Citizenship in the Community - Req. 3 Meeting attendance

[ranovak]

Requirement 3 says to attend a city or town council, school board, etc., meeting. Our local city council puts videos of all council meetings on their website, indexed to their written agenda. One of the boys asked if it were OK to view a city council meeting over the web on the video and then make his report for this requirement based on the topic debate in that meeting, as an alternative to actually attending the meeting in person. Several other scouts were also interested in that. None of the boys has any physical or other conditions that would preclude them from attending a meeting in person.

After viewing the city website and one of the videos, I would be inclined to allow them to do this for Req. 3, except for the wording that says "Attend...". Can anyone offer advice?

[wagionvigil]

ATtend means attend

[evmori]

Yep. Attend means go to the meeting & sit down & watch & take notes.

[ThunderingWind]

Most MBCs around here also require the boys to wear thier uniform (if they own one, and most know who does/does not).

I know, cannot add to or subtract from the requirements. But the methode of the Uniform is getting a big push in this area.

[smtroop168]

Requirement 3 says to attend a city or town council, school board, etc., meeting. Our local city council puts videos of all council meetings on their website, indexed to their written agenda. One of the boys asked if it were OK to view a city council meeting over the web on the video and then make his report for this requirement based on the topic debate in that meeting, as an alternative to actually attending the meeting in person. Several other scouts were also interested in that. None of the boys has any physical or other conditions that would preclude them from attending a meeting in person.

After viewing the city website and one of the videos, I would be inclined to allow them to do this for Req. 3, except for the wording that says "Attend...". Can anyone offer advice?

First...welcome to the forum.

To me attend means "be present at". I know technology has come along way but this MB requirement is meant for the scout to see the personal dynamics of this kind of meeting "live".

Have the scouts go as a group (we went as a group of 7 in uniform a year or so ago) and trade ideas on what each one heard or thought they heard. They can also use this as a double dip for Communications MB req #5.

[wagionvigil]

Requirement 3 says to attend a city or town council, school board, etc., meeting. Our local city council puts videos of all council meetings on their website, indexed to their written agenda. One of the boys asked if it were OK to view a city council meeting over the web on the video and then make his report for this requirement based on the topic debate in that meeting, as an alternative to actually attending the meeting in person. Several other scouts were also interested in that. None of the boys has any physical or other conditions that would preclude them from attending a meeting in person.

After viewing the city website and one of the videos, I would be inclined to allow them to do this for Req. 3, except for the wording that says "Attend...". Can anyone offer advice?

First...welcome to the forum.

To me attend means "be present at". I know technology has come along way but this MB requirement is meant for the scout to see the personal dynamics of this kind of meeting "live".

Have the scouts go as a group (we went as a group of 7 in uniform a year or so ago) and trade ideas on what each one heard or thought they heard. They can also use this as a double dip for Communications MB req #5.

Wow you mean you can actually do one thing and count it twice? how cool is that?

[evmori]

Yes they can providing the Communications MB counselor will accept a requirement that is completed prior to the badge being started.

[wagionvigil]

Yes they can providing the Communications MB counselor will accept a requirement that is completed prior to the badge being started.

Ed I was being funny. I have heard so many times from SM's that no you cannot do that and I always say yes you can.

[alex gregory]

I'll join in the chorus that "attend" means attend, not watch on the screen.

I take a group of Scouts to State court every year to satisfy CIC Req. 3. They guys attend a couple of court hearings, visit with a judge, and then over lunch we talk about it. Going to court also fits in well with a lot of the discussion topics that are required for Cit. in Nation Req. 4

[smtroop168]

Yes they can providing the Communications MB counselor will accept a requirement that is completed prior to the badge being started.

The classic example of using one for many is the CPR requirement which is found in at least 10 different MBs. So what's that called "deca-ruple"?

[evmori]

Yeah I know you were wagon! My response was actually for everyone else!

[WeeWillie]

Ranovak
The purpose of the Advancement Program is to teach a skill and or reinforce a Scout Value. Too many Scouts and Leaders lose sight of that in their effort to make Advancement effortless and convenient. Active citizenship in neither. Today is election day in many locales, including Sierra Vista, AZ. I had to take time out of my busy schedule to vote. I voted in part because over 40 years ago the importance of active citizenship was reinforced when I earned Citizenship in the Community. Technology to record city council meetings for internet viewing has been arround for quite some time. Citizenship in the Community MB has been revised at least 3 times in the last 10 years yet the requirement to ATTEND a meeting has remained at least 40.

There is a lot that goes on in a meeting besides what the camera records. There are: off camera comments and expressions; audience reaction; slides, charts and models used by speakers; and audio and visual problems. Non-attendance doesn't include that information.

We attend city council meetings as a troop. Our younger Scouts can complete Flag Ceremony, meet with a public official, Communications MB, Cit in the Community... It also reminds the community that Scouting is an active part of the community.

There are differences in the Cit in the Community and Communications meeting requirements. If you are going to double dip, you must meet each element of each requirement. The MB book explains it all!

[smtroop168]

There are differences in the Cit in the Community and Communications meeting requirements. If you are going to double dip, you must meet each element of each requirement. The MB book explains it all!

Agree with Wee....Here are the two requirements. They are pretty darn close.

CIT IN COMM #3 Do the following:
a. Attend a city or town council or school board meeting, or a municipal; county, or state court session.
b. Choose one of the issues discussed at the meeting where a difference of opinions was expressed, and explain to your counselor why you agree with one opinion more than you do another one.


COMMS #5 Attend a public meeting (city council, school board, debate) approved by your counselor where several points of view are given on a single issue. Practice active listening skills and take careful notes of each point of view. Present an objective report that includes all points of view that were expressed, and share this with your counselor.

[evmori]

There are differences in the Cit in the Community and Communications meeting requirements. If you are going to double dip, you must meet each element of each requirement. The MB book explains it all!

Agree with Wee....Here are the two requirements. They are pretty darn close.

CIT IN COMM #3 Do the following:
a. Attend a city or town council or school board meeting, or a municipal; county, or state court session.
b. Choose one of the issues discussed at the meeting where a difference of opinions was expressed, and explain to your counselor why you agree with one opinion more than you do another one.


COMMS #5 Attend a public meeting (city council, school board, debate) approved by your counselor where several points of view are given on a single issue. Practice active listening skills and take careful notes of each point of view. Present an objective report that includes all points of view that were expressed, and share this with your counselor.

And both can be fulfilled by attending one meeting providing the Scout is already working on both MB's or the MB counselor is willing to accept work that was completed prior to the Scout starting the MB.