Community Garden Leadership

Unlike a mission statement, which focuses on the organization’s objectives and how to achieve them, a purpose statement addresses the broader "why." According to the Harvard Business Review, a purpose statement serves as an enduring guide that transcends immediate business goals, offering a sense of meaning and direction (2014). For community gardens, a strong purpose statement might emphasize the commitment to fostering community resilience, environmental stewardship, and equitable access to green spaces.

For community gardens, having a clear purpose statement ensures that their foundational "why" remains central to all activities and decisions. This helps prevent mission creep and reinforces mission alignment, ensuring that resources and efforts are directed toward meaningful and impactful goals. A purpose statement also strengthens community engagement by connecting participants, volunteers, and funders to a shared sense of meaning and collective aspiration. By communicating a clear purpose, community gardens can effectively navigate challenges, inspire action, and create lasting positive change.

Upload assignment: Write or refine your community garden’s purpose statement using your deep organizational knowledge. Include a brief description of the services your garden provides and your garden’s niche -- what makes your garden special. If you believe your current purpose statement is accurate, please explain more about your organization in the description. Reference the examples and definition in “Developing a Purpose Statement” published by LeadingResources.com as you craft your own. Please ignore the process section on the document for the purpose of this activity.

Once you submit this assignment, move onto 1.2 Assignment 2, the Reflection Journaling Activity