The Foundation Centers Training Program February 1, 2008 Understand - PDF document

The Foundation Center’s Training Program February 1, 2008 Understand the drivers Mission to Vision � The issues are likely to have come to you—presented themselves as causes demanding a response. Strong Defining Your Nonprofit’s Purpose emotions are often attached to them. Stating Its Intention � Knowing and understanding the issues—in the context of the community served—are essential to building an effective organization. � The issues may grow and change. To remain relevant, your nonprofit will have to do the same. Oliver Tessier & Associates www.otessier.com February 1, 2008 Oliver Tessier & Associates www.otessier.com Slide 4 Primary Topics Master mission distinctions Mission Mission Statement: Magnetic North Lively Expression Mission Vision � Abstract � Purpose � Static � We are here because … Your nonprofit’s The impact you � Action � Enduring purpose intend to make � We will do these things… � Result � Our goal is to achieve … Surely there’s more to it than that…. Oliver Tessier & Associates Oliver Tessier & Associates www.otessier.com Slide 2 www.otessier.com Slide 5 Find the path to your vision Master vision distinctions Vision Vision Statement: The destination Succinct Expression � Clear � Definition � Ambitious � We intend to… Issue Mission Planning Action Vision � Challenge � Optimistic because we will analyze engage achieve � We can accomplish… � Rational prioritize evaluate � Inspiration strategize � We will succeed… Oliver Tessier & Associates Oliver Tessier & Associates www.otessier.com Slide 3 www.otessier.com Slide 6 1

The Foundation Center’s Training Program February 1, 2008 Expect some long discussions Anticipate the issues Know the givens Know the hot buttons I’m not sure how to put it into words, � What do we do ? � What uncertainties are likely to need the most attention? but I’ll know it � What does everyone feel passionate about? � Where is there dissent? when I see it. � What must be included to � Are there topics or avoid misrepresenting the perspectives that are I have made this [letter] longer, because I have not organization? considered taboo? had the time to make it shorter. — Blaise Pascal, "Lettres Provinciales", 1657 Oliver Tessier & Associates www.otessier.com Slide 7 Oliver Tessier & Associates www.otessier.com Slide 10 Identify the participants Structure the discussion Who will participate in the process? � Identify the key questions to � Review the process be considered � The goal � The board owns the mission; they make the final decision. � Topics to be covered � Prepare participants with � The staff has everyday responsibility for achieving the backup materials � Ground rules for participation mission. They have critical information, and you want the � How decisions will be made � Create and distribute an buy-in their participation will earn. � Vary your means of exploring agenda that includes the � Constituents (such as clients or funders) can bring a topics to be discussed information to accommodate valuable perspective. different personal styles Create a task force of people who are interested in both If you have the means, process and outcome. Keep it small; keep it agile. invest in a professional facilitator. Oliver Tessier & Associates Oliver Tessier & Associates www.otessier.com Slide 8 www.otessier.com Slide 11 Define the process Agree on the ground rules � A task force of the most creative thinkers and writers available We are pursuing a shared goal drafts an initial statement. � All ideas are welcome � Task force presents the draft to the board for general comment � I will listen carefully to what I resist most on message and tone. � Equal participation from everyone is key Caution! Wordsmith detour ahead! � � There are no taboo topics � Task force incorporates board comment into a second draft. If you have access to a professional writer, use it now. � I will uphold the confidentiality agreement (if there is one) � � Task force presents the second draft for preliminary approval. � Task force makes any necessary adjustments. Encourage productive disagreement; you’ll have a better outcome. � Task force presents the mission statement for the board to adopt. To unify the group and advance the effort, focus on the goal. Oliver Tessier & Associates Oliver Tessier & Associates www.otessier.com Slide 9 www.otessier.com Slide 12 2

The Foundation Center’s Training Program February 1, 2008 Tackle the questions Use what you’ve created Open questions will encourage discussion. Congratulations! You’ve got a mission and vision statements. � What needs to be done that only we can do, or that we can do better than anyone else? Use them to: � Who benefits from our products/services and how? � Define your organization to the world � How do we accomplish our work? � Guide your decision making � What do we value most? � Inspire your constituents (clients, community, board, staff, funders) � How broad or narrow is our focus? � Promote your cause What are the most important questions for your nonprofit to address? Oliver Tessier & Associates www.otessier.com Slide 13 Oliver Tessier & Associates www.otessier.com Slide 16 Consider others’ mission Plan to achieve your vision statements Organize the world's information and make it universally accessible Strategic plan and useful. � Agreed upon priorities and broad means of achieving them over the next —Google ~three years …provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, � Tool for evaluation progress toward significant goals prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Business plan —The American Red Cross � Organization-wide activities to take place during the business year, as …to strengthen the nonprofit sector by advancing knowledge about supported by the annual budget U.S. philanthropy. � Tool for evaluating staff performance at individual and team levels —The Foundation Center Personal plan To enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize � Each staff member’s plan for his/her own performance their full potential. � Tool for evaluating individual performance and growth —Microsoft Oliver Tessier & Associates Oliver Tessier & Associates www.otessier.com Slide 14 www.otessier.com Slide 17 Consider others’ vision statements Take action Implement your program activity A world without Alzheimer’s disease. � Deliver products and services —Alzheimer’s Association � Monitor progress Current and future media and telecommunications technologies � Adapt and improve based on what you learn promote, and do not impede, democratic values. � Share learning with others —Media Access Project Every child will be a wanted child. Connect to your community —Planned Parenthood � Seek collaborative opportunities A personal computer in every home running Microsoft software. Advocate for your cause —Microsoft � Educate your audience and the general public � Educate lawmakers Oliver Tessier & Associates Oliver Tessier & Associates www.otessier.com Slide 15 www.otessier.com Slide 18 3

The Foundation Center’s Training Program February 1, 2008 Are we there yet? How will we know when we’ve achieved our vision? � Keep asking yourself how close you are, over and over. � Ask your clients, donors, members of the community— anyone with a genuine interest in your nonprofit. � Learn from your successes and your failures; modify your activity for constant improvement. � Don’t be afraid to say, “We’ve done it! Our work is through.” Oliver Tessier & Associates www.otessier.com Slide 19 For more information Visit www.otessier.com for: � A library of articles related to nonprofit leadership and management (http://otessier.com/library) � Q&A for Nonprofit Professionals, a wide-ranging series of short essays on topics of interest to nonprofit leaders (http://otessier.com/questions) Email oliver@otessier.com Oliver Tessier & Associates www.otessier.com Slide 20 4