While preparing for an upcoming virtual seminar, I remembered how much I like using table tents during meetings. For years, I have encouraged nonprofit boards to use these low-tech tools (just a piece of cardstock paper folded in half) to help for board members learn one another’s names. I also encouraged each board member to write their organization’s board-approved mission statement on the other side of the table tent. That way, each time the board is discussing or voting on a specific item, the organization’s full mission statement is conveniently staring each person squarely in the face. The table tents can be collected at the end of each meeting and used again and again.
Of course, our virtual meeting platform allows folks to display their names on screen. And, of course, we will have an opportunity for self-introductions. But that simple and constant reminder of the organization’s mission cannot be displayed in quite the same way as it can with a table tent.
The Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector reminds us that nonprofits “should have a mission statement that is a clear and formal statement of the organization’s purpose as defined and approved by the board of directors. The organization’s activities should be consistent with its stated purpose.”
What are some ways that nonprofits can continue to keep the board approved mission front and center in the midst of the current environment? Here are a few ideas:
- Place the organization’s mission statement at the top of all board meeting agendas.
- Insert the organization’s mission as a footer on your organization’s documents.
- Organize your board meeting agendas in a way that mirrors the various aspects of your organization’s mission.
- Invite program participants to share a “mission moment” during your board and staff meetings.
- Appoint a board member to help the board stay focused on the mission and not tangential topics.
For more information on how to keep the organization’s mission front and center, we encourage you to check out the Standards for Excellence educational resource packet, Mission Impact and Planning, which includes not only a full discussion of developing and revising the mission statement but also a heavy emphasis on strategic planning and analysis. Attachments and tools provided in this packet include: a sample strategic plan worksheet and a sample strategic plan implementation/action plan.
Se puede acceder a este paquete de recursos educativos y a la serie completa de todos los paquetes - que incluyen ejemplos de políticas, herramientas y procedimientos modelo para ayudar a las organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro a lograr las mejores prácticas en su gobierno y gestión - poniéndose en contacto con un socio de replicación autorizado de los Estándares para la Excelencia, con uno de los más de 150 consultores autorizados de los Estándares para la Excelencia o haciéndose miembro del Instituto de los Estándares para la Excelencia.
Amy Coates Madsen es la Directora de Programas para las organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro de Maryland y la Directora del Instituto de Normas para la Excelencia, una iniciativa nacional para promover los más altos estándares de ética y responsabilidad en la gobernanza, gestión y operaciones de las organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro, y para facilitar la adhesión a las normas por parte de todas las organizaciones. El Standards for Excellence Institute es un programa de la Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations (Asociación de organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro de Maryland), donde Amy ha trabajado durante más de veinticuatro años. Amy es responsable de coordinar todos los aspectos del programa integral de ética y responsabilidad de la asociación y de los esfuerzos para replicar el programa a nivel nacional. Es formadora y escritora habitual en las áreas de conducta del consejo, evaluación de programas, reproducción de programas, ética en la recaudación de fondos y gestión de organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro. Ha impartido cursos sobre ética y responsabilidad de las organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro en el Programa de Certificación en Gestión de Organizaciones Sin Ánimo de Lucro del Instituto Johns Hopkins de Estudios Políticos.
