MISSION:
WHY? HOW? WHAT?
Norm Craige, University of Vermont
VASFAA Conference
June 9, 2015
What is Your Mission?
Why Mission??
 What
Is MISSION?
 Why
Do We Need To Understand Our
Mission?
 How
Can We Clarify What our Mission is?
 What
Difference Does it Make?
MISSION:
“an important goal or purpose that is
accompanied by strong conviction; a
calling or vocation” (dictionary.com)
BusinessDictionary.com defines Mission Statement as:
“A written declaration of an organization’s core purpose and
focus that normally remains unchanged over time. Properly
crafted mission statements (1) serve as filters to separate
what is important from what is not, (2) clearly state which
markets will be served and how, and (3) communicate a
sense of intended direction to the entire organization.”
To inspire and nurture the human spirit –
one person, one cup and one
neighborhood at a time.
Starbucks:
To inspire and nurture the human spirit –
one person, one cup and one
neighborhood at a time.
"The mission of …… is to give our customers
the best food and beverage values that they
can find anywhere and to provide them with
the information required to make informed
buying decisions. We provide these with a
dedication to the highest quality of customer
satisfaction delivered with a sense of
warmth, friendliness, fun, individual pride,
and company spirit."
Trader Joes:
"The mission of …… is to give our customers
the best food and beverage values that they
can find anywhere and to provide them with
the information required to make informed
buying decisions. We provide these with a
dedication to the highest quality of customer
satisfaction delivered with a sense of
warmth, friendliness, fun, individual pride,
and company spirit."
"Offering a wide range of well-designed,
functional home furnishing products at
prices so low that as many people as
possible will be able to afford them."
IKEA:
"Offering a wide range of well-designed,
functional home furnishing products at
prices so low that as many people as
possible will be able to afford them."
“Maintaining a global viewpoint, we
are dedicated to supplying products
of the highest quality, yet at a
reasonable price for worldwide
customer satisfaction.”
Honda:
“Maintaining a global viewpoint, we are
dedicated to supplying products of the highest
quality, yet at a reasonable price for
worldwide customer satisfaction.”
The Best Mission Statements Should:
 Be
Distinctive and Meaningful
 Be Simple, but not Simplistic
 Make an Emotional Connection
 Be Communicated Consistently
 Inspire Action
Boise State University
The role of Student Financials is to keep
students central in all decisions and actions. It
is our goal to provide accurate financial
information, guidance and support for students
pursuing higher education. We recognize the
distinct needs of each student while supporting
the mission of the Vice President of Finance and
Administration and Boise State University.
Gonzaga University
We are dedicated to helping students and families in
the pursuit of their educational goals by providing
financial information and resources in a professional
and individualized manner. We recognize the unique
and intrinsic value of each person and are committed
to serving all in an environment of equality,
responsibility, and dignity.
University of Texas Austin
We provide financial services to assist
students in realizing their dream of
graduating on time from The University
of Texas at Austin.
University of Vermont
We work collaboratively within the broader
University community to support the University’s
goal of attracting and retaining a diverse and
talented student body while fully adhering to all
fiscal and regulatory requirements. We utilize the
talents and skills of our service-oriented team to
provide students and parents with outstanding
service and with the critical information they need
to make fully informed choices regarding funding a
higher education.
Where to Begin??
 VISION:
Understand the Bigger Picture
 VALUES: Know What is Important to You
 TEAM NORMS: Understand What it Will
Look Like
Have a Vision
Mission tied to Vision
Mission is guiding principle for how you will operate,
Vision is the goal and purpose behind the Mission.
UVM SFS Vision Statement:
We strive to be an exemplary national model for Student
Financial Services through our creative and proactive
approaches to campus and community engagement,
innovative stewardship of resources, and commitment to
providing students and parents with exceptional service
and support.
Know Your Values
Values
What
What
= What is Most Important to You?
Drives Us?
Is The Common Ground Beneath
The Specifics of What We Do
Our Values
Building a Respectful Community Inside and Out

We share a commitment to cultivating a sense of community. We value a respectful and trusting environment
where everyone feels that their viewpoints are appreciated. We promote an atmosphere of teamwork and
collaboration, both within our office and in the broader University community. Flexibility is integral to our success,
and we strive to support the other members of the team. We seek to educate and learn while treating ourselves
and others with respect and being mindful of our time together.
Integrity

We take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves individually and collectively accountable for providing
students, families and colleagues with sound guidance, accurate information and superior service. We respect the
integrity of our work by maintaining compliance while carefully stewarding our limited financial and human
resources.
Diversity and Inclusion

We value the ideal that all individuals deserve to be treated with respect. Our community is enriched by a diversity
of experience, of perspective and of culture. We embrace this diversity with open minds. We treat our colleagues,
students, families and customers in a manner that is respectful of their point of view, background, cultural identity
and upholds their dignity.
Learning, Innovation, and Empowerment

We value and engage in ongoing personal and collective learning. We promote innovation and creativity as a means
to continuously improve. We empower our staff to act in the manner that best serves our students and the
University.
What Is This Going To Look Like?
 What
Behaviors May Need to Change?
 Are We Doing Things That Don’t
Support the Mission?
Team Norms
Collaboration
We:

Work together to find solutions and take an innovative, proactive approach to improvements

Work together to implement and adjust to change
Celebration
We:


Embrace fun, celebration and humor
Focus on what we, as individuals and as a group, can do to improve morale
Communication
We:

First seek to understand before we try to be understood

Share new information with each other in a timely manner

Listen to and provide timely feedback regardless of departmental unit or job title

Provide our input and trust that decisions are made considering all viewpoints
Support and Respect
We:

Put forward our best effort

Do not make assumptions about the intent of an individual’s or group’s actions or words

Own that our actions and words have impact

Ask for and provide help to each other when needed and as quickly as priorities allow

Respect each other’s personal life and commitments

Respect each other’s time by adhering to schedules

Do not start or perpetuate gossip in the office

Are patient, empathetic and compassionate to our customers and each other
Diversity
We:


Learning
We:

Strive to accommodate different learning styles and needs
Continue our conversations and education related to cross-cultural competency and utilize our
knowledge to create an inclusive environment
Recognize that our team and community can be stronger because of our differences.


Are committed to professional development opportunities for all staff
Encourage life-long learning
MISSION
VISION
VALUES
TEAM NORMS