The Organizational Doctrine

A non-profit foundation
Is being set up
To accomplish a worthy,
Though monumental task,
One the founders consider
Worth devoting their lives to.
There are lengthy discussions
About what they are up to
And how to go about
Accomplishing their goals.
They may even arrive at
A consensus of opinion
About how they want to proceed,
But until they actually
Write their ideas down,
Clearly and precisely,
So others will also see
The vision they have,
And until a structure is defined,
The organization does not
Exist anywhere but in the minds
Of its creators.
Documentation must be created
Which formally declares
The mission and the basic strategies
Of the organization.
Countless foundations have faltered
Simply because the ideas
And the philosophies of the group
Were not adequately articulated.
It is a task not to be taken lightly.
In the process of distinguishing
The organizational perspectives
And objectives,
Many potential hazards and pitfalls
Will likely be identified.
That documentation provides
The backbone around which
The organization is built.