Stretch the plan
Focus on objectives
When things don't go as planned, we have to make adjustments. If our objectives are more important than our plans, we adjust when our plans are shot.
Every Mite project has defined objectives. The objectives are based on the core values of our organization, with the ultimate foundational objective being the faithful stewardship of the mites entrusted to us. Every project Mite conducts is researched and fully vetted to ensure the highest likelihood of successful completion with the intended impact.
Once a project commences, we track, document, and report back to our donor community on the progress of the project. Every project is visited in the field by a Mite team, including a videographer, to document and compile video footage for the production of a Project Celebration video. This video gives the donor an in-field perspective of the impact made.
Curveball adjustment
We aim to complete the project and serve our donors with professionally produced media. We go into every project with this objective and a plan on how best to accomplish it. However, things don't always go as planned when conducting major humanitarian outreach worldwide.
So when the things needed to complete a project throw us a curveball, we adjust. We continue to focus on the objectives while making modifications to the plan as necessary. As the old Italian proverb states, "Catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." Sometimes, being flexible with your plans is just the honey needed. In fact, our willingness to modify our plans has resulted in achieving the objectives of many projects.
What we learned
Working internationally for years has taught our team the necessity of flexibility and agility when dealing with project plans. There are, of course, times when objectives are threatened, and a hard stand must be made in order to provide the Mite community the excellent reporting required. We do not have a problem making these stands. It is well worth the effort to provide the best giving experience possible. The bottom line to Mite is that our donors experience the joy of giving!