Minnesota Character Council

The Minnesota Character Council consists of volunteers from the private, public and nonprofit sectors who share a commitment to advocate for positive character and ethical leadership development. Synergy provides administrative support for the council. The MCC created the Minnesota Ethical Leadership Award that is presented each year at the Character Recognition Awards.

Mission: The mission of the Minnesota Character Council is to advise, assist and advocate for programs and activities in Minnesota that promote and celebrate positive character and leadership development.

Character: A person's character consists of values and habits that shape behavior. A person of good character is trustworthy, responsible and concerned with the well-being of others. Good character consists of healthy self-awareness, positive self-management, insightful social awareness, and the ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships.

For More Information Contact Barb Bergseth 507-389-5112

Members

Matt Bostrom, President, Center for Values-Based Initiatives

Michael Hartoonian, Professor (retired), University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Suwana Kirkland, Director, Dakota County Community Corrections

Todd Lefko, President, International Business Development Council

Bill Mittlefehldt, Consultant, Cross Currents

Todd Otis, Public Affairs Consultant

Ambrose R. Russell, Founder/Executive Director, The Inner Hero

Don Salverda, Leadership & Management Consultant

Barbara Shin, Education Equity Consultant

Steve Young,* Global Executive Director, Caux Round Table

Deborah Yungner, Founder, ERBUS LifeGRID Technologies

*chair

Citizens for an Ethical Minnesota

Citizens for an Ethical Minnesota was a statewide initiative that grew from the question of how to develop “ethical citizens for Minnesota’s Future.” The WEM Foundation provided funding to explore this question and Synergy & Leadership Exchange took the lead in coordinating the effort. Three statewide forums were held to secure agreement on the problem, create a shared vision, identify potential outcomes, secure commitment from stakeholders and develop a leadership team to prioritize and implement actions. Although Citizens for an Ethical Minnesota is no longer operating as a formal initiative, Synergy is keeping the spirit of the work alive through the Minnesota Character Council and other character-focused programs. For more information, please contact Wanda Sommers Wall, Synergy executive director.

MCC members at the 2024 Character Recognition Awards. From L–R: Matt Bostrom, Don Salverda, Ambrose Russell, Todd Otis, Barbara Shin, Todd Lefko, Barb Bergseth (Synergy staff)

Minnesota’s Hope: A vision to build trust and respect

Minnesota's Hope is a statement that connects positive character development to flourishing youth as the hope for our future and in addressing the current challenges in society. It offers a starting point on what can be and what is currently being done collectively to create the conditions where young people reach their full potential. Read or download the statement.

DOWNLOAD Minnesota's Hope Statement

How to Engage With Minnesota’s Hope

Sign on as a supporter of the statement, either as an individual or an organization by completing the Google form or downloading the document, completing it, and mailing or emailing it back to us (directions and address on document). VIEW THE LIST OF SUPPORTERS.
Share what you are doing to put the statement’s vision into action (either on Google form or the document above).
–Get inspired! READ THE ACTIONS of the statement supporters.
Help grow the movement by sharing the statement with others in your network.

CHARACTER Connect

Welcome to CHARACTER Connect, a bi-monthly newsletter from the Minnesota Character Council. The newsletter features updates and resources for promoting character that we hope you find thought-provoking and useful.

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