““I will carry this commitment with me, I will carry this commitment with me, this year and beyond.”this year and beyond.”

AmeriCorps AmeriCorps Citizenship TrainingCitizenship Training

Presented by Clare PhillipsBaltimore Site Director, Notre Dame – AmeriCorpsBaltimore: EIC TeamSpring 2005______________________________________403 Markland Avenue ● Baltimore, MD 21212410 – 532 – 6864 x20 ● cphillips@ndmva.org

ObjectivesObjectives

Explore the idea of the “American Explore the idea of the “American Dream”Dream”

Revisit America’s historyRevisit America’s history What does it mean to be an active What does it mean to be an active

citizen?citizen? How can I become engaged in my How can I become engaged in my

community?community? How can I carry my AmeriCorps How can I carry my AmeriCorps

commitment with me, this year and commitment with me, this year and beyond?beyond?

What does the phrase, What does the phrase, “The American Dream,” “The American Dream,”

mean to you?mean to you?

Is living “The American Dream”

possible?

The Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration of Independence Written in 1776Written in 1776 Created by the 13 Created by the 13

original coloniesoriginal colonies Composed as a Composed as a

statement of freedomstatement of freedom Framework for Framework for

America’s government America’s government and cultural structureand cultural structure

Laid the groundwork Laid the groundwork for the Constitutionfor the Constitution

Photo from: http://stockholm.usembassy.gov/usflag/images/dunlap.jpg

A Place at the Table:A Place at the Table:Struggles for Equality in AmericaStruggles for Equality in America

Created by the Southern Poverty Law Created by the Southern Poverty Law CenterCenter

A Project under the Teaching A Project under the Teaching Tolerance ProgramTolerance Program

Focuses on the history of America by Focuses on the history of America by exploring the cultures and identities exploring the cultures and identities that have helped to create itthat have helped to create it

Why is it important for these people Why is it important for these people to tell their stories?to tell their stories?

Is there anyone in the movie with Is there anyone in the movie with whose story you most identify?whose story you most identify?

What challenges still face our What challenges still face our nation in making the American nation in making the American Dream possible for everyone?Dream possible for everyone?

CitizenshipCitizenship3 Main Functions3 Main Functions

Civics:Civics: Government and the service Government and the service it deliversit delivers

Community Service Volunteers:Community Service Volunteers: Citizens who serve in their Citizens who serve in their communitiescommunities

Paid Public Service:Paid Public Service: Citizens who Citizens who are paid for providing public service are paid for providing public service

Personal Mission StatementPersonal Mission StatementAdapted from Adapted from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective PeopleThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

by Steven Coveyby Steven Covey

While it’s true that all things are While it’s true that all things are created twice, not all first creations created twice, not all first creations

are by conscious design. are by conscious design.

If we do not develop our own If we do not develop our own

self-knowledge and become self-knowledge and become responsible for our first creations, responsible for our first creations,

other people or circumstances other people or circumstances

will shape our choices for us.will shape our choices for us.

“

”

My Personal Mission StatementMy Personal Mission Statement “The Blueprint”“The Blueprint”

In what ways was I civically engaged In what ways was I civically engaged before joining AmeriCorps?before joining AmeriCorps?

How have my community/global How have my community/global interests changed?interests changed?

What will I do to continue with my What will I do to continue with my civic engagement?civic engagement?

The AmeriCorps PledgeThe AmeriCorps Pledge

I will get things done for America – to make our I will get things done for America – to make our people safe, smarter, and healthier. I will people safe, smarter, and healthier. I will

bring Americans together to strengthen our bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take communities. Faced with apathy, I will take

action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere.

I will carry this commitment with me, I will carry this commitment with me, this year and beyond.this year and beyond.

I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.”things done.”

ResourcesResources

A Place at the Table: Struggles for A Place at the Table: Struggles for Equality in AmericaEquality in America. Hudson and . Hudson and Houston. Teaching Tolerance, 2000.Houston. Teaching Tolerance, 2000.

Corporation for National and Corporation for National and Community Service. Community Service. By The People: By The People: A Facilitator’s GuideA Facilitator’s Guide. Washington: . Washington: CHP International, August 2001.CHP International, August 2001.