I developed this presentation to teach a Boy Scout Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge class. It provides an overview of requirements, and several class activities to fulfill several requirements

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Citizenship in the
Community
Mr. Lazar
imlazar@gmail.com
COR, Troop 1882, Haymarket VA

2. 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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3. 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)

4. 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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5. Citizenship in the
Community
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6. First Question
• What’s a Community?
• Examples?
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7. 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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8. Task #1
• Complete page #1 of the provided worksheet,
prepare to discuss
– Rights
– Duties
– Obligations
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9. 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.
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10. 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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11. 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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12. County Funding (FY13)
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13. 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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14. 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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15. 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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16. 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

17. 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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18. 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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19. 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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20. 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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21. 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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22. 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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23. 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
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24. 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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25. Good Luck!
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