What is a Community of Character?

The Character Council of Fort Collins, CO
assists in a broad, integrated character
initiative in their community. Watch!

<a href="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" mce_href="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer">Get the Flash Player</a> to see this video. </div> </td> </tr><tr><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="/aboutus/video/20091001-conference/" mce_href="/aboutus/video/20091001-conference/">View Larger </a></td> </tr></tbody></table><div class="pulledQuote">   Developing character is a journey, not a destination. In a community of character, leaders and citizens expect good character from themselves and celebrate it in others. This approach builds strong relationships, which builds a stronger community. A community doing this is not perfect, but its leaders and residents are committed to building good character instead of throwing money or empty promises at old problems. <table border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top"> <ul><li>Community leaders can set a good example and talk about the value of character. City Council members could pass a <a href="assets/Files/ResolutionSample.pdf" mce_href="assets/Files/ResolutionSample.pdf" target="_blank">resolution</a>, endorsing the character emphasis. Government agencies can implement <a href="about-us/sectors/workplace/" mce_href="about-us/sectors/workplace/">Character First!</a> for managers and employees.</li> </ul></td> <td valign="top"> <img class="right" src="assets/Images/billboard.jpg" mce_src="assets/Images/billboard.jpg"/> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top"> <ul><li>Local media companies can support the character emphasis by reporting on those who demonstrate good character, including a "Character Corner" in local publications, featuring a character quality on local billboards, and broadcasting public service announcements on radio or television.</li> </ul></td> </tr><tr><td valign="top"> <ul><li>Education officials can emphasize character among staff and students. Schools can take advantage of the <a href="aboutus/sectors/education/" mce_href="aboutus/sectors/education/">Character First! Education</a> training and curriculum. Local colleges can use Character First! materials in business ethics or leadership courses.</li> </ul></td> <td valign="top"> <img class="right" src="assets/Images/curriculum.jpg" mce_src="assets/Images/curriculum.jpg"/> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top"> <ul><li>Business owners and managers can take advantage of <a href="aboutus/sectors/workplace/" mce_href="aboutus/sectors/workplace/">Character First! Business</a> training and resources, appreciate employees with good character, support schools that teach character, and encourage employees to practice good character at home.</li> </ul></td> </tr><tr><td valign="top"> <ul><li>Families can use <a href="http://store.characterfirst.com/cgi/redirect.rb?item=00481" mce_href="http://store.characterfirst.com/cgi/redirect.rb?item=00481">Achieving True Success</a> and attend a <a href="training/family/" mce_href="training/family/">Family Seminar</a> in order to develop better parenting skills, strengthen family relationships, and reinforce their children's good character.</li> </ul></td> <td valign="top"><img class="right" src="assets/Images/ATSstanding.jpg" mce_src="assets/Images/ATSstanding.jpg" alt="Achieving True Success book" title="Achieving True Success book" width="200" height="164"/></td> </tr><tr><td valign="top"> <ul><li>Law enforcement officials can use the <a href="training/" mce_href="training/">Character First! training</a> and the <a href="training/police/" mce_href="training/police/">Police Dynamics</a> training to help raise morale and build a culture of character in their agencies. Jail and prison administrators can offer character-based classes to inmates using Character First! <a href="http://store.characterfirst.com/cgi/redirect.rb?category=PGUIDES" mce_href="http://store.characterfirst.com/cgi/redirect.rb?category=PGUIDES">Prison Guides</a>.</li> </ul></td> </tr><tr><td valign="top"> <ul><li>Faith community leaders can help emphasize integrity in their communities by preparing messages that deal with character-based issues, teaching character to children, talking about character during pre-marriage counseling, and focusing on character during special events, such as summer camps or winter retreats.</li> </ul></td> </tr></tbody></table> </div>Leaders who are interested in developing a community of character can network with like-minded people on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/editevent.php?success=1&picture&eid=91325898308#/pages/Oklahoma-City-OK/Character-First/63126738534" mce_href="http://www.facebook.com/editevent.php?success=1&picture&eid=91325898308#/pages/Oklahoma-City-OK/Character-First/63126738534">Character First! Facebook page</a>, and consider attending the next <a href="/aboutus/video/20091001-conference/" mce_href="/aboutus/video/20091001-conference/" title="Character First! Networking Conference Video">Character First! Networking Conference</a>.