1.3 Defining a Vision and Mission

 Description

This section will remind you of some important aspects to consider when you develop a Vision and Mission for your organization. Some examples are included among the listed resources.

When a group of evaluators decide to start a VOPE, it is natural to think about both form and function. The form of a VOPE should be decided on once the goals of the VOPE have been determined, in other words when the function of the VOPE has been defined. This means that, before a VOPE becomes too concerned about who will be the president and who will be allowed as members, its champions need to identify opportunities and priority areas for making an impact. This process defines the vision, mission and key objectives.

The AEA Local Affiliates Council (2006) provides a useful description of vision and mission statements for VOPEs:

“The purpose, mission, or vision for the group – call it what you will – is an important early step. These broad statements help clarify why the group effort is being undertaken….  Keeping that vision in mind can help sustain the group in the tasks ahead.”

The AEA Local Affiliates Council provides a list of common objectives for evaluation associations:

• improve evaluation practice;
• increase evaluation use;
• promote evaluation as a profession;
• support the contribution of evaluation to the generation of theory and knowledge about effective human action;
• share resources;
• enhance networking among area evaluators;
• build a professional community;
• enhance professional competence;
• increase awareness of the evaluation profession;
• link evaluators with those seeking evaluation expertise;
• increase diversity of the evaluation profession; and
• provide service to the community.

They caution however:

“As you develop your mission, vision, or goals, you will, of course, want to select ones that are in tune with the context, resources, and interests on your [development] ‘stage’. However you approach it, mission and goal statements map future steps.”