Character Cities: Community Government
Model Character in Government
An effective way to encourage character training in community businesses, schools, and homes
is to emphasize character development within community government. This approach allows community
officials who model good character to earn a hearing, and it encourages business and education
leaders to implement character training.
Integrate Character Development into Community Operations
For character training to be effective, it must become a part of the local government's culture.
This is accomplished through employee meetings that introduce each month's character quality, public
recognition of employees for character qualities they have demonstrated, and daily praise by supervisors.
All these elements are combined in Character First!® Business.
Increase Character Awareness
Community Governments have successfully promoted character by providing families with free Achieving
True Success books (made possible by individual and business sponsorships), printing the character
quality of the month on utility bills, and sending out a regular "Message From Your Mayor" explaining
the character quality of the month and how individuals can apply it every day. Character Communities have
also promoted character awareness by printing the monthly quality and its definition on paychecks, payroll
inserts, fax transmissions, and letterheads.
Make Appropriate Investments
Balance is important in a community's decision to invest funds in a character program.
Character
First!® Business offers reduced rates for city governments. However, the city should demonstrate
its commitment by ordering the necessary materials to successfully impact the lives and families of its
employees and citizens.
Reinforce Character in the Family
Character in city government restores trust between the community and its leaders and provides reminders
that parents can use as teaching tools with their children. Learn more about beginning a character
initiative in your community.
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