Activity 2-4: Achieving My Personal Mission Purpose: Participants will develop personal mission statements that support the mission of Head Start. They will also write action plans to achieve their personal mission statements.


Materials:


Coach Preparation Notes:
 This activity includes various journal writing activities and will require two sessions that are at least one week apart. However, discussing the topics may be more appropriate for some participants instead of writing the responses. Either method will effectively reach the goal of the activity.


Keep Daily Journal, Session 1

Introduce Activity

  1. Review with the participants the overall mission of Head Start. Emphasize that Head Start's mission is to provide comprehensive services to children and families. Explain that the program mission statement establishes the framework on which everything develops. It is the basis for program plans and strategies.

    Discuss Mission

  2. Stress that the program mission is not simply developed and communicated among the management team in isolation; everyone plays a part. Referring to a copy of the program's s mission statement, ask participants to answer the following questions:
    • Who should benefit from your services?
    • Who are your customers?
    • What kinds of services do they need?
    • How do the values of your program support what is valuable to them?


    Conclude the discussion by explaining to the participants that they will complete an activity that identifies their personal missions and how they relate to the program's mission.

  3. Explain to participants that their goal is to write personal mission statements. Ask them to prepare for this task by keeping a journal on their daily activities and job performance for one week. Tell participants that their journal entries can include what they like about their jobs and what they want to change about the level of service they provide. Instruct them to also record how they interact with children, families, and staff. Explain that after one week, they will discuss the information contained in their journals with you and use it to write a personal mission statement.

    Distribute Handout 11: Journal Assignment Questions: Things to Reflect On.... Tell participants that as they write their daily journal entries, they should answer the questions on Handout 11.


Write Personal Mission Statements, Session 2

Introduce Activity

  1. Review the journal entries with the participants, individually discussing answers to the questions from Handout 11. Using Handout 12: My Personal Head Start Mission Statement, help the participants write personal mission statements. They should base their missions on their observations, journal entries, and personal reflections of their relationships with Head Start families, children, and other staff members.

  2. Help participants write an action plan that will guide them in achieving their personal mission statements. Ask these questions:

    • What steps do you need to take to support your personal mission statement? When will you take these steps?

    • What do you need to do differently to achieve your personal mission statement? When will you take these steps?

  3. Conclude by emphasizing the contribution each participant makes to achieving the Head Start mission.

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