The History of Character First! Initiative
The Character Council of Gilchrist County, Florida

March through September 2001
Character First! Initiative meetings begin by introducing community to the concepts of the initiative. Carl and Geneva Cornwell - coordinators.
Bi-weekly meetings were held with from 1 to 12 people in attendance. Each attendee received a special packet, free of charge, containing pertinent information, also a color printed, pocket, and laminated folder with all 49 character qualities and the definitions.

September 2001
Those interested in organizing a Character Council began meeting on a regular monthly basis. The initial, organizational individuals were: Wendell Bishop, Bill Brideson, Carl & Geneva Cornwell, Lois Fletcher, Janet Langford, Jim Surrency, David Turner and Mark Feather as the representative attorney.
A donation of $2,000 was given to the Gilchrist County Education Foundation  from the Progress Energy Corporation to purchase the Character First! Curriculum for the two elementary schools.

October 2001
First article appeared in the Gilchrist County Journal, introducing the community to the Character First! Initiative. A Character First!  “Scrapbook” of events was begun.

January 2002
The Character First Curriculum was initiated in both Bell and Trenton Elementary Schools. 

June 2002
City Council adopts a resolution to lead Trenton into becoming a “City of Character.” Local schools began recognizing students showing character by awarding them as “Citizens of the Month.”

August 2002
First “Character Chronicle” newsletter printed and sent to those interested.

November 2002
Charter Board of Directors and Officers were selected for the Character Council.  Procedures were taken to adopt a Constitution and By-Laws for the Character Council and copies were signed, notarized and distributed to each charter director.  A copy of the Constitution and By-Laws was sent to the State Department, Tallahassee, Florida, to obtain permission allowing the Character Council of Gilchrist County to be established as a not-for-profit organization.  With the initial donation from the Sheriff’s Office of $1,500, an account was opened at Tri-County Bank.
Character Council establishes its regular monthly meeting, with the exception of May, August and December, as the 4th Thursday of the month. Date to be changed at the discretion of the Board.
City of Trenton Mayor Pete Randolph joined the team as an interested participant with the Character Council Board members.

December 2002
The Gilchrist County School Board signs a Resolution to commit to doing all in its power to become known as a “School Board of Character.”
Character Council begins participation in the annual “City of Bell Christmas Parade,” with 21 award-winning students participating.

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