Culture of Character

Background: Since 2003, the Character Council of Central Oklahoma (CCCO) has worked to bring awareness to the importance of character and character education in all segments of society, including business, family, education and government.

Current projects of CCCO:

• Sponsoring the State Schools of Character Award Program, in association with the Character Education Partnership (CEP), a national organization;
• Hosting regular community luncheons that educate about character traits.
• CCCO now seeks to encourage, support and recognize businesses that put character at the center of their corporate culture.

Purpose: The purpose of the Culture of Character (COC) program is to recognize local organizations and businesses (COC Partners) that complete a strategic program that emphasizing character education and the development of character within their organization

What is Character: Character is an inner sense of right and wrong with a commitment to do what is right regardless of the cost. When confronted with choices that have moral consequences, good character is what guides a person to make the right decision.

Corporate Character:  An organization that puts character at the core of their culture is helping their employees understand what determines long-term success: Good character. In such organizations, management leads by example, a common language and understanding of character traits is taught and encouraged, and individuals are rewarded for their good character choices as well as competence.

Program requirements:

• The Partner will incorporate a program of character education and development within their organization. (CCCO will provide ideas, support and training to implement this program.)
• Partner will work to impact their employees and their families with character education.
• Partner will demonstrate community involvement and care by getting staff involved in a community service project for a nonprofit of their choosing. (Current projects may  qualify.)
• Partner will help support the community’s development and recognition of character. It is suggested that partner provide one representative to serve on the CCCO Advisory board.
• Partner will participate in bi-annual training events and send employees to the monthly luncheons/trainings.
• Partner will demonstrate compassion for their employees.

Benefits of being a Culture of Character

Business or Organization

• Individual support for implementing and maintaining COC program.
• Association and networking with other character-focused businesses & organizations.
• CCCO corporate trainings & materials at cost.
• Upon completing year-long program, ability to utilize the COC logo/emblem on company’s branded materials & web sites.
• Exclusive roundtable membership-quarterly discussion on best practices.
• Included in advertisements on CCCO promotional materials & website.

Businesses who base their culture on character can expect to receive the follow benefits:

• Because part of the tenants of establishing a culture of character is the recognition of employees based on the character they show, employees feel valued and more satisfied with their positions.
• Work environment will change for the positive; relationships improve between co-workers and supervisors and employees.
• Increase in employee attendance & satisfaction, thereby reducing absenteeism, tardiness & costly turnover.
• Powerful recruiting tool that creates a competitive edge.
• Workers Compensation rates can be affected for the positive.
• Increases customer satisfaction with the company. People desire to do business with companies who treat them from the basis of high character.

Cost of Program:

• Registration fee of $1500 * (includes one year of consulting & two individuals for one corporate training & one luncheon.
• Could upgrade to four luncheons/two corporate trainings for four individuals for registration fee of $2500.

Optional: Corporate Sponsorship fee for an event offered by CCCO, such as ZOOrific Day of Character, which will help partner fulfill its commitment to provide a character education family project.

• Small Businesses & Non Profits with less than 10 employees: 10% discount
• Non-Profits with membership in the Oklahoma Center for Non Profits: 5% additional discount

Download Application and find more information at www.characterok.org

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