Citizenship in the Community MERIT BADGE PROGRAM

September 25, 2012 BSA Troop 171, Mooresville, NC

Citizenship in the CommunityMERIT BADGE PROGRAM


Is Everyone Excited To Be Here?Would You Like To Be Somewhere

Else? Be Honest.

Too Bad !!! Lets Begin and Have Some Fun!!!


CITIZENSHIP OF THE COMMUNITY

An Eagle Required BadgeCamping, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving, Environmental Science, Family Life, First Aid, Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Swimming or Hiking or Cycling


WHY IS IT EAGLE REQUIRED?• Citizenship and Community values are what scouts are all

about:I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to help other people at all times - it all starts at home!

• Knowing the history of the community and the meaning of good citizenship will give you an appreciation of what those good and thoughtful citizens accomplished during their lifetimes to get us to where we are. We should be very grateful.

• The sacrifices, ideas, & efforts are good examples for what you need to do to carry on to help improve our community, the nation, and the world. (Think of it as the ripple effect.)

• Sometimes these things can be taken for granted. It is good to stop & think on occasion about this topic. When you look at this merit badge sewn on your sash, think about our community, how you are an important part of it, and how you need to be a good citizen to make life better for everyone.


MERIT BADGE REQUIREMENTSCITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY1. What does citizenship in the community mean? Class

participation. What does it take to be a good citizen in your community? What are the rights, duties, and obligations of citizenship? Explain how you can demonstrate good citizenship in your

community, Scouting unit, place of worship or school.2. Mapping Your Community: Class participation.

Chief government buildings such as your city hall, county courthouse, and public works / services facility

Fire station, police station, and hospital nearest your home Schools, churches, and synagogues near your home Historical and other interesting points Chart the organization of your local or state government. Show the

top offices and tell whether they are elected or appointed.3. What’s on the Public’s Mind? Attend ONE of the following: 1:1

w/AW County or parish board meeting School board meeting City council meeting Municipal, county, or state court session

Choose one of the issues discussed where the difference of opinion was expressed

and explain why you agree with one opinion more than another one.


MERIT BADGE REQUIREMENTS4. Choose an issue that is important to the citizens of your

community, then Find out which local government is responsible for the issue. Interview one person from the branch of government . Ask what is being done about the issue and how young people can

help. Share what you have learned. 1:1 with AW

5. Watch a movie that shows how the actions of one individual or group of individuals can have a positive effect on the community. Discuss what you have learned from the movie. Class participation.

6. List some services your community provides that are funded by taxpayers. Explain why these services are important to your community.

7. Choose a charitable organization outside of Scouting that interests you and brings people in your community together to work for the good of the community. 1:1 with AW Using a variety of resources, find out more about this

organization. Contact the organization and find out what young people can do to

help. While working on this merit badge, volunteer at least 8 hours of your time for the organization.

After your volunteer experience is over, discuss what you have learned.

8. Develop a public presentation 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 people gather; and the challenges it faces. Class participation.


REQUIREMENTS

+ =COMPLETED WORK SHEETS LEARNING SOMETHING

NEW(FUN IS AUTHORIZED) SUCCESS


LESSON SLIDESCOMMUNITY

Requirement #1


COMMUNITIES

• What does citizenship in the community mean?

You live in a city, town or rural area where you participatein activities that share common characteristics, interests,activities, or purposes.– Scouting, – School,– Associate with other citizens of the same area.


What are the rights, duties, and obligations of citizenship?

You have the right to attend school, to be able to vote in elections when you are 18, and to be safe.

Something no one can take away from youYou have the duty to follow the Scout Law and Oath

and do your part to keep the community safe. Required service or assigned taskYou have an obligation to keep the laws and to

assist where you are needed. Something you are bound to do; promise, commitment,

responsibility


What can you do to be a good citizen?– Vote…– Play by the rules…– Take care of others…– Environmental stewardship…– Freedom of Speech…– Kindness, courtesy, acceptance… – Protection under the law…– Church, Scouts…– School…– Obeying Laws… – Paying Taxes….

CITIZENSHIP CHARACTERISTICSRights, Duties & Obligations

Right Obligation

Duty Duty

Right Duty

Right Duty Right Obligation Obligation


Demonstrating CITIZENSHIP

• What does it take to be a good citizen in your community, Scouting unit, place of worship or school:

Conducting yourself as a good citizen to improve your life and others. Examples include:

Follow the Boy Scout Law and Oath. Find ways to help out in the community, like Soup

Kitchen, Food Drives, Speak your ideas Listen to others speak their ideas



Requirement #2

Government


WHAT BRINGS PEOPLE TO OUR community NOW?

• Small town atmosphere with town green, white church, historic buildings, no excessive commercial development.

• Good schools and low taxes• Nice neighborhoods, at one point

affordable• Town conveniences and services• Cultural and financial demographics• Access to Lake Norman• What else?


our Community• Named for Judge James Iredell (1751-1799),

Attorney General of North Carolina during the Revolutionary War

• Delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1788.

