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[Print this page as a handout for the members of the civic club or organization.] <br /> <br />How you can promote the tradition of civic participation <br /> <br />* Adopt a class at any grade level at a local school and offer your help in bringing in local resource people as relevant topics come up. <br />All teachers are pressed for time and new teachers, especially, will appreciate the help in locating speakers who can talk to kids and have <br />something to offer. Think big. Ask the County Elections Director to bring in a polling booth and show students what voting method is used in <br />your county. Have the Planning Director bring in the developer's model for a project that's now complete, to discuss the concerns raised by <br />citizens, the Planning Board, and elected officials, and how these issues were resolved. Invite the coordinator of a local festival to bring in the <br />planning calendar from last year's event and ask the kids to brainstorm the many jobs that need to be done and by whom. If you are hesitant to <br />pick up the phone and ask one of these people to help out, imagine how unlikely it is that a teacher would consider it. <br /> <br /> * Make contact with the ELP or government teachers at your local high schools and ask how the members of your organization can help <br />~W-~ in bringing civics to life. <br /> Maybe you could organize a panel of speakers to share their feelings about serving in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. <br /> A member who is a local business owner could talk about the Chamber of Commerce and what it does for your community. Perhaps you could <br /> offer to match any student-raised funds to cover the costs ora day trip to the state Capitol to see the legislature in session. <br /> <br /> * Sponsor a shadowing program, a morning or all-day event that's often scheduled for "Groundhog Day." <br />This event gives students a first-hand look at a local government or non-profit career. Your contribution would be the time to line up community <br />members to participate and to match up participants and students. You would also need to cover the cost of transporting students from school to <br />the site and back, and possibly a luncheon for all participants. So that students realize this is not just a free day away from class, let them know . <br />that during the luncheon or some other wrap-up activity, they will have to cite one thing they've learned. We can put you in touch with groups <br />who have experience with this kind of event, who can give you ideas, sample permission forms, and guidance for planning the whole thing. <br /> <br /> * Design your next community project to include participation by young people, at whatever age level seems appropriate. <br />Use an elementary school as your setting and invite students to serve as ushers, distributing programs for a community ceremony or performance. <br />Sponsor a contest for middle-school students to design a poster or flyer advertising your next event. Offer to help a high school class with their <br />next fundraiser in exchange for their help with your next pancake dinner or brunswick stew. Pair up each student with a member and be sure to <br />explain how you'll be using the proceeds of your fundraiser and what other projects you've undertaken in the community. <br /> <br />I ! I I I I I I ! I I I I l' <br /> <br /> <br />