Community-wide Character Development
 

1. Define a geographic catchment area, usually the school district.
 

2. Make a list of organizations in that area:
 

Businesses

Parents (including parents of young children)

Colleges and Universities

Alternative schools and correctional facilities
 

Local and Regional government

Young people (students, alumni, and drop outs)
 

Media
 

Houses of Faith
 

Consumer groups
 

Neighborhood groups
 

Community Leaders or gatekeepers
 

Parks and Recreation
 

Police
 

Fire

Service Organizations (Rotary, Kiwanis, etc)
 

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, YMCA, YWCA, Boys and Girls Clubs

Social services
 

Health occupations
 

Counselors

3. Include all members of the school staff:
 

Secretaries
Custodians
Bus drivers
Cafeteria workers
Special educators
Guidance counselors
Para-professionals
Coaches
Specials: Art, Music, PE, Media

 

4. Include Administrators:
 

    School board
    Superintendent
    Principal
    Central office staff

5. Use the telephone book to complete this list.
 

6. Drive around the community and look for groups that were missed.
 

7. Develop a broad-based coalition.
 

8. Ask them to help build a community profile: who we are and who we would like to be.
 

9. Provide exercises where they identify target values needed in the community.
 

10. Ask each to say how their organization can foster character development in young people.
 

11. Make a plan with a variety of programs.
 

12. Make a time table showing who will do what.
 

13. Implement the plan, involving as many groups as possible.
 

14. Assess its effectiveness, and use the information for the next plan.
 

Workshop in Community-wide Character Education

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