The ASB
We help here and now.Since its founding by Berlin carpenters more than 125 years ago, the work of the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) has been guided by the idea of humanity and solidarity. Its tradition is linked to the history of the labor movement in Germany. The ASB is committed to a free, democratic and social constitutional state. According to its self-image, the ASB is an association of citizens who want to help other people. To this end, they have built up an organization that is committed to the idea of welfare and offers assistance... The ASB offers its help to all people. It does this without regard to a person's political, national, social, ethnic or religious affiliation. What at the end of the 19th century was still an association for the self-help of the workers, had developed in the first quarter of the 20th century into a self-confident aid organization that reached out to all social classes in order to ultimately serve everyone. This openness to serving the common good manifested itself in 1926 in the motto used by the ASB: "In every place, at every time, we are ready to be the first to help." This means: humanity and solidarity know no borders. We feel committed to this idea towards all persons in need of help, their social environment, our employees and society. Our actions are based on a holistic view of humanity, which is characterized by respect, acceptance, openness and tolerance...
Our help is first and foremost help for self-help!
Our mission statement
- We help here and now.
- The ASB is a voluntary aid organization and, as a welfare association, is independent, party-politically neutral and non-denominational. Its origins and history are closely linked to the German labor movement. It is committed to the free democratic and social constitutional state.
- The ASB is an association of citizens who want to help other people. A diverse range of services is based on this foundation, which is oriented toward the need for help and the needs of the people. It offers its help without regard to political, ethnic, national or religious affiliation.
- The ASB pursues altruistic, exclusively and directly charitable and benevolent purposes.
- ASB provides its services in compliance with quality standards, which it is constantly developing. The ASB continuously adapts its assistance services to the needs of its customers and the social and health policy problem situations.
- The ASB can only realize its tasks if it wins over responsible and motivated volunteers and full-time employees. It provides them with the appropriate framework conditions and the necessary creative leeway. They work together on an equal footing and in a spirit of trust. In doing so, the ASB advocates equality between women and men.
- Its members make a significant contribution to the provision of assistance. The democratic structure of ASB as a member organization gives them the opportunity to decide on fundamental issues. In this context, voluntary commitment, which also includes voluntary participation in committees, is of particular importance. ASB is committed to structures that strengthen the value of unpaid civic work in society. An important part of this is also the promotion of young people and their introduction to the ASB.
- ASB's services are intended to benefit people. This goal determines its rules and structures. Essential elements are the framework requirements for economic transparency and the voluntary commitment to comply with a code of ethics.
- The federal structure enables the ASB to fulfill its tasks where its help is needed. It leads to flexibility in the design of assistance, which the branches provide on their own responsibility while maintaining the uniformity of the association. Cooperation within the association creates synergies and strengthens cohesion.
- The ASB supports the trusting and partnership-based cooperation between the state and the independent associations. In joint responsibility for social concerns, the autonomy and independence of the associations should be preserved.
History of the ASB
125 years ago, work in workshops and factories was life-threatening. Unprotected machines caused serious and often fatal accidents, and no one could help. Only doctors were allowed to and could help. But there were too few of them, and by the time they reached the scene of the accident - without telephones and fast cars - a lot of valuable time had passed.
Then, in 1888, six Berlin carpenters took the initiative and, against much opposition, pushed through the first "Lehrkursus über die Erste Hilfe bei Unglücksfällen" (course on first aid in accidents). They are not only the founding fathers of today's ASB, but have also given significant impetus to emergency rescue in Germany.
But the Samaritans did not only focus on improving emergency rescue and conducting medical services. ASB foreign aid began as early as 1921. At that time, a medical train went to Russia to distribute food to the starving and to help fight cholera.
Two years later, ASB social work began. As a result of World War 1, the Ruhr area had become the most densely populated region in the entire world - extreme housing shortages and hunger caused medical care to completely collapse. Since infectious diseases were rampant and there was not even milk for infants and small children, the Samaritans organized "Kinderverschickungen": For up to three months, the children could recuperate with foster parents or in ASB children's homes.
When people in other areas also went hungry and cold in the freezing cold of the winter of 1923/24, the ASB distributed food and clothing to those in particular need. Because the ASB repeatedly raised its voice as an advocate for the weak and disadvantaged in the years that followed, it was banned by the Nazis in 1933. All 1800 ASB columns were forced to disband, and all property was confiscated.
While the ASB was able to work again in some places in the areas occupied by the Western Allies as early as 1945 and develop into one of the largest aid and welfare organizations, it remained banned in the Soviet-occupied zone and also later in the GDR. But soon after the opening of the Wall, the ASB was (again) present in many places in East Germany; with far more services than before the war.
Contact
You would like to receive more information about ASB or have further questions? Please feel free to contact us. We are here for you!
Managing Director
Joachim Schmid
Mannheim Service Center,
Auf dem Sand 78
68309 Mannheim
+49 621 72707-0
info@asb-rhein-neckar.de
Assistance to the management
Jeanette Seckler
Mannheim Service Center,
Auf dem Sand 78
68309 Mannheim
+49 621 72707-0
info@asb-rhein-neckar.de
Board of Directors
Chairman: Peter Piesche
Vice Chairman: Dr. Stefan Fulst-Blei, MdL
Vice Chairman: Steffen Schmid
Treasurer: Peter Schmid
Physician Regional Association: Dr. med. Carsten Fütterer
Assessors: Petra Fetzer, Andreas Volk, Dr. med. vet. Karl-Christian Schroff, Dr. med. Carsten Fütterer, Hans Staudt
+49 621 72707-0
info@asb-rhein-neckar.de
You can reach the regional board via the secretary's office.
Control Commission
Simone Weißbarth, Patrick Hohenecker & Mathias Kohler
+49 621 72707-0
info@asb-rhein-neckar.de
You can reach the Control Commission through the Secretariat of the Administrative Office.