SESSION SESSION A TEEN LEADER'S COMMUNITY How wonderful it is that nobody need wait one single moment before starting to improve the world. ANN FRANK
SESSION A TEEN LEADER'S COMMUNITY Background Reading: Dorothy Height - A Community Trail Blazer INTRODUCTION Session : A Teen Leader's Community teaches TL's the importance of local and global citizenship, community responsibility and involvement. TL's will learn how to make a positive impact on their community and learn the responsibility they share to make the world a better place to live. SESSION PURPOSE To expose TL's to community responsibility and involvement, and political awareness and activism. OBJECTIVES Teen Leaders will Learn their civic responsibility. Learn the definition of community. Learn the importance of political activism. Learn the importance of community awareness and involvement. MATERIALS NEEDED Name tags for each TL TLC /Student Manuals Voter Registration Cards Print out of state voter rules Print out Community Service Project MEETING LAYOUT The meeting room should be set with tables and chairs. Each place should include a pen, paper, blank (or decorated) name tag and bottled water. Set refreshments, door prizes and handouts on a separate table. TIME 1 ½ (Instructional) 2 Hours (Community Service Project) Suggested Agenda Suggested Time Agenda 10 Minutes Welcome 10 Minutes Session Introduction 20 Minutes Community Involvement 20 Minutes Political Awareness 20 Minutes Global Citizenship 10 Minutes Question/ Answer 10 Minutes Closing 1 Hour Community Service Project 104
Leader Preparation LEADER PREPARATION Read over the entire session and identify key areas of discussion. Review the session in the TLC Student Manual to correlate planned activities and discussion. Leadership should arrive early and set up the room accordingly. Place voter registration cards and voting information on the table. WELCOME TEEN LEADERS Greet TL's as they enter the room. Once everyone is gathered, welcome everyone and open the meeting. After the opening, ask TL's to recite the affirmation quote. INSTRUCTOR After opening the meeting, explain the purpose of the session. Explain as a leader, they will often be called upon to impact their community in a positive way. Dorothy Height is an example of a woman who made her life's work to impact not only her own community, but the world at large. Ask TL's to expound on what they learned about Dorothy Height. Leader Preparation Key Areas of Discussion Review the session Prepare the TLC display and healthy food display Prepare the flip chart/power point Components of a Community Community Awareness Community Involvement Political Awareness Political Activism Global Citizenship Background Reading Important Points... - Dorothy Height was the president of the National Council of Negro Women -Created Wednesday Nights in Mississippi to bring white and black women together to discuss issues impacting them -She fought for civil rights for both women and African Americans After discussion, explain to TL's as leaders, they are expected to be a benefit to their community. This session teaches the importance of community service. 105
Session : A Teen Leader's Community After the Introduction and Background Reading discussion, review the session s key areas of focus: Community Responsibility and Involvement Political Awareness and Activism Global Citizenship After summarizing the Introduction, ask TL's to turn to Session in their TLC Student Manuals. SESSION A Teen Leader's Community INTRODUCTION ommunity. The word community is defined as a social group whose members reside in a specific locality, share government and relationships. Everyone contributes to their community by shopping at local stores, dining at neighborhood eateries and supporting community improvement efforts. "The greatest community impact begins in the home." Lady T When you make the decision to buy or rent a home, you are making a commitment to become a positive addition to your community. In years past, that meant living in your home for many generations; however, today families are more transient and often don t have an opportunity to even meet their neighbors much less raise generations in the same home. With the world seemingly turning so bad, many people choose to disconnect from those outside their doors and opt for quiet, evenings at home only to find out when they emerge from their self-imposed isolation, the community around them has worsened. 106
Session : A Teen Leader's Community This session is designed to encourage you to become involved in the community and world in which you live. After summarizing the Introduction explain to TL's that in years past community involvement in the urban community was revered and expected. I. I AM A CITIZEN Your Involvement Matters We are all a part of a community. Where you live, shop, work and play are all a part of a geographical location where the majority of your life is lived. Whether good or bad, you are a contributor to the health or dysfunction of your community. In the 60 s and 70 s, African Americans were being educated in unprecedented numbers and community and political activism was a part of the black experience. The hallowed halls of the great men and women who sacrificed their freedom and some of them there lives will forever be a part of the Black heritage. In the 60's, this type of community activism confronted racial injustice, leveled the field of education and opened countless doors for minorities. As a citizen of the United States, you play a major role in being a positive force in your community and as a leader, your community expects and needs you to contribute. 107
Session : A Teen Leader's Community Begin discussion on Community Components. Explain there are many components that make up their community. Ask them to name a few and jot their responses down. SAFETY WORSHIP EDUCATION WE ALL PLAY A PART BEAUTY UNITY GROWTH After Community Component discussion, ask TL's how they feel about the community in which they live. Complete the following sentence to describe how you feel about your community. My neighborhood is. My house is. I my community. Examining how you feel about your community will help you reflect on your involvement and also determine if it is the community you want to be connected to. 10
