Show-Me 4-H Character
Module 1
Why Character Development
A History of 4-H
and Character
For over 100 years, 4-H has encouraged
young people to show good character in all
they do – to be respectful, to be responsible,
to follow the rules – and they have done just
that. Character education is a top priority in
all 4-H programming. Based on the
CHARACTER COUNTS!℠ Coalition Six Pillars
of Character Missouri’s 4-H families are
encouraged to “Show Me Character,” not
only while involved in 4-H programs, but as
an essential part of daily life.
4-H Pledge
My head
to clearer thinking

My heart
to greater loyalty

My hands
to larger service

My health
to better living

I Pledge…
be open minded
 do what is right even if no one else is doing it
 pursue excellence in everything
 take responsibility for my own actions
be a person of high integrity
 tell the truth at all times and in all places
 keep my word
 be the kind of friend I would like to have
volunteer in the community
 protect my neighbor, the environment and our natural
resources
 promote good citizenship
show concern to others
 be kind, considerate and compassionate
 treat people fairly
 respect myself and those in authority
For my club, my community, my country and my world.
I will use my abilities to “Make the Best Better” for everyone
Why Is
Character
Education
Important?
Lack of Values
“An increasing proportion of young
people are growing up without a firm
understanding of and commitment to
the core ethical values needed to
inform and energize the conscience.
“As a result, they lack internal
mechanisms to help them know right
from wrong and to generate the will
power to exercise self-control and
consistently do what is right.”
—Michael Josephson
What Is
CHARACTER COUNTS!?
CHARACTER COUNTS!
Coalition
The CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition
was founded by the Josephson
Institute of Ethics, as a result of
their search to identify core
shared ethical values.
The Coalition’s
Framework Is Based on
the “Six Pillars of
Character”

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TRUSTWORTHINESS – integrity, honesty,
promise-keeping, loyalty
RESPECT – courtesy, autonomy, diversity,
Golden Rule
RESPONSIBILITY – duty, accountability,
pursuit of excellence
FAIRNESS – openness, consistency,
impartiality
CARING – kindness, compassion, empathy
CITIZENSHIP – lawfulness, common good,
environment
The Six Pillars of
Character

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Transcend cultural,
socioeconomic and religious
differences.
Express shared secular and
religious values that bridge the
gap between liberals and
conservatives.
The Six Pillars of
Character
The Six Pillars of Character are
not the only values or traits
worthy of a person of good
character; they simply express
a shared conviction that these
particular virtues are essential.
The Six Pillars of
Character
Since the “Six Pillars of Character”
are acceptable to people of
divergent political and religious
convictions, character educators
can concentrate on developing
techniques to effectively build
character knowing that their
efforts will be supported by the
community.
The Six Pillars of
Character
Rigorous adherence to the
common language and definitions
of the “Six Pillars of Character”
provides a successful strategy to
answer the question, “Whose
values?” It also allays fears that
CHARACTER COUNTS! programs will
incorporate offensive values.
What CHARACTER COUNTS!
Is NOT . . .
a means to introduce religion into
government sponsored programs
an “add-on” program for schools or
organizations
another “silver bullet” solution
a “feel-good” or “do-well” program
stressing personal happiness and
success.

Character
Education Is About
Duties Not Desires

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It is not about identifying or
pursuing personal preferences
and desires.
It’s about teaching young people
to know, accept and live up to
their moral duties and
obligations.
More Than
Obedience

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Character education is not
about obedience; it is about
teaching young people to make
sound moral judgments.
In order to make sound moral
judgments, individuals must be
committed, conscious and
competent.
The Three C’s
Each Aspect of a Character
Education Program Should Emphasize . .
.
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COMMITMENT
CONSCIOUSNESS
COMPETENCY
ENHANCING ETHICAL
COMMITMENT:
TWO APPROACHES
SELFINTEREST
Appeal to
personal
advantages of
virtue
CHARACTER
Appeal to
intrinsic value
of good
character;
virtue is its
own reward
ENHANCING ETHICAL
CONSCIOUSNESS:
A TWO-STEP STRATEGY
STAKEHOLDERS
Consider
consequences of
choices in terms of
who will be helped
or harmed.
ETHICAL
PRINCIPLES
Filter all
decisions through
the Six Pillars of
Character.
ENHANCING ETHICAL
COMPETENCE:
TWO AREAS
JUDGMENT &
PROBLEMSOLVING
MORAL
REASONING
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Evaluate facts by ethical
principles.
Distinguish known facts
& informed opinions
from conjecture,
speculation, &
assumption.
Anticipate possible
unintended
consequences.
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Develop creative,
realistic options.
Apply decision making
models.
Implementing decisions
with tact & good sense.
What Works
Effective character-building
programs center on:
 Instilling habits.
 Inspiring moral ambitions.
 Imposing positive & negative
consequences.
 Developing thinking &
problem-solving skills.
 Modeling good conduct.
An Effective
Character-Development
Program Is...
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PURPOSEFUL
PERVASIVE
REPETITIVE
CONSISTENT
CREATIVE
CONCRETE
Purposeful
Clear and explicit objectives
should be articulated and all
elements of the program should
be purposefully designed to
influence values and behavior.
Pervasive
The Six Pillars should pervade
all aspects of organizational
activity and all direct contacts
with children/youth.
Pervasive
Organizational Conduct –
Organizational commitment to the
Six Pillars should be reflected in:
 Mission and Value Statements
 Strategic Plan
Goals/Objectives
 Hiring and Training
 Performance Reviews and
Promotions
 Marketing and Other
Communications
Pervasive
Organizational Environment – The
environment surrounding our
programs should nurture and
support character and the conduct
of everyone who participates in
our programs should selfconsciously model the Six Pillars.
Repetitive
Messages about the meaning and
importance of the Six Pillars
should be frequently and
conspicuously repeated in terms
of the common language and
definitions.
Consistent
Attitudes, words and actions
must be consistent with and
supportive of the Six Pillars,
regardless of how inconvenient
or costly it might be.
Creative
The program must go beyond
moralizing; it should employ a
variety of direct and indirect
teaching/learning strategies to
actively engage the
imagination.
Concrete
The values should be expressed
explicitly and directly in the context
of concrete, realistic, relevant
situations.
Use The T.E.A.M
Approach
T.E.A.M.
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TEACH
ENFORCE
ADVOCATE
MODEL
TEACH
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Nature and importance of
character.
Definitions and application of
the Six Pillars.
Ways of predicting
consequences and considering
how choices affect various
stakeholders.
Decision-making strategies.
Teach
Show how the principles
embodied in the “Six Pillars of
Character” apply to current
situations and issues they are
likely to face in the future.
Enforce
Importance of Rules & Policies
Rules, policies, regulations,
procedures and codes of
conduct, like laws, establish
formal and explicit standards
of behavior.
Enforce
Consistent and fair
enforcement of agreed upon
rules is not only essential to
creating a peaceful
program, it also serves to
highlight and uphold the
core values advanced by
the Six Pillars.
Advocate
Communicate clearly, continually
and vigorously the importance
Missouri 4-H attaches to
character.
Model
Everything you say and do
sends a message.
WHAT MESSAGE
ARE YOU SENDING?
Model
Everything we do makes a
difference.
What we say and what we do
starts a chain reaction that
affects the lives of others.
References
CHARACTER COUNTS!sm and U. S. Army Child and Youth Services Character
Development Seminars 2005
4-H Pledge prepared by Carol A. Gehrs, 4-H Youth Specialist
Cass County, Missouri February, 1997