APTA's vision statement, "transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience," sets the direction for the physical therapy profession.

APTA's mission statement, "building a community that advances the profession of physical therapy to improve the health of society," articulates the association's core purpose.

Both are broad and far reaching — a pair of eternal calls to action that are packed with opportunity and possibility.

So how does an association focus on more specific targets and evaluate its progress toward them? That's where the strategic plan comes in, establishing goals and objectives to prioritize over a given time span, each plan moving the association closer to the ideals of the vision and mission.