There is perhaps no other part of strategic planning that can be more contentious or frustrating than coming up with your organization’s mission and vision statements. A big part of the problem is that these statements are sometimes so long and lofty that they don't end up saying anything at all. At Mission Met, we love these statements. We think that when they're well-written and you've put some solid thought into creating them, they can propel the success of your organization. Executive directors, Bring Your Own Mission (BYOM) to this presentation and Eric will provide his guidance and proven formulas for crafting these elements for your organization and your strategic plan. Learn more at https://www.missionmet.com

1. BYOM: Bring Your Own
Mission

2. 2
Welcome
Eric Ryan,
Co-founder and Partner,
Mission Met
Megan Drapcho,
Customer Support and Operations,
Mission Met

3. 3
Outcome and Agenda
Key Outcome for You
You’ll have a clear and simple way to write your nonprofit’s mission
and vision statements.
Agenda
● Present several slides
● We’ll refine a mission and vision statement in real time
● 30 minutes; will stay on longer for those that are interested
Note: See the chat for links to these slides AND our mission and vision
statements worksheet

4. Logistics
4
• Q & A will follow the slides. Keep track of your
questions.
• Technical questions? Ask “All panelists” using the chat
feature.
• After the webinar you’ll be emailed links to the slides and
the recording.
• The webinar is recorded and will be distributed later.

5. 5
Mabel and Her Sharp Stick

6. 6
A Sample Mission Statement
We provide our customers with quality office
and information technology products,
furniture, printing values and the expertise
required for making informed buying
decisions. We provide our products and
services with a dedication to the highest
degree of integrity and quality of customer
satisfaction, developing long-term
professional relationships with employees
that develop pride, creating a stable working
environment and company spirit.

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We Love Mission and Visions
Well-written mission and vision statements
are a cornerstone of nonprofit success.

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Our Approach
● There is no one way to do this. That said, here is our approach...
● Mission and vision statements should be one simple sentence each. One-
sentence statements will:
○ Be easier to remember.
○ Help you and your team focus on the absolute essentials.
○ Serve as clear filters for making organizational decisions.
● The mission and vision statements should work together as an inspiring
and clear cause and effect. You want to be able to say that “if we succeed
at our mission then our vision is more likely to happen.”
● The mission and vision statements should be somewhat timeless. You
don’t want to change them every year or two.

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Our Approach, cont.
● The mission statement should succinctly state what you are doing and
for whom.
● The vision statement should succinctly state what the “world” will look
like when you succeed at your mission.

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Samples
Organization
Mission Statement
Words that are bold succinctly describe what the
organization does. Words in italics describe the
subject / persons that are the organization’s focus.
Vision Statement
What the “world” will look like
when the mission is met.
ASPCA (American Society
for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals)
To provide effective means for the prevention of
cruelty to animals throughout the United States.
That the United States is a humane community in which
all animals are treated with respect and kindness.
Feeding America
To feed America’s hungry through a nationwide
network of member food banks.
A hunger-free America.
charity:water
Bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in
developing countries.
Every person on the planet has access to life’s most
basic need — clean drinking water.

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Samples
Organization
Mission Statement
Words that are bold succinctly describe what the
organization does. Words in italics describe the
subject / persons that are the organization’s focus.
Vision Statement
What the “world” will look like
when the mission is met.
ASPCA (American Society
for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals)
To provide effective means for the prevention of
cruelty to animals throughout the United States.
That the United States is a humane community in which
all animals are treated with respect and kindness.
Feeding America
To feed America’s hungry through a nationwide
network of member food banks.
A hunger-free America.
charity:water
Bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in
developing countries.
Every person on the planet has access to life’s most
basic need — clean drinking water.

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Want More Detail?
Mission Statement of the Good Shepherd Gracenter
To help women without resources break free from drug and alcohol addiction and create a
hopeful future for themselves and others.
Vision Statement
We envision a day when women in recovery can live fully, strengthen their families and
enrich their communities.
Then, in other publications, they will often include the following below the mission:
“We do this by offering:
● Transitional housing for women that provides a safe, supportive community incorporating the 12-
Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous in order to promote peace and harmony in their lives.
● Recovery mentoring and the promotion of whole-person wellness.
● Paths to higher education, skill-building and sustainable employment.
● Opportunities to practice the principles of restorative justice by taking responsibility for one's actions
and making amends that can lead to a transformation of people, relationships and community.”

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Refine an Existing Statement?
The Stone Creek Running Club is a diverse community of runners of all ages and
abilities. Through training, group running experiences, and participation in running
events, we encourage and support our members to attain their running goals, foster a
spirit of camaraderie, and give back to the local running community. (50 words)
We think this would be much stronger if it were reformatted as something like this:
Mission: To inspire a love of running for everyone in Stone Creek.
Vision: Stone Creek will be a model of a healthy, active and engaged community.
These refined statements are timeless, easier to remember, and more inspirational.

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Refine an Existing Statement? (cont.)
If they wanted to provide more detail about their strategies they could say:
We do this by:
● Welcoming runners of all ages and abilities.
● Providing effective and fun training and group running experiences.
● Hosting and participating in a variety of running events.
The running club can then change their specific strategies, above, without having to
change their mission and vision.

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In Celebration of Our New Book!
One webinar attendee will win a copy of our
new book. We will contact you for your
address.
Our strategic planning course, START, is
currently half off
Get access to our Mission and Vision statement
worksheet, slides, and a video of this webinar

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Keep In Touch
Web Site: www.missionmet.com
Blog: missionmet.com/the-executive-director-blog
facebook.com/your.mission.met
twitter.com/mission_met
linkedin.com/company/mission-met/
Mission Met on YouTube

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Thank You
Eric Ryan,
Co-founder and Partner,
Mission Met
Megan Drapcho,
Customer Support and Operations,
Mission Met