12 Step Program...

Step Eight

Write the Mission Statement

Simply put, the mission statement of the organization is very much like the summary of the theme of a movie or the big idea of a sermon. Every organization must have an outer boundary that defines what is in bounds and what is out of bounds. If the leader of the proposed organization were asked by a friend, "Tell me again what this organization is about?" the response should closely resemble the mission statement. It may not be a full-dressed litany of what the agency does but a broadly sketched statement that sets forth the nature of the agency and the purpose of its existence.

Three things ought to be kept in mind when preparing the mission statement:

The organization should not be so confined by its mission statement that the mission restricts forward progress.
An effective mission statement must be an idea large enough to meet the need.
Input should be gathered from as many sources as possible.
The mission statement should be a one-sentence, clear, concise statement that answers who the organization is and what it does for whom and where. A statement should be so simple and easy to remember and repeat that the Board members, staff and volunteers can effectively lobby on behalf of the organization. What is important about the mission statement is that one guiding set of ideas is articulated, understood and supported by the stakeholders, board, staff, volunteers, donors, clients, and collaborators.
What should be in a mission statement?
The following concepts should be included in the formation of a statement:

The Purpose Statement
The purpose statement usually includes two phrases
(1) An infinitive that indicates a change in status, such as "to increase," "to decrease," "to prevent," "to eliminate."
(2) An identification of the problem or condition to be changed.
In defining purpose, it is essential to focus on out comes and results rather than methods, e.g. "to eliminate homelessness."

The Business Statement
This statement outlines the business, i.e. activities or programs your organization chooses in order to pursue its purpose. Business statements often include the verb "to provide" or link a purpose statement with the words "by" or "through," e.g. "to eliminate homelessness by providing job training to homeless individuals."

Values
The values guide your organization's members in performing their work. Here is a statement that includes all three components: "The YMCA of San Francisco, based in Judeo-Christian heritage [values], seeks to enhance the lives of all people [purpose] through programs designed to develop spirit, mind and body [business]."
Suggestions for Further Reading
Gies, David L. et al., The Nonprofit Organization: Essential Readings. Cole Publishing Company, 1990.