Bid: $RACESBUL.327
Subject: RB327 Agency Mission Statement


TO:	ALL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES VIA AMATEUR RADIO
INFO:	ALL COMMUNICATIONS VOLUNTEERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE
INFO:	ALL AMATEURS U.S   (@USA: INFORMATION); CAP, MARS
FROM:	CA GOVERNORS OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
     	(W6SIG@WA6NWE.CA)            Ph: 916-262-1600
     	2800 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA  95832
     	Landline BBS  Open to All: 916-262-1657
RB 327  RELEASE DATE: May 23, 1994

Subject: MGT - Agency mission statement

	A MISSION STATEMENT for an emergency management agency
communications reserve (such as the Auxiliary Communications
Service, RACES or equivalent) has several advantages.
	(1) It provides the initial aspect of key leadership that
is so vital to the success of the communications reserve program.
	(2) It  protects the agency, and the people whom the
agency serves, against loss of a valuable resource.
	(3) It precludes future misunderstandings between an
administrator and program participants. A well written mission
statement can minimize the chance for a serious disagreement that
could have been otherwise avoided.

	Although avoiding a statement in writing and playing
things by ear can work --- up to a point --- it has its problems.
The major problem occurs when the official leaves the position
without having documented the mission statement of the volunteer
communications reserve. A change in emergency management
coordinators may be rather frequent in some jurisdictions. A  new
staff official can then be at a complete loss to understand the
program. When that happens, the new official may find it easier
to scrap an otherwise good program and its valuable volunteers
for lack of comprehension of its role and mission.

	In summary, an astute manager of a communications reserve
unpaid staff (volunteer) program will:
	1.  immediately protect the future and those who follow
with a mission statement
	2.  look far beyond ones own expected term in office; and
	3.  realize that if it's worth doing right, it's worth
writing down.

	For ideas or help in the preparation of a mission
statement for your agency, assistance is available by those with
experience in such preparation in a variety of governments. Call
for Stan Harter or Cary Mangum at 916-262-1600.
eom.