March 2006
Grandpa
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Ryan was eleven when his family moved in next door to his grandparents.
Almost every day, Ryan finished his schoolwork and went to help Grandpa clean automotive parts, tend the garden, go fishing, or harvest vegetables. Occasionally Grandpa took Ryan along to run errands in a neighboring town.
While riding in Grandpa's '68 Chevrolet pickup, Ryan would float his hand out the window, look for deer, and talk about the cattle and sheep along the way. Grandpa observed when the wheat would be ready for harvest and told of cutting asparagus as a boy.
Ryan took over the driving after he got his learner’s permit, and Grandpa sat quietly, occasionally bracing himself against the seat.
The more Ryan learned, the more freely he expressed his opinions. And like many who possess ignorance and zeal, Ryan was often wrong. Grandpa would smile knowingly, though Ryan didn’t always understand why.
Show tolerance to others by letting them grow. Give gentle correction when necessary, but understand some lessons are only absorbed through time and experience.
By Loren Paulsson
Miramont Builds Character
If you want to be employed at Miramont Lifestyle Fitness Center in Fort Collins, Colorado, you'd better prepare to enhance your personal character. For the past 14 months, Miramont has not only assisted employees to maximize their health and wellness, it has also implemented a character development program called "Character First! at Miramont."
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The program's goal is "to reach a sustainable level of excellence in: (1) Character; (2) Customer Service; (3) Execution of Duties." On the first page of Miramont’s Employee Handbook gives the following statement about the importance of character: "Miramont Lifestyle Fitness Center is a character focused business, striving to incorporate good character into every aspect of the organization, while developing a strong culture of character. Here are a few reasons character is important specifically in the workplace: Character determines success on the job; Character Builds relationships; Character improves quality; Character promotes a safe work environment; Character increases an individual’s worth to the organization."
Miramont General Manager Shane Hunsinger said, during the summer months "we have about 180 employees, and during the off-season we employ approximately 150." Hunsinger also said, "Since we implemented the Character First program, there has been a noticeable decrease in employee turnover."
Human Resource Manager Jen Erickson said, "Employee morale has definitely increased, and this decreases the number of personnel problems we encounter. Our employees seem to really enjoy working here."
During departmental meetings, managers lead employees in a character developing activity, focusing on a different character trait each month. Employees have a chance to learn about the character trait and apply it in their lives. Supervisors recognize employees formally and informally for showing positive character traits.
Supervisors and employees are armed with a number of 4X5 cards on which they can write the name of a coworker, the character trait demonstrated, the benefit of the trait, and the contribution to the Center’s operation. A person fills out one of these cards and hands it to the coworker in recognition of outstanding character. Managers publicly acknowledge employees for demonstrating any of the 49 character traits listed in the Pocked Guide each employee carries.
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In the staff break room, a large bulletin board displays "Ten Essential Character Traits" for employees. They are: Attentiveness; Benevolence; Dependability; Discretion; Enthusiasm; Flexibility; Initiative; Responsibility; Thoroughness; and Truthfulness. Annual performance evaluations incorporate these ten essential character traits.
By Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D.
Reprinted with permission from Colorado Business & Lifestyle Magazine, Volume VII, Issue 7, July, 2005, www.cbjournal.com
Make it Visible
Schools and families learn how to make character visible.
One part of creating a culture of character is to make each character quality visible. This helps children remember the qualities, and it provides teachers and parents a convenient way to remind their children how to behave.
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The Character First! Education posters are perfect reminders for your students. Available in various sizes, with either a nature or a history theme, these posters are suitable for framing or to place on the wall or ceiling of your school classroom or child’s bedroom.
Another way to make character visible is to post craft projects or writing assignments that reflect each character quality. Students will take more interest in a display that features their own work.
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A creative way to highlight character qualities is to take pictures of students practicing various traits at school and posting those pictures on a bulletin board. Some schools change their computer desktop patterns or screen savers to display the character quality and definition each month. Others schools post character qualities on their outdoor sign, monthly newsletter, or school website.
Find ways to make character visible to your students, and refer to the words and applications as often as you can.
By Robert Greenlaw
Conference Sessions Now Available
The 2005 Building Cities of Character Conference is now available on DVD!
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The Community Development set contains 6 discs and covers building family harmony, improving effectiveness in education, promoting character in government, and developing character in businesses.
Character: The Foundation includes direction on promoting character development in the community and establishing a foundation for good decisions.
The Corrections and Policing DVD contains Sheriff Ray Nash’s powerful message on the difference character development has made in his county. Cliff Uranga and Argyl Dick of the Oklahoma County Jail share how a character emphasis has improved inmate behavior and benefited prison personnel.
You can order the complete 9 DVD set, or you can purchase DVDs by category: Community Development, Character: The Foundation, or Corrections and Policing.
Visit us online at http://charactercities.org/gettingstarted/BCOCvideos/ for more details and for purchasing information.
