IMPROVING CHARACTER IN AMERICA

In profiling several prominent players such as, Robert Porter Lynch, Paul Stoltz, Steve Markel, Bob Hall, et al, I have been asked what’s up with the “character community.”

Part of the mission of The Character Building Project (CBP) is to provide support for and exposure to those working to improve character in America. After publishing Ten Characters with Character I was pleased to learn so many professionals have long labored in these virtue vineyards. By profiling several of the more prominent players my aim is to aggregate a critical mass of players and introduce them to the public at large.

In effect, CBP is fulfilling its mission by helping to build a “character community.” Each of the leaders I am profiling is actively improving character in our country. It is my intention, as we aggregate more players in the character community, to generate interaction with each other. Individually, the members of the character community are cultivating an interest in resilience, trust, family, faith, leadership, and civics key components of good character. Each may not seem like they have much in common with other members of the character community. However, I see each of them focused on a common goal improving character in America. One goal is to cause interaction between and among these players. Other goals are to create a spirit of the character community through togetherness, social connections and solidarity. In so doing, I believe each of us will renew our commitment to positively improve the lives of those around us.

The test of our synergy will be a participatory model of membership in the character community. I intend to encourage collaboration with each other both online and through meet-ups. Earlier posts and the mission of CBP have articulated the goals of our community. In the months ahead, I expect the members will hammer out the strategies for advancing these goals. At the very least, the CBP will spark a recognition and stronger appreciation for the many members of the character community. We will more actively participate in the social commons by banding together.