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What is Mobilize 2.0?
Mobilize 2.0 is a transformation program, led by the Territorial Commander, that includes the creation of a vision for The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory so that we know where we are heading, and the development of a strategic plan that will help our movement get there.
The execution of the strategic plan is being led by the Chief Secretary’s office. (To find out more about the Territorial Strategy, please click here.)
What will this program accomplish?
This program has been established to ensure that the Canada and Bermuda territory is equipped with:
- A vision aligned strategy—the development and implementation of strategic pillars and initiatives aligned with the new territorial vision statement;
- A holistic mission delivery model—ensuring a consistent and shared commitment to understanding where and how we deliver mission; and
- Mission fit processes—ensuring processes and systems enable effective support of our mission delivery
Why do we need a vision statement, how was it created and what will it do?
The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda has a strong mission statement that identifies who we are and values that reflect what we look like. A vision statement provides us with the direction for where we are going, and the strategic plan will help us determine how we get there.
The vision statement is a culmination of extensive consultation throughout the territory that took place from the late 2019 to the summer of 2020. From surveys to focus groups to executive leadership discussions, over 3,000 people have spoken into the development of our new vision statement. For more detail, check out the November 2020 issue of Salvationist.
The vision statement you see today echoes the collective hopes and dreams for our movement, developed by our diverse Army of officers, employees, soldiers, volunteers, and partners:
We are an innovative partner, mobilized to share hope wherever there is hardship, building communities that are just and know the love of Jesus.
Our new vision statement will help us be better aligned and more focused in our pursuits. It is anticipated that Mobilize 2.0 will help remove barriers to effectively delivering the mission.
How does Mobilize 2.0 embrace the diversity of the territory?
In the gathering of voices through surveys, representation on working groups and participation in focus groups (noted above), there has been an intentional effort to embrace the diversity of the territory. Most significant is the degree of local and divisional autonomy to prayerfully discern what the expression of our territorial mission and vision will look like across our territory. The three-part series—Learning the Vision, Living the Vision and Leading the Vision—provides opportunity to express the diversity of the territory.
Can you elaborate on "mission-fit processess?
We want to reduce the duplication of processes and make service as simple as possible for the front line, e.g., one point of contact, one report needed. We need to make sure that we are talking to each other, so we eliminate the duplication of contacts taking place when responding to front-line needs. In short, we are committed to easier processes for the front line.
What is the difference between “mission delivery” and “mission support”?
Mission delivery refers to our direct, front-line delivery of mission. Mission support refers to the business mission partners behind the scenes who support front-line ministry, e.g., human relations, information technology, public relations, finance, property and development/fundraising.
Why Mobilize 2.0 now during/recovering from a pandemic?
The approach that we have taken which includes building on the good work of the past and spending time united in prayer and shared Scripture as well as hearing the voices from across the territory gives confidence that we are taking the steps together that we believe God is leading us to take with him. There is a great deal of local autonomy to consider what it means to be The Salvation Army in our local community living out a united territorial mission and achieving together a territorial vision. The timing and the approach have taken into consideration the realities of the COVID pandemic. When many felt it would be impossible to plan with so many uncertainties, Mobilize 2.0 provided a preparation period for all of us to be ready to plan as we begin to see the opportunities and the needs post-COVID.
How are corps or ministry units encouraged to work toward Mobilize 2.0?
There are three steps for every local ministry unit to take together with their leadership team, or as a wider group of the corps or centre:
- Learning the Vision
- Living the Vision
- Leading the Vision
More information is available at mobilize2.ca.
What does Mobilize 2.0 mean for my corps and community work, which has been in existence for years?
Mobilize 2.0 is an opportunity, in local settings, to celebrate what has been accomplished and to step back, take stock, re-examine what we are doing, and ask, “What is effective?” and “What do we re-do?” It positions us for a deep dive into the question, “Where we go from here?” It’s an opportunity to look at the partnerships we have and can have in our communities, as well as internal partnerships with nearby corps/units. This can be accomplished through the Learning the Vision, Living the Vision and Leading the Vision workshops.
How is “Living the Vision” different than the annual corps review?
The annual corps review will continue to be a process to review/examine our ministry and effectiveness as individual corps. There will be reference in the review to the engagement with Mobilize 2.0 and the outcomes. The corps review will include Mobilize 2.0 questions that align with Living the Vision. Mobilize 2.0 provides a framework for the development of the Local Action Plan through the Leading the Vision workshop.
Where does Mobilize 2.0 go from here? What are the next steps?
Mobilize 2.0 serves as a catalyst to move us into a new way of working. By June 2023, we will no longer be referring to Mobilize 2.0, but will continue to work through our strategy and the ongoing developments designed, approved and initiated by the Mobilize 2.0 program. The next steps will be determined by Local and Divisional Action Plans that align with the Territorial Strategic Plan.
Where should I go for more information, questions or help?
We have set up a monitored e-mail, mobilize@salvationarmy.ca, where you can ask questions, you can also anticipate regular updates from your territorial leaders, as well as subscribing to the Rally Call newsletter for bi-monthly updates on how Mobilize 2.0 is progressing.
