~ We will strive to see diversity, equity, and inclusion in connection with our vision and mission for the benefit of those we serve. Our mission is to mitigate social isolation and improve emotional well-being in older adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Thus, we will work to serve all older adults regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, identity, disability, education, or any other bias.

~ We aim to recognize and address inequities in our policies, programs, and services by evaluating them annually.

~ We commit to being transparent about diversity in all our interactions by updating and documenting progress on our diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, which will be included on our website and in our annual report. 

~ We promise to investigate and address any internal or implicit biases that interfere with our ability to implement our diversity, equity, and inclusion policy.

~ We commit to advocating against systemic inequities that impact our work at the board level, and within our chapters and address it according to this policy and in accordance with our mission.

~ We commit to challenging commonly accepted notions about what constitutes strong leadership within our organization and aim to include diverse board members, staff, volunteers, buddies, and members that will support the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

~ We commit to leading with respect and tolerance, and we encourage all employees and volunteers to express this in their work within our organization.

~ We promise to educate our volunteers about diversity, equity, and inclusion so they may advocate against systemic inequalities and exhibit conduct that reflects inclusion. All members will receive diversity, equity, and inclusion training to learn and expand their knowledge on diversity, equity, and inclusion affairs. Members will also receive supplemental training on microaggressions as well as examine and discuss case studies, which contain pertinent topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

~ We will commit time and resources to expanding our services to under resourced buddies with the implementation of community based chapters. The community based chapters will be formed by partnerships between older adults in community centers in underserved communities and college students.

~ We will ensure that our diversity, equity and inclusion committee will work to cultivate, promote, expand equitable practices used in National Alzheimer’s Buddies. 

~ We will aim to encourage our members to share their experiences and concerns in relation to diversity, equity, and inclusion via our General Feedback Form. This form will be overseen and monitored by the DEI committee.