City of Character

A City of character, or Character City is a city that complies with the principals described by the International Association of Character Cities (IACC) ^[1]. The group encourages governments, government leaders, civic organizations and religious organizations to band together to establish a "city" or "community" of character. This involves passing ordinances, recognizing those who practice good character. The IACC provides media and resources for those who wish to establish a character city as well as template websites, legislation and documentation ^[2].

The group declares that it has over 171 declared "character cit[ies]" in the United States and 48 known internationally. ^[3]

International Association of Character Cities

The International Association of Character Cities (IACC) was established in 1998 as a division of the Character Training Institute, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization based in Oklahoma City, OK. IACC was developed to facilitate city-wide efforts in advocating personal character development ^[1]. Funding for the program is primarily generated from the sale of materials and training.

Program

The City of Character program encourages cities to each month emphasize and focus on one of 49 character qualities, developed originally Tom Hill as an adaptation of character traits identified by Bill Gothard. The program was further developed by and is now administered by the Character Training Institute^[4][5]. Some of the qualities taught include: Attentiveness, Dependability, Forgiveness, Gratefulness, Orderliness, and Truthfulness. A full list of these character qualities can be found on the Character First! Web site^[6].

The IACC and Character First! organizations produce character-based materials for various groups, including: Family, Business, Education (Elementary and High School), and Community. Character First! is not a religious program^[7], but the materials can also be adapted for use in a religious setting^[8]. According to Character Training Institute and IACC advocate, Dr. Joseph Ahne, the program does use religious symbols and is "biblically based". Dr. Anhe states that “We use [ Character First! ], because we can’t take religion into schools and government. But it’s all based on the same thing.” Implementation of the program varies from symbolic to more devoted adherence, but based upon its adoption of the program, one city Tagaytay, Philippines, even requires completion of the Character First! program in order to receive a marriage license ^[9].

The cost of the program varies based on the materials purchased and training conferences utilized in the implementation. Reports indicate the materials are between $1,200 per annum ^[10] or as much as $8,305 ^[11].

Criticism

Critics argue that the movement is a thinly veiled attempt to reduce the separation of church and state and an attempt to legally require conformity and obedience in society ^[12]. Additionally, critics eye the foundation and funding of the program by various evangelical leaders including those in the Dominionist movement ^[13]. Finally, the character traits emphasized by the program are criticized for over-emphasizing orderliness and obedience which critics find especially troubling when mixed with a political agenda with "template" legislation ^[14], some of which emphasizes enabling schools to purchase IACC character training materials ^[15]. The program is described by some to be "purely motivational" and thus difficult to measure in its "intangible benefits" ^[10].

Mike Huckabee

Recently the program has come into the public eye because of Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee's alleged endorsement of the movement and of character cities in general ^[16]. The IACC uses Huckabee's name in its "How to build a Character City" guide ^[17]. The IACC has been accused by Huckabee's aides and Arkansas officials, as far back as 1997, of overstating Huckabee's enthusiasm or involvement in the program ^[18].

Sarah Palin

Publicity for this movement also came when Sarah Palin, who also promoted cities of character in Alaska, was running for Vice-President during the 2008 U.S. elections. During her second term as mayor and fter attending an April 2000 training seminar at Bill Gothard's Institute in Basic Life Principles, Palin obtained the designation of "City of Character" for Wasilla, Alaska.^[19]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} About Us - International Association of Character Cities
2. ^ Character Council of Indiana : Government
3. ^ Character Cities, Counties, and States - International Association of Character Cities
4. ^ www.characterfirst.com
5. ^ Character Qualities Calendar
6. ^ 49 Character Qualities - Character First!
7. ^ About Us - Character First!
8. ^ Character Council Faith Committee; free growth resources
9. ^ Cult of Character - In These Times
10. ^ ^{a b} http://ci.show-low.az.us/public_info/minutes/2006/cc010306.pdf
11. ^ Character training riles DCF workers
12. ^ Cult of Character
13. ^ Talk To Action | Reclaiming Citizenship, History, and Faith
14. ^ Cult of Character - In These Times
15. ^ What’s in your city? - Topix
16. ^ The Cincinnati Beacon - Huckabee Hearts Gothard
17. ^ http://www.charactercouncil.org/whoweare/HowtoBuildaCharaterCity.pdf
18. ^ http://groups.google.com/group/alt.politics/browse_thread/thread/4087e2aef0f05ea1/3d8f1a6ebc18e3c2#3d8f1a6ebc18e3c2
19. ^ Sarah Posner (18 September 2008). "Sarah Palin, Faith-Based Mayor: How the vice-presidential nominee brought fringe biblical teachings to her work as the chief of Wasilla, Alaska". Salon.com. http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/09/18/palin_iacc. Retrieved 23 September 2011. 

External links

• International Association of Character Cities
• Character First!