[Robotgroup] Mission statement (a request and an example)

[Derek Bridges]

Here are some semi random thoughts on mission statements.
The mission and purpose statements derive from the common values and 
interests of the members and reinforce those values in a consciously 
chosen direction. Community life is about developing normative standards 
while civilized life is about formalizing those standards. How to herd 
cats.
What kind of activities and purposes are you willing to commit to? Let's 
try rephrasing that: What kind of organization makes you want to 
participate?

A community of collaborators coming together to show that technical 
creativity is not an oxymoron.

To develop a common workshop area and a set of shared tools and 
equipment while learning to avoid the many forms of the so called 
Tragedy of the Commons (an ongoing experiment).

To share knowledge, teaching and learning from each other. To extend 
that learning and teaching to the outside community.

Creative outlets in the form of projects that incorporate physical 
actuators and sensors, inspired more often than not by biological life 
forms. Hence the notion of "robots".

Learning how projects can come into being and run their course in a 
volunteer environment. Understanding the nature and limitations of 
leadership skills. 

Thriving on Vague Objectives: A Dilbert Collection (Paperback) by Scott 
Adams
ISBN: 0740755331  I don't know anything about the book, I just like the 
title.

Two of the following three mission statements come from the Mission 
Statement Generator at 
http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/games/career/bin/ms.cgi
The other one is the mission statement of Apple Computers, or so I was 
once told. Guess which.
We exist to seamlessly fashion scalable meta-services and 
synergistically customize performance based content while promoting 
personal employee growth.
It is our business to dramatically foster high-payoff methods of 
empowerment as well as to seamlessly supply performance based 
meta-services for 100% customer satisfaction.
Our mission is to make the world a better place.

Derek


Mike wrote:
> Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 07:04:37 -0500
> Subject: [Robotgroup] Mission statement (a request and an example)
>
> The Robot Group needs to develop a mission statement...a succinct statement
> of our mission, our values, our purpose, our goals, our reason for
> existence.  Most sources that I have consulted emphasize that, in addition
> to the succinct part (one paragraph), the mission statement should be free
> of jargon.
>
> Although some among you find the concept laughable, the mission statement
> implies a commitment (as is, "What am I willing to commit to do in order to
> aid the organization in its mission?")
>
> To start some discussion on this, I have appended the mission statement
> from one of the other organizations to which I belong.
> All the best....
> Mike
>
> Mission Statement of the School of Natural Sciences
> The School of Natural Sciences strives to help our students understand and
> be able to value their physical, social, academic, and cultural worlds.
> Through our programs in natural sciences, computer sciences and
> mathematics, we provide students with knowledge, skills, and experience
> that prepare them for careers as scientists, mathematicians, or
> practitioners in a related profession. Our mission is rooted in the
> University?s Mission Statement, which calls for a balance among the
> humanities, sciences, and the professions. The School helps to accomplish
> this by its contribution to the General Education Core-Curriculum and by
> its various degree programs. By providing General Education courses, the
> School also educates non-science majors in understanding the role of
> science and mathematics in today?s world. The School of Natural Sciences
> strongly promotes research and scholarly activities among students and
> faculty, which in turn provides the ultimate active learning environment
> for the students and teaches them to be life long learners. Because of our
> Catholic and Holy Cross heritage, we attempt to promote an understanding of
> the world and the human person, which is derived from reason and open to
> faith.