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Disaster Relief - Generosity and Leadership! (9-12)
  1. Strand PHIL.I Definitions of Philanthropy
    1. Standard DP 01. Define Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark MS.1 Define philanthropy as individuals and organizations providing their time, talent, and/or treasures intended for the common good throughout history and around the world. Give examples.
      2. Benchmark HS.1 Define philanthropy to include giving and sharing; volunteering; and private individual action intended for the common good. Explain how a volunteer individual/group can act for the common good.
      3. Benchmark HS.2 Identify and discuss examples of philanthropy and charity in modern culture.
      4. Benchmark MS.4 Give examples of how individuals have helped others.
      5. Benchmark MS.5 Identify the business, government, family, and civil society sectors.
    2. Standard DP 02. Roles of Government, Business, and Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark MS.1 Describe how different needs are met in different ways by government, business, civil society, and family.
      2. Benchmark HS.1 Explain why needs are met in different ways by government, business, civil society and family.
      3. Benchmark MS.6 Identify significant contributions to society that come from the civil society sector.
    3. Standard DP 04. Operational Characteristics of Nonprofit Organizations
      1. Benchmark MS.1 State the purpose of a mission statement and describe how civil society organization mission statements relate to philanthropy.
    4. Standard DP 06. Role of Family in Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark HS.2 Compare and discuss the interaction of families, business, government, and the civil society sector in a democratic society.
      2. Benchmark HS.3 Identify how subgroups and families in society demonstrate giving, volunteering, and civic involvement.
  2. Strand PHIL.II Philanthropy and Civil Society
    1. Standard PCS 03. Philanthropy and Economics
      1. Benchmark HS.4 Give examples of how civil society sector giving by individuals and corporations can impact communities.
      2. Benchmark HS.7 Explain why the civil society sector rather than the government or private sectors address particular economic areas.
    2. Standard PCS 04. Philanthropy and Geