CHARACTER
COUNTS! How
and When Did This Start? CHARACTER
COUNTS! got its start as the result of an Ethics Conference
at the Aspen Institute in 1992. CHARACTER COUNTS! believes that
effective character education is, first and foremost, an obligation
of families; it is also an important obligation of faith communities,
schools, youth and other human service organizations. These
obligations to develop character are best achieved when these
groups work in concert. It has no political agenda and is not
affiliated with any religious denominations. Who
can be involved in CHARACTER COUNTS!
Students,
parents, teaching staff, business leaders, youth loaders, clergy,
civic organizations-- anyone who interacts with young people! What
We Believe:
Character really counts! In personal relationships, in school,
at the workplace-- in life-- who you are makes a difference!
Character is not hereditary, nor does it develop automatically.
It must be consciously developed by example and demand. There
are common ethical values that transcend political, religious,
socioeconomic and cultural differences. Called the "Six Pillars
of Character," these values are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility,
fairness, caring, and citizenship. For
more information contact any coalition member. CHARACTER
COUNTS! and the Six Pillars of Character are service marks of
the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition, a project of the Josephson
Institute of Ethics. www.charactercounts.org
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is
a local, grass roots effort of concerned citizens in many communities
nationwide which embrace the Six Pillars of Character as the
basis for understanding and evaluating all ethical behavior.
The overriding mission of CHARACTER COUNTS! is to strengthen
the character of America's youth. The Minot Public School Board
has endorsed and is supporting this movement.