Character counts with Tri Sigma

For Sigma Sigma Sigmas across the nation, developing good character is a must -- it is included within the core values of the organization. For one Southeast Missouri State University Tri Sigma, character development takes priority.

Danice Granger, a senior political science major, is the president of Southeast's Beta Xi chapter of Tri Sigma. She also represents her sorority on a national panel to help build women of character.

When Granger heard about the opportunity to be a part of a 26-woman council to help implement a new program within Tri Sigma called CHARACTER COUNTS!, she immediately submitted an application.

Granger was one of six collegiate members from 107 collegiate chapters of Tri Sigma to be selected for the council. Other members of the council include members of the national Tri Sigma staff, the executive Tri Sigma council, alumnae members and one representative from the Tri Sigma foundation.

CHARACTER COUNTS! centers on basic values called the Six Pillars of Character, which Granger has implemented into Southeast's Tri Sigma chapter. They are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

This council is helping to integrate the program into what the Tri Sigma organization already encompasses. As part of this committee, Granger participated in a three-day character development seminar in May 2011, facilitated by the Josephson Institute.

The Josephson Institute is a nonprofit group with a goal to improve ethical decision-making and behavior on a personal and business level. According to the Josephson Institute website, the CHARACTER COUNTS! program is one of the leading approaches to character education.

Granger said the program was initially adopted as Tri Sigma's national community service program. However, after Chris Smithhisler, director of Tri Sigma programs, and Lauren Moran, CHARACTER COUNTS! coordinator, went through the initial training, the two knew the program could be much larger.

"Not only is this going to provide Tri Sigma with great direct service opportunities for our communities, it is going to help our women really live lives of strong character in a contemporary culture that demands integrity," Smithhisler said.

Granger said the integration of the program is being worked on. She has provided character-building activities during group retreats and meetings with her chapter. Playing card hierarchy was one of the character building activities Granger used during the Beta Xi chapter retreat. The activity is designed to help build the pillar of respect by showing respect to the person with the higher valued card.

"There's never a time when you need to stop being a better person," Granger said. "The best way to develop women of character is to have your leaders be women of character."