Absolutely! An "About Us" section is a great way to share your organization's story, values, and what sets you apart. Here’s a general template you can use:
**About Us**
Welcome to [Your Organization’s Name], where we [briefly describe what you do or your main goal]. Founded in [year of establishment], we are dedicated to [main mission or purpose].
At [Your Organization’s Name], we believe in [core values or principles]. Our team is passionate about [what drives your work], and we are committed to [specific goals or impact you aim to achieve].
What sets us apart is [unique aspect of your approach or service]. We [describe any special methods, technologies, or philosophies you use], ensuring that [how you make a difference or solve a problem].
Our work focuses on [target audience or community you serve], and we are proud to [mention any achievements, milestones, or notable projects].
Join us in [call to action or invitation for collaboration, support, or engagement], and be part of [broader vision or future goals].
Feel free to adjust this template according to the specifics of your organization, including your history, values, and unique aspects. If you have more details or want a customized version, let me know!
Our Mission
Photo Credit: Jewish Press
The What
Earlier pieces in this series explained how we view the world and ourselves. Though these topics are a critical part of our foundational perspective, they are more about the big picture and less about the details of our mission.
We saw that the world and man were created for the glory of G-d’s name, but how do we glorify His Name? Our world is the corridor where we gain entry to the next one, but what actions here earn us entry into the next world?
We saw that Hashem created us with the ability (and free choice) to accomplish and grow, but what are we meant to achieve? In what ways are we meant to grow?
Mitzvot
The first answer to this question is obviously mitzvah observance. When Hashem created the first man, He immediately began issuing directives – He commanded Adam to eat from all the trees except the Eitz HaDa’at (Bereishit 2:16-17). Later, he commanded Noach to build and enter the ark with his family and the animals (6:13-21 and 7:1-4) and Avraham to leave his home for Eretz Cana’an (12:1-3).
Hashem also commanded less righteous individuals. He commanded Paroh and Avimelech to return the wives of the Avot and Lavan to stay clear of Yaakov.
Beyond these particular situational directives, Hashem gave the world seven broad principles He expects all people to observe. These “Noahide Laws,” which include prohibitions against idolatry, murder, and theft, aim to set man on the right path and remind him that he lives in Hashem’s world and is indebted to Him.
At Har Sinai, Hashem gave 606 additional mitzvot to the Jewish people. In addition to the general and basic mitzvot that direct all humanity, Hashem gave us, His chosen people, a detailed system that relates comprehensively to all aspects of our life in this world: our relationship with Hashem, our relationship with others, and our personal growth. Roughly speaking, He made us responsible for Torah (study and personal growth), Avodah (serving Hashem), and Gemilut Chasadim (care for others) (Avot 1:2).
Fulfilling these mitzvot and studying the Torah that presents them is the most basic part of our mission and responsibility.
Goals
Our life includes more than just fulfilling mitzvot. We also have goals we aim to achieve. The Ramchal makes this point at the beginning of his Mesillat Yesharim, which he opens by emphasizing the importance of clarifying and knowing what our responsibilities and goals should be in this world. He refers to both duties and goals because our life includes both. In addition to our obligation to fulfill mitzvot, we should also have additional goals.
The Ramchal speaks about the goal of entering Olam Haba (the world to come) and the ideal spiritual pleasure we enjoy there. We need to remember that the pleasures of this world pale in comparison to those of the next one. This realization should focus us on earning our place in the next world and keep us from overindulging in the non-spiritual pleasures of this one.
In addition to seeking entry into the next world, we also seek the redemption of this one. We daven daily for the redemption and ingathering of the Jewish people, the restoration of the Davidic monarchy, and the rebuilding of the Beit HaMidkash, and we yearn for Moshiach’s arrival. These events will enable the Jewish people, as a community and as individuals, to live life in this world more ideally and change how the world sees us and themselves.
Even before this global transformation, we also have additional goals we hope to achieve. Some of these goals, such as kedusha (holiness) and d’veikut (closeness to Hashem), are actual mitzvot. Other goals, like middot development and yishuv and tikkun ha’olam (developing the world), are formulated differently.
Our upcoming pieces will, iy”H, elaborate upon the details of our mission – both the mitzvah observance and the additional goals.
Living Out The Mission
Mission Priority Examen reaffirms SU as Jesuit and Catholic university.
After two years of hard work on Seattle University’s Mission Priority Examen (MPE) by a team of colleagues, General Arturo Sosa, S.J., in the Jesuit Curia in Rome, has reaffirmed Seattle University as a Jesuit and Catholic university.
Every university in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) conducts a MPE every five to seven years as a way of encouraging institutions to reflect on how they are putting their mission into practice today and in the future, using prayerful consideration to determine where a university’s mission is being realized and where there is room for growth. The final report goes to Father Sosa, who oversees all Jesuit works around the globe. SU last conducted a MPE in 2017.
“The mission priorities elected at the conclusion of the examen are truly inspiring—to strengthen understanding and commitment to Seattle University’s Jesuit and Catholic educational mission,” says Fr. Sosa, “to promote inclusive excellence as a Jesuit and Catholic value and to continue to advance care for our common home.”
The MPE Steering Committee, led by Vice President Catherine Punsalan Manlimos, spent months gathering input through listening sessions and an online survey that invited the campus community to reflect on their experience of living out Seattle University’s mission.
Getting to this point required the participation of many across campus, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, regents and trustees. The committee crafted a self-study that was praised by the AJCU and the U.S. Jesuits West Province. It led to wonderful engagement with a Peer Visit Team whose report noted, “the Seattle University community has worked hard to preserve its core mission. It has done so with a particularly Jesuit way of proceeding, with discernment, innovation and ambition.”
What was particularly notable about the report was that it was completely aligned with the Reignited Strategic Directions. That level of complete alignment is unusual in a MPE report and was praised by report evaluators.
“The Jesuit educational tradition is a treasure we have received from those who came before us and that we are stewarding for current and future generations,” says SU President Eduardo Peñalver. “It is what makes us different from every other university in our region. I am grateful to Fr. (Sean) Carroll, the Jesuit Provincial, and Fr. Sosa for the confidence they have shown in Seattle University in reaffirming our Jesuit character. I congratulate Catherine and the entire MPE Committee for their tremendous effort in guiding Seattle University through this process.”
In his letter, Fr. Sosa notes that “Jesuits are eager to partner in the work of a university” that has as the foundation of its strategic plan “remaining anchored in our Jesuit and Catholic character.” He went on to note Seattle University’s mission priorities “are truly inspiring.”
Learn more about the Mission Priority Examen.
Written by Mike Allende
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Frank Wilson Was Dropped Off At Gateway Mission Four Decades Ago. Now, He Helps Run It
Your browser is not supported | hollandsentinel.Com
hollandsentinel.Com wants to ensure the best experience for all of our readers, so we built our site to take advantage of the latest technology, making it faster and easier to use.
Unfortunately, your browser is not supported. Please download one of these browsers for the best experience on hollandsentinel.Com
Posts
