April 2007 Newsletter
Cautiousness
'Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,
Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant;
But over its terrible edge there had slipped
A duke and a full many a peasant.
So the people said something would have to be done,
But their projects did not at all tally;
Some said, "Put a fence around the edge of the cliff,"
Some, "An ambulance down in the valley."
But the cry for the ambulance carried the day,
For it spread through the neighboring city;
A fence may be useful or not, it is true,
But each heart became brimful of pity
For those who slipped over that dangerous cliff;
And the dwellers in highway and alley
Gave pounds or gave pence, not to put up a fence,
But an ambulance down in the valley.
"For the cliff is all right, if you’re careful," they said,
"And, if folks even slip and are dropping,
It isn’t the slipping that hurts them so much,
As the shock down below when they’re stopping."
So day after day, as these mishaps occurred,
Quick forth would those rescuers sally
To pick up the victims who fell off the cliff,
With their ambulance down in the valley.
Then an old sage remarked: "It’s a marvel to me
That people give far more attention
To repairing results than to stopping the cause,
When they’d much better aim at prevention.
Let us stop at its source all this mischief," cried he,
"Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally;
If the cliff we will fence we might almost dispense
With the ambulance down in the valley…"
Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old,
For the voice of true wisdom is calling,
"To rescue the fallen is good, but 'tis best
To prevent other people from falling."
Better close up the source of temptation and crime
Than deliver from dungeon or galley;
Better put a strong fence 'round the top of the cliff
Than an ambulance down in the valley.
By Joseph Malins
Putting a Premium on Character
The leadership at Premium Standard Farms values honesty, credibility, customer service, and respect, and looks for ways to develop leaders and employees.
Premium Standard Farms (PSF) has won the American Meat Institute's "Award of Honor" and become the first pork processor to receive Process Verified Accreditation from the United States Department of Agriculture.
In 2004, PSF began using the Character First! training and materials. Training Director, Dan Tvrdy says, "It makes me stop and think about my actions and decisions on a daily basis." He hears from others how Character First! has helped improve communication, made people more aware of their decisions, and increased respect for others.
Premium Standard Farms' focus on continuous training, employee involvement, and behavioral-based safety techniques has helped reduce injuries at their Milan, Missouri processing facility by 70% over the past five years. In 2006, the company had an injury rate 88% below the meat industry average and a lost time rate 93% below the all-industry average. "Character First! is one of the tools we rely on to improve employee performance," Tvrdy said.
To find a Character First! consultant in your area, call (405) 815-0001.
Character First! Testimonies
Is Character First! implemented in your company? Do you use Character First! with your family? Does your school use the Character First! curriculum? E-mail info@characterfirst.com with your stories!
We have updated our website with testimonies from Character First! users. See what others are saying!
Cultural Audit
Research by The Gallup Organization indicates employees' satisfaction depends heavily on an employee's relationship with immediate supervisors. Other research indicates 55% of U.S. workers are not engaged in the organization's goals and mission.
Use the Character First! FREE Cultural Audit to check your organization's health. Discern what areas your organization can improve upon.
Effective Law Enforcement with Sheriff Ray Nash
Sheriff Ray Nash, of Dorchester County, South Carolina, presented to the Character Community Network March 22. You can access the full presentation on the Character Community Network Meetings Archive at www.charactercities.org/ccn.
Sheriff Nash will conduct a Police Dynamics Seminar in Oklahoma City, May 17-18. Click here to learn more!
Sheriff Ray Nash has used Character First! in his department since 1997. Here are some interesting statistics:
- For the first time in Sheriff Nash's career (over 30 years) citizen compliments have outnumbered citizen complaints.
- After the first year of implementation, the Dorchester County crime rate was reduced by 15%.
- After three years of implementation, the Dorchester County crime rate was reduced by 32%.
- For seven straight years the crime rate has remained 32% lower than when the character emphasis began.
Mark your calendar to join a future CCN session. There is limited space, so register early at www.charactercities.org/ccn.
Upcoming Meetings:
April 19, 2007
May 17, 2007
June 21, 2007
July 19, 2007
August 23, 2007
Steven Menzel, Director
International Association of Character Cities
Inmates Awarded Character First! Certificate
The Larimer County Detention Center released the following on April 2, 2007:
"Larimer County Detention Center reported another thwarted suicide on April 1, 2007. At approximately 7:50 P.M. in a housing area reserved for those who have been determined to be emotionally unstable or with special needs, two inmates held the suicidal inmate up to relieve the pressure and called for help.
"When the deputies arrived, the inmate was taken down. He then became uncooperative with the deputies. He was treated by medical and transferred to the observation cell in booking. He will be evaluated by counseling sometime today. Thirty-five inmates were in the three housing pods staffed by one deputy.
"The inmate is being held for Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft, Obstruction, Manufacture, and Distribution or Possession of a Controlled Substance.
"Sheriff Alderden has said he will award the two inmates a Character First! certificate for Alertness, 'being aware of what is taking place around me so I can have the right responses.'"