The purpose of the Friends of STARTS is to provide STARTTS with a strong and dedicated support system which will enable it to continue providing an essential service to immigrants who have been tortured or suffered other traumatic experiences.

1. It aims to raise the awareness of health, legal and welfare professionals and the community at large about the needs of survivors of torture and trauma and their families.
2. As a registered charity (T78/2/1 SF1016), Friends of STARTTS has been established to raise funds to maintain the independent function of STARTTS and is committed to working with refugee communities to develop self help projects and programs.

In order to achieve these objectives Friends of STARTS will adhere to the following principles and aims.

Principles

1. It will aim to assist all immigrants, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, sexuality and religion and is committed to human rights, believing that all people have the same human, social and legal rights.
2. It will distribute money equally across all cultures. Donations received will be used for specific projects as identified by STARTTS and Friends of STARTTS.
3. An annual general meeting will be held after the 30 June each year with a full report from the President and an Auditors Report given. This meeting will be open to all members and any individuals or groups interested in human rights.

1. In order to raise public awareness, Transitions magazine will be produced quarterly. A continuing aim will be to attract new subscribers.
2. Whilst both State and Federal Governments provide some funding, Friends of STARTTS will continue to lobby governments and other organizations to ensure a constant supply of funds from theses sources.
3. It will implement a volunteer network to assist in its operations. Volunteers, especially volunteers from non-English speaking backgrounds, play an important part in the structure of Friends of STARTTS and the organisation should show its appreciation of their efforts.
4. Friends of STARTTS will carry out any other activity as required by STARTTS that directly or indirectly assists the survivors of torture and trauma and their families.
5. The Management Committee of Friends of STARTTS (comprising professionals and members of community organisations) will keep administration costs to a minimum. A regular review will be conducted of all expenditure.