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HSP 435: Agency Vision, Values, Mission & GoalsCicely R. WoodWestern Washington UniversityHSP 435: Agency Vision, Values Mission and Goals Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (DAWN) is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1980 by two volunteers who were searching for services for a friend who was experiencing domestic abuse (Domestic Abuse Women’s Network [DAWN], 2013). Over thirteen years later, DAWN has grown into an organization that employees more than 25 individuals and utilizes a small army of volunteers in order to help DAWN meet the mission of the organization. The mission of an organization, according to Worth (2014), “is the reason an organization exists” (p. 164). Establishing a mission is part of an organization’s strategic planning process and is the responsibility of the board of directors (p. 83). DAWNs mission is “to lead and support efforts in south King County communities to end domestic violence by providing the critical services and education for survivors to make informed choices about their future and engaging communities to raise awareness and take action” (DAWN, 2013).DAWN has an external vision that provides direction in carrying out the mission. DAWN’s vision focuses on an ideal world that the organization is striving to shape. “DAWN envisions safe, just, and equitable communities for everyone” (DAWN, 2013). The mission of an organization is not only guided by the vision but also guided by key values or guiding principles that the organization considers to be the most important. DAWN considers the following key values the most important to the organization:1) Service To Clients Above All Else: Premier programs and resources that empower clients; 2) Commitment To Excellence: Exceptional services, agency reputation and professional integrity; 3) Cultural Sensitivity: Respect and value each person’s cultural identity; 4) Force For Social Change: Educate and advocate to foster communities that do not tolerate violence; 5) Results-Oriented, Science-Based Practices And Innovation: Discover, research and adopt what works best; and 6) Prudent Resource Management: Careful and judicious use of funds and all other assets. (DAWN, 2013).Worth (2014) mentions that “statements about missions, vision, and values establish a preamble to the strategic plan and the lens through which everything is viewed in order to develop goals for the organization’s future” p. 167. Before strategic goals are developed, an organization should access its situation and identify what boundaries exist between the organization and its environment. Worth explains that “strategic planners need to collect information between two arenas – within the organization and outside of it” (p. 167). Some organizations use the SWOT analysis used for strategic planning. This analysis identifies and compares strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in order to strategically plan for setting goals. Considerations when establishing and setting goals include determining what resources the organization has, what resources are lacking, what the organization does well or does poorly, as well as external factors including demographic trends and government funding (p. 167).It is important for an organization to identify strategic issues that the organization faces in order for the organization to identify appropriate goals and objectives. Worth (2014) argues that “strategic issues are fundamental policy questions or critical challenges facing the organizations mandates, mission and values, product or service level and mix, clients, users or payers, costs, financing, organization, or management” (p. 168 as cited by Bryson, 2011). After strategic issues are identified, the organization can establish goals that will help give the organization direction with respect to the identified strategic issues (p. 169). In consideration of DAWN’s situational assessment and strategic issues, DAWN’s strategic goal plan will help direct the organization for five years. DAWN’s (2013) strategic goals include:1) prioritize DAWN’s efforts to prevent domestic violence; 2) advance excellent advocacy and programs that address the needs of survivors; 3) maintain a cohesive well-integrated organization; 4) widen community engagement and involvement in initiatives to end domestic violence; 5) create a strong foundation for the health and sustainability of the organization on all levels; and 6) advance cultural fluency in all organizational efforts.Since 1980, DAWN has been guided by the organizations vision, mission, values, and goals. The organization has helped support more than 360,000 victims of domestic violence through a continuum of services (DAWN, 2013). DAWN’s vision, values, mission, and goals statements are publically available on the organization’s website. DAWN’s website also provides comprehensive information on the strategic goals including targeted results for every goal, strategy, tasks, as well as the percentage of goal completion per each quarter. DAWN’s transparency is a testament to the organization’s accountability in serving the needs of the community. ReferencesDomestic Abuse Women’s Network (DAWN). (2013). Mission, vision, & plan. Retrieved October 20, 2013, from , Michael J. (2014). Nonprofit management: principles and Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications ................
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