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Citizenship in the Community

Mr. Lazarimlazar@gmail.com

COR, Troop 1882, Haymarket VA

Course Agenda

• Introductions• Review the Merit Badge Program• Review Citizenship in the Community Requirements• Discuss “Citizenship in the Community”• Identify Community Facilities• Review and Discuss Local Government Organization• Workshop on Governing• Review Taxpayer Funded Government Services• Discuss Next Steps….

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Merit Badges

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• Over 130 Boy Scout Merit Badges– Teach Scouts about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future

careers– Required for rank advancement beyond First Class Scout– 21 Merit Badges required for Eagle Scout that include 12 specific

badges (Silver Merit Badges)– Bull Run District provides counselors for 74 of the 120+ Merit Badges

(including most Eagle Required Merit Badges)

Process to Complete a Merit Badge

• Merit Badges done in three ways– Independently outside the troop– Done as a group within the troop– Done at a scouting event like summer camp or MB Day

• Steps or Process to complete a merit badge– Scout (not Parent) requests a blue card and counselor from the

Scoutmaster– Scout contacts counselor or takes part in an event that

completes the requirements– Counselor signs blue card once completed (2 places)– Scout requests unit leader signature from Scoutmaster– Scout hands in the signed Blue Card to Advancement Chair

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Citizenship in the Community

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First Question

• What’s a Community?

• Examples?

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Requirement #1 (In Class)

Discuss with your counselor what citizenship in the community means and what it takes to be a good citizen in your community. Discuss the rights, duties, and obligations of citizenship, and explain how you can demonstrate good citizenship in your community, Scouting unit, place of worship or school.

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Task #1

• Complete page #1 of the provided worksheet, prepare to discuss– Rights– Duties– Obligations

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Requirement #2 (In Class)

Do the following:

a) On a map of your community, locate and point out the following:a) Chief government buildings such as your city hall, county

courthouse, and public works/services facility

b) Fire station, police station, and hospital nearest your home

c) Historical or other interesting points

b) Chart the organization of your local or state government. Show the top offices and tell whether they are elected or appointed.

United States Government Structure

• Federal Government (See “Citizenship in the Nation”)

• State Government• Local Government

– Counties / Parishes / Boroughs– City Government

• Municipalities• Council-Manager• Commission

– Special Districts

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Prince William County Government

• Board of Supervisors– Chairman Corey A. Stewart – Elected in a County-wide election

• Seven Districts:– Brentsville, Coles, Potomac, Gainesville, Neabsco, Occoquan,

and Woodbridge– Each District elects a single representative to the Board of

Supervisors

• Other County-Wide Elected Offices– Sherriff– Attorney– Clerk of the Court

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County Funding (FY13)

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Task #2

• Complete page #2 of the provided worksheet, prepare to discuss the location of the nearest:– Government building– Fire station– Police station– Hospital– Historical site

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Requirement #3 (On your own)

Do the following:

a) Attend a meeting of your city, town, or county council or school board; OR attend a municipal, county, or state court session.

b) Choose one of the issues discussed at the meeting where a difference of opinions was expressed, and explain to your counselor why you agree with one opinion more than you do another one.

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Requirement #4 (On your own)

Choose an issue that is important to the citizens of your community; then do the following:

a) Find out which branch of local government is responsible for this issue.

b) With your counselor's and a parent's approval, interview one person from the branch of government you identified in requirement a) Ask what is being done about this issue and how young people

can help.

c) Share what you have learned with your counselor.

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Requirement #5 (On your own)

With the approval of your counselor and a parent, watch a movie that shows how the actions of one individual or group of individuals can have a positive effect on a community. Discuss with your counselor what you learned from the movie about what it means to be a valuable and concerned member of the community.

Suggestions:

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October Sky Gandhi

Mr. Holland’s Opus Follow Me Boys

We Are Marshall Hoosiers

It’s a Wonderful Life Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

The Blind Side Gettysburg

Requirement #6 (In Class)

List some of the services (such as the library, recreation center, public transportation, and public safety) your community provides that are funded by taxpayers. Tell your counselor why these services are important to your community.

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Task #3

• Complete page #3 of the worksheet, prepare to discuss why are the following important:– Libraries– Recreation centers and parks– Public transportation– Public safety

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Requirement #7 (On your own)

Do the following:

a) Choose a charitable organization outside of Scouting that interests you and brings people in your community together to work for the good of your community.

b) Using a variety of resources (including newspapers, fliers and other literature, the Internet, volunteers, and employees of the organization), find out more about this organization.

c) With your counselor's and your parent's approval, contact the organization and find out what young people can do to help. While working on this merit badge, volunteer at least eight hours of your time for the organization. After your volunteer experience is over, discuss what you have learned with your counselor.

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Requirement #8 (On your own)

Develop a public presentation (such as a video, slide show, speech, digital presentation, or photo exhibit) about important and unique aspects of your community. Include information about the history, cultures, and ethnic groups of your community; its best features and popular places where people gather; and the challenges it faces. Stage your presentation in front of your merit badge counselor or a group, such as your patrol or a class at school.

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Presentation Examples

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8qU1_NYSZM• http

://www.slideshare.net/Rainpatr/bsa-citizenship-in-the-community

• http://prezi.com/mogfthaxxhpm/citizenship-in-the-community/

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Scenario Time

• A member of the Board of Supervisors has proposed increasing personal property taxes by 2% to fund construction and operations of new little league baseball fields. This will result in an average payment of $20 per year per car for the citizens of your community

• Your mission:– Elect one member of your group as supervisor– Discuss the issue and take a vote– Report back to the group on your discussion and the outcome

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Additional Resources

• Merit Badge Workbook– http://meritbadge.org/wiki/images/4/4c/Citizens

hip_in_the_Community.pdf

• Merit Badge Pamphlet: Citizenship in the Community– Available in the Scout Store, and hopefully from

your Troop librarian

• Additional Resources– http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/boyscouts/

advancementandawards/meritbadges/mb-citc.aspx

Your Next Steps

• Work on remaining requirements with either myself or a counselor within your Troop– To find a counselor, talk to your Scoutmaster

• You have my contact information, best way to reach me is email

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Good Luck!

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