Vision, Values and Reputation of the Organisation
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The Management Committee of the organisation has the responsibility for both establishing and protecting the overarching purpose, fundamental values and ethical principles which govern the activities of the organisation. These are often referred to as the vision, mission and values. Your vision, mission, and values form the foundation of your organisation and its planning for the future.
This article explains about how your vision, mission and values are established and protected. It also includes guidance to help you to define or redefine your vision, mission and values including links to practical resources.
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:
“Our work will be guided and informed by our beliefs and commitments to:
Inclusiveness – we respect people, value diversity and are committed to equality.
Participation – we value and recognise the contribution of volunteers within organisations and communities.
Quality – we strive for excellence through continuous improvement.
Openness – we are committed to a culture of teamwork and collaboration.”
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 do this, committee members need to be familiar with the vision, mission and values of the organisation and these need to be periodically reviewed in light of current and impending circumstances.
“Our vision is of vibrant, articulate, inclusive and sustainable rural communities across Northern Ireland contributing to a prosperous, equitable, peaceful and stable society.”
(Rural Community Network)“To lead the development of a cohesive and informed Sport and Recreation sector in Northern Ireland.” (NI Sports Forum)
Every community group or voluntary organisation is set up to pursue an agreed purpose. This may have been, for example, to provide a service or to address a specific need in the community. Organisations use a range of ways to communicate why they exist, what it is they hope to achieve and how they work.
The core purpose of the organisation is usually defined in the strategic plan and the governing documents. Organisations are not legally permitted to carry out functions which are not within the remit of their core purpose, as defined in their governing documents. The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland will look at an organisations’ purposes as part of the registration process to determine if it is charitable. Organisations should ensure they are delivering on their original purpose outlined in their governing documents.
An organisation’s vision is the long-term change it ideally would like to see if its work is successful. A vision should motivate and enable individuals to see how their effort contributes to an overall inspirational purpose.
Download: Developing a Vision Statement Worksheet
“To increase recognition for volunteering, enable community engagement and maximise the impact of civic involvement.” (Volunteer Now)
“To work for the child’s right to play.” (PlayBoard)
One of the fundamental questions for any group or organisation is, “what is our purpose?” The mission statement should clearly define your purpose. It is a short, formal statement about:
It is the reason the group or organisation exists and helps keep everyone involved in the organisation focused.
Download: Developing a Mission Statement Worksheet
An organisation’s values are its guiding principles which apply across the organisation and underpin how its work is carried out. An organisation’s values are its basic beliefs about what really matters, which guide how things should be done.
Download: Developing Organisational Values Worksheet
An organisation’s reputation is the way it is viewed often referred to as its good name and it is important that this is maintained. A management committee needs to consider the impact that their decisions will have on the reputation of the organisation and ensure that it is safeguarded.