Vision Statement and Passion Project
Part 1: Vision Statement: The goal here is to write a brief statement that encapsulates your passion and gives readers a vision of what your work will build and achieve. It shall be brief but comprehensive; accessible but sophisticated; imaginative, but not a plan. And, it should be personal: what is the vision of the world that guides your work? What or how should the world look if your vision is achieved? Focus your statement on an aspect of an issue, a place, and/or a defined community. DON’T write: “…to end pollution” (too broad). This statement should be strong, inclusive and well thought out. See the Vision portion of our Social Justice model.
To write this, look at other organizations for inspiration. Spend time on the Resource page of the website and review organization’s websites so you become familiar with how others articulate a vision for social justice issues that interest you. Read three (at least) mission/vis/objectives statements. Explore one organization or issue that you does not interest you and read their mission statement. See especially the following Examples: Vision Statement at Growing Power (left side, under "thrive") or the BHS Food Justice Committee. Create a Google.Doc called "Vision Statement" for this project.
Content: Your 4-6 sentence Vision Statement should include ALL of the following components:
Part 2: Annotated Bibliography: Build a reading list on the issue that you are passionate about. Identify at least 3 books and 2 articles, ideally from alternate, social justice media sources. Remember: You will read one of the books during 2nd semester. Do the following:
Part 3: Evaluation of an organization: Select 3 organizations that focus on the issue you are passionate about. List the 3, but then explore one in more detail: What does this organization do? How does it aim to achieve its work? What is it's Vision? What do you like about it? Why does it interest you? Use the Organization Resource page, but try to find one organization on your own. Add your writing to your Vision document.
To write this, look at other organizations for inspiration. Spend time on the Resource page of the website and review organization’s websites so you become familiar with how others articulate a vision for social justice issues that interest you. Read three (at least) mission/vis/objectives statements. Explore one organization or issue that you does not interest you and read their mission statement. See especially the following Examples: Vision Statement at Growing Power (left side, under "thrive") or the BHS Food Justice Committee. Create a Google.Doc called "Vision Statement" for this project.
Content: Your 4-6 sentence Vision Statement should include ALL of the following components:
- First, paste into your document the three Vision Statements you found interesting (liked or disliked). Precede them each with the name of the organization.
- Identification or description of a problem.
- Identification of your values or beliefs, articulated in a way that is comprehensible and inviting to others. See Vision portion of our Model below.
- What change you aim to achieve.
Part 2: Annotated Bibliography: Build a reading list on the issue that you are passionate about. Identify at least 3 books and 2 articles, ideally from alternate, social justice media sources. Remember: You will read one of the books during 2nd semester. Do the following:
- Create an account on librarything.com. You will need to join the SJLP (Social Justice Leadership Program group). Once you have, you'll add your three books to the group, and add at least 1 tag to each book (ideally 3).
- Find books at the Book Resource page.
- To find articles in Alternate media sources: The Nation, Mother Jones, American Prospect, Common Dreams, Alternet, Democracy Now, as well as major media (NY Times, Boston Globe...).
- In your document, create a brief bibliography of your reading list. Annotate each item (this reading is about... and help understand my passion____ because...).
Part 3: Evaluation of an organization: Select 3 organizations that focus on the issue you are passionate about. List the 3, but then explore one in more detail: What does this organization do? How does it aim to achieve its work? What is it's Vision? What do you like about it? Why does it interest you? Use the Organization Resource page, but try to find one organization on your own. Add your writing to your Vision document.