6 Pillars of Character Responsibility

Responsibility Do what you are supposed to do • Plan ahead • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes • Set a good example for others

Responsibility : green Think being responsible for a garden or finances; or as in being solid and reliable like an oak

Responsibility includes… Duty : Know and do your duty • Acknowledge and meet your legal and moral obligations Accountability: Accept responsibility for the consequences of your choices, not only for what you do but what you don’t do • Think about consequences on yourself and others before you act • Think long-term • Do what you can do to make things better • Set a good example *DON’T turn the other way and ignore what needs to be done!

Responsibility includes… Pursuit of Excellence: Do Your best • Persevere • Be prepared • Be diligent • Work hard • Make all you do worthy of pride Self-Control: Take charge of your own life • Set realistic goals • Keep a positive outlook • Be prudent and self-disciplined with your health, emotions, time and money • Be rational — act out of reason not anger, revenge or fear • Know the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do • Be self-reliant — manage your life so you are not dependent on others; pay your own way whenever you can

How can I be a reliable person? Be dependable; when you agree to do something, do it! Take care of your own business. Don't make others do what you are supposed to do. Take responsibility for your actions; don't make excuses or blame others. Use your head; think before you act; imagine the consequences.

The 3 R’s of Growing up: Responsibility, self-Respect, doing the Right thing

Questions to think about… Do you consider yourself to be a responsible person? Why? In what ways? How can acting irresponsibly hurt people's friendships? How can being responsible make you a better friend? Does it matter to you whether or not people think of you as responsible? Why, or why not? What difference does it make to you whether or not your friends are responsible people?