A Clear and Compelling Mission

Mission statements are normally reviewed, edited, or changed as part of strategic planning that occurs every three to five years. It is critical that every nonprofit review its mission statement annually to make certain that it accurately and briefly describes who you are and why you are. An effective mission statement should always be as succinct and poignant as possible, and no more than fifteen words. Longer than that, and board and staff members and other volunteers will not be able to remember it. A number of organizations have a mission statement and a “vision” statement. Before you find and read your organization’s mission statement, try reciting it from memory. Then, write down what you think it is. Finally, you can read the mission and compare it to what you thought and wrote. At your next board meeting, put a discussion of the mission statement on the agenda. Controlled Vocabulary Terms Board meetings; mission statement; Strategic planning; vision statement; Volunteers