Session : A Teen Leader's Community II. Community Involvement Beyond paying your taxes, not committing crime and raising your children responsibly, you can further impact your community through your time, talents and treasures. Many people, once they reach a certain financial level move out of the hood, never realizing the positive influence they could have made. How to Get Involved 1 2 3 4 5 Volunteer Your city parks and recreation department often have numerous opportunities to volunteer. Attend a Community Meeting Often government officials hold meetings that discuss changes in zoning, infrastructure, etc. This often affects your standard of living. Attend one to find out what s going on around you. Be Courteous You can t control how others behave but you can monitor your own actions. Be the light in the room. Support Community Events If possible, attend your city s community fair, art show or block party. This is a great way to connect with your neighbors. Take Ownership Taking ownership of your community will motivate your concern for your neighbors and the future of your community. After Community Involvement discussion, ask TL's to list what they like or dislike about their community. Bad Good Kids roaming around Schools are poor People littering Rude people in the stores, etc. Great location Not too much traffic Clean Familiar How do you positively or negatively impact your community? Response Examples: Positive Raise my children Don t commit crime Negative Let my children run wild Close my door and don t watch out for neighbors 109
Girl s program Support Business I vote Support church and charity Keep my house and street clean Session : A Teen Leader's Community Don t support community activities I leave my neighborhood to dine and shop Don t vote Don t give to my local church or charity Litter After discussion on positive and negative community impact, move to discussion on community involvement through political awareness and activism. III. POLITICAL AWARENESS AND ACTIVISM As a Teen Leader, the political process affects you. From reproductive rights, to vaccination legislation, the people you put in office pass laws that impact programs that affect your life. As an American citizen, you have the right and the responsibility to vote. The only way the voice of the people is heard is through the ballot box. African Americans were not allowed to vote until the passage the 15 th Amendment. Many died so that future generations of blacks would not be disenfranchised during the political process. Females were not able to vote until August 1920 with the passage of the 19th Amendment. The movement for equality spearheaded the movement for women to have a voice. Explain to TL's there are many ways for them to get involved politically. Political Involvement Made Easy Register to vote (encourage family and friends to register). Do your homework: Research the candidates. Know where they stand on the issues. Especially the issues that impact your freedom of religion, your family, your health, money and standard of living. Vote on both the local and national level. All politicians begin on the local level. It s best to vet them early before they 12 reach the national stage. Attend town hall meetings or watch the debates on television. Venture out and meet the candidates running for office in your local community, school district or precinct races. 15 th Amendment granted Blacks the Right to Vote Reproduction of the first African American man voting. Women s Right To Vote 19 th Amendment 110
13 Session : A Teen Leader's Community Work on a campaign. If there is truly a candidate that excites you and stands for what you believe, support them by donating or lending your expertise to the campaign. Elections determine judges, senators, congressmen, and most important President of the United States. Knowing where candidates stand on the issues will help you make a more informed choice and by working on a campaign you can assure your morals and values are being represented. Inform TL's voting begins with registering to vote. Review the steps to registering to vote. Distribute voter registration cards. Explain though it is not possible for them to participate in every election, they should make every effort to vote as often as they can. Distribute rules for voting in their community so you can address any issues prior to election day. After discussion, move to global citizenship discussion. IV. Global Citizenship Your neighborhood is part of a larger city. Each city is a part of a larger state and country. There was a time when you knew everyone on the block, but now with such a mobile society you may live next to people of all different nationalities whom you don t know personally. As a global citizen, you must always respect and know your heritage first so that you can successfully embrace the cultures of others. The more you do business with people beyond the American borders, the more you learn about the people who live in the world around you. Because of the expansion of the American population, we are no longer just neighbors to people who look alike, but we now live in a global society where we work, play and socialize with all types of people. 111 Explain to TL's there are many things they can do to become more globally savvy.
Become Globally Savvy Experience new food Learn a new language Visit a multi-cultural museum Take an international trip Take a trip around the world online Know your own heritage Session : A Teen Leader's Community Expand your capacity for learning about people outside of your own cultural experience. You want to know because you will eventually have to do business with everyone. Begin appreciating other cultures and celebrating your own. Explain TL's will participate in an upcoming Community Service Project. Distribute the paperwork regarding the proposed time, place, attire, etc. After discussion, close the meeting with prayer and refreshments. Community Service Project Suggestions Host a community job/college fair or volunteer at one Host a Government Information Fair for those needing assistance or volunteer at one Help a new mother clean her house Help someone elderly organize their home Distribute heaters during winter and fans during the summer Take up a donation to sponsor a young man or woman who can t afford camp tuition. THERE ARE COUNTELESS THINGS DO! Class Wrap Up { } Defined Citizenship Examine Community Impact and Service Political Involvement and Activism Global Citizenship 112
Session : A Teen Leader's Community The following exercise will help you plan a Community Service Project that impacts the lives of people in need in your community. Name of Group Community Service Project Planning Worksheet Members of Group Service Project Service Site Site Contact Contact Phone # Date of Project Action Plan Responsibility Schedule the Project Contact the Facility Coordinate Transportation Prepare Activities Secure Gifts (If applicable) Inform TL's Take Pictures Special Notes 113