2002 Newsletters
December 2002
Requesting Good Character—50,000 tons of tomato paste. 100,000 tons of semolina flour. Almost four hundred employees intent on building good character!
Sensing Needs—The snowshoe rabbit illustrates sensitivity as it is responsive to its surroundings.
Giving Good Character—For the past two months, Character First! representatives have traveled through Asia conducting seminars for schools, parents, and community organizations.
Character First! Mexico—A handful of individuals in Mexico are rising to the challenges of their day—and meeting them with character.
Download Complete December Issue (119k pdf)
November 2002
Kenowa Puts Character First—In the midst of a recession, Kenowa Industries cut coffee, salaries, 401k donations—but not Character First!
Agile Hosts—Bighorn sheep are rarely found alone. Older sheep welcome others, sharing their knowledge and experience with the rest of the flock.
Higher Character Education—Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, recently passed a resolution making it the first official Campus of Character.
Building a Brighter Future—The Character Council of Darke County, Ohio is excited about the support that the Ohio Secretary of State is demonstrating.
Download Complete November Issue (102k pdf)
October 2002
Fresh Character—Success, according to Frank Costa of Costa's Fresh Produce, is defined by the presence of strong relationships and good communication.
Playing Second Fiddle—Composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein believed that second fiddle is the most difficult instrument to play.
Serving Secrets—The foundation for success is built in childhood. One of the best ways to build character in a child's life is to look for opportunities to serve others.
Community Heritage—Heritage Community Services in Charleston South Carolina is transforming their community one step at a time.
Download Complete October Issue (100k pdf)
September 2002
Constructing Character—After just six months of a character emphasis, Electronic Systems Services, Inc. has already begun reaping positive results.
Dangerous Diligence?—The expression "busy as a beaver" did not come about by chance. A beaver's diligence directly affects his lifespan.
Making Character Visible—One way to develop an atmosphere of character in a school is to display posters around the campus.
A Salute to Character—At the exciting International Building Cities of Character Conference, delegates listened to national and international speakers share how they have effectively emphasized character.
Download Complete September Issue (61k pdf)
August 2002
Meeting a Need—What are the top two things that employees most want from their job? Surprisingly, "good wages and job security" is not the answer.
Finding Inward Strength—The camel keeps going, step after step, long after other animals would have quit.
Back to School—Many children are facing the uncertainty of what awaits them on their first day back to school. Allay their fears with these pointers.
Dynamic Character—Police Dynamics and Character First! has produced an exciting new resource now available for police and law enforcement officers.
Download Complete August Issue (149k pdf)
July 2002
Heavy-Duty Character—When a heavy equipment company's size doubled, company leadership chose to use a character emphasis to encourage unity within the corporation.
Just Pachyderms—Often, guidelines that are viewed as "rules and regulations" are actually forms of protection.
Investing Time—This summer, look for every possible opportunity to make someone else's day a little better.
Celebrating Character—Excited citizens in Cincinnati, Ohio, gathered to celebrate the results of Cincinnati's resolution to become a City of Character.
Download Complete July Issue (123k pdf)
June 2002
Building on Promises—Recognized dependability, 98% customer satisfaction rate, and less recruiting for employees. The biggest homebuilder in Indianapolis shares how they achieved these and other successes.
Meek Strength—When trained for service, the horse illustrates meekness: strength under control.
Vacation Lessons—Family vacations are usually synonymous with summer. Purpose to fill yours with both fun and lessons on good character.
Power for Effective Law Enforcement—An upcoming conference is designed to help you learn to deal effectively with the challenges facing today's law enforcement agencies.
Download Complete June Issue (64k pdf)
May 2002
An Ordinary Story—What are you doing, each day, every day, to invest in others? One accounting firm has chosen to change the world through character.
Creative Achievement—The creativity of one man has not only increased convenience, but it has saved countless lives as well—by his looking at refrigerators in a whole new way.
Defining Terms—It has been said that he who defines terms wins the battle. Make sure that children clearly understand what is required for good character.
True Heroes—What determines the success of Olympic medalists, political figures, or businesspersons? Are they true heroes?
Download Complete May Issue (144k pdf)
April 2002
Keeping On—Greco Frame and Supply not only understands the importance of maintaining excitement in a character emphasis, but they know how to do it.
Tolerant Scholar—Through his tolerance, a professor transformed a college—and the lives of many of its students.
Home Run!—Use ball games, fund raisers, and other activities as a way to impact young people's lives this summer.
A Hero's Legacy—Even after death, a person's character lives on, an example to those that remain behind. One such hero chose to make a difference by investing in one life at a time.
Download Complete April Issue (132k pdf)
March 2002
Stetsons and Skyscrapers—Located in Texas, two businesses are vastly different, yet they have incredible similarities. Caprock Industries in Dalhart and Trammell Crow in Dallas have both recently implemented a character emphasis.
Gentle Power—Although raised as a pacifist, he joined the army, became a four star general, and lead a country. Whether in positions of service or authority, however, he responded to each situation with gentleness.
Working Breakfast—What would cause a group of people to get up an hour and a half earlier than normal on a frigid day? They have all gathered to enjoy a monthly Community Leaders' Breakfast.
Choosing to Forgive—A young boy found his attitude and perspective transformed after he purposed to forgive others.
Download Complete March Issue (200k pdf)
February 2002
Leading From the Front—Provident Security in Florida shares how they have developed a successful character emphasis with 200 employees at more than 50 locations.
Hidden Resources—George Washington Carver, aided by the character quality of resourcefulness, transformed farming procedures in the early 1900s.
The Pilot Project—In 1996, a host of other volunteers began the Character First! initiative in Oklahoma City. Over the past five years, the results and rewards have been astounding.
Character Council Conference—At the first Character Council Conference in Oklahoma City, attendees learned how they can transform their own communities by putting character first.
Download Complete February Issue (123k pdf)
January 2002
Addressing Character—ADESA, an auction company in New York, has seen steady, sustained progress in their company since discovering the dynamic potential of employee recognition.
Life-Saving Punctuality—A determined nurse developed a procedure to remedy an unknown cardiac problem in infants. She went on to save the day by performing it on a very small patient—just in time.
Power of Positive Role Models—The Oklahoma County Detention Center has implemented character training for both supervisory staff and inmates, and is experiencing a renewed vision as a result.
New Year Resolutions—In setting goals for the future, identify specific character qualities that are required to fulfill them. Experience true success as you face challenges with character!