about ten years ago in our community headlines like this were not unusual in
headlines like this were not unusual in
headlines like this were not unusual in fact again around our community at this
fact again around our community at this
fact again around our community at this time these headlines are popping up
time these headlines are popping up
time these headlines are popping up again and it began to ask well of many
again and it began to ask well of many
again and it began to ask well of many of us began to ask the question what is
of us began to ask the question what is
of us began to ask the question what is happening why are our youth choosing a
happening why are our youth choosing a
happening why are our youth choosing a lifestyle that involves drugs gangs
lifestyle that involves drugs gangs
lifestyle that involves drugs gangs violence criminal activity and leads to
violence criminal activity and leads to
violence criminal activity and leads to death for many of them as we’re asking
death for many of them as we’re asking
death for many of them as we’re asking this question and I was a 32 year old
this question and I was a 32 year old
this question and I was a 32 year old new vice principal our superintendent
new vice principal our superintendent
new vice principal our superintendent popped by my school and it’s kind of a
popped by my school and it’s kind of a
popped by my school and it’s kind of a big deal for 20 years I’ve been in
big deal for 20 years I’ve been in
big deal for 20 years I’ve been in public schools and for the last year and
public schools and for the last year and
public schools and for the last year and a half in an independent school and he
a half in an independent school and he
a half in an independent school and he said to me said I want you to go and
said to me said I want you to go and
said to me said I want you to go and visit a community of character go have a
visit a community of character go have a
visit a community of character go have a look at this know what’s interesting
look at this know what’s interesting
look at this know what’s interesting about this is personally my wife and I
about this is personally my wife and I
about this is personally my wife and I had been married about seven years at
had been married about seven years at
had been married about seven years at that time we had two children and even
that time we had two children and even
that time we had two children and even as I say this it sounds crazy but we had
as I say this it sounds crazy but we had
as I say this it sounds crazy but we had not spent even one night apart in seven
not spent even one night apart in seven
not spent even one night apart in seven years so for me to accept his invitation
years so for me to accept his invitation
years so for me to accept his invitation was a big deal so I went home talked to
was a big deal so I went home talked to
was a big deal so I went home talked to my wife and I said look what do you
my wife and I said look what do you
my wife and I said look what do you think we we prayed about it because
think we we prayed about it because
think we we prayed about it because that’s what we do and we had peace so I
that’s what we do and we had peace so I
that’s what we do and we had peace so I said to him okay well I’ll do it
said to him okay well I’ll do it
said to him okay well I’ll do it so I went myself the board chair Board
so I went myself the board chair Board
so I went myself the board chair Board of Education chair we went to a
of Education chair we went to a
of Education chair we went to a community of character and this
community of character and this
community of character and this experience ignited a fire under me which
experience ignited a fire under me which
experience ignited a fire under me which has lasted for a decade what we saw
has lasted for a decade what we saw
has lasted for a decade what we saw there and what we came back with was
there and what we came back with was
there and what we came back with was hope the picture of the mayor of this
hope the picture of the mayor of this
hope the picture of the mayor of this community the fire chief police chief
community the fire chief police chief
community the fire chief police chief business leaders community leaders
business leaders community leaders
business leaders community leaders educators others children parents all
educators others children parents all
educators others children parents all United around a common vision a common
United around a common vision a common
United around a common vision a common language really and watching them
language really and watching them
language really and watching them interact gave us the idea that this
interact gave us the idea that this
interact gave us the idea that this could really do something we could
could really do something we could
could really do something we could actually make change happen here not
actually make change happen here not
actually make change happen here not like this but over time so we came back
like this but over time so we came back
like this but over time so we came back gave this report and the result was a
gave this report and the result was a
gave this report and the result was a group of leaders in Abbotsford today who
group of leaders in Abbotsford today who
group of leaders in Abbotsford today who are care
are care
are care to counsel who are working together in a
to counsel who are working together in a
to counsel who are working together in a slow burn and I actually am s identity
