“To educate a person in mind and not in morals
is to educate a menace to society.”
- Theodore Roosevelt

Char*ac*ter (kar'ik ter)
 
The stable and distinctive qualities built into an individual's life which determine his response regardless of circumstances.
- American Dictionary of the English Language

These following character development resources are designed to assist you while in college and in later life roles. Taking advantage of these resources can provide valuable information on the importance of Character Development for successful living and how to practically live a life of “Character”.

Six Pillars of Character
Character Development Websites
Books and Articles about Character

Six Pillars of Character

• Trustworthiness — Be honest. Don't deceive, cheat or steal. Be reliable — do what you say you'll do. Have the courage to do the right thing. Build a good reputation. Be loyal — stand by your family, friends and country.
• Respect — Treat others with respect. Follow the Golden Rule. Be tolerant of differences. Use good manners, not bad language. Be considerate of the feelings of others. Don't threaten, hit or hurt anyone. Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements.
• Responsibility — Do what you are supposed to do. Persevere — Keep on trying! Always do your best. Use self-control. Be self-disciplined. Think before you act — consider the consequences. Be accountable for your choices.
• Fairness — Play by the rules. Take turns and share. Be open-minded. Listen to others. Don't take advantage of others. Don't blame others carelessly.
• Caring — Be kind. Be compassionate and show you care. Express gratitude. Forgive others. Help people in need.
• Citizenship — Do your share to make your school and community better. Cooperate. Stay informed. Vote. Be a good neighbor. Obey laws and rules. Respect authority. Protect the environment.

(Source: The Josephson Institute of Ethics, Marina del Ray, California .)

Character Development Websites

Character Counts!
One of the best internet sites for information on character education resources and activities. CHARACTER COUNTS! is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian coalition of schools, communities and nonprofit organizations working to advance character education by teaching the Six Pillars of Character : trustworthiness , respect , responsibility , fairness , caring and citizenship.

Content of Our Character
A vision statement compiled by 50 young Americans who met in l998 and through continued discussions developed a document which can be used for discussion and reflection on ethical leadership and character today. Sponsored by the Kenan Ethics Center at Duke University .

The Content of Our Character Project is a nationwide initiative designed to facilitate substantive, public deliberation on ethics and leadership. The initiative was borne with the simple aims of affirming and cultivating a demand for ethical leadership, as well as placing ethics at the forefront of public and private discourse. Igniting dialogue across America , the Content of Our Character Project has provided public spaces for citizens to test ideas and learn from one another, while exploring contemporary ethical challenges. The original and continuing mission remains: to foster dialogue, encourage teaching, and communicate ideas on matters of ethics.

GoodCharacter.com
This website offers a wealth of free character education resources for teachers. You'll find discussion questions, writing assignments, learning activities, opportunities for moral action, and lots of teacher support material. Contact: David Elkind, LiveWire Media elkind@livewiremedia.com

International Center for Character Education
The ICCE is concerned with the four pillars of democracy: home, school, church, and community. The Center's purpose is to: enable school personnel, parents, teacher educators, faith community members, youth providers, and concerned individuals to come together to?study, discuss, learn, practice, reflect, and write on issues, programs, problems and promises regarding the character education of children and youth. Some center activities include: Character Education certificates, program assessment, consulting, publications, courses, workshops, partnerships, academies and conferences. For more information call Christina Schell at ICCE (619) 260-5980 Contact ICCE by email: Christina Schell Contact ICCE by fax: (619) 260-7480 E-mail one of the co-directors: Professor Mary Williams- maryw@acusd.edu Professor Edward DeRoche- DeRoche@acusd.edu

Leadershape
The LeaderShape Institute is a six-day leadership development experience designed to help participants learn to "lead with integrity." At The Institute, everyone is both a teacher and a learner and through The LeaderShape Institute you ' ll discover how to make exceptional improvements in an organization, workplace, or community.

Self Knowledge Symposium
Organizes conferences and runs a journal that gives students a vehicle for expressing their spirituality.

Young Politicians of America, The
The Young Politicians of America is a non-partisan, non-profit organization founded to expand the democratic experience to the youth of our society. Our goal is to further democracy, participation in government, and good citizenship. Through nationwide clubs, the YPA continues to spread its word of youth empowerment by combining community service and political inquiry.
http://www.ypa.org/home.asp

Character Education Partnership (CEP)
Character Education Partnership is a nonpartisan coalition of civic organizations, schools, business, and individuals dedicated to developing the character of our youth for a more compassionate and responsible society. CEP maintains a national resource center on character education and sponsors conferences, research, and publications.

Council for Ethics in Economics
The Council for Ethics in Economics is an association of leaders in business, higher education, religion and other professions working together to strengthen the ethical fabric of business and economic life. The Council carries out this mission by identifying and responding to emerging issues important to the pursuit of business ethics, and it assists the resolution of these issues locally, nationally and internationally.

Association of World Citizens
"Join with us as World Citizens to build the ' Splendid City ' (Global Village) for the 21st century. Together let us create a "Culture of Peace" to replace the "Culture of War and Violence" that has marred this century."

Institute for Global Ethics, The
The Institute for Global Ethics' Vision: A world where shared moral values shape relationships, determine decisions, and guide actions for every individual, institution, and nation. The Institute for Global Ethics' Mission To promote public discourse and practical action around significant ethical issues by: Discovering and defining the global common ground of shared values. Establishing clear structures for moral reasoning and ethical decision making. Promoting the teaching of Ethical Fitness in the practices of private, institutional, and civic virtue. Analyzing trends, gathering and disseminating information, and developing new knowledge about global ethics. Being a model organization in effectiveness, outreach, efficiency, and ethical action.

Virtues Project, The
The Virtues Project is an initiative that began in 1991 to empower individuals and families to live by their highest values. It was inspired by the desire to do something to counteract the rising violence in and around families. The Vision of The Virtues Project is to serve humanity by supporting the moral and spiritual development of people of all cultures, by helping them to remember who they really are and to live by their highest values.

The Mission of The Virtues Project is to provide empowering strategies that inspire the practice of virtues in everyday life through programs of excellence and simplicity which support people of all ages to cultivate their virtues -- the gifts of character.

Books and Articles about Character