Respect. Responsibility. Integrity. Empathy. Courage. Service.
Abbotsford City of Character is an independent, non-partisan, non-sectarian group of citizens committed to promoting good character for the betterment of our society.
A successful character initiative isn't one that will add a number of new programs or events. Instead, it will integrate character traits into what is already being done. Organizations, event organizers, and individuals weave in character awareness into what they're already doing! It's that simple!
Latest
Leadership Forum / Updated: May 16th, 2013
The second Leadership Forum was a huge success! With 110+ Abbotsford leaders in attendance, the forum began with greetings from Deputy Police Chief and Vice Chair of the Abbotsford Character Council, Rick Lucy (also MC for the day), Mayor Banman and Board of Education Chair, Cindy Schaeffer. Following presentations by Vijay Manuel, Chair of the Abbotsford Character Council and Braden Douglas, CEO of Relevention, the forum moved to an 'un-conference' format directed by Mary-Anne Smirle, Assistant Superintendent of Schools. Participants engaged in meaningful conversations along topics that were determined by the participants themselves with the guiding question: "How do we integrate these character values into our organizations?" Allan Asaph, Executive Director of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce spoke to the value of character in business to bring the event to a close. It was a truly great day with extremely positive exit surveys! Many thanks to the organizing committee, various presenters and to our sponsors: Prospera, Chamber of Commerce, Tanglebank Gardens, The News, Community Services, School District #34 & WJ Mouat.
Speaker Series / Posted: April 18th, 2013
The first annual Abbotsford City of Character Speaker Series hosted by Mayor Bruce Banman and MC'd by Fire Chief Don Beer was a huge success! Speakers included Mary-Anne Smirle, Assistant Superintendent of Schools (SD34), Patrick Giesbrecht, Past President of the Chamber of Commerce, Tina Stewart, Executive Director of Abbotsford Downtown Business Association, Suzanne Greening, Executive Director of The Reach Gallery & Museum, and Mark Duyns, Chair of Abbotsford Sport, Rec, & Culture. Many thanks to the Clayburn Gourmet Gallery for hosting this wonderful event and to all our speakers and guests!
Award Nomination / Posted: Mar. 14, 2013
The Abbotsford City of Character Society is honoured to have been nominated for a Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Award in the category of Innovative Practices.
Character Canada Launch / Posted: Feb. 8th, 2013
The Abbotsford City of Character Society Board of Directors are pleased to announce the launch of the Character Canada website. Please visit the site for more information and sign up to the email list if you are interested in learning more about the conference scheduled for 2014. Click here.
The second Leadership Forum was a huge success! With 110+ Abbotsford leaders in attendance, the forum began with greetings from Deputy Police Chief and Vice Chair of the Abbotsford Character Council, Rick Lucy (also MC for the day), Mayor Banman and Board of Education Chair, Cindy Schaeffer. Following presentations by Vijay Manuel, Chair of the Abbotsford Character Council and Braden Douglas, CEO of Relevention, the forum moved to an 'un-conference' format directed by Mary-Anne Smirle, Assistant Superintendent of Schools. Participants engaged in meaningful conversations along topics that were determined by the participants themselves with the guiding question: "How do we integrate these character values into our organizations?" Allan Asaph, Executive Director of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce spoke to the value of character in business to bring the event to a close. It was a truly great day with extremely positive exit surveys! Many thanks to the organizing committee, various presenters and to our sponsors: Prospera, Chamber of Commerce, Tanglebank Gardens, The News, Community Services, School District #34 & WJ Mouat.
Speaker Series / Posted: April 18th, 2013
The first annual Abbotsford City of Character Speaker Series hosted by Mayor Bruce Banman and MC'd by Fire Chief Don Beer was a huge success! Speakers included Mary-Anne Smirle, Assistant Superintendent of Schools (SD34), Patrick Giesbrecht, Past President of the Chamber of Commerce, Tina Stewart, Executive Director of Abbotsford Downtown Business Association, Suzanne Greening, Executive Director of The Reach Gallery & Museum, and Mark Duyns, Chair of Abbotsford Sport, Rec, & Culture. Many thanks to the Clayburn Gourmet Gallery for hosting this wonderful event and to all our speakers and guests!
Award Nomination / Posted: Mar. 14, 2013
The Abbotsford City of Character Society is honoured to have been nominated for a Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Award in the category of Innovative Practices.
Character Canada Launch / Posted: Feb. 8th, 2013
The Abbotsford City of Character Society Board of Directors are pleased to announce the launch of the Character Canada website. Please visit the site for more information and sign up to the email list if you are interested in learning more about the conference scheduled for 2014. Click here.
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Meet Our Board of Directors / Posted: Dec. 20th, 2012
(L-R) Vijay Manuel (Chair), Jenn Schotts, Bev Olfert (Treasurer), Joanne Field, Don Beer, Fran Vanderpol (Secretary), Richard Lucy (Vice Chair).
