1. 1-3: Duties and Responsibilities of American Citizens
Discuss the following within your groups:
What is your group’s definition of “Community”?
Provide some ex’s of various communities that you may be a part of
Pick a couple of the communities mentioned and think about the duties and responsibilities you have as a member. (Remember duties must be done and responsibilities should be done)

2. Duties & Responsibilities
Responsibilities: Things that we should do or “ought” to do as citizens. (Contribute to betterment of society)
Duties: Actions that we are required to perform as citizens. (Legal duties)

3. Which is it?? Paying Taxes? How does gov’t. use our tax $’s?
What types of taxes exist?
Donating Time and Money?
Volunteerism: The practice of offering your time and services to others without receiving payment.
- Over 63 million adults do some vol. work
- U.S. has over 1 million charities
- Nat’l. service programs (PeaceCorps, Americorps, seniorcorps)
- What are some ex’s that you have done?

4. Respect the rights of others?
Which One?
Respect the rights of others?
Tolerance: Respecting and accepting others, regardless of differences (Respecting private/ public property)
Attending School?: Most states have laws until at least 16.
Serving in Court? Every adult citizen must be prepared to serve on a jury.
Obey Laws?
Laws- Sets of rules that allow people to live together peacefully. (Keep order)

5. Be an informed and active citizen? (More than just voting) Voting?
Which One?
Defend the Nation?
Selective Service System: Gov’t. agency that keeps record of all males (ages 18-25)
Draft: A call to military service (last done in 1973)
Be an informed and active citizen? (More than just voting)
Voting?
Most Important (Consent of the governed)
Contribute to the Common Good
How can this be done?