slow burn and I actually am s identity
slow burn and I actually am s identity use that example because the fire chief
use that example because the fire chief
use that example because the fire chief is in the mix in this group so I’m
is in the mix in this group so I’m
is in the mix in this group so I’m always careful with that but but it is a
always careful with that but but it is a
always careful with that but but it is a slow burn it’s not something that’s a
slow burn it’s not something that’s a
slow burn it’s not something that’s a flash in the pan or let’s just do this
flash in the pan or let’s just do this
flash in the pan or let’s just do this or have a parade and we’re done it takes
or have a parade and we’re done it takes
or have a parade and we’re done it takes time and it takes you know getting right
time and it takes you know getting right
time and it takes you know getting right to the the foundation of who we are
to the the foundation of who we are
to the the foundation of who we are we held a forum of about 70 community
we held a forum of about 70 community
we held a forum of about 70 community leaders in it was April of 2011 just to
leaders in it was April of 2011 just to
leaders in it was April of 2011 just to get them in a room seemed like a really
get them in a room seemed like a really
get them in a room seemed like a really big deal as a diverse group of leaders
big deal as a diverse group of leaders
big deal as a diverse group of leaders representing many different parts of our
representing many different parts of our
representing many different parts of our community and what was really powerful
community and what was really powerful
community and what was really powerful is at the end of that three-hour session
is at the end of that three-hour session
is at the end of that three-hour session we were able to funnel down this idea or
we were able to funnel down this idea or
we were able to funnel down this idea or this question of what is it that
this question of what is it that
this question of what is it that abbotsford is about what is it that we
abbotsford is about what is it that we
abbotsford is about what is it that we value what are the attributes that are
value what are the attributes that are
value what are the attributes that are really really important to us and we
really really important to us and we
really really important to us and we came up with respect responsibility
came up with respect responsibility
came up with respect responsibility integrity empathy courage and service
integrity empathy courage and service
integrity empathy courage and service and now the character council we all
and now the character council we all
and now the character council we all carry this coin in our pockets that
carry this coin in our pockets that
carry this coin in our pockets that reminds us of these six values now at
reminds us of these six values now at
reminds us of these six values now at this point I should tell you that you
this point I should tell you that you
this point I should tell you that you know we’re not a political organization
know we’re not a political organization
know we’re not a political organization although there’s politicians in the mix
although there’s politicians in the mix
although there’s politicians in the mix and we’re not a religious organization
and we’re not a religious organization
and we’re not a religious organization although there are religious folks in
although there are religious folks in
although there are religious folks in the mix I’m a Christian a follower of
the mix I’m a Christian a follower of
the mix I’m a Christian a follower of Christ instead what we are is a group of
Christ instead what we are is a group of
Christ instead what we are is a group of people committed to the vision of a
people committed to the vision of a
people committed to the vision of a community that lives out as shared
community that lives out as shared
community that lives out as shared values daily and is committed to
values daily and is committed to
values daily and is committed to promoting character it’s led to two
promoting character it’s led to two
promoting character it’s led to two major initiatives we have a Youth Forum
major initiatives we have a Youth Forum
major initiatives we have a Youth Forum under the BC schools of character
under the BC schools of character
under the BC schools of character umbrella so we’ve got this network of
umbrella so we’ve got this network of
umbrella so we’ve got this network of schools that come together and then we
schools that come together and then we
schools that come together and then we also have a national conference which
also have a national conference which
also have a national conference which you know we’ve we have two of them and
you know we’ve we have two of them and
you know we’ve we have two of them and it’s really starting a conversation
it’s really starting a conversation
it’s really starting a conversation across Canada what does character look
across Canada what does character look
across Canada what does character look like and why is it important so what
like and why is it important so what
like and why is it important so what have we learned and I’m going to share
have we learned and I’m going to share
have we learned and I’m going to share with you just a few things that we have
with you just a few things that we have
with you just a few things that we have learned through our journey number one
learned through our journey number one
