• Organizing for the long haul demands a sense of vision, a sense of where we are going. If we only see the short-term tasks before us, it is easy to become frustrated and discouraged. Everyone needs a sense of the vision. We must be constantly reminded of our short-term and our long-term goals We must review how our work contributes toward meeting both sets of goals.

• Vision, like self-confidence, isn't achieved by taking a pill or reading a book. A sense of vision grows out of a set of values, experiences, individual reflections, and organizational wisdom and direction. If we see how our work supports and contributes to the larger vision, our work will seem more meaningful and can be more directed.

  *adapted from Organizing for Social Change, Midwest Academy

• A vision is a clear, concrete guiding picture of the results or condition you want to achieve.
• A vision is a source of inspiration and guidance.
• A vision can be the glue that holds everyone together in a group, organization, or movement.
• If the vision is big and inspiring enough, a vision, just by being powerfully stated, can set in motion the energy needed for its own attainment.

The Four Qualities of a Vision
1. A vision must be so clear and so concrete that you can see it in detail, smell it, taste it.
2. A vision must be big enough.
3. A vision must include changed attitudes as well as changed physical situation.
4. A vision must nclude a clear picture of the power of your own role (and others) in making that change happen.

   * adapted from The Giraffe Project Handbook

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