Mission and Vision Statements

Mission and Vision Statements HPR 322

Vision Statement • Project image of organization • Inspiring, clear challenging, empower staff (and customers/clients) • Should “stand the test of time” • Should provide direction, even when circumstances change

Examples of Vision Statements The vision of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association is to be the premiere professional membership association representing recreational therapists, consumers and stakeholders - ATRA To be leader in high end and top of the line cycling applications, with a distinguished brand able to ignite passion. - Campagnolo (bicycle parts) Create a place for people to find happiness and knowledge - Disneyland Help a girl reach her highest potential - Girlscouts

Mission Statement • Define the primary purpose of the agency • Short and direct, one paragraph (or less) • Specific to your agency • Focus on delivery of quality programs • Emphasize organizational “values” • Broad, not measurable

Sample Mission Statements Cleveland Metroparks will conserve significant natural resources and enhance people's lives by providing safe, high-quality outdoor education, recreation, and zoological opportunities. Further, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is committed to improving the future for wildlife. Cleveland, Ohio Metroparks

Sample Mission Statements The City of Tupelo Department of Parks and Recreation strives to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Tupelo by providing professionally designed comprehensive recreation and leisure programs and services. To accomplish this mission, the department: Provides diversity in programming opportunities to meet the changing needs and interests of users Maintains safe, well managed facilities and programs to ensure opportunities for participation by all Fosters the development of knowledge, interests and behaviors that promote a healthy lifestyle Encourages the development of positive attitudes regarding participant and sportsmanship Offers programs and services at a cost that is affordable to all

Sample Mission Statements cont’d To deliver an unparalleled guest experience through the best combination of food, drinks and games in an ideal environment for celebrating all out fun Dave and Buster’s ( also have 7 “core values” that further define their mission) To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all YMCA

Sample Mission Statements cont’d The mission of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association is to serve as a member driven association that collectively supports the recreation therapy profession ATRA www.atra-online.com NRPA’s Mission is to advance parks, recreation, and environmental conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people NRPA (National Recreation and Park Association; also has vision and “core values” included in the statement – full statement can be found at: http://www.nrpa.org/Content.aspx?id=238

For the assignment… There ‘should’ be a difference between vision and mission statements, but sometimes they look similar and/or are combined and/or are called something different (“core values”) Vision, for the most part means achieving an ideal circumstance, looking toward the future, a general or specific (yet ideal) goal to keep striving toward (excellence, 100% success rate, etc.) Mission is more like what the organization works toward on a day-to-day basis You need ONLY write a Mission statement

Recommendations Don’t steal one (get inspiration from examples, but please modify in some way) Think about your program goals (we will cover this topic next) and make certain the mission and goals are consistent You do not need to address everything that your sponsoring organization (or organizations) might ever do; focus on recreation programs

Recommendations cont’d Think about the purpose of the assignment Developing a recreation program Many of your statements might include wording that has to do with offering programs Other considerations What are your priorities/targets? Is your program for families, youth, people with disabilities, everyone? Use this information to guide your mission statement

Examples The mission of the XYZ recreation department is to provide quality program that is appropriate and accessible for everyone and provides positive whole family activities, by offering….. The mission of the joint recreation venture (or recreation partnership) between The University of ABC and the Town of PQR is to combine resources in order to provide the greatest range of activities for residents of the area. We meet this challenge by…..

Examples cont’d Our mission is to use recreation to challenge children and adolescents and facilitate their development into happy, well-adjusted adults. We do this by…… XXX Youth Club We strive to improve the health and well-being of area residents by making available fitness equipment, trained instructors, on-line training plans and logs 365 days per year. In addition, we are committed to deliver….. YYY Fitness Center

Back to my example • Water exercise on behalf of city park and recreation • Targeting neighborhood residents (may be underserved for activities) • Cost effective • Health promotion is a goal

Sample Mission The mission of the OPC is to make available a variety of health promoting recreational activities for area residents by Offering conveniently scheduled and conveniently located programming Offering accessible programming for any and all interested residents Regularly developing new programming to meet the needs and desires of residents Providing safe and well maintained recreation facilities

The Real One…. The Oxford Park Commission strives to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Oxford by providing professionally designed, comprehensive recreational and leisure programs and services. To accomplish this mission, OPC: provides diversity in programming opportunities to meet the changing needs and interests of users maintains safe, well-managed facilities and programs to ensure opportunities for participation by all fosters the development of knowledge, interests, and behaviors that promote a healthy lifestyle encourages the development of positive attitudes regarding participation and sportsmanship offers programs and services at a cost that is affordable to all

More on the Mission • Note the similarities among similar organizations • See if you can come up with something original or creative • Questions? Comments?

Mission Statement Activity Given an organization that provides a product or service, come up with a mission statement Present your statement to the rest of the class and see if they can guess the organization (or the product or service)

Mission and Vision Statements