learned through our journey number one character isn’t something you do but
character isn’t something you do but
character isn’t something you do but it’s how you do everything
it’s how you do everything
it’s how you do everything character is not something you do but
character is not something you do but
character is not something you do but it’s
it’s
it’s you do everything so you know doing my
you do everything so you know doing my
you do everything so you know doing my taxes that’s something I do and then I
taxes that’s something I do and then I
taxes that’s something I do and then I stopped doing that driving my kids to
stopped doing that driving my kids to
stopped doing that driving my kids to school something I do and then I do
school something I do and then I do
school something I do and then I do other things you know if someone cuts me
other things you know if someone cuts me
other things you know if someone cuts me off on the road
off on the road
off on the road there’s a risk but you know that’s
there’s a risk but you know that’s
there’s a risk but you know that’s something I may have to respond to and
something I may have to respond to and
something I may have to respond to and do but the character is how is the
do but the character is how is the
do but the character is how is the overlying influence on all of those
overlying influence on all of those
overlying influence on all of those things that we do and so that’s one of
things that we do and so that’s one of
things that we do and so that’s one of the major learnings for us in a school
the major learnings for us in a school
the major learnings for us in a school setting it’s not that you do socials
setting it’s not that you do socials
setting it’s not that you do socials than you do mathematics and then we’re
than you do mathematics and then we’re
than you do mathematics and then we’re gonna switch gears and do character but
gonna switch gears and do character but
gonna switch gears and do character but rather it’s a part of the whole process
rather it’s a part of the whole process
rather it’s a part of the whole process secondly I don’t know if you’ve if you
secondly I don’t know if you’ve if you
secondly I don’t know if you’ve if you think of somebody who you would say
think of somebody who you would say
think of somebody who you would say that’s a person of character even if I’m
that’s a person of character even if I’m
that’s a person of character even if I’m for a moment if you pause and think who
for a moment if you pause and think who
for a moment if you pause and think who would you say that has been a person of
would you say that has been a person of
would you say that has been a person of character in my life now the criteria
character in my life now the criteria
character in my life now the criteria for you and for me for sure is it’s not
for you and for me for sure is it’s not
for you and for me for sure is it’s not necessarily that they said I’m a person
necessarily that they said I’m a person
necessarily that they said I’m a person of character they may never have said
of character they may never have said
of character they may never have said that it’s not that they said we need to
that it’s not that they said we need to
that it’s not that they said we need to be respectful maybe they did maybe they
be respectful maybe they did maybe they
be respectful maybe they did maybe they didn’t but it’s the fact that they were
didn’t but it’s the fact that they were
didn’t but it’s the fact that they were isn’t it it’s the fact that they lived
isn’t it it’s the fact that they lived
isn’t it it’s the fact that they lived it and modeled it and this is one of our
it and modeled it and this is one of our
it and modeled it and this is one of our learnings in order to spread this you
learnings in order to spread this you
learnings in order to spread this you know infect others it requires me to
know infect others it requires me to
know infect others it requires me to model this all the time the best I can
model this all the time the best I can
model this all the time the best I can another thing we’ve learned is that
another thing we’ve learned is that
another thing we’ve learned is that you’ve got to identify your own values
you’ve got to identify your own values
you’ve got to identify your own values so if you’re a family whether you’re
so if you’re a family whether you’re
so if you’re a family whether you’re school or an organization it’s very
school or an organization it’s very
school or an organization it’s very important that you identify your values
important that you identify your values
important that you identify your values how do you do that well one thing I
how do you do that well one thing I
how do you do that well one thing I could do is I could go back and look at
could do is I could go back and look at
could do is I could go back and look at you know our old strategic plan that’s
you know our old strategic plan that’s
you know our old strategic plan that’s been there for you know for for a number
been there for you know for for a number
been there for you know for for a number of years and see okay that’s what we
of years and see okay that’s what we
of years and see okay that’s what we said we’re about or you know you could
said we’re about or you know you could
said we’re about or you know you could look at some old minutes or there’s
look at some old minutes or there’s
look at some old minutes or there’s different ways to identify that maybe
different ways to identify that maybe
