of work it does, the clients it caters to, and the level of service it provides.'
 * Put simply, the mission statement is the reply to the question : 'what do we do?'
 * CSCI's mission: 'we empower the un(der)employed to develop skills for their dream careers'

VALUES

 * 'Values describe the desired culture. As Coca-Cola puts it, they serve as a behavioral compass. Coke’s values include having the courage to shape a better future, leveraging collective genius, being real, and being accountable and committed.'
 * Values are shared beliefs that underpin the nonprofit's culture
 * CSCI's values: EMPOWERMENT; FUN; SELF IMPROVEMENT; WORK/LIFE BALANCE; HEALTH; INCLUSIVITY; ACCESSIBILITY; DIVERSITY; COLLABORA- TION; FEEDBACK; SUSTAINABILITY; COMMUNITY; FLEXIBILITY; INITIATIVE

QUESTIONS TO MAKE YOU THINK

 * 1) Do you believe defining vision, mission, and values is worth the effort? Why or why not?
 * 2) Thinking about your nonprofit idea, what are some values you'd want in your organization?
 * 3) How would you frame your own 'vision statement' for the Canadian nonprofit sector? Can you do it in 3 words or less?

References Additional Resources

CSCI Deck on Nonprofit Mission, Vision, and Values