CITIZENSHIP

LEARN HOW YOUR COMMUNITY IS RUN
A BIG CITY usually has a large full-time government. Officials in a
smaller town might be men and women who serve part-time, often
without pay. In either case, a city council and a mayor, city manager, or
tribal leader are elected by the people of the community to look after
local affairs.
City council meetings are usually open to the public. The same is true
of county, slate, and lederal sessions of elected bodies. By watching
meetings, you can see how decisions affecting the public are made.
That's one 01 the ways you and other citizens can determine whether or
not olficials are making the choices you want them to make. Talk with
your Scoutmaster about taking the troop to see a government meeting.
You can also visit directly with many local leaders. Write or call their
olfices lor an appointment. Public olficials are busy, but they enjoy talking
with the people they represent. Before you go, write down the questions
you would like to have them answer. Perhaps you are interested in how
a mayor does his or her job. Maybe you have seen a problem in your
neighborhood tbat you feel a city council member sbould know about,
and you wanl to suggest a
solution. By answering your
questions now and by being
supportive of your interests,
leaders are helping to ensure a
better community tomorrow.

VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
A mayor or city council mem4
ber will tell you that government
cannol provide every
service a community needs.
That's where volunteer organizations
step in-groups whose
members donate their time
and energy to get things done.