Mission Statements The purpose The reason for being

Do we really need one?  “The clearer a school community is about its mission, the more successful it can be”  An effective mission statement is certainly one that has meaning to whole school community. It should inspire! A mission statement should clearly communicate what has heart and meaning within the school or district”  Chavez, 2005

A mission statement is…  A short paragraph that accurately explains why your organization exists and what it hopes to achieve in the future. It articulates the organization’s purpose, values and its work.

Who should be involved?  Faculty of school  Staff of the school  Parents  Community members  District members  School administrators

A mission statements should answer three key questions: 1. What are the opportunities or needs that we exist to address? (the purpose of the organization) 2. What are we doing to address those needs? (the business of the organization) 3. What principles or beliefs guide our work? (the values of the organization)

Examples… The mission of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America is to make a positive difference in the lives of children and youth, primarily through a professionally-supported, one-to-one relationship with a caring adult, and to assist them in achieving their highest potential as they grow to become confident, competent, and caring individuals, by providing committed volunteers, national leadership and standards of excellence. The mission of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America is to make a positive difference in the lives of children and youth, primarily through a professionally-supported, one-to-one relationship with a caring adult, and to assist them in achieving their highest potential as they grow to become confident, competent, and caring individuals, by providing committed volunteers, national leadership and standards of excellence.  Purpose: to make a positive difference in the lives of children and youth so they will achieve their highest potential.  Business: providing and supporting committed volunteers who have one-to-one relationships with children and youth  Values: individuals who are confident, competent, and caring; leadership and standards of excellence.

The National Conference, founded in 1927 as the National Conference of Christians and Jews, is a human relations organization dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry, and racism in America. The National Conference promotes understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution, and education. The National Conference, founded in 1927 as the National Conference of Christians and Jews, is a human relations organization dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry, and racism in America. The National Conference promotes understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution, and education.  Purpose: to fight bias, bigotry, and racism in America  Business: advocacy, conflict resolution, and education  Values: understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures

NMSA Mission Statement National Middle School Association is dedicated to improving the educational experiences of young adolescents by providing vision, knowledge, and resources to all who serve them in order to develop healthy, productive, and ethical citizens. National Middle School Association is dedicated to improving the educational experiences of young adolescents by providing vision, knowledge, and resources to all who serve them in order to develop healthy, productive, and ethical citizens.  Purpose:  Business:  Values:

Eastern Heights  We will provide an environment where all students can develop the necessary skills and attitudes to become life-long learners and productive members of our global society.  Purpose:  Business:  Values:

Your mission statement should…  Express your organization’s purpose in a way that inspires support and on-going commitment  Motivate those connected to the organization  Be articulated in a way that is convincing and easy to grasp  Use proactive verbs to describe what you do  Use common language  Be short enough so that anyone connected to the organization can readily repeat it- or even memorize it.

Difference between mission and vision statement  A mission statement concerns what an organization is all about.  A vision statement is what the organization wants to become.

3 key questions a mission statement addresses… 1. What are the opportunities or needs that we exist to address? (the purpose of the organization) 2. What are we doing to address those needs? (the business of the organization) 3. What principles or beliefs guide our work? (the values of the organization)  A vision statement, on the other hand, describes how the future will look if the organization achieves its mission. A mission statement gives the overall purpose of an organization, while a vision statement describes a picture of the "preferred future." A mission statement explains what the organization does, for whom and the benefit. A vision statement, on the other hand, describes how the future will look if the organization achieves its mission.

Example Vision Statement The National Conference, founded in 1927 as the National Conference of Christians and Jews, is a human relations organization dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry, and racism in America. The National Conference promotes understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution, and education.  Purpose (mission): to fight bias, bigotry, and racism in America  Vision: to achieve tolerance and acceptance of all diversity in America

Questions?