Florida Character

Organization Profile
By: Brittany Crawley
Y​aël-Alex Monereau
Julia Morrow
Angela Sykes

Table of Contents
About the Organization
What is Happening with the Organization
Organization’s Basic Information
Logo
Name
Type of Organization and Creation Date
Official Address and Contact Information
Geographical Locations
Organization Details
Staff and Specialization
Photos
Recognition
Issues in Which this Organization Seeks to Address
Membership (Benefit & Commitment)
Sponsorship/Revenue
Brand Dissemination
Internal needs
Recommendations for Change

About the Organization

Florida Intentional Character Partnership is a state chapter of a larger organization,
Character.org. Character.org describes itself as an organization, “of ​passionate people
advocating for integrity, honesty, respect, and other core ethical values to be fused into
education for the betterment of our nation” (​http://character.org/about/who-we-are/)​.​ Florida
Intentional Character Partnership is meant to help Florida state (public) schools instill elements
of social emotional learning into their curriculums and ultimately the community. They also seek
to aid schools into becoming part of the organization and recognized as “Schools of Character”,
which is an esteemed distinction and achievement for a school to become.
 Florida Character | Organization Profile

Character.org has the urge collaborate with state school districts and organizations to develop a
culture where young people can thrive in the areas of academics and ethics. The company
provides tools, methods and strategies that are deemed necessary from the company’s
standpoint to create caring and productive environments from teachers, community members,
workplaces, and even parents in support of our young individuals. Chapter.org presents
execution of their work by providing evidence-based frameworks for implementing and
evaluating character education through their ​11 Principles of Effective Character Education
model that has been proven successful in schools across the country. Character education
believes that schools shouldn’t risk the chance of leaving one’s character outside of formal
student education. The organization specifically recognizes that idea that “ a school of character
does not simply provide academic knowledge to students, it intentionally emphasizes hard work
and ethical behavior in academics, interpersonal relations, and community standards” (Florida
Character Partnership.Web.​http://flcharacter.org.​ 22 September 2016).

What is Happening with the Organization

Currently, this chapter is re-organizing as it has lost several key members and has yet to make
headway in the Florida school districts with their plans. As of right now, the chapter consists
only of a board of directors (see below) and has no regular supporting members.

Many various issues and concerns are at stake for the chapter as they seem to have a lack of
cohesion among members and an exact direction they currently want to continue in. The
chapter is in need of a more developed structure and strategic ways of implementing change to
help the Florida chapter grow.

Organization’s Basic Information

Logo

Name
Florida Intentional Character Partnership (Soon to be officially changed and recognized
as Florida Character.Org)

Type of Organization and ​Creation Date

● Non-Profit

Official Address and Contact Information

● 1812 Mariner Drive, Unit 129, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 789-5569 (Mobile) | ​ficp@tampabay.rr.com
 Florida Character | Organization Profile

● Schools interested in applying for a Promising Practices or Schools of Character (SOC)

recognition should visit Character.org’s website at ​www.character.org​.
● https://www.facebook.com/Florida-Intentional-Character-Partnership-710378995654344/

Geographical Locations
● Florida K-12 state schools
● 2016 National Schools of Character - Character.org designates 68 schools and 4
districts as 2016 National schools of character. (none are in Florida that I’ve seen
though)

Organization Details
● FloridaCharacter.org is a 501(c)3 State Schools of Character sponsor and affiliate of
Character.org. Provides consultation, training and resources to generate momentum for
State Schools of Character standards of excellence.
○ Touchstone:​ Linking Smart and Good.
● Mission
○ Providing leadership and advocacy for character schools, families, communities,
and workplaces throughout the world.
● Vision
○ Young people everywhere who are educated, inspired and empowered to be
ethical and engaged citizens
● Our Goals
○ Assist Florida schools to become Schools of Character (SOC).
○ Align FloridaCharacter.org goals with Florida Department of Education standards.
○ Provide professional development in Character.org’s 11 Principles of Effective
Character Education and Leadership Academy of Character Education (LACE)
frameworks and its connection with Social and Emotional Learning (SEL).
○ Partner with Florida’s greater community to provide leadership and mentoring
opportunities in character building that support schools and families.
○ Serve as a resource for Florida schools providing proactive measures to sustain
positive school culture and climate.
● Financials
○ Non-profit organization.
○ 990-N filed with the IRS, November 2016.
○ Current Budget (as of 9/28/16): $58.00