• The name Iredell, originally Eyredale, dates back to year 1066 to the Battle of Hastings, and it means "a valley of flowing air.

• Population in 2010: 32,711. Population change since 2000: +73.8%

• Soil is loamy, a mixture of sand and clay which varies in its proportions from one section of the county to another

• Annual Average Temperature 60.1° FAnnual Average Rainfall......47" Snowfall..... 9.1"Average Relative Humidity 70%

• #1 Dairy County in NC


Government Seats of Power Each State has authority over local governments. Local governments borrow their power from the

State and can only exercise those powers given to them.

States are patterned after the 3 branches of __________?

Executive, Legislative and Judicial ________ and ________ share appointive powers

and choose officials to run certain state boards and commissions.

Governor and Senate All States are divided into Counties.

– Where are parishes located in the US?– Where are boroughs located in the US?


In 48 States the county is the largest unit of government. What 2 States do not have County governments?

Connecticut – counties exist for the purpose of elections. Rhode Island – counties are divisions of the state court

system. What are the main functions of a County? Law Enforcement, Property Assessment, Tax Collection,

Recording of important documents like deeds and mortgages, Issuing licenses for hunting, fishing and marriage, Providing public safety and welfare.

Regions made up of multiple counties often _________.

Regulate air quality, mass transit, coordinate disaster planning

Government Seats of Power


Requirement #2 - On your Map

• Locate and point out the following– Chief government buildings such as your city

hall, county courthouse, and other public facilities

– Fire and police station, hospital– Historical or other interesting points

• Attach the map to your worksheet paperwork


Downtown Mooresville

MooresvillePublic Library

MooresvilleRecreationDepartment

Charles MackCitizen Center

Police Station& Town Hall

Fire Station #1


Chart the organization of your local or state government

• Counties exist to carry out broad local functions on behalf of the State.

• Municipalities exist at the request of their residents who want more public services like water, sewer, and roads.

• Name 4 Types or Examples of municipalities? Cities, Towns, Villages, and Boroughs


Chart your local government.

Iredell County Manager

Animal Control

Board of Elections

Emergency Management

Facility Services

Finance

Health

Information Technology

Sheriff

Solid Waste/Landfill

+17 more departments

Who does the Iredell County Manager report to?


the organization of the Wisconsin State government.

Government can get very complex and confusing!



Requirement #3

Issues, Opinions, Emotions


FUTURE OF OUR County and mooresville

What do you think is the future of our County?

• Growth?• Business?• Downtown?• Traffic?• Property?• Diversification?• Affordability?• Recreation?• Taxes and Fees?


Local issues: what’s on the public’s mind?

Has anyone spoke at the government meeting? Give me 3 examples of issues you would hear at a

school board meeting?Buying Band Instruments, Budgets and Expenses, Student

Enrollment Give me 3 examples of issues you would hear at a

county planning board meeting?Zoning Property, Discussions on new ordinances/laws, Road

congestion


PROBLEM OR ISSUE FACED IN OUR TOWN

• Attend a government meeting and choose one of the issues discussed at the meeting where a difference of opinions was expressed.

• Explain why you agree with one opinion more than you do another one.



Requirement #4


Local issues: what’s on the public’s mind?

4. Choose an issue that is important to the citizens of your community, then

Find out which local government is responsible for the issue.

Interview one person from the branch of government .

Ask what is being done about the issue and how young people can help.

Share what you have learned.



Requirement #5


Movie time

• Select a movie that shows how the actions of one individual or group of individuals can have a positive effect on a community.

• Discuss what you learned from the movie about what it means to be a valuable and concerned member of the community.



Requirement #6


Local government services List some of the local government services your

community provides that are funded by taxpayers.

Police – Protect , enforce the laws, preserve the peace, reduce fear, and provide for a safe environment for all of our citizens citizens from crimes

Library – Provide informational and recreational material for your reading, listening and viewing pleasure

Fire & Rescue – Safeguard life, property and the environment

Planning – Provide assistance and direction regarding the development and use of land

Animal Control – Protect the public’s health and safety as it relates to the interaction between people and animals

Board of Elections - Supervises voter registration and conducting all elections

Tax Assessor & Collection


WHAT DOES THE TOWN of Hopkinton OFFER FOR SERVICES?



Requirement #7


Making a Difference7. Choose a charitable organization outside of

Scouting that interests you and brings people in your community together to work for the good of the community.

Using a variety of resources, find out more about this organization.

Contact the organization and find out what young people can do to help. While working on this merit badge, volunteer at least 8 hours of your time for the organization.

After your volunteer experience is over, discuss what you have learned .



Requirement #8


Presentation Time

Develop a public presentation about important and unique aspects of your community. Include

informationabout the history, cultures, and ethnic groups of

your community; its best features and popular places

people gather; and the challenges it faces.


Congratulations !!!

You Earned the Citizenship

in the community

Documents

Citizenship in the Community MERIT BADGE PROGRAM