Citizen Roles and Responsibilities

• Lesson 5 focuses on the roles and responsibilities of citizens in their communities and the world.
• The main question is "How can citizens help their communities thrive?".

Objectives

• Summarize historic and modern ways citizens improve their communities.
• Recommend ways for students to take similar actions to improve their classrooms.

Role of Citizens

• Citizens are expected to fulfill certain responsibilities in exchange for the government keeping them safe and providing their needs.
• Citizens can volunteer, raise awareness, donate, and use their influence to make a difference in communities.
• The specific actions may vary in different countries.

Government Influence

• Individuals and organizations can work together to influence State laws.
• Contacting media and government officials are ways people in the United States can influence the government.
• Citizens can directly contact government officials to share concerns.
• Elected officials may start drafting a bill if enough citizens raise an issue.
• Meetings with officials provide further details.
• Local media and news outlets may be contacted to raise awareness.
• Officials and staff monitor these sites for issues important to citizens.
• Hearings may take place to mark up or revise the bill.
• Encouraging government officials to vote a certain way involves making calls.
• The bill goes to the governor if it passes in the legislature.
• A law is created if the governor supports and signs the bill.
• Campaigning for a candidate is another way to influence the government.
• This involves organizing and attending events to promote the candidate, making calls, writing letters, and contacting media.

Economic Influence

• Citizens can use their role as consumers to improve their communities.
• Consumers are people who purchase goods or services for personal use
• Direct communication with companies to share concerns or issues is one method.
• Signing a petition conveys thoughts to a company.
• A petition is a document with a special request that many people can sign.
• Stronger petitions have more signatures
• Consumers can act together in boycotts, stopping purchases until the desired change is made.
• The bus boycott in Montgomery involved black Americans boycotting the bus system due to unfair treatment (December 5, 1955, to December 20, 1956).
• Today, consumers may boycott by purposely buying products from companies helping improve the community thereby rewarding them.

Raising Awareness

• Hashtag advocacy is the use of hashtags on social media to raise awareness for a cause.
• Hashtags trending on social media platforms may attract major media.
• People of various ages can contribute by discussing relevant issues.
• Learn what is deemed important in community + how the government works
• Important topics and issues can be identified.
• With proper approvals, use social events or set up a special night so people can share things that matter to them.
• Work with schools and organizations to teach people about concerns or ways to be active
• Using social media is another way to spread the word.
• Make sure everyone feels welcome when raising awareness

Volunteering

• Another way to help communities thrive is through volunteering.
• Volunteering is helping with a disaster relief
• Organizations often provide volunteers when a natural disaster occurs and the government requires help.
• Volunteers donate their time without payment.
• Doctors may volunteer for health organizations, providing medical care.
• Giving money is another contribution method to help the community
• Donate and raise money for cause
• Groups may host events and charge admission, with proceeds benefiting the cause.
• Raising money by selling tickets can go towards the cause
• Donations are collected through making calls or using crowdsourcing websites.
• Various organizations like company may match the total amount contributed
• Always check the laws to know the dos and donts

Respecting the Rights of Workers

• Employers and employees work together towards common goals.
• Companies ensure fair and safe working conditions while providing information on labor laws.
• Open-door policies allow sharing ideas and thoughts to help get what you want
• Negotiate a bit to come to a fair compromise
• A neutral mediator can help both sides assess the value of the work being done.
• Contact a labor office if nothing has helped.
• The labor office is a government organization that enforces labor laws and protects worker's rights
• Seek a resolution where the employee feels respected, in accordance with the law.
• If there are disagreements, countries may explore alternative measures to address concerns.
• Strikes can demonstrate seriousness but are disruptive and not permitted everywhere: peaceful and cooperative solutions are best.

Ready, Set, Action!

• Consider issues important to the the community
• Think about the needs and resources
• Find friends and tour to assess them
• Talk to local
• Choose a need that you can handle, maybe activities for kids
• Create message board to put local youth activities that they can participate in
• Figure out what you know about issue that you want to work on
• Find a team that can help
• Figure out what help you need from adult
• Seek leaders, check organization and local business that can help
• Planning is next step, make to do list or discussion
• Revsise plan
• It will take some time and effort

Conclusion

• Citizens support community development in various ways.
• Many people find ways to make a lasting impact and contribution for all ages