"The quality of our work
matters, and we want to be excellent," said NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania
Executive Director Christine Michaels, MSHSA. "Pursuing the Seal of
Excellence required us to examine our organization from the inside out,
revealing how NAMI was built on a strong foundation and validating that our
work is of the highest quality."
NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania
earned The
Seal of Excellence after a rigorous months-long review process conducted by
PANO and a team of independent peer reviewers. They evaluated all of the
organization's operations, work and accomplishments and determined that NAMI
demonstrated successful compliance in meeting the high standards set forth in PANO’s Standards for
Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector.
"The Seal of
Excellence is granted to well-managed, responsibly governed organizations that
are deserving of the public’s trust," explained Patricia Mogan, Standards for Excellence Officer for
PANO, located in Harrirburg. "NAMI's Board and staff have shown an
extensive level of commitment to this process, and their pursuit of the Seal of
Excellence confirms that they believe strongly in the integrity of their
business." Anne Gingerich, PANO’s Executive Director, added, “NAMI can
focus even more fully on advancing its mission of improving the lives of
individuals and families affected by mental illness, as staff will be less
likely to get bogged down in the issues that can arise due to faulty internal
systems. The Seal of Excellence is truly one of the ways that organizations can
better position themselves to reach their fullest potential.”
NAMI staff will accept the award at a reception in Pittsburgh on
Wednesday, June 25.
