Gualala Arts Lecture Series presents:
The Ethic of Sport:
Does Anyone Still Play Fair?

with John Forenti
Monday, February 2, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
$5 donation requested

John Forenti returns for a second time to the Gualala Arts lecture series on Monday, February 2 at 7:00 p.m. to present new insights into the Character Counts program, this time with emphasis on the ethics of sports. The lecture entitled "The Ethic of Sport: Does Anyone Still Play Fair?" draws on Forenti's background as an athlete, coach, educator, and administrator.

This talk expands on the 2007 presentation that discussed the nature of character development and the principles expounded by Michael Josephson, founder of the CHARACTER COUNTS! programs. In this lecture Forenti argues that saying, "It's only a game," denigrates honorable competition and marginalizes its importance. In fact, sports are much more than determining who wins.

Using video highlights and PowerPoint slides he will illustrate the potential of sports to build character and to reveal the heroic nature of the human spirit. The ideas discussed stem from the Josephson Institute program "Pursuing Victory with Honor" that grew out of a 1999 summit of athletes who met in Sedona, Arizona to explore how athletics can develop life skills and values such as integrity, perseverance, sacrifice, respect and responsibility.

The speaker worked for the Tulare County Office of Education for 32 years before retiring in 2005. Since 1996 he has conducted Character Counts and ethics seminars for approximately 4,000 educators, parents, and community members. Forenti completed the CHARACTER COUNTS! Pursuing Victory with Honor Sports Certification in July 1999.

In March 2000 he received certification from the Josephson Institute for its Ethics in the Workplace program. More information on these and other Josephson Institute programs can be found on-line at www.charactercounts.org.

Forenti and his wife Barbara recently completed construction of their Sea Ranch home where they now reside. They have a daughter Angela living in Santa Barbara with her husband Jaime and their two grandchildren Antonio, age 9, and Mia, age 5. In 1987 Forenti was named distance-running coach for Team California at The International Special Olympics. That same year he also qualified for and ran in the Boston Marathon.

The Gualala Arts Center, located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, CA,
is open weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and weekends from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information, or email info@gualalaarts.org.

Serving the coastal communities of northern Sonoma & southern Mendocino Counties.