Govern Well, Deliver Effectively
1.1 ROAD TO SUCCESS
All organisations, small and large need to have direction which sets out the goals that the organisation wants to accomplish.
What is the impact that your organisation wants to make?
Why is this impact important, and crucially, why is your organisation the one to achieve it?
Stating the vision you have for your organisation, and the impact it can make on the world gives you purpose. You can use this purpose to convince others to join you on your journey.
This can include attracting volunteers and coaches, participants for your programmes and sponsors who share your vision.
You may be familiar with some of the tools which can help you to achieve this already.
Organisations often use Vision, Mission Statements and Action Plans to help them define their purpose and guide their overall direction.
When you look at the expectations described above, to what extent does your organisation already meet this criteria?
Self Evaluation
1. We know what our purpose is
2. We are clear on what impact we are trying to make as an organisation
3. For the next 1-2 years we know what our objectives are. We have these objectives in writing, and we review and adjust them on a regular basis.
4. We know what the Sustainable Development Goals are and we know how we contribute to them.
1.2 BUILT ON
SOLID
FOUNDATIONS
+ EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
+ PURPOSE
A Purpose Driven Organisation is...
A purpose-driven organization can be defined as being driven by a sense of higher purpose, which is committed to making a meaningful positive difference in the world.
In a purpose-driven organization, the company's mission, values, and culture are centered around a shared sense of purpose. This purpose is not only communicated to employees, but it is also woven into the fabric of the organization's operations and decision-making processes.
Purpose-driven organizations recognize their success in the positive impact they have on their employees, volunteers, participants and communities.
The positive impacts if done correctly are...
Running a purpose-driven organization has many benefits, including:
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Attracting participants to your programmes: Purpose-driven organizations often build strong relationships with their participants, as they reflect and align with their own values.
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Attracting and retaining volunteers and coaches: Purpose-driven organizations often attract and retain volunteers and coaches who are passionate about the organization's purpose and values, creating a strong sense of employee engagement and loyalty.
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Building a positive reputation: Purpose-driven organizations are often viewed more positively by external stakeholders (such as funding organisations), as they are seen as making a positive impact beyond serving their own goals.
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Driving innovation: Purpose-driven organizations are often more innovative, as they are focused on finding new and creative ways to achieve their purpose and make a positive impact in the world.
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Making a positive impact: The most significant benefit of running a purpose-driven organization is the opportunity to make a positive impact in the world. By aligning your sporting goals with your purpose, you can create a more sustainable and fulfilling future for all stakeholders involved.
Overall, running a purpose-driven organization can have a significant impact on the success, reputation, and positive impact of your organization.
TOOL: Writing your Purpose Statement
There are many methods you can follow to define the purpose in your organisation. Writing a Purpose Statement is one such way.
A purpose statement is a clear and concise statement that communicates the fundamental reason why an organization exists.
It outlines the core values and beliefs that guide the organization's decisions and actions, and explains how the organization aims to make a positive impact in the world.
Below you will find one model which is a helpful guide to help you in the process of writing your Purpose Statement. As you can see, the purpose statement sits at the centre of four key questions which you as an organisation should ask yourself.
What the World Needs: This question relates to the problem, challenge or issue which you have identified in the world and that you seek to solve through the activities of your organisation.
What your organisation is uniquely good at: Which competencies, experience or understanding relating to the challenge or problem does your organisation have which positions you to react effectively.
What your organisation is passionate about: This relates to the driving force behind your organisation. This usually relates to the impact that you want to make but can also include being passionate about the method.
How can your organisation create a Social Impact: Based on the above three questions, what is it that your organisation will change, what will be the positive impact that you will make through your activities.
DOWNLOAD
Purpose Statement Cards. Use this model to develop your purpose statement with your team, participants, volunteers and other key stakeholders.
FROM THE FIELD
FOOTBALL BEYOND BORDERS
FBB works with young people from areas of socio-economic disadvantage who are passionate about football but disengaged at school, to help them finish school with the skills and grades to make a successful transition into adulthood. They do this by providing long-term, intensive support, built around relationships and young people’s passions, in the classroom and beyond.
Below is an example of how FBB could use the model above to develop a Purpose Statement:
What does the World need?
The 2011 London riots highlighted for FBB that young people in the UK did not have the opportunities or agency to shape their future in a positive manner.
What is your organisation passionate about?
FBB is passionate about using football to create positive social change.
What is your organisation uniquely good at?
FBB began running youth football sessions in a range of settings (both in school and community outreach sessions) in South London and quickly realised that there was a real need for our work.
However, they soon established that they could make maximum impact through working with schools to engage younger people in their early teens. This approach allowed us to prevent negative behaviour, as opposed to looking for a cure.
Based on their experience they were uniquely placed to work with schools, using football as an intervention tool focusing on the target group of disengaged teens.
How can your organisation create a social impact?
