Introduction
In AmeriCorps, citizenship can mean much more than memorizing names and dates from a history book or spending a Saturday cleaning up a vacant lot. What is citizenship really about, and how can it help you make a real and lasting difference in your own life and the life of your community?
I. Citizenship in Our Free Society
AmeriCorps encourages its members, and indeed all of America, to embrace a renewal and expansion of the idea of citizenship. At a basic level, citizenship means voting, obeying the law, and serving on juries. On another level, it means much more. Citizenship also means:
In AmeriCorps, citizenship can mean much more than memorizing names and dates from a history book or spending a Saturday cleaning up a vacant lot. What is citizenship really about, and how can it help you make a real and lasting difference in your own life and the life of your community?
I. Citizenship in Our Free Society
AmeriCorps encourages its members, and indeed all of America, to embrace a renewal and expansion of the idea of citizenship. At a basic level, citizenship means voting, obeying the law, and serving on juries. On another level, it means much more. Citizenship also means:
• Becoming informed about the critical issues facing our nation and its communities.
• Making a commitment to personal responsibility for the welfare of ourselves, our families, and our neighbors.
• Getting involved at the grassroots level to solve problems and build a better future for everyone.
II. Activity
Prior to answering the discussion questions in Part III, think about the following four questions List as many ideas as you can in response to these four questions to aid you in the next section:
1. What does an effective citizen need to know? (How laws are made, etc.)
2. What skills does an effective citizen need? (Speaking, etc.)
3. What attitudes (values, dispositions, and outlooks) does an effective citizen need? (Belief that one person can make a difference, etc.)
4. What does an effective citizen need to do? (Vote, etc.)
Feel free to discuss this with your fellow corps members, supervisors, or other volunteers/staff before delving into the discussion questions.
III. For Discussion
Please answer the following questions and post your answers in the comments section of the blog or email them to Greg. The first two members to submit answers will receive a prize. Also, the member with the most intriguing, unique, and/or thought provoking answers will win a prize.
1. What do you think are the three most important citizenship skills? Explain.
2. What do you think makes a good citizen?
3. What could AmeriCorps/AmeriCorps members do to encourage good citizenship?