The Board of Directors, with the support of the Abbotsford Character Council, have been working hard to continue moving the character initiative forward in Abbotsford. Some of the year's highlights include establishing the Abbotsford City of Character Society, starting two annual events: a city-wide Youth Forum and the City of Heroes awards event, hosting numerous Character Council meetings with special guests including the Honourable Chuck Strahl, and continuing to develop a community and online presence. Coming in the spring of 2013: The Abbotsford City of Character Speaker Series hosted by the Mayor and the 2nd Leadership Forum. We are thrilled to have added more Community Stakeholders and Champions in the past few months! Consider joining the movement by becoming a Champion of Abbotsford City of Character: Click here.
The Honourable Chuck Strahl / Posted: Nov. 15th, 2012
On November 14th, 2012 the Honourable Chuck Strahl spoke to the Abbotsford Character Council. The speech was full of references to good character as displayed in Mr. Strahl's private and public life and ended with a challenge for all Abbotsford leaders to continue to make a difference in their respective areas of influence. Many thanks to Mr. Strahl for inspiring us!
City of Heroes Report / Posted: Nov. 18th, 2012
On November 15, 2012, Abbotsford City of Character and the Abbotsford News hosted the first annual City of Heroes awards event. 21 individuals and 4 student groups were honoured. Mayor Bruce Banman welcomed the crowd of 200 invited guests, Councillor Les Barkman and Trustee Shirley Wilson presented the awards, and Andrew Franklin, Publisher of the Abbynews & Vijay Manuel, Chair of the Abbotsford Character Council MC'd the event. Thanks to the many volunteers who helped put on this inaugural event, and special thanks and congratulations to all the recipients! See Abbynews article here for more information. Special thanks to the Abbotsford News for their leadership and support with the start to this new Abbotsford tradition.
Youth Forum Report / Posted: Oct. 30th, 2012
What an amazing day! 21 middle & secondary schools were represented at the 1st Annual City of Character Youth Forum! The 140 students heard from Sophie Schmidt (pictured above), learned about the City of Character values, and created action plans to promote character in their own school communities. These action plans have now been submitted to the 'City of Heroes' judging committee as nominees for the 'Student-Led Project Recognition'. Four $200 awards will be presented to student groups on Nov. 15th at the City of Heroes Awards Event. Special thanks to the Clearbrook Kiwanis Club & School District No. 34 for their financial support. Watch the 2-minute VIDEO here.
(L-R) Vijay Manuel (Chair), Jenn Schotts, Bev Olfert (Treasurer), Joanne Field, Don Beer, Fran Vanderpol (Secretary), Richard Lucy (Vice Chair).
The Board of Directors, with the support of the Abbotsford Character Council, have been working hard to continue moving the character initiative forward in Abbotsford. Some of the year's highlights include establishing the Abbotsford City of Character Society, starting two annual events: a city-wide Youth Forum and the City of Heroes awards event, hosting numerous Character Council meetings with special guests including the Honourable Chuck Strahl, and continuing to develop a community and online presence. Coming in the spring of 2013: The Abbotsford City of Character Speaker Series hosted by the Mayor and the 2nd Leadership Forum. We are thrilled to have added more Community Stakeholders and Champions in the past few months! Consider joining the movement by becoming a Champion of Abbotsford City of Character: Click here.
The Honourable Chuck Strahl / Posted: Nov. 15th, 2012
On November 14th, 2012 the Honourable Chuck Strahl spoke to the Abbotsford Character Council. The speech was full of references to good character as displayed in Mr. Strahl's private and public life and ended with a challenge for all Abbotsford leaders to continue to make a difference in their respective areas of influence. Many thanks to Mr. Strahl for inspiring us!
City of Heroes Report / Posted: Nov. 18th, 2012
On November 15, 2012, Abbotsford City of Character and the Abbotsford News hosted the first annual City of Heroes awards event. 21 individuals and 4 student groups were honoured. Mayor Bruce Banman welcomed the crowd of 200 invited guests, Councillor Les Barkman and Trustee Shirley Wilson presented the awards, and Andrew Franklin, Publisher of the Abbynews & Vijay Manuel, Chair of the Abbotsford Character Council MC'd the event. Thanks to the many volunteers who helped put on this inaugural event, and special thanks and congratulations to all the recipients! See Abbynews article here for more information. Special thanks to the Abbotsford News for their leadership and support with the start to this new Abbotsford tradition.
Youth Forum Report / Posted: Oct. 30th, 2012
What an amazing day! 21 middle & secondary schools were represented at the 1st Annual City of Character Youth Forum! The 140 students heard from Sophie Schmidt (pictured above), learned about the City of Character values, and created action plans to promote character in their own school communities. These action plans have now been submitted to the 'City of Heroes' judging committee as nominees for the 'Student-Led Project Recognition'. Four $200 awards will be presented to student groups on Nov. 15th at the City of Heroes Awards Event. Special thanks to the Clearbrook Kiwanis Club & School District No. 34 for their financial support. Watch the 2-minute VIDEO here.
Video
Abbotsford City of Character Society held the first YOUTH FORUM in October 2012 with 21 middle and secondary schools represented. Check out the video here!
Mayor Bruce Banman is a champion of the City of Character movement in Abbotsford, BC, Canada (abbycharacter.com).
Superintendent Kevin Godden of the Abbotsford School District (No. 34).
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Community Stakeholders
