Our vision, mission, values, and operating principlesIf you would like to give feedback please comment on the Github repository or reach out to your local Brigade leader.
https://github.com/codeforamerica/Mission-Vision-and-Operating-PrinciplesCode for AmericaCfA_4600defa-65da-11e4-97ff-d43e955b75b0Government can work for the people, by the people, in the digital age.
Services can be simple, accessible, and easy to use.
Outcomes can be measurably better.
Better can cost less.
We can serve everyone with respect and dignity._8e56b1f8-f74e-11e7-9e09-e2e4f3215f3cTo improve how government serves the American public, and how the public improves government._8e56b36a-f74e-11e7-9e09-e2e4f3215f3cCommunityOur values: What we are like as an organization and a communityEmpathyEmpathy is our operating system. We have a deep empathy for the people we work with. We seek to understand the problems they face and we work tirelessly to serve them.Self-RelianceNo one is coming. It's up to us. We don’t wait for the powers that be to ask us; we act. We don't ask for permission; we find a way. We don't talk change; we deliver it.NetworkingBuild the movement. No one organization can fulfill this vision; we will succeed through a movement that invites everyone to roll up their sleeves and do their part. In short, cultivate the karass.PrinciplesOur operating principles --
The ideas that guide the decisions we make:Problem SolvingSolve real problems. We solve problems that real people have, we make sure what we build works for them, and we continuously improve it. We solve real problems instead of creating elegant code and robust systems to solve imagined ones.PartnershipWork with, not for the people we serve. We start with our users, the people affected by the service, and understand and respect their needs throughout the process. We also respect and support public servants, and when we are critical of government outcomes, we blame the system, not the people.User FocusWe build up -- from the user to the system, and from the local to the federal.IterationWork lean, iterate quickly. Get a working minimum viable product (MVP) in front of users as early as possible and make continuous improvements based on how they use the service.DataMake it better with data. Inform iterations with data about user behavior. Evaluate programs based on statistically-sound ground-truthed data about outcomes.ImpactImpact not ideology. Government that works for all people doesn't belong to one party or ideology. We welcome all political and social views that respect the principle that government should work effectively for all Americans with respect and dignity.MarketsShape the market, don't capture the market. Government that works for all requires the vendor ecosystem to change to become more responsive to user needs. We have the potential to create the biggest change when our projects seek to shape, rather than capture, the market for government technology.NonpartisanshipNon-partisan, but not neutral. We are an alliance of non-partisan groups, but that non-partisanship does not imply neutrality. This community has a vision for what government should be and will work to bring that vision into reality.OpennessDefault to open. Work in the open and collaborate with the community to help make programs and services better for everyone.FeedbackThe participatory process (shout out to many volunteers, Brigade leaders, staff, board, and friends!) behind these ideas sparked many valuable conversations about the past, present, and future of our movement. But, this is only a moment in time and those conversations and that impact have only just begun. Read "Writing our principles and values, together, Part 1" to learn more about the participatory process. https://medium.com/code-for-america/writing-our-principles-and-values-together-part-1-7369db3dc0e0InspirationInspire change._8e56b518-f74e-11e7-9e09-e2e4f3215f3c1Public ServantsTech SectorCommunity OrganizersInspire public servants, people from the tech sector, and community organizers to create change by proving government can do better and showing others how.ProofProve government can do better._8e56b5ae-f74e-11e7-9e09-e2e4f3215f3c1.1DemonstrationShowing others how government can do better._8e56b63a-f74e-11e7-9e09-e2e4f3215f3c1.2ChangeMake change real_8e56b6c6-f74e-11e7-9e09-e2e4f3215f3c2ImpactMeaningfully impact some of the world's toughest societal challenges._8e56b748-f74e-11e7-9e09-e2e4f3215f3c2.1Provide government with access to the resources and digital talent they need so that together we can meaningfully impact some of the world's toughest societal challenges.SustainabilityMake change stick._8e56b806-f74e-11e7-9e09-e2e4f3215f3c3ConnectionsConnect and convene people._8e56b89c-f74e-11e7-9e09-e2e4f3215f3c3.1Connecting and convening people from inside and outside government, and from all over the world to inspire each other, share successes, learn, build, and shape a new culture of public service for the 21st century.2018-01-11OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net