UNIFYING PRINCIPLES
UNIFYING PRINCIPLES of FRIENDS IN THE DESERT FOUNDATION, INC.
We believe the economies of the world ultimately begin in the home and therefore
whatever we do should be with a view to strengthen and vitalize the family.
We believe that true capitalism is the vitality of a healthy economy that
assures perpetual growth and development. It values the goose above the "golden
egg". It disdains poverty and treasures prosperity as a state of well-being for
all. It holds to the reality that one cannot be secure with excess so long as
others are in poverty and need. It is driven by a relentless desire to fulfill
legitimate needs in the best possible manner.
We believe that cooperation is a higher ideal than individuality, but total
cooperation cannot be achieved without the recognition, respect and perfection
of individuality nor can individuality be achieved without the cooperative hands
and minds of others.
We believe in treating others as we would want to be treated - with fairness,
good will, courtesy and respect.
We believe in humanism over materialism.
We believe in going the extra mile with a smile.
We believe in doing everything we can to avoid and disarm contention which
always results in an unnatural focus on the absurd and unimportant. It is a
distraction from things which truly count in life.
We value the truth and what is right above that which is convenient and
comfortable.
We measure everything we do and say against this three-way test:
Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
We believe relationships are more important than personal gain, systems and
programs, but not more important than truth. The truth must be the anchor of
every good relationship.
Our word is our bond with honor and we treasure and keep it.
We have a great reverence and respect for the trust and confidence others place
in us and will do everything in our power to uphold that trust.
We believe in receiving fair value for fair work.
We value clean money. Not for the sake of money itself, but for the honorable
labor that it represents. We believe in commerce that is based upon honorable
labor.
We finish what we set out to do, but we do not force things before their time.
We are steadfast, persistent and consistent but flexible and adaptable.
We believe there is no fate, no chance, no circumstance, no problem, no enemy,
no evil that can defeat the right resolve of a determined soul.
We consistently strive for excellence in everything we do.
We believe in being calm, steady and confident through adversity and under
pressure.
We always look for the brighter side of things and see opportunities in the
challenges and adversities of life.
We do everything we can to learn from our personal experiences as well as the
experience of others so that we minimize mistake and error.
If we make a mistake, we believe in taking responsibility and immediate steps to
resolve the problem.
We believe in simplicity and taking things one step at a time.
We believe in helping every person who comes to our organization. If we cannot
help them directly, we will do our best to refer them to someone that can
provide the needed service.