February 2006 Newsletter

Take Flight

Orville and Wilbur Wright studied the ideas of German glider expert Otto Lilienthal, aeronautics pioneer Samuel Pierpont Langly, and aviation historian Octave Chanute. They also studied related fields such as animal mechanics. When they built their airplane, the Wrights manufactured parts from available materials or ordered parts according to precise specifications.

By finding new applications for others’ ideas and locating materials that fit their needs, the Wright brothers constructed and flew the first successful airplane, laying a foundation for future developments.

Be alert to the ideas and materials available, and use them to meet needs around you.


Become a World Leader

After World War II, Japanese companies tried desperately to produce high quality products that could compete in a world market.

They enlisted the help of American mathematician, Doctor W. Edwards Deming. One of the concepts he taught was the continual reduction of waste. Today, many believe Deming’s ideas helped make war-torn Japan into the economic leader it is today.

Reducing waste is a key to resourcefulness and can be applied to any process or task.

1. Look for value in objects, ideas, and people. We tend to look at yesterday’s newspaper and see something to be buried in a landfill. A resourceful person might see fuel for a fire, insulation, packing material, or a hundred other things. Recognize value, and look for ways that value can be realized.

2. Repair, reuse, and recycle. In our society, it seems everything becomes disposable after fulfilling its initial purpose. There are, however, multiple ways to use and reuse many things. Travel in a third world county can open your eyes to what can be reused. Find the best use for a given item.

3. Make wise use of your time, talents, and energy. Plan your time carefully. Do two or more things at once whenever possible. Plan trips to save time, fuel, and energy.

4. Give away things you don’t use or need. Rather than storing or throwing away unused items, give them to Goodwill Industries, the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, your local food bank, or a local church.

Resourcefulness is a mindset. Begin today by looking for practical uses for that which others would overlook or discard. Become a leader in your world.

By Tom Hill, Executive Director of the Character Training Institute


Character Emphasis and Diverse Workforces

Pioneer Telephone Cooperative has had to adopt creative strategies to deal with multiple locations and diverse project demands.

On February 23, 1999, Speaker Loyd Benson and his colleagues in the Oklahoma House of Representatives adopted a resolution stating that "Oklahoma will actively pursue resources and programs, like Character First, to make our state a State of Character."

Benson observed how the character emphasis worked in school districts, and when he became Pioneer CEO three years ago, he brought Character First! to Pioneer. For the first couple of years, Pioneer held monthly meetings. Recently, employees have had to devote more training time to technical issues as Pioneer became the first telecommunications firm to role out Internet Protocol Television (IPTV).

In an interview at Pioneer Headquarters in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, Benson noted how quickly the telecommunications industry changes. "We can't just do the same thing all the time," Benson said, as he took time from the papers on his desk. "I think we have to utilize some basic principles in different ways."

Each Pioneer employee receives a monthly character bulletin, and training manager Margie Hufnagel's department meets quarterly to discuss a character quality. "We’re committed to character as far as the management team," she said, adding how she has enjoyed taking the concepts home to her children.

A different person leads each discussion group, and Hufnagel described how one presenter had each participant make an origami project as a demonstration of patience. This activity helped make character concepts immediate to the participants. Hufnagel said, "It takes some really creative thinking."

Benson said the character emphasis along with hiring bright people, training employees well, and maintaining an environment conducive to innovation have helped Pioneer move forward in a highly competitive industry.

By Loren Paulsson


Love Is Action

On this Valentine’s Day, teach your children that love is more than a feeling…it is action.

Consider how character traits flow naturally from a motivation of genuine love. Love is enduring. Love is kind. Love is truthful. Love is content. Love is humble. Love is just. Love is patient. Love is compassionate and generous. Love is faithful.

A child can demonstrate love by forgiving a sibling for taking away a toy. A family member can do laundry so that someone else can have a break. A young person can demonstrate the essence of love by practicing diligently and playing unselfishly in Little League.

A young person can demonstrate love by playing a musical instrument for the enjoyment of nursing home residents. Family members show love by learning to say what needs to be said in a way that does not unnecessarily hurt others. A child shows love for friends by standing up for what is right in the face of peer pressure.

Love is telling the truth when it is easier to lie. Love is caring for a family member even when you would rather not face their problems. Love endures to the uttermost.

Communicate your commitment to others through acts of genuine love.

By Robert Greenlaw


Connecting Character Communities

Thirteen character councils from across the U.S. took part in the January 19 Character Community Network session.

The meeting combined a conference call discussion, live internet slides, questionnaires, and a comment board. After a brief introduction from each character council, International Association of Character Cities Director Steven Menzel shared his vision for the Character Community Network (previously the Character Council Network).

Through this first meeting, it became apparent that many councils share a need for consistent funding, government support, and a means to sustain momentum among council members and throughout the community.

Menzel said participation grew as councils shared solutions to common struggles. There were a few connection difficulties, but these issues were resolved, and this experience will help with planning for future meetings.

The next CCN meeting will take place at 12:00 p.m. CST on March 9 and will specifically address funding, idea sharing, and community commitment. Write to ccinfo@charactercities.org for information on how you can join the March meeting.