different ways to identify that maybe it’s been part of your vision statement
it’s been part of your vision statement
it’s been part of your vision statement for four decades you know this is who we
for four decades you know this is who we
for four decades you know this is who we are what we’ve learned is it’s very
are what we’ve learned is it’s very
are what we’ve learned is it’s very important to spend the time to bring all
important to spend the time to bring all
important to spend the time to bring all the people all the voices together and
the people all the voices together and
the people all the voices together and to say look what are we about what is it
to say look what are we about what is it
to say look what are we about what is it that we stand on
that we stand on
that we stand on and by asking that question there is
and by asking that question there is
and by asking that question there is buy-in around the room now we could
buy-in around the room now we could
buy-in around the room now we could probably identify what most people would
probably identify what most people would
probably identify what most people would start with what would be one value
start with what would be one value
start with what would be one value almost every organization will say we
almost every organization will say we
almost every organization will say we need to be about fire oh no honesty sure
need to be about fire oh no honesty sure
need to be about fire oh no honesty sure integrity respect right these things
integrity respect right these things
integrity respect right these things will come out but if one of us went in
will come out but if one of us went in
will come out but if one of us went in and said I think you should pick these
and said I think you should pick these
and said I think you should pick these values it wouldn’t have the same power
values it wouldn’t have the same power
values it wouldn’t have the same power it requires the group saying this is
it requires the group saying this is
it requires the group saying this is what we’re about this is what we’re
what we’re about this is what we’re
what we’re about this is what we’re we’re passionate about next it’s
we’re passionate about next it’s
we’re passionate about next it’s important to weave it in everywhere and
important to weave it in everywhere and
important to weave it in everywhere and so another part of our learning is that
so another part of our learning is that
so another part of our learning is that once you’ve got these values these
once you’ve got these values these
once you’ve got these values these attributes identified whatever they are
attributes identified whatever they are
attributes identified whatever they are you know character values now plug them
you know character values now plug them
you know character values now plug them in so you could put posters on the walls
in so you could put posters on the walls
in so you could put posters on the walls right a nice visible statement this is
right a nice visible statement this is
right a nice visible statement this is this is what we’re about but I would
this is what we’re about but I would
this is what we’re about but I would argue and I think what we’ve learned is
argue and I think what we’ve learned is
argue and I think what we’ve learned is if you do a deeper you know long-term
if you do a deeper you know long-term
if you do a deeper you know long-term weaving in you may not even need the
weaving in you may not even need the
weaving in you may not even need the posters because people will know what
posters because people will know what
posters because people will know what you’re about so for example if you are
you’re about so for example if you are
you’re about so for example if you are hiring or if I’m hiring somebody for my
hiring or if I’m hiring somebody for my
hiring or if I’m hiring somebody for my business the question would be if we say
business the question would be if we say
business the question would be if we say empathy is one of our you know very
empathy is one of our you know very
empathy is one of our you know very important in our organization when I
important in our organization when I
important in our organization when I hire do my interview questions include
hire do my interview questions include
hire do my interview questions include something around that value so what I
something around that value so what I
something around that value so what I say to somebody you know tell me the
say to somebody you know tell me the
say to somebody you know tell me the last time that you you you were
last time that you you you were
last time that you you you were empathetic towards someone else in the
empathetic towards someone else in the
empathetic towards someone else in the workplace not what the person say hey
workplace not what the person say hey
workplace not what the person say hey I’m applying for a construction job here
I’m applying for a construction job here
I’m applying for a construction job here well I’m sorry do you want to see me
well I’m sorry do you want to see me
well I’m sorry do you want to see me swing the hammer no we’re gonna where to
swing the hammer no we’re gonna where to
swing the hammer no we’re gonna where to start with this because this is
start with this because this is
start with this because this is important to me I’m a teacher I work
important to me I’m a teacher I work
important to me I’m a teacher I work with kids this is important to us so
with kids this is important to us so
