Mission statements are frequently maligned for being "old school," irrelevant, and boring. Well, they can be unless they are upgraded to fit with our brave new world of communications.
But mission statements can still help keep us on course, be a vital part of our branding and marketing, help us get 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS, and get a grant. Don't give up on them yet. Just make them better. Better yet, make them Oscar material.
The Academy Awards are more than a month away, so you have time to think about what makes a film Oscar worthy. Consider drama, a simple message, emotion, outstanding editing, audience centric...all elements that can be applied to your mission statement or any of your messages.
Start with these tips and examples:
- Showcase of Nonprofit Mission Statements
- Five Ways to Sabotage Your Nonprofit Mission Statement
- How to Avoid Mission Creep
- Mission Impossible? How to Write Your Mission Statement
- How to Write Great Taglines and Mission Statements
- Beyond the Logo - Breakthrough Nonprofit Branding
Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images
Comments
Mission statements are hard! So much you want to convey in one clear little sentence. My colleague Rachel Muir wrote a blog post last month on just this topic. I hope it can be another resource to help as orgs write and rewrite their mission statements: http://www.connectioncafe.com/posts/2011/12-december/mission-statements-that.html
Thanks, Cheryl! That is a great post! I’m glad someone else feels as strongly about mission statements as I do.
Excellent post Cheryl! Thank you for sharing it!