 Character, Values, Mission Statement August 8, 2012

Do Now  Put out your name tent – if you don’t have yours you must make a new one  Write about someone you admire. Admire = look up to, respect.  What are his or her character traits? Character traits = thoughts, words, actions

Agenda  Do Now (5)  Character Traits (15)  Mission Statements (15)  Social Contract (25)  Vocabulary (25)

Atticus Character Traits  “Atticus Finch is the same in the house as he is on the public street.”  What are some thoughts, words, actions that reveal Atticus’ character?

Values  A person’s VALUES are what drive his or her thoughts, words, actions. They are a person’s core beliefs about what is important in life.  See poster on Ms. Pepsin’s Inspirational Quote Wall

Values  What are Atticus’ Values?  What are some of your values?  Would an outsider be able to infer your values based on your thoughts, words, and actions?

Mission Statements  What is a mission statement?  Common in business  Defines an organization or company’s purpose or reason for being. Often explains why the company was created in the first place, what it values, and what it hopes to accomplish.  “To make money” is not a good mission statement

Barnes and Noble Our mission is to operate the best specialty retail business in America…As booksellers we are determined to be the very best in our business, regardless of the size, pedigree or inclinations of our competitors. We will continue to bring our industry nuances of style and approaches to bookselling which are consistent with our evolving aspirations. Above all, we expect to be a credit to the communities we serve, a valuable resource to our customers, and a place where our dedicated booksellers can grow and prosper. Toward this end we will not only listen to our customers and booksellers but embrace the idea that the Company is at their service.

Mission Statements  Becoming more and more common for individuals to create Personal Mission Statements  A personal mission statement should state:  What your life is about (your purpose)  What you stand for (your values)  What actions you take to live up to your purpose and values  Sometimes includes a motto or a slogan

Sample Personal Mission Statement I want to continuously promote and foster a cooperative environment wherever I go. I want to make everyone feel welcome in my presence, and yet retain my strength and individuality. I will use my talents as a communicator to teach others. I will use my social skills to bring people closer together. I will be inspired by the smallest of challenges. I will live in awe of my good fortune in life.

Ms. Pepsin’s Personal Mission Statement To educate and inspire my students to become proactive, optimistic, and empathetic human beings who have the means to control their own destiny and experience opportunity, freedom, and fulfillment in life. I will do this by aspiring to live my life by these same standards, by guiding them to make the hard choices, and by taking care of myself so that I remain energetic, healthy, and at my best each day.

Crafting Your Own Mission Statement  The best mission statements are brief (1 paragraph), but each word is carefully chosen.  For this assignment you must write a minimum of 55 words and a maximum of 100 words.  Your mission statement should answer the questions:  What is my focus/purpose in life?  What are my values?  What actions will I take to live up to my purpose and values?  Ultimately, your mission statement should INSPIRE you.  This is Due Monday, August 13 th  Information also posted at

Sample Values List  Bravery  Change  Continuous Improvement  Achievement  Balance  Calm  Cleanliness  Accuracy  Adventure  Caring  Confidence  Cooperation  Accountability  Responsibility  Courage  Creativity  Hard work  Leadership  Independence  Equality  Friendship  Influence  Intelligence  Kindness  Generosity  Knowledge  Love  Positive Attitude  Reliability  Learning  Optimism  Personal Growth  Power  Happiness  Honor  Trust  Variety  Teamwork  Sincerity  Service

Tips  Make sure your mission statement is positive. Instead of saying what you don't want to do or don't want to be, say what you do want to do or become.  Include positive behaviors, character traits and values that you consider particularly important and want to develop further.  Remember, you are not expected to know your full purpose in life at age 14/15…this should be treated like a living document that can grow and change as you see fit throughout your life.

Sample Templates  "To... [what you want to achieve, do or become]... so that... [reasons why it is important]. I will do this by... [specific behaviors or actions you can use to get there]."  "I value...[choose one to three values]... because...[reasons why these values are important to you]. Accordingly, I will...[what you can do to live by these values]."

Sample Templates  "To live each day with...[choose one to three values or principles]... so that...[what living by these values will give you]. I will do this by...[specific behaviors you will use to live by these values]."  "To be known by...[an important person/group]... as someone who is...[qualities you want to have]...; by...[some other person/group]... as someone who is...[other qualities]...; and by …[some other person/group]… as someone who is…[other qualities]."

Sample Templates  "To develop and cultivate the qualities of...[two to three values or character traits]... that I admire in...[an influential person in your life]... so that...[why you want to develop these qualities]." I will post assignment and templates on for you to reference