Charter of the Organization Freunde alter Menschen

Draft - Last modified: 10/2005

Values

Since the first response of Armand Marquiset in 1946 to the mission of petits frères des Pauvres (our mother organization), our mission has been based on the following fundamental values:
The uniqueness of each human being – his or her dignity whatever the personal origin, situation, physical, psychological or social state – the freedom of each human being – friendship and reliability.

Mission

Social Integration

Through our initiatives the elderly, the volunteers, staff members and donors share and apply these values. Freunde alter Menschen helps the elderly who suffer from loneliness and isolation to reintegrate into society.

Cultivation of Friendship

For us friendship includes cooperation with the larger community to provide long-term solutions. Friendly relationships with the elderly are our main task. To be always open to others means to respect the uniqueness of each person in a responsible way.

Connection to Quality and Joy in Life

Freunde alter Menschen gives flowers before bread. Faithful to this slogan we place the quality of the personal relationship in the foreground. Joys and suffering are shared. Solutions to potential problems are studied together.

Connection with the Public

Our responsibility includes highlighting the needs of the elderly, suggesting solutions and presenting these to the public for a coordinated response.

Fields of Activity

The people of Freunde alter Menschen form friendly relationships with the elderly they serve. They organize supervised housing (apartment-sharing communities) for the elderly with dementia and support public initiatives involved with increasing the availability of residences appropriate to this need.

Serving the Elderly

We recognize and accept the uniqueness of each person.
We respect personal dignity, privacy, history and way of life.
We are dedicated to being a sharing partner and advocate.
We support the discovery of personal rhythm and respect private needs and disabilities.
We support a life-style based on personal determination.

Acting Jointly

Serving the elderly is a joint project in which a team consisting of volunteers and staff members participates under supervision of a professional in assisting the elderly. Whenever possible and relevant we hope to involve the family, relatives, friends and neighbors.

Public Reporting

We see ourselves as advocates for the elderly we serve, but also for the elderly in general. Therefore we feel obligated to report in a public forum what we experience with the elderly. We inform the public through our actions and projects as well as through our publications and official statements.

Guidelines and Principles of the Organization

In order to arrange companionship for our elderly friends the following is agreed:

Commitment of Volunteers

Respect the Charter.
Participate actively in the organization and perform the accepted tasks.
Work as members of a team.
Engage in personal training and development to better serve the organization.
Protect privacy.

Commitment of Staff Members

Respect the charter.

Commitment of the Organization

Employ volunteers according to their desires and skills.
Define the tasks and goals of each person and coordinate their activities.
Provide all with professional support including continuing education.
Promote the exchange of experiences and suggestions between staff members and volunteers.
Evaluate the success of individuals and the organization regularly and, if necessary, make appropriate adjustments.