Your Vision Message
When I gather with a group of nonprofit leaders and ask them to introduce themselves, I hear one person after another talk about the work they do. They use jargon, insider-speak, buzz words, and every other form of describing their day-to-day job.
My reaction? Like everyone else, I’m confused and bored.
Your introduction is the beginning of our relationship. Your words should make me curious; they should pique my interest.
Let’s explore how to do just that.
Start with Vision
Keeping in mind your goal: to get people to be curious and responsive, you’ll do that by starting with vision! Vision is the big dream that inspires others. Your organization’s vision is that bold dream of a better world. It is a simple statement that gives you and everyone in your organization a clear view of the big picture. Not only that, it is the starting point for creating your own Vision Message.
Here are some examples of organizations Visions. You can see how they would inspire employees, volunteers, and donors to care and give:
Habitat for Humanity: A world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Oxfam: A just world without poverty
Toronto Zoo A world where wildlife and wild spaces thrive.
Vatican Museums Art is evangelization.
The Vision of your organization becomes your Vision too. It connects you to others because it is easy to understand and feel, your Vision:
- Is your guiding light, continually inspiring your work.
- Helps you and your organization set priorities and choose programs and services that are aligned with it
- Acts as a safeguard and measurement, keeping everyone on track towards common goals.
Taking it a step further, your personalization of your organization’s vision:
- Reflects your feelings and your personal motivation.
- Is the start of a conversation, it works like a magnet to attract interest and curiosity.
- Prepares you for the connections you will need for ongoing, continued growth and development.
Your Vision Message is your own personal version of the vision. It is how you express your purpose. It’s a short story about why you do what you do. It is emotional and engaging. It naturally appeals to listeners.
Your Vision Message, is not a branding slogan. You do not have to look for clever wording or an advertising headline. You are looking for a few words to express the dream that makes your organization important to your community and to you personally.