Why a Clear Sense of Purpose Builds a DO SOMETHING Culture
- Tom Iselin
- Mar 20, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 11
This video is episode 3 of Authentic Passion. It covers the tactic of defining a clear sense of purpose through a nonprofit's mission and vision statements, and statement of purpose.
#strategies, #tips, #tactics, #secrets, #training, #lessons, #nonprofit, #boardtraining, #boardmembers, #boarddevelopment, #beststrategicplanning, #bestboardretreats
Why a Clear Sense of Purpose Builds
a DO SOMETHING Culture
On Day 6, we continued exploring how nonprofits can transform lip-service passion into authentic passion. We looked at why commitment—true, action-driven commitment—is foundational.Today, we move to the next essential tactic required to build an authentically passionate, DO SOMETHING culture:A Clear Sense of Purpose.
Why a Clear Sense of Purpose Matters
Let’s assume your board and staff are now committed and motivated to fulfilling your mission.Great!But here’s the big question:
What exactly should they be committed to doing?
Commitment without direction is chaos.Successful nonprofits know:
Where they want to go
What they want to achieve
Why those goals matter
How they intend to get there
This clarity is what forms a clear sense of purpose — the backdrop for every meaningful decision and action.
Without it?Even committed people won’t know what to do or how to prioritize their efforts.
The 3 Core Statements That Establish Purpose
To build this foundation, your first step is to develop three crucial documents:
1. Mission Statement
Defines what you do, who you serve, and why your work matters.
2. Vision Statement
Paints a picture of the future you’re striving to create.
3. Statement of Purpose
Explains why your organization exists and the bigger “why” behind your work.
Together, these documents embed:
Guiding principles
Core values
Organizational standards
These become the unifying force that channels commitment and passion into aligned action. They also serve as the benchmarks for measuring efficiency, effectiveness, and organizational integrity.
Two More Critical Elements: People Need Clarity
A clear sense of purpose doesn’t stop at high-level statements.Your people need clarity about their role in fulfilling that purpose.
So you must create:
4. Well-Defined Job Descriptions (Staff)
These documents outline:
Duties
Expectations
Responsibilities
Performance standards
They give staff a purpose-driven framework for how their work contributes to fulfilling the mission.
5. Roles & Responsibilities Document (Board Members)
Board members need the same clarity.This document defines what they are expected to do, not just what they represent.(You’ll be covering best-in-class board roles and responsibilities in a future show.)
Together, these five elements eliminate confusion and establish a shared, actionable understanding of what success looks like.
How Purpose Informs Everything Else
Once you’ve built these core documents, don’t just frame them and hang them on the wall.
Use them.
Their content and intent should drive updates to:
Bylaws
Strategic plans
Corporate policies
Marketing and case statements
Staff management practices
Volunteer recruitment and engagement
Program development
Success metrics
Fundraising strategies
Your organization should be able to ask — and answer — questions like:
“Do our program outcomes align with the mission?”
“Are our major donor fundraising tactics consistent with our core values?”
“Do volunteers understand the principles behind our vision?”
“Are board members being held accountable for their fundraising obligations?”
Everything connects back to purpose.
Why People Can't Be Authentically Passionate Without Purpose
Think about it:
How can people be authentically passionate about a mission they don’t fully understand?
How can they be committed to fulfilling a mission they don’t believe in or value?
How can someone raise money if they can’t confidently make a case for support?
How can you plan for the future if you don’t know where you want to go?
How can you hold people accountable when they don’t clearly know what’s expected of them?
You simply can’t.
A clear sense of purpose is the anchor that keeps commitment from drifting and passion from fading, and creates a Do Something Culture!
Key Takeaways
Commitment is essential, but without direction, it leads nowhere.
A clear sense of purpose provides the roadmap for fulfilling your mission.
Five core documents create this clarity:
Mission Statement
Vision Statement
Statement of Purpose
Staff Job Descriptions
Board Roles & Responsibilities
Purpose must guide everything your nonprofit says and does.
People cannot be authentically passionate without understanding, believing in, and valuing the purpose behind their work.
Summary
If you want to build an authentically passionate, DO SOMETHING culture, you must lay a strong foundation of clarity: who does what, what you stand for, where you’re going, and why it matters. Once this purpose framework is in place, your board and staff can channel their commitment into effective, meaningful action — the essence of authentic passion.
Tom Iselin
Rated One of America’s Best Board Retreat
and Strategic Planning Facilitators
About the Author
Tom Iselin is recognized as one of America’s leading authorities on high-performance nonprofits. He has built nine sector-leading nonprofits and two software companies, written six books, sits on multiple boards, and has been rated one of America’s Best Board Retreat and Strategic Planning Facilitators. His work on nonprofit strategy, board leadership, and culture has been featured on CNN, Nightline, and in Newsweek.
Tom is the president of First Things First, a firm specializing in board retreats, strategic planning services, fundraising strategy, and executive coaching for nonprofit CEOs.
Board Retreats & Strategic Planning
If you’re looking for a board retreat facilitator or strategic planning facilitator who has been in the trenches and understands real-world nonprofit challenges, Tom can help your board gain clarity, build alignment, and create an actionable plan that improves performance and impact. His sessions propel organizations to the next level of performance and impact . . . and they're fun!
Board Retreats and Strategic Planning Services:
858.888.2278