Staff and Specialization

Board of Directors

Name Position Additional Affiliation Contact Information

FloridaCharacter.org
Vivian Delia ficp@tampabay.rr.com
Director
 Florida Character | Organization Profile

The University of
Dr. Gina Almerico Board Member Tampa, Department of galmerico@ut.edu
Education

FloridaCharacter.org valgallina@florida-icp.co
Valerie Gallina
Coordinator m

Hillsborough County valerie.dickson@sdhc.k1

Valerie Dickson Board Member
Schools 2.fl.us

Pinellas County
Autumn Lunin Board Member lunina@pcsb.org
Schools

Service Learning
Jaime Manfra Board Member jaimejaleh@gmail.com
School

The University of
Michael Robinson Board Member Tampa, Department of mrobinson@ut.edu
Education

Dr. Nancy Williams Board Member College Professor nlwilliams51@gmail.com

Photos
 Florida Character | Organization Profile

Recognition
● Chapter of National Character.org, ​Imagine School at Evening Rose​, Tallahassee,
Florida
● 2015 National School of Character
● Won 5 Promising Practice Awards since 2012, receiving a rating of Effective from their
school of Excellence team, reached A ratings from their National character education
teams, student character surveys increased in areas of safety, student leadership and
respect. (see chapter.org)
● Apollo Beach Elementary School, Professional School Counselor
● 2013 Character.org NSOC Award
● 2015 Character.org Promising Practices Award
● Florida State Schools of Character​:
○ Imagine Weston, 2014
○ Apollo Beach Elementary, 2013
○ Imagine School at Town Center (Finalist) Palm Coast
○ Cimino Elementary School, 2012 Valrico
○ Fuguitt Elementary School, 2011 Largo Pinellas County
○ Imagine South Lake 2011 Lake school district, Clermont
○ Oakhurst Elementary School, 2011 Pinellas County school Districts, Largo

Issues in Which this Organization Seeks to Address

● Membership (Benefit & Commitment)
○ Sustainable board membership
○ Organizational membership (for momentum and building capacity)
○ Communication (newsletter, professional development, etc.)
○ Strategic Partnerships (i.e. FLDOE)
● Sponsorship/Revenue
○ Donor base (sustainable & one time)
○ Fundraising
○ Grants
○ In Kind gifting
● Brand Dissemination
○ Aligns with 3 year strategic goals (ours and Character.org)
○ Social Media
○ Promotion to all Florida schools & FLDOE
○ State Schools of Character (SSOC)
● Internal needs
○ Update Bylaws & Procedures
○ Timely submission of state and federal requirements
 Florida Character | Organization Profile

○ Data (consultant, board insurance, Nonprofit Leadership Center classes, board

survey/feedback, membership feedback, number of schools applying for
SSOC,....)
○ Impact Report (How do we know we are effective?)

Recommendations for Change

● Incorporate technology to the organization’s basic functions (google drive).
● Utilize the youth that is surrounding them at the University to grow their member base.
● Increase brand awareness via social media and word of mouth.
● Create a plan of action for the organization to achieve their goals.

Financials
No revenue or bank account these past 2 years until the board hosted a conference
asking for donations (to defray conference costs and help pay for a keynote speaker) at
UT this past July 22nd. Members of our board stated it was urgent for the
president/treasurer, Vivian Delia, to open an account and start providing donation
receipts. donations during from conference produced a total of $58.00. Organization
purchased a”Donate button” for website @ $26.00. A couple donations were received
putting them back at $58.00 plus $15.00) in the business account. The account is with
Grow Financial Credit Union which is the same organization the president/treasurer uses
for personal reasons. Vivian Delia and I are currently responsible (signatories) for the
account. The attached statement is from August (donate button was purchased in
September, so add our donation to the total). $4.00 was withdrawn from the $58.00
when president/treasurer asked for a paper statement from Grow Financial to present to
our board's August meeting. We currently do not have a ledger documenting expenses
and intake. We have someone interested in the Treasurer position who is a retired
financial manager. This person, Sara Howell, offered to be our board "bookkeeper" until
she knows what her duties and responsibilities will entail.
We do not currently have a 990-N filed with the IRS, but one should be filed by
November, 2016.
The start up funding to pay for our non-profit ($400.00) plus other federal and legal
documents ($70.00 for Articles of Incorporation 2x plus another $40.00 to change our
name) has come from Vivian Delia (current board president and soon to be CEO when
we change our name) and my personal retirement funds.
When we change to FloridaCharacter.org, our parent organization, Character.org, will
ask for a 10-15% payment from our revenue (this will be part of our license agreement)
each year.