Active Citizen Assignment Guidelines

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Penelope Austin
6 years ago
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1 Active Citizen Assignment Guidelines To create a better future for your generation, the greatest way to protect your interests in society is to become directly involved in organizations that help determine public policy in the United States. As you move towards adulthood, the largest generation in American history will be heading toward retirement. Each of these retirees is more likely to vote than a youth and will be concerned with the issues that effect them. Thus, to gain some knowledge of the process by which policy is formulated in the United States and to preserve your own values, each student will become an active citizen by completing the following assignments: #1.) Volunteer at a local political agency /interest group or Community Service Agency: (40 pts.) The process should be as follows: * After an initial class session to introduce the project, students should decide to work as individuals or as pairs * Students should consider their interests (and their partners if applicable) and brainstorm ideas. * Students should research information on three possible agencies for their volunteer work (see Active Citizenship Action Plan) which will include why the agency was chosen, what the student plans to get out of the experience, and other relevant information. NOTE: the agency should be non-profit (with certain exceptions- see me) Non-political agencies (soup kitchens, homeless shelters, etc.) may be accepted only by teacher approval basis. * After obtaining teacher approval of the Action Plan, students will then get the approval from the agency (see Active Citizenship Approval Form) This form must be completed and signature obtained from the agency and turned in to the teacher BEFORE service starts. This allows the teacher to communicate with the agency. * Students then should serve the agency and make at least three visits to the agency (2 hours minimum per visit-6 hours total) over the course of the semester. While at the agency, students should take a log recording the experience. * Finally, you should type a well organized paper (~3 pages ) placing special emphasis on the relationship between your organization and out government class, the purpose of the organization, what needs it serves, how you contributed to this need, and how the organization relates to the topic you selected, This paper must also include written documentation of your service with a signed notice from your supervisor stating that you satisfactorily completed the required number of hours (Active Citizenship Community Service Completion Form) Staple your completed Active Citizenship Community Service Completion Form and your daily log onto the back of your typed paper. *NOTE: All service completed must be from the current semester. No credit will be awarded for service done from previous semesters. Also, signatures from the agency cannot be from fellow students. #2.) Analyzing City Government (25 points) You will be required to analyze different aspects of city government and functions. There are two options to satisfy this component of the Active Citizenship requirement. OR (Option A) Attend a Public Meeting for a local city/town or school district While there you must do the following: a.) Obtain an agenda for the meeting which are handed out at the beginning of each meeting. b.) Take notes on the items/topics discussed that are listed on the Agenda. c.) Obtain a signature from either a council member or the clerk at the END of the meeting to verify your attendance. d.) From your notes, type a brief essay (2 pages) that discusses your observations regarding the operation of local government. Be sure to include: who was in attendance and why they were there (council members, citizens of the community, guests, etc.) the issues discussed and how they were resolved (if they were), and your overall impression of the meeting (Option B) Analyze Functions of City Government a.) in groups of up to three, choose a topic that your group is interested in (e.g. garbage disposal, street repair, park keep-up, city financing, the duties of the city manager, fire department responsibilities, etc.) b.) Your group should answer the following questions and record them on paper about your topic What was it? What need does it serve? What responsibilities are involved? How is it financed? How much influence does the public have on it? How does it cooperate with other government agencies? What did you find interesting about it? What things would you try and improve? In your groups' opinion, is it actually needed? c.) In order to find information regarding your topic your group must interview the various public officials (Fire Chief, City Manager, etc.) Try to interview the highest senior member of the agency. d.) Your group will be responsible for a 3-5 minute class presentation on your findings and analysis on the topic. e.) Each person will be responsible for turning in a peer evaluation form. Please ask the teacher for one before you are to present. All are expected to go to the agency and work together as a group. #3.) Written Contribution: (15 points) Demonstrate your opinion on a political issue by writing a letter to the editor of the San Jose Mercury News, The Saratoga Falcon, or a major weekly news magazine (or your a government official). The issue may be related to the topic you chose (or will choose) for your volunteer work. Make sure you give the teacher an unsealed stamped addressed envelope and provide TWO copies. Also be sure to sign the letter to personalize it. The teacher will then mail the letter for you. In the case that a newspaper or magazine does not accept "snail mail" you mail use and send your letter to the newspaper that way. Please make a hard copy of your and also forward a copy of it to me ( address at kirk.abe@saratogahigh.org ).