FBB can help keep young teens in school and to help them achieve their potential, giving them more opportunities and preventing a negative spiral.
Football Beyond Border's Purpose
WE EXIST TO CHANGE THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT FOOTBALL BUT ARE NOT FULFILLING THEIR POTENTIAL AT SCHOOL.
+ IMPACT
The Impact of a sports organisation refers to...
Organisational impact refers to the positive changes or outcomes that an organisation achieves through its programs and activities. Sport organisations have the capacity to address social, economic, and environmental issues that affect communities, regions, or the world at large. When we refer to impact we refer to assessing the effectiveness of the organization's activities in setting and achieving its objectives, against these topics. The impact can be assessed based on the intended outcomes and the unintended consequences of their activities.
The positive impacts if done correctly are...
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Demonstrating Accountability: By measuring and understanding their positive impact, organisations can demonstrate accountability to their stakeholders, including donors, beneficiaries, partners, and the wider public. This can build trust and confidence in the organization and its work.
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Improving Performance: Understanding the positive impact of their work can help organisations identify what works and what does not, allowing them to adjust their programs and activities to be more effective. This can lead to better outcomes for beneficiaries and more efficient use of resources.
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Securing Funding: Demonstrating a positive impact can also help organisations secure funding from donors and investors who are interested in supporting organizations that make a difference. Positive impact can be a key factor in deciding where to invest resources and support.
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Enhancing Credibility: Understanding and communicating the positive impact of their work can enhance the credibility and reputation of organisations, making them more attractive partners for other organizations, governments, and other stakeholders.
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Motivating Staff and Volunteers: Knowing that their work is having a positive impact on society can motivate staff and volunteers to continue working for the organisations, even in challenging circumstances.
Overall, understanding the positive impact of their work is crucial for NGOs to demonstrate accountability, improve performance, secure funding, enhance credibility, and motivate staff and volunteers. By measuring their impact and communicating it effectively, NGOs can build stronger relationships with their stakeholders and contribute to positive social change.
Setting Objectives and Understanding Impact
Within the bounds set by the Purpose of the organisation, sport organisations can become more finite by establishing what the impact is that they want to make and how they can measure it in a simple and effective way. This can be counducted by using a mixture of the following:
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Define clear objectives: The first step towards measuring the impact of any organisation is to define clear objectives. Objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
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Use indicators: Based on these objectives, what would indicate success? Organisations can use indicators to track progress towards their objectives. Indicators are specific, measurable, and relevant metrics that can help organisations understand if they are making progress towards their goals.
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Collect data: Organisations can collect basic data on various aspects of their activities, such as the number of people involved in their activities, the number of people who have received services, and the satisfaction levels of beneficiaries.
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Engage End Users: Organisations can talk to their end users in a structured way such as surveys andquestionnaires, to measure their impact. Furhtermore, they can use focus groups abd interviews with their participants to understand their perspectives.
Essenatially, measuring the impact of an organisation begins by defining objectives and then tracking their success in reaching their goals.
+ SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT GOALS
+ SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOMENT GOALS
What are the Sustainable Development Goals?
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The SDGs aim to guide countries towards sustainable development that balances economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. The 17 goals are:
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No Poverty
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Zero Hunger
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Good Health and Well-being
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Quality Education
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Gender Equality
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Clean Water and Sanitation
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Affordable and Clean Energy
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Decent Work and Economic Growth
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Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
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Reduced Inequalities
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Sustainable Cities and Communities
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Responsible Consumption and Production
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Climate Action
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Life Below Water
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Life On Land
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Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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Partnerships for the Goals
Each goal is further broken down into specific targets and indicators to measure progress towards achieving the goal. The SDGs are intended to be universal, meaning they apply to all countries and all people, regardless of their level of development.
Why should Sports organisations link their activities to the Sustainable Development Goals?
There are several benefits to sports organisations understanding how they contribute towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
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Reputation and image: Sports organizations that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and the SDGs can enhance their reputation and image. This can attract new participants, sponsors, and partners who share similar values.
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Increased funding opportunities: Understanding how sports organisations contribute to the SDGs can help identify new funding opportunities from funding entities that prioritize sustainability.
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Improved stakeholder engagement: Understanding how sports organisations contribute to the SDGs can help improve stakeholder engagement, including with participants, volunteers, employees, and local communities. This can help build trust and loyalty among stakeholders.
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Operational efficiency: Understanding how sports organisations contribute to the SDGs can help identify areas for operational improvement, including reducing waste and energy consumption, and promoting sustainable practices.
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Talent attraction and retention: Sports organizations that prioritize sustainability and the SDGs may be more attractive to potential employees who are passionate about sustainability and social responsibility. Additionally, prioritising sustainability can improve employee morale and retention.
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Positive impact on society: Ultimately, understanding how sports organizations contribute to the SDGs can help them make a positive impact on society, including promoting equality, protecting the environment, and contributing to social and economic development.
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