This fall, Live Oak will begin an exciting congregational process to create Vision and Mission statements that will help guide our future together. Through a series of Small Group Meetings we’ll explore the future we hope to help create, and the unique role our congregation can play in bringing that future to fruition. The process will culminate with congregational adoption of the Vision and Mission statements in May.
Before that process begins we want to take a moment to clarify the terms we are using so that we are all on the same page.
What are Vision and Mission statements?
Vision and Mission statements help organizations clarify their purpose and direction. Together, they provide a shared sense of where we're going and how we'll get there.
What is the difference between a Vision and a Mission?
That all depends on who you ask. You'll find many different definitions of Vision and Mission, and organizations often use the terms differently. For our purposes, we are defining them as follows:
Vision: An aspirational desire for the future. A condition or future that does not yet fully exist. It answers the question, “What future are we trying to help create?” It represents the destination, the what of what we hope to achieve.
Mission: Our shared purpose in helping create that future. It answers the question, "What role will Live Oak play?" It describes what we will do and how we will move toward our Vision.
Using these definitions, we can think of Live Oak UU as moving
FROM our Values TOWARD the Vision THROUGH the Mission.
Think of planning a journey. Before deciding which roads to take, we must first decide where we're going.
Our vision is the destination.
Our mission is the route we take to get there.
And our values are the compass that helps us stay true to who we are along the way.
How is this different from our covenant?
A covenant is the promises we make about how we will be together in community. It answers the question, "How will we treat one another as we live out our Mission and work toward our Vision?"
Are Vision and Mission statements the same thing as a Strategic Plan?
No. A strategic plan is more specific than the Vision and Mission. It outlines specific goals, objectives, and timelines for achieving those goals. Strategic plans typically outline the congregation's focus for the next 3 to 5 years. An effective strategic plan must be aligned with the congregation's Vision and Mission.
What are annual goals?
Annual goals identify the specific priorities and actions we'll focus on during a given year as we live out our Mission and move toward our Vision.
In the coming months, every member of the congregation will have opportunities to help shape Live Oak's Vision and Mission. We hope you'll join the conversation. Together, we’ll discern the future we hope to create and the unique role Live Oak can play in bringing it to life.
Have questions? Visit us on the website at https://liveoakuu.org/visionandmission or contact a member of the Dream Team.