2 Grading: I will be looking for the following items in your letter: 1.) Correct Format; 2) was the letter well written and used correct grammar and spelling?, 3) Was the letter well researched?; and 4) Were the directions followed? (2 envelopes, signed, etc) Where do I start? For Component #1 look at the volunteer guides in your teacher's class or in the phonebook. Here are a few addresses and numbers of agencies at which you may want to volunteer: Republican Headquarters Democratic Party of League of Women Voters 522 N. Monroe Ave. Santa Clara County P.O. Box 2865 Saratoga Ave. San Jose, CA Sierra Club- Loma Prieta Chapter National Organization for Women OTHER POSSIBLE GROUPS : San Jose Office, P.O. Box Amnesty International NRA 1922 the Alameda NARAL Libertarian Party National Right to Life Green Party For Component #2: look at local government agencies or city councils such as: Los Gatos Town Council Monte Sereno City Council Saratoga City Council OTHERS: 110 East Main Street Saratoga-Los Gatos Rd Fruitvale Ave. Fire Dept. Los Gatos Monte Sereno, Civic Theater, County Sheriff 1st & 3rd Mondays 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 1st & 3rd Wednesdays City Manager For Component #3: You may use the following format (1-2 pages): Name of Person You Are Writing To Title of Person You Are Writing To Name of Newspaper, Office, or Company Street Address City, State, ZIP Your Name Your Street Address City, State, ZIP Date (Name of Person You Are Writing To): Sincerely, (Sign Your Name Here) Type Your Name Here DUE DATES: One Active Citizenship Component is due towards the end each 6-week grading period. You get to choose which component you would like to turn every six weeks, however, you cannot complete the same component twice. ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP ACTION PLAN: COMPONENT DUE DATES: 1st Due Date: 2nd Due Date: _ 3rd Due Date:

3 Name: Period: Date: ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP ACTION PLAN Fill-in the following information regarding 3 possible agencies that you have researched and might volunteer at: 1.) Agency: Address: Contact Person: Phone # What does this agency do? Why did you choose this agency? What do you want to do for this agency? ) Agency: Address: Contact Person: Phone # What does this agency do? Why did you choose this agency? What do you want to do for this agency? ) Agency: Address: Contact Person: Phone # What does this agency do? Why did you choose this agency? What do you want to do for this agency?

4 COMMUNITY SERVICE APPROVAL FORM (Must be turned in to the teacher before student starts service) Student s Name: Organization s Name: Organization s Address: Organization s Telephone Number: Activity to be Performed by the Student at this Organization: Student s Supervisor at this Organization (print name): Supervisor s Title: Supervisor s Telephone Number: To the Supervisor: Please sign that you approve of this student to perform the activity stated above from January 26, 2004 to June 3, The student must follow your instructions and perform a minimum of 6 hours (which include 3 visits) of community service-type activities according to your organization s high standards. The student volunteer will not receive class credit for this activity if your standards for volunteers are not met by the volunteer. You will be asked to sign another form attesting to the successful completion of this activity by this young adult. The student cannot be paid for performing service at your organization. Please note my address if you have any need to contact me: kirk.abe@saratogahigh.org Supervisor s Signature: Date Signed:

5 ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP COMMUNITY SERVICE COMPLETION FORM Students Name: Organization's Name: Activity Performed by the Student at this Organization: Student s Supervisor at the Organization (print name): Supervisor s Title: Note to supervisor: Please initial the dates and times recorded on the lines below and then sign next to the X when six (6) or more hours are completed. Please do not sign if this student did not complete six (6) or more hours and make 3 visits of volunteer community service with your organization; or if the quality of the student s participation was less than acceptable by your organization s standards. The student cannot be paid for performing volunteer community service at your organization. Dates of Service Time of Service Initial Supervisor s Signature: X: Date: Supervisor s Name: Phone #: Supervisor s Comments (optional):

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