To understand what mission creep is and how it can impact an association we should first clarify what an association mission statement is. Mission statements are meant to define what an organization’s current purpose and activities entail. One thing that can quickly cause confusion is interchanging mission statements with vision statements. To be clear, these are very different and shouldn’t be used interchangeably. Your mission explains your core purpose and what you do to achieve your goals. Your vision is what you want your organization to become and what you hope to achieve.
Mission creep occurs when you begin to expand your association’s activities and goals beyond your originally stated mission. This usually occurs over time as your organization evolves, taking on new projects or initiatives that don’t align with your core purpose.
What Causes Mission Creep?
There are a number of factors that can lead to mission creep, including:
- Funding opportunities – sometimes organizations decide to take on new projects or initiatives when funding becomes available, even if it means deviating from your core activities.
- External constituent pressures – members can be your most vocal supporters, but also your most vocal deflector. If members feel your association should focus on areas that are a higher priority to them, they can demand a shift away from your original mission.
- Leadership – a lack of clear, focused and consistent leadership can cause your association to slowly diverge from your original purpose and goals. Many boards turnover every year or every other year, so if there is not a consistent voice to hold the board and association accountable to its mission, then you are likely already dealing with mission creep.
Mission creep over time can cause your association to lose focus from your core activities. This can cause confusion and conflict among your board, staff and members as each group often has a different idea of the organization’s direction and purpose. Creep will ultimately lead to weakening of your overall effectiveness and impact.
What Can Be Done to Avoid Mission Creep?
Could your association be suffering from mission creep? Don’t fret, there is hope to correct, or avoid it altogether. Here are a few tips you should implement to help:
- Communicate – maintain consistent messaging about what your organization is, your core purpose and goals, across all of your platforms. Keeping all stakeholders on the same page is key to maintaining alignment with your original mission.
- Learn to Say No – as we all continue to adjust to limited resources after the pandemic, it’s very tempting to add services or initiatives because new funding has become available to support it. Ask yourself, does this align with my association’s core purpose? Do we have the human resources to support this new project? Does this make sense for us to do? If you answered no to any of these questions, then it likely doesn’t align with your original mission and should be avoided.
- Activate Your Mission – Use your mission to guide your association in the decision-making processes. Make sure your stakeholders understand your mission, purpose and goals so that everyone is on the same page when making organizational decisions.
All associations regularly make decisions that may have an impact on their mission. Decisions should not be made in haste; they need to be discussed and aligned to your mission to avoid any risks that may derail you. At the end of the day, your best tool to avoid mission creep is your mission itself. Make sure that it is clear, concise and specific to ensure there is no room for misinterpretation or deviation.