The vision, mission and values are usually established when the organisation or group is initially set up and the mission is incorporated into the group’s strategic plan or action plan.

Not all groups have these formally defined, however, many groups find it useful to define them in writing in order to:

• provide a common sense of purpose and identity;
• provide long-term direction;
• apply for charitable status;
• attract funding; and
• communicate internally and externally what their organisation is about.

Establishing the vision, mission and values is also an ongoing process of review to ensure that they are still relevant for the current challenges and environment. Many organisations find it useful to review these at the start of their process of strategic planning.

The Management Committee must ensure that the organisation operates in a way that is consistent with its vision, mission (or purpose) and values (or ethical principles). This should be the basis for planning, monitoring and reviewing all activities, expenditures, policies and decision-making.

In order to be able to review the vision, mission and values, committee members need to be familiar with the current vision, mission and values and these need to be periodically reviewed in light of changing circumstances.