Rider:
Establishes Standards of Behavior, Sets Goals
Many youth sport parents have
witnessed inappropriate behavior on the part of players, coaches and
other parents at practices and during games. When they do, they may
scratch their heads and think to themselves "I didn't think that we
acted this way in our program." The problem is that, all too often, the
behavioral guidelines for the program haven't been clearly spelled out
in advance. Mission statements are important in youth sports programs because they allow all program stakeholders
(parents, players, coaches, officials, administrators) to know what is acceptable behavior and the program's goals.
What Is A Mission Statement
A mission statement is just that: a statement of the mission, or goal, of an organization, whether it be
a youth sports program, a corporation, or any organization. When all is
said and done, the mission statement is a contract for ethical behavior
which everyone involved in the organization, whether it be parents,
athletes, coaches, officials and administrators have agreed to follow.
A major responsibility for those administering a youth sports program
(the Board of Directors of a private club, or the Athletic Director of
a middle or high school) is to draft, implement and enforce the mission
statement.
A mission statement:
- Needs to be taken seriously.
A mission statement conveys what a group believes to be the significant
worth and value of the organization. To get the most out of a mission
statement, everyone involved in its drafting and implementation must be
serious about using it.
- Guides behavior. A mission statement is a tool that helps to guide and analyze every
action taken by an athlete, parent, coach or program director by
clearly stating behavioral expectations for athletes, parents,
officials, coaches and administrators.
- Serves as a reminder.
A mission statement serves as a simple reminder to do the right thing.
When everyone knows and fully understands the team or program's
mission, and recognizes the value of a written mission statement, they
can refer back to the mission statement whenever an ethical problem is
presented on or off the field.
- Reduces ambiguity.
A mission statement can be a wonderful decision making tool. When you
have a choice to make on how to act, you can refer back to the purpose
and vision of the program as articulated in its mission statement. If
the action doesn't fit, you don't do it. This takes the ambiguity out
of the process.
- Facilitates objective decision-making. A mission statement decreases the emotional response to a decision by
making it more objective and dispassionate. Most people know what they
ought to do, but sometimes allow their emotions to get in the way .
A mission statement is valuable because, when emotional states are in
flux, it helps a stakeholder put a behavioral response in context. For
example, if the mission statement espouses respect for teammates, the
importance of treating them all equally, and values skill development
over winning as values, parents and players are less likely to be upset
when the coach substitutes players regardless of the score or climate
of the game.
- Requires top-down leadership to be effective.
The effectiveness of a mission statement depends on everyone "walking
the walk." This nugget of reality is what gives actor Tom Cruise's
one-liner in the film Jerry Maguire, "Show me the money!" its punch. If
a youth sport program is about enjoyment and satisfaction for all, then
the proof is in consistent enforcement of its mission statement from
the Board of Directors or Athletic Director on down. Every stakeholder
has to constantly ask the tough questions: "Are we doing what we say we
are doing? and "Who is responsible for ensuring that we are doing what
we say?"
- Works because all stakeholders have a vested interest.
By recognizing the goals of everyone involved in an athletic program
and giving participants an opportunity to express what they believe to
be the important values of the program, a mission statement can provide
strong and compelling motivation for all to act according to its
tenets.
Characteristics of an Effective Mission Statement
Mission statements vary in their length, structure and content, but, to be effective, a youth sports mission statement must:
- Create a model and vision for the future.
In order to create a truly effective mission, you must be able to
determine what you want your program to look like as a "finished
product." How do you want others, both inside and outside your program,
to view your program?
- State values and goals clearly and concisely.
From a mechanical perspective, the briefer a mission statement is, the
clearer it will probably be to the coach, program director, athlete,
and parent. It should state and define the core values and virtues
espoused by the program in broad terms and in language everyone can
understand so that all participants/stakeholders can easily comprehend
the expectations and ethos of the program. Because virtues form the
foundation of a character-based program, the mission statement should
contain a convincing portrayal of what virtuous behavior means and
looks like.
- Convey a positive sense of purpose.
The program's mission ought to be written affirmatively and positively
-- establishing the reasons for and value of participation in the
program. In other words, the mission statement should explain "why"
people participate in the program -- reasons like enjoyment,
satisfaction or striving for excellence.
- Promote the shared values and goals of the stakeholders.
The core values stated in the mission ought to be defined so they make
sense to all the participants. Children, adolescents and adults tend to
remain focused on activities that hold some sense of significance for
them. Core values really matter when their action reflects the shared
purpose of the group.
-
Inspire.
An inspiring mission statement instills faith and confidence of the
stakeholders in the value of participation and aspiring to achieve the
program's core values.
- Require action. Core values only have power if they are followed. Knowing and paying
lip service to the values espoused by a mission statement are not good
enough. The only true measure of the effectiveness of a mission
statement is to ask whether stakeholders apply its core values in their
daily actions, on and off the field, at home, and at school.
Consistency between actions and words can only happen when: coaches,
program directors, parents, and student-athletes model the behavior
suggested in the mission statement at every practice and during every
game; when the aims of the program are discussed and modeled
constantly; and when actions that violates either the letter or spirit
of the mission statement have adverse consequences.
- Recognize the youth in youth sports.
Although people value the youth sport experience for different reasons,
we must never lose sight of the fact that youth sports programs should
primarily be for the benefit of, and value, the children.
It all starts with two questions
It's not easy to change an
individual's or an organization's behavior. Mission statements won't
stop violence in youth sports or eliminate poor sportsmanship
overnight. I believe, however, that if all of the stakeholders in a
youth sports program strive to consistently conform their behavior to a
mission statement that values character and the virtues of
sportsmanship and consistently model such behavior, positive change
will take place over time. Nothing will change, however, if you, as a
parent of a child in youth sports, don't start a dialog with those who
run the youth sports programs in your community.
How?
By asking two
simple questions: First, what is our mission? And, second, are we doing
what we say we are doing?
Brooke de Lench is Executive Director of the non-profit MomsTEAM Institute, Founder and Publisher of MomsTEAM.com, author of
Home Team Advantage: The Critical Role of Mothers in Youth Sports (HarperCollins), and the Producer/Director/Creator of the PBS concussion documentary, "The Smartest Team: Making HIgh School Football Safer."
Teaser title:
Mission Statements Important in Youth Sports Programs
Teaser text:
Many youth sport parents have witnessed inappropriate behavior on the part of players, coaches and other parents at practices and during games. When they do, they may scratch their heads and think to themselves "I didn't think that we acted this way in our program." The problem is that, all too often, the behavioral guidelines for the program haven't been clearly spelled out in advance.