with kids this is important to us so hiring practices what about HR in your
hiring practices what about HR in your
hiring practices what about HR in your HR manual does it lay out exactly what
HR manual does it lay out exactly what
HR manual does it lay out exactly what you stand for and what your expectations
you stand for and what your expectations
you stand for and what your expectations are for your employees what about when
are for your employees what about when
are for your employees what about when you do evaluations on each other so I
you do evaluations on each other so I
you do evaluations on each other so I will receive an evaluation within my
will receive an evaluation within my
will receive an evaluation within my organization does it Center on those
organization does it Center on those
organization does it Center on those core things that we value and by weaving
core things that we value and by weaving
core things that we value and by weaving it in at a much deeper level you may or
it in at a much deeper level you may or
it in at a much deeper level you may or may not need to put posters up because
may not need to put posters up because
may not need to put posters up because when people come into your business I
when people come into your business I
when people come into your business I don’t know if this is your experience if
don’t know if this is your experience if
don’t know if this is your experience if I go into a business to buy something
I go into a business to buy something
I go into a business to buy something I can tell within minutes seconds if I
I can tell within minutes seconds if I
I can tell within minutes seconds if I feel respected if I feel valued as a
feel respected if I feel valued as a
feel respected if I feel valued as a customer I’m choosing to spend my money
customer I’m choosing to spend my money
customer I’m choosing to spend my money here I can tell very quickly if they get
here I can tell very quickly if they get
here I can tell very quickly if they get along you know you hear employees
along you know you hear employees
along you know you hear employees talking and whether they have the poster
talking and whether they have the poster
talking and whether they have the poster on the wall that says respect or not oh
on the wall that says respect or not oh
on the wall that says respect or not oh no would you agree
no would you agree
no would you agree right you can feel it right away with
right you can feel it right away with
right you can feel it right away with children and I’m an educator and
children and I’m an educator and
children and I’m an educator and powerful tool is teachable moments again
powerful tool is teachable moments again
powerful tool is teachable moments again weave it in everywhere it’s on classroom
weave it in everywhere it’s on classroom
weave it in everywhere it’s on classroom walls you know you talk about it
walls you know you talk about it
walls you know you talk about it assemblies but there are moments and for
assemblies but there are moments and for
assemblies but there are moments and for my wife and I we have four kids
my wife and I we have four kids
my wife and I we have four kids you know there’s opportunities to glaze
you know there’s opportunities to glaze
you know there’s opportunities to glaze right by teachable moments or there’s an
right by teachable moments or there’s an
right by teachable moments or there’s an opportunity to pause and say you know
opportunity to pause and say you know
opportunity to pause and say you know what let’s think about this we talked
what let’s think about this we talked
what let’s think about this we talked about integrity until the truth I could
about integrity until the truth I could
about integrity until the truth I could just say don’t lie that’s you know your
just say don’t lie that’s you know your
just say don’t lie that’s you know your this is a bad thing where I could say
this is a bad thing where I could say
this is a bad thing where I could say one of our values is to tell the truth
one of our values is to tell the truth
one of our values is to tell the truth in our home isn’t it have we talked
in our home isn’t it have we talked
in our home isn’t it have we talked about it
about it
about it yeah tell me how you feel and so this
yeah tell me how you feel and so this
yeah tell me how you feel and so this these teachable moments are critical
these teachable moments are critical
these teachable moments are critical some of our learning let’s talk about
some of our learning let’s talk about
some of our learning let’s talk about results and data and it’s in some of the
results and data and it’s in some of the
results and data and it’s in some of the schools I’ve been and here’s a question
schools I’ve been and here’s a question
schools I’ve been and here’s a question how do you measure what didn’t happen
how do you measure what didn’t happen
how do you measure what didn’t happen how do you measure what didn’t happen so
how do you measure what didn’t happen so
how do you measure what didn’t happen so if I could go back in time to 2009 that
if I could go back in time to 2009 that
if I could go back in time to 2009 that first article that heading about a young
first article that heading about a young
first article that heading about a young person dying in Abbotsford because of
person dying in Abbotsford because of
person dying in Abbotsford because of their gang-related drug related
their gang-related drug related
their gang-related drug related connections if I could go back in time a
