August 19, 2001

Dear Members:

The Social Audit Task Force has very carefully reviewed the results of the General Membership survey dated December 2000, and by consensus decided that the Mission Statement would be the most practical place to start as it will form the foundation of all future decisions.

Clarifying your values:

Values are the bedrock of all co-op policies. They form the foundation for the mission, vision and goals of the group. By agreeing on value statements, we take the first step to reducing the credibility gap that opens when we don’t walk our talk.

Values are the collective principles and ideals that guide the thoughts and actions of a group. It is values that describe what our co-op stands for. [1]

What is a Vision Statement?

A vision statement outlines what our co-op wants to be. It focuses on tomorrow; it is inspirational; it guides us in developing clear decision-making criteria; and it is timeless.

What is a Mission Statement?

A mission statement specifies a co-op’s purpose or reason for being. It forms the primary objectives toward which the co-op’s policy and procedures should be aimed. A mission statement is a valuable framework for evaluating past work and for guiding future planning.

Briefly stated:

A vision is something to be pursued while a mission is something to be accomplished.

Survey (as mentioned above) Results:

We know that it is very important that you the members are given a chance to indicate how you perceive the co-op and to identify what is important to you.

After reviewing the mentioned survey results, we learned that what you value about Kinross Creek Housing Co-op the most are: the neighbourhood, the neighbour’s, a sense of community, affordable and secure tenure, social interaction, managing our own

affairs, and good principles of co-operation.

****Attached you will find a draft of vision and mission statements for you review.****

This is only a beginning and not considered to be the finished product.

Following the drafts are methods you can use to continue to contribute to this

important process.

Draft Vision Statement

Kinross Creek Housing Co-op is a place where members and their families will become valuable members of a strong community. It is a community that manages its own affairs in a manner that will continue to provide affordable and secure tenure to its current and future members and their families. It is a place where diversity is valued, individual ideas are respected and good principles of co-operation are promoted.

Draft Mission Statement

Kinross Creek Housing Co-op will create a safe environment where individuals are respected for their diversity, merits, skills and opinions.

As stewards of Kinross Creek Housing Co-op we will manage our own affairs in a manner that will provide affordable and secure tenure to its current and future members and their families.

This will be achieved through careful education, planning, discussion, consensus decision-making in all areas including fiscal responsibility by the general membership.

Additional Suggestion:

Kinross Creek Housing Co-op's Mission is to provide affordable, safe, reliable and appropriate housing for people of different incomes and backgrounds.

Questions to ask yourself when developing Vision and Mission Statements:

1. What is our responsibility to the wider community?

2. What is our responsibility to current members?

What is our responsibility vis-à-vis government objectives to provide affordable housing to those in need? Every non-profit organization has responsibilities to their funders – what are ours?
What would the perfect co-op be?
What would the perfect co-op do for its member’s growth and development?
What must be in place to make this perfect vision a reality?
How do we foster member growth and development

**Bring your ideas and suggestion to the General Membership Meeting for further discussion**