subject: Rekindle Your Non-profit Mission - Provide Hope In Your Community [print this page] Let's face it, the Non-Profit Sector enjoys a distinctive role in our communities. And, there is no time like the current to supply the hope that a non-profit's mission can bring to the folks you serve. By definition, your organization contains a unique mission to share - were it not so, the IRS wouldn't have granted your charitable status!
During a time where our communities are reeling from the results of the economy, harsh rains, snow, wind, fire, floods, and therefore the like, we would suggest you take a moment to rekindle your mission. What will your mission say? What does your organization do? Are there some community desires within your mission that can provide hope in your community? Is it time to reintroduce your organization to your community?
You do keep in mind that you have got a mission statement, right? While it was likely conceived a good whereas ago, and while it's in all probability a little broad or maybe too vague or the words do not say exactly what they must, we live in an exceedingly time when your organization is required a lot of than ever to bring new hope and concepts to your community. That is why you exist!
To 'rekindle' your mission, as we tend to say, begin with finding it and reading it. Really, pay some quality time studying it. Does it offer you hope? Will it empower you to instill hope and take action on problems of importance in your community? If the words are not clear, then ponder how you could tweak your mission statement and make them clearer - really, extremely clear - therefore that your constituents readily perceive why you exist and what your role can and should be.
You've got a really wonderful opportunity within the midst of challenging times.
Though the main target of this text is serving your community, through hope, at intervals the distinctive mission you offer, we have a tendency to recommend that you not miss the opportunity to reinvigorate workers, volunteers, and board members as you rekindle your mission. We recognize that without dedicated workers and volunteers in your non-profit, you may fall short of your mission, so the act of providing hope and a renewed level of pleasure among your organization is an important key ingredient to achieving your mission in the community.
Thus, precisely how would you go regarding organizing a 'rekindling activity' inside your organization?
We tend to will only suggest an example that you'll be able to management entirely, that will cost nothing, and is guaranteed to figure - if for no different reason than it's in all probability not been done before! Once you, presumably because the board chair or the executive director, have studied your current mission statement and developed some initial thoughts regarding a way to rekindle it, call a gathering of your key internal advisors - which will be key staff, all employees, some board members, devoted volunteers, no matter is acceptable for your unique organization - and conduct the meeting in a way that is intentionally completely different from the norm in your non-profit. As an example, if you have staff meetings on Wednesdays at ten a.m., decision your special meeting at some other time! If your board meetings are invariably at lunch, then decision a special meeting for breakfast! You are making an attempt rekindle excitement, dedication, and commitment, thus create sure you are doing something that is terribly obviously different from the norm.
Prior to your meeting, send out your mission statement, along with your thoughts and notes on what jumps out at you that can provide hope to your community at this precise moment. We aren't notably suggesting that this exercise ends up in a revision of your mission (though it may) but, rather, we tend to are suggesting that every one missions give area for creativity and excitement when intentionally interpreted in that manner. In your cover note, tell the participants that you're excited regarding some opportunities you have been considering which you wish to induce their input. Remind them of the importance of your organization and your mission of community service. Briefly, prepare them for an exciting meeting that will have one or two specific outcomes - opportunities for hope - that will get done.
What are those outcomes? Allow them to flow from the meeting participants! To be realistic, monkeying around with a sacred mission statement can be a tricky thing, thus you actually wish to rise on top of all of that. Quite simply, you're trying for a abundant-needed, straightforward-to-implement idea, that fulfills your mission in the community in your own unique way. You recognize your organization can build a difference and you're concerning to provide the leadership to form it happen. Therefore, while you may arrive to the meeting with a number of ideas, or you will have some participants that have another concepts, let the cluster flow toward consensus. If you facilitate properly, this will happen. The main ingredient in this meeting is excitement (an angle) that leads to hope (by a specific doable issue).
Who knows? You would possibly get lucky and finish up with many nice ideas. But, the most necessary factor is that you come back off from this special meeting with one solid idea.
Our organization teaches through case studies, or examples, thus we have a tendency to can give an example. Maybe your non-profit could be a museum. Any museum. You have a mission to share your collection and your distinctive means of educating the public at intervals your community. You already recognize that. Is there a constituency among your community that's underserved? How about an occurrence that brings during a cluster from a local retirement home? Imagine the thrill and hope that such a visit could instill! What does it price? Probably nothing. Most retirement homes have transportation for teams of residents. If not, decision a bus company and ask for a 1-time donation of services. It is pretty superb how donors are willing to make a one-time gift of their services for an uncommon plan that will bring hope to the community. There is a sure smart can component for the donor. Ah, and for your organization. After all, that is why you exist.