connections if I could go back in time a
connections if I could go back in time a couple of years before that and
couple of years before that and
couple of years before that and intentionally focus on that that kid and
intentionally focus on that that kid and
intentionally focus on that that kid and and weave character development
and weave character development
and weave character development intentionally into their life and as a
intentionally into their life and as a
intentionally into their life and as a result at that party when someone said
result at that party when someone said
result at that party when someone said hey you want to try this the kid says
hey you want to try this the kid says
hey you want to try this the kid says you know I’ve been talking a lot with
you know I’ve been talking a lot with
you know I’ve been talking a lot with this guy about respect for my family for
this guy about respect for my family for
this guy about respect for my family for myself for my body you know what no
myself for my body you know what no
myself for my body you know what no thanks
thanks
thanks and then that kid goes on and graduates
and then that kid goes on and graduates
and then that kid goes on and graduates from school it’s B’s does it does okay
from school it’s B’s does it does okay
from school it’s B’s does it does okay starts a small business now today that
starts a small business now today that
starts a small business now today that same person is raising a family how do
same person is raising a family how do
same person is raising a family how do we measure if we input that kind of
we measure if we input that kind of
we measure if we input that kind of intention
intention
intention intentionality into their life how do we
intentionality into their life how do we
intentionality into their life how do we measure what would have happened if if
measure what would have happened if if
measure what would have happened if if we had do you know what I’m saying
we had do you know what I’m saying
we had do you know what I’m saying it’s a tricky piece what we do what we
it’s a tricky piece what we do what we
it’s a tricky piece what we do what we can do we wrestle with this for sure but
can do we wrestle with this for sure but
can do we wrestle with this for sure but what we can do is look at some trends
what we can do is look at some trends
what we can do is look at some trends and so things like attendance records
and so things like attendance records
and so things like attendance records and and discipline referrals and schools
and and discipline referrals and schools
and and discipline referrals and schools we do satisfaction surveys you know do
we do satisfaction surveys you know do
we do satisfaction surveys you know do you feel safe in your school look at
you feel safe in your school look at
you feel safe in your school look at those trends are they are they moving in
those trends are they are they moving in
those trends are they are they moving in the right directions
the right directions
the right directions leadership development lot of schools
leadership development lot of schools
leadership development lot of schools are very intentional in some of the
are very intentional in some of the
are very intentional in some of the character schools I’ve been in very
character schools I’ve been in very
character schools I’ve been in very intentional in developing leaders and
intentional in developing leaders and
intentional in developing leaders and how many kids are we growing and what
how many kids are we growing and what
how many kids are we growing and what kinds of things are they doing these are
kinds of things are they doing these are
kinds of things are they doing these are some of the things we can do I can tell
some of the things we can do I can tell
some of the things we can do I can tell you that we knew and again you know this
you that we knew and again you know this
you that we knew and again you know this is probably like six or seven schools
is probably like six or seven schools
is probably like six or seven schools I’ve been in but here’s some examples we
I’ve been in but here’s some examples we
I’ve been in but here’s some examples we knew thin in one of the character
knew thin in one of the character
knew thin in one of the character schools we knew something good is
schools we knew something good is
schools we knew something good is happening when I don’t know if you’ve
happening when I don’t know if you’ve
happening when I don’t know if you’ve heard of a grad prank how many of you’ve
heard of a grad prank how many of you’ve
heard of a grad prank how many of you’ve done a grad prank okay well this is the
done a grad prank okay well this is the
done a grad prank okay well this is the thing where administrators the night
thing where administrators the night
thing where administrators the night before school starts or in fetal
before school starts or in fetal
before school starts or in fetal position in the corner of the bedroom
position in the corner of the bedroom
position in the corner of the bedroom right wondering what’s going to happen
right wondering what’s going to happen
right wondering what’s going to happen and and so they hadn’t done anything on
and and so they hadn’t done anything on
and and so they hadn’t done anything on the first this is like year three of our
the first this is like year three of our
the first this is like year three of our intentional character development of
intentional character development of
