[Bookstoprisoners] Mission Statement

[Niloofar Shambayati]

Thanks Jay for refocusing our attention on coming up with a statement that would truely reflect btp's multi-layered mission.  We definitely need to be cognizant of the points Leslie have made and not make assumptions about others recognizing the value of what btp has been doing.

What I like to see in such a statement is an articulation of the idea that it's not just books that we're sending out to inmates but also hope and a message that they're not dispensible and forgotten.  I think we're providing them with the opportunity to feel somehow connected to the world outside which many of them lack. Can a mission statement include this idea without sounding too sentimental and naive?   It's really this aspect of our work that keeps me motivated, I don't know about the others. 

Jay, after receiving other comments and suggestions, would you be willing to sift through and put the consensus-based elements of the statement together for everyone to contemplate before our meeting?

Niloofar 

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jay Schubert 
  To: books to prisoners 
  Sent: Monday, August 27, 2007 1:08 PM
  Subject: [Bookstoprisoners] Mission Statement


  Hello,

  In the past, we've discussed the need for mission statement.  I think that as we evolve and mature as an organization it will become increasingly valuable for us to consider having a mission statement.

  I'd like to place this topic on the agenda for our Sept 15 meeting (which will primarily focus on the upcoming book sale), however I'd like to do as much of the discussion as possible by email, prior to the meeting so that we can use that time together for book sale planning, and if we've arrived at a point in our discussion where we can reach consensus about a mission statement, we can formalize it at that time. 

  Here are some general components I'll put on the table, these are concepts which have been prevalent as far back as I can remember.  I'd like to invite you to to add to / modify / mold into a paragraph and generally discuss this idea on the list.  Please reply to all with any thoughts you have about this proposal so that we can all participate in the discussion. 

  1. Provide books to Illinois Prisoners 
  2. Educating our selves and the community
  3. Providing a meaningful volunteer experience

  Our business meetings are open to everyone.  Please consider attending the Sept 15 meeting to help us make important decisions about the details of our upcoming book sale (happening just two weeks after this meeting), and to participate in formalizing our mission statement. 

  Thanks,
  Jay



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