Choose and complete one choice from each step.
STEP 1: What does it mean to be an active citizen? 1. With help from your family or other scouts, list 10 things that make an active citizen. Examples, paying sales taxes, following laws, etc. Do you see any similarities to the Girl Scout Law? 2. Do you know anyone who has lived and worked in another country? Ask them what it was like. How was it similar or different to America. Was being an “active citizen” in that country similar to being one here? STEP 2: Go Inside government 1. Interview an elected official. Who decides how long the library is open or which school you can go to? Elected officials! Interview one and talk about how they help the government make decisions, and share ideas about how you can be an active citizen. Does the official have more ideas to add? 2. Chart the government structure for your school district, town, county or state. Make a big, branching chart that shows who has the power to make and change laws. Above is an example using the federal government. Bonus- Look up the following words that relate to the government: Municipality, federal, governor, mayor, constitution STEP 3: Look into laws. 1. For 24 hours, list laws that affect your daily life. For example, you must cross the street at a cross walk, you can’t litter, you have to pay a sales tax for a candy bar. At the end of the day, look at your list, and talk about what the laws do for you and your community. 2. Think about laws you might propose someday. What laws, rules or regulations would you propose in these 3 situations? What should happen to a citizen who doesn’t follow them? Discuss your answers with your family or Girl Scout sisters. - You’re the mayor of the first town on the moon - A toxic-waste dump is being built next to a farm - There is a five-story building with no elevators. It has only one inside staircase. STEP 4: Report on the issues 1. Report on a government meeting. You may or may not be able to attend a meeting in public, but all city and county meetings are filmed. Watch one of your choice. What are the issues they’re talking about? Which is most important to you? Pretend you are a reporter and take notes. Then, write an article about the issue you think is most important. Share it with the troop. 2. Interview a local historian or longtime citizen. Ask about how your community has changed over the years. Is your community still working out the same issues it was 20 years ago? If not, what are the new issues? Turn your interview into a radio program, video or article you can share with the troop. STEP 5:Get involved in community government 1. We are in an election year! Work on someone’s campaign. Use your leadership skills to help out the candidate you believe in. Make posters or buttons, or assist with a speech about the reasons you think this person should be elected. Ask how you can help. 2. Create a pamphlet or poster. Use it to raise awareness about an issue you’d like to change. Maybe you’d like a mural to cover up graffiti in the school bathroom, or to eliminate plastic cups at your place of worship. Get permission before you pass anything out, and think carefully– like a politician– about the words you use. You want to educate and inspire people to take your side, so be respectful of the current administration and citizens in the community.
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