intentional character development of these kids a couple of kids came out to
these kids a couple of kids came out to
these kids a couple of kids came out to me I’m standing outside and supervision
me I’m standing outside and supervision
me I’m standing outside and supervision early morning beautiful day I remember
early morning beautiful day I remember
early morning beautiful day I remember it crisp mr. Manuel yep we’re wanting to
it crisp mr. Manuel yep we’re wanting to
it crisp mr. Manuel yep we’re wanting to do a grad prank I’m like oh boy here we
do a grad prank I’m like oh boy here we
do a grad prank I’m like oh boy here we go
go
go but we want your permission okay what
but we want your permission okay what
but we want your permission okay what okay step one that sounds really good
okay step one that sounds really good
okay step one that sounds really good that means I own whatever they destroy
that means I own whatever they destroy
that means I own whatever they destroy so they wanted my permission what are
so they wanted my permission what are
so they wanted my permission what are you planning to do and what they talked
you planning to do and what they talked
you planning to do and what they talked about was and I just the the reaction
about was and I just the the reaction
about was and I just the the reaction for me was just such pride in these kids
for me was just such pride in these kids
for me was just such pride in these kids just so so proud of them we have
just so so proud of them we have
just so so proud of them we have gathered donations from the grad class
gathered donations from the grad class
gathered donations from the grad class of clothing good clothes that we have
of clothing good clothes that we have
of clothing good clothes that we have that we’re not using and so others have
that we’re not using and so others have
that we’re not using and so others have bought stuff we’ve gathered donations
bought stuff we’ve gathered donations
bought stuff we’ve gathered donations from our family and friends and we want
from our family and friends and we want
from our family and friends and we want to take all those clothes and hang them
to take all those clothes and hang them
to take all those clothes and hang them all over the school I’m like this is a
all over the school I’m like this is a
all over the school I’m like this is a grant break I can I can buy into
grant break I can I can buy into
grant break I can I can buy into powerful right and some of these kids
powerful right and some of these kids
powerful right and some of these kids you if you go into their little
you if you go into their little
you if you go into their little in their conversation you can hear them
in their conversation you can hear them
in their conversation you can hear them saying hey why don’t we do this now that
saying hey why don’t we do this now that
saying hey why don’t we do this now that sounds not really I don’t think that’s
sounds not really I don’t think that’s
sounds not really I don’t think that’s respectful why don’t we do something
respectful why don’t we do something
respectful why don’t we do something that makes it you know you can hear them
that makes it you know you can hear them
that makes it you know you can hear them talking we knew some good things were
talking we knew some good things were
talking we knew some good things were happening when for me in year one as a
happening when for me in year one as a
happening when for me in year one as a vice principal the fun disciplining the
vice principal the fun disciplining the
vice principal the fun disciplining the student it would be things like what did
student it would be things like what did
student it would be things like what did you do wrong you can’t do that anymore
you do wrong you can’t do that anymore
you do wrong you can’t do that anymore you know as a result I’m gonna have to
you know as a result I’m gonna have to
you know as a result I’m gonna have to give you this and you’re gonna have to
give you this and you’re gonna have to
give you this and you’re gonna have to do that okay by year four you know when
do that okay by year four you know when
do that okay by year four you know when a student would come in I would say to
a student would come in I would say to
a student would come in I would say to them look what is it that we stand for
them look what is it that we stand for
them look what is it that we stand for what does it mean to be a part of this
what does it mean to be a part of this
what does it mean to be a part of this school I’m sorry yeah absolutely I
school I’m sorry yeah absolutely I
school I’m sorry yeah absolutely I should have been more this and it was
should have been more this and it was
should have been more this and it was such a shift because what they had
such a shift because what they had
such a shift because what they had learned is to be a part of this
learned is to be a part of this
learned is to be a part of this community means we are this not that we
community means we are this not that we
community means we are this not that we should be we are by definition of being
should be we are by definition of being
should be we are by definition of being a part of this community
a part of this community
a part of this community we knew good things were happening when
we knew good things were happening when
we knew good things were happening when instead of the new students coming in
instead of the new students coming in
instead of the new students coming in instead of the orientation for them
