Meeting 1: 9/23/07
1. 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.
2. Do the following:
On a map of your community, locate and point out the following:
Chief government buildings such as your city hall, county courthouse, and public works/services facility
Fire station, police station, and hospital nearest your home
Historical or other interesting points
Chart the organization of your local or state government. Show the top offices and tell whether they are elected or appointed.
6. 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.
Homework for meeting #2 (next week):
4. Choose an issue that is important to the citizens of your community; then do the following:
Find out which branch of local government is responsible for this issue.
Resources:
Falls Church News Press Newspaper
5. 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. Pre-approved titles: (if you want to view a different title not on this list, please contact Mr Andrews)
- Remember the Titans
- October Sky (Special Edition)
- Mr. Holland’s Opus
- 12 Angry Men
- Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
- Pay It Forward
- Gandhi
- Boys Town
- Young Mr. Lincoln
- Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Meeting 2 9/30/07
Discuss Homework (requirements #4 Issues and #5 Movie)
Homework for meeting 3 on 10/21/07:
7a. 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.
7b. 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.
7c. If you would like to use this 3-week break to start on requirement 7c (volunteer 8 hours of your time to this organization), you can do so, but PLEASE CONTACT ME FIRST by phone at 703-938-3270 or E-mail : baandrews1@verizon.net For details, please scroll down and read the detailed explaination for 7c. in the homework section listed for meeting 4 (just below).
Resources:
Volunteer Fairfax (Volunteer opportunity finder)
8. 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. Meeting 3 10/21/07
Discuss #7 and #8 and any other homework completed (requirement #7a b, and requirement #8)Meeting 4 10/22/07 MONDAY We will meet at Falls Church City Hall for the City Council meeting (7:30PM). We will plan on leaving the meeting at 8:30 PM.
The Meeting is at the Town Hall, 300 Park St, Falls Church. We will meet in the council chamber–second floor of the city.
Please wear class As.
3. Do the following:
Attend a city or town council or school board meeting, or a municipal; county, or state court session.
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.
Homework for meeting #5 (10/28/07):
Prepare a question for Mayor Gardner
Get started on volunteer work (if you have an approved volunteer organization–approved by Mr Andrews and your parents)
Meeting 5 10/28/07 (normal time, Sunday 7-8PM)
Discuss #8 and any other homework completed
We will meet with Falls Church Mayor Robin Gardner to discuss requirement #4a (Mayor Gardener will be at our meeting, so please be on time):
With your counselor’s and a parent’s approval, interview one person from the branch of government you identified in requirement 4a. Ask what is being done about this issue and how young people can help.
Share what you have learned with your counselor.
When Possible
7c. 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.COMPLETED MEETINGS:
