[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” positioning=”none” horizontal_offset_tablet=”” horizontal_offset_phone=”” horizontal_offset_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|||0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||25px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” custom_padding__hover=”0px|||0px|false|false” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
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Mission statements are set in the present tense and explain the primary\u00a0<\/span><\/span>objective(s)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>of the organization, both to members of the organization and to people outside it. They should be short, clear<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and plausible.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Mission Statement vs. Vision Statement ” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” body_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n It<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>i<\/span>s important not to confuse the mission statement with a vision statement. A vision statement looks towards the future and states where an organization wants to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>be in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>five, ten<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0<\/span><\/span>more<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>years later. Vision statements are often longer than mission statements.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n When crafting a mission statement,\u00a0consider asking your stakeholder groups\u00a0the following basic questions:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” custom_margin=”-48px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Broadly defined, drinking water utilities are in the business of providing safe, reliable drinking water at an acceptable pressure. Wastewater utilities are in the business of treating and discharging wastewater in an environmentally sound manner. Stormwater utilities are in the business of capturing and cleaning runoff.\u00a0Systems can use these broad definitions to help craft their individual mission statement(s).\u00a0Changing the mission statement or creating an organization\u2019s first mission statement is a process of gathering ideas and suggestions for the mission and honing them into a short, sharply focused phrase that meets specific criteria.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Keeping\u00a0your mission\u00a0short and concise makes it easier to communicate\u00a0to\u00a0the public and easier for the staff and public to remember.\u00a0Avoid using buzzwords and jargon. Both are\u00a0generally ineffective\u00a0and add unnecessary length.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Both the\u00a0SW EFC\u00a0and EFC WSU\u00a0developed\u00a0their individual\u00a0mission statements by involving their entire teams since they are not large organizations.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Hover over the images below to reveal each organization’s missions statement:<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][dsm_flipbox _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][dsm_flipbox_child admin_title=”SWEFC LOGO” image=”https:\/\/swefc.unm.edu\/iamf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SWEFC-logo-white-background-large.png” button_url_new_window=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” parent_header_level=”h4″][\/dsm_flipbox_child][dsm_flipbox_child admin_title=”SWEFC Mission Statement ” button_url_new_window=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” content_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” parent_header_level=”h4″]<\/p>\n \u201cWe promote self-reliance through innovative training and assistance focused on actionable results\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n [\/dsm_flipbox_child][\/dsm_flipbox][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][dsm_flipbox _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” transform_scale=”104%|104%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][dsm_flipbox_child admin_title=”WSU LOGO” image=”https:\/\/swefc.unm.edu\/iamf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WSU-EFC-Logo-Color-Transparent-Background-1.png” button_url_new_window=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” transform_scale=”195%|195%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” parent_header_level=”h4″][\/dsm_flipbox_child][dsm_flipbox_child admin_title=”EFC WSU Mission Statement ” button_url_new_window=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” content_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” parent_header_level=”h4″]<\/p>\n \u201cTo build capacity<\/span>\u00a0for addressing environmental challenges.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n [\/dsm_flipbox_child][\/dsm_flipbox][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Both\u00a0organizations used and\u00a0recommend\u00a0the following process for developing a mission statement for your utility or organization:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>Divide everyone into small groups (no more than 5 people\u00a0in\u00a0a group).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 2. <\/strong>Individually,\u00a0write words\u00a0that come to mind when thinking about the organization on sticky notes (one word per note).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 3. <\/strong>As a small group, categorize the words into 3 to 6 categories and give each category a name.\u00a0Place the sticky notes on a\u00a0piece of paper\u00a0with the category name at the top.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 4. <\/strong>Using the category names, craft a mission statement that encompasses\u00a0some or\u00a0all of the\u00a0category names.\u00a0It can also include ideas from\u00a0sticky\u00a0notes\u00a0but\u00a0should\u00a0not\u00a0include\u00a0all\u00a0the words.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 5. <\/strong>Each small group shares the mission statement it created with the\u00a0entire\u00a0group.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 6. <\/strong>The\u00a0entire\u00a0group\u00a0either\u00a0votes, via secret\u00a0ballot,\u00a0on the preferred mission statement\u00a0or\u00a0discusses\u00a0how to combine the suggestions into one mission statement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 7. <\/strong>The\u00a0chosen\u00a0mission statement is examined further to see if any\u00a0additional\u00a0ideas need\u00a0to be incorporated.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 8. <\/strong>Final wordsmithing is completed to ensure that it embodies the qualities of a good mission statement and clearly meets the needs of the group.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 9. <\/strong>By the end of the process,\u00a0your utility will have a\u00a0statement to share with the community.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The\u00a0whole process\u00a0can take as little as an hour or several meeting times to\u00a0build and\u00a0finalize\u00a0a mission statement that makes sense for your utility.\u00a0This process can work for any size system.\u00a0A few helpful hints for brainstorming your mission statement include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/ul>\n
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