Case Study:
West End State School P&C – When Purpose Powers Community Impact
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We are the Heart of the School Community” maintains focus on what’s important
Providing alignment and understanding for volunteers ensures team continuity
Actively live Values throughout operations and communications
West End State School P&C demonstrates how clear Purpose can transform volunteer organizations. Through The Where and The Why process, they defined their Purpose – “We are the Heart of the School Community” – and their ambitious Moonshot – “Every Child Enriched, Every Family Engaged.” These guiding statements now direct everything from daily decisions to managing their complex operation of 57 employees and $3,680,000 budget.
Before implementing The Where and The Why, activities happened haphazardly, with the team often “chasing their tails” and putting out fires rather than working toward clear goals. Through The Where and The Why process, the P&C crafted their transformative Moonshot:
“Every Child Enriched, Every Family Engaged”
This deceptively simple statement captures their dual mission of enriching students’ educational experience while fostering active family participation in the school community.
The P&C’s Purpose statement now serves as a powerful decision-making tool. “In our meetings, whenever there’s a sticking point or debate, we always go back to our Purpose,” explains President Vanessa Bertagnole. “Does this align with being the heart of the school community? If not, we dismiss it. It helps us stay focused.”
This clarity has proved especially valuable during challenging times. “When I’m knee-deep in paperwork, I remember I’m doing this for all children in the West End community, not just my own,” says Vanessa.
The impact of this strategic clarity has been remarkable. In 2024, the P&C:
The P&C maintains momentum through multi-channel communication, including regular newsletters, website updates, and annual impact reports showing concrete results. “Whether families buy from the tuck shop, use our childcare services, or purchase uniforms, they’re contributing to their children’s school,” explains Vanessa.
The P&C demonstrates their commitment to transparency by making their complete strategic plan publicly available on their website. “Having this strategy really helps,” concludes Vanessa. “It provides a framework that saves time and keeps everyone aligned with our vision of being the heart of the school community.”
Through their journey, West End State School P&C demonstrates how clear Purpose and strategic focus can transform a volunteer organization into a powerful force for community impact. Their success shows that when Purpose powers strategy, extraordinary achievements become possible – even with volunteer teams managing complex operations.
