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5.F. CHARACTER COUNTS COALITION- S UPPORT FOR "COMMUNITY OF CHARACTER" The Board reviewed a Memorandum of November 7, 2002: TO: MRS RUTH STANBRIDGE, CHAIRMAN OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY COMMISSION FROM: CAROL JOHNSON, PROGRAM CONSULTANT SUBJECT: SUPPORT FOR "COMMUNITY OF CHARAC I'ER" DATE: 11/7/2002 Character Counts! is a national program developed several years ago by the Josephson Institute of Ethics to address the growing need in our country for accountability for our actions and responsibility for educating by example. In Indian River County, the public school district is entering its fourth year of character education and a state mandate last year requires every district to have "Character Counts! or similar program in place by the 2004/2005 school year." We are working closely with the district on this goal and have also extended our programs into charter, private and faith based schools this year. After the attacks of September 11, President Bush launched a program called "Communities of Character" and your local Character CountsCoalition is aggressively pursuing this initiative through various collaborations including the local Chambers of Commerce and law enforcement agencies. Our first expansion was the October 23rd recognition of `Employees of Good Character" where nominations were made from the community and ranked by a committee of business leaders. These nominations were cleansed of reference to employee names or place of work Special congratulations, again, to your own Kim Massung on her award for being one of the first Employees of Good Character recognized with a plaque, pin, flowers and cash award. There was also a plaque for your board office. We would request assistance from the Commission as we strive to make Indian River County a "Community of Character". Our new Character Counts in Indian River County bumper stickers will be available in January and we hope you will consider using these on your fleet of county vehicles similar to the Be Counted - Census 2000 bumper stickers. Our hope is to work with Mr Chandler and Mr. Camicella to schedule presentations to employees prior to distributing the bumper stackers The Six Pillars of Character. Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Good Citizenship are common ground among religious, secular, conservative and liberal beliefs and a firm foundation to help restore basic ethics in America. On behalf of Judge Joe Wild, Chairman, and all members of the Character Counts!Coalition I thank you for your time. Your consideration to assist with this visual reminder to all citizens and visitors that we must personally embrace the principle that Character Counts! in Indian River County is greatly appreciated_ NOVEMBER 12, 2002 12 r0