Making Sound Preschool LRE Decisions Creating a Mission Statement
In this activity, participants develop a mission statement that reflects their beliefs and values about high-quality inclusion. The activity is can be conducted alone or in groups. (45–60 min.)
Materials
- Creating a Mission Statement Worksheet
- A way to collect and share participants' suggested mission statements (for example, paper worksheets, large sticky notes, or online chat)
Before You Begin
This activity is one in a set of three related activities:
Activity Process
Define vision statements and mission statements, and note their differences.
A vision statement:
- describes a hope for the future;
- identifies a problem you want to solve;
- defines the big picture changes you want to make; and
- unites people in beliefs and values.
A mission statement:
- grounds your vision in practical terms;
- defines clear goals and objectives;
- describes what you will do, for whom, and why; and
- inspires people to action.
Remind participants that the shared beliefs and values in your guiding principles should be reflected in your vision and mission statements.
Divide participants into groups of up to four.
Ask each group to answer the following four questions from the Creating a Mission Statement Worksheet. (10–15 min.)
- What do we want for children and families in our state or community?
- What must we do to achieve those results?
- What can we do today to move toward our goal?
- Who else cares, should be involved, or can support our efforts?
Direct participants to develop and record possible vision statements.
Encourage partipants to submit incomplete or imperfect ideas. (15 min.)
Reconvene the full group.
Collect participants' responses for display and discussion, then facilitate a discussion about the group's different vision statements.
Attempt to reach consensus on a mission statement.
Debrief with the participants and conclude the activity.