instead of the orientation for them
instead of the orientation for them saying this is what we stand for this is
saying this is what we stand for this is
saying this is what we stand for this is what we’re about instead of it being us
what we’re about instead of it being us
what we’re about instead of it being us adults doing it we had senior students
adults doing it we had senior students
adults doing it we had senior students doing it for them saying look this is
doing it for them saying look this is
doing it for them saying look this is you know I’m in grade 11 here and you
you know I’m in grade 11 here and you
you know I’m in grade 11 here and you got to know where you know we don’t push
got to know where you know we don’t push
got to know where you know we don’t push people around in the halls here this is
people around in the halls here this is
people around in the halls here this is a respectful school now you’re one of us
a respectful school now you’re one of us
a respectful school now you’re one of us did you see the power in that right and
did you see the power in that right and
did you see the power in that right and we knew good things were happening when
we knew good things were happening when
we knew good things were happening when that started to happen I know you know
that started to happen I know you know
that started to happen I know you know when I look past some of these kids as
when I look past some of these kids as
when I look past some of these kids as they move past school I know great
they move past school I know great
they move past school I know great things are coming because the same
things are coming because the same
things are coming because the same students that made an impact and we’re
students that made an impact and we’re
students that made an impact and we’re being trained this way in schools are
being trained this way in schools are
being trained this way in schools are now impacting their universities I
now impacting their universities I
now impacting their universities I couldn’t list off students they’re now
couldn’t list off students they’re now
couldn’t list off students they’re now impacting where they work one of them is
impacting where they work one of them is
impacting where they work one of them is now helping to lead this same
now helping to lead this same
now helping to lead this same organization she graduated from one of
organization she graduated from one of
organization she graduated from one of our character schools is now co-chairing
our character schools is now co-chairing
our character schools is now co-chairing part of the movement good things are
part of the movement good things are
part of the movement good things are happening and it’s very exciting so will
happening and it’s very exciting so will
happening and it’s very exciting so will you join us I’m really a recruiter
you join us I’m really a recruiter
you join us I’m really a recruiter there’s nothing to sell there’s nothing
there’s nothing to sell there’s nothing
there’s nothing to sell there’s nothing for you to buy other than a vision will
for you to buy other than a vision will
for you to buy other than a vision will you inspire the people around you
you inspire the people around you
you inspire the people around you whether it’s one person whether it’s
whether it’s one person whether it’s
whether it’s one person whether it’s your family or those you know that close
your family or those you know that close
your family or those you know that close to you
to you
to you your organization will you inspire them
your organization will you inspire them
your organization will you inspire them will you together with them identify
will you together with them identify
will you together with them identify your values together critical eight
your values together critical eight
your values together critical eight let’s have a conversation my wife and I
let’s have a conversation my wife and I
let’s have a conversation my wife and I did that with our kids this summer what
did that with our kids this summer what
did that with our kids this summer what are the things we want to you know this
are the things we want to you know this
are the things we want to you know this year really that we’re about will you
year really that we’re about will you
year really that we’re about will you identify those maybe it’s your maybe a
identify those maybe it’s your maybe a
identify those maybe it’s your maybe a large corporation or whatever and then
large corporation or whatever and then
large corporation or whatever and then intentionally integrate them everywhere
intentionally integrate them everywhere
intentionally integrate them everywhere and the intentional piece is critical
and the intentional piece is critical
and the intentional piece is critical you know the future is bright people the
you know the future is bright people the
you know the future is bright people the future is bright and again the question
future is bright and again the question
future is bright and again the question is are you willing to be a champion of
is are you willing to be a champion of
is are you willing to be a champion of good character and maybe even a better
good character and maybe even a better
good character and maybe even a better question can any of us afford not to
question can any of us afford not to
question can any of us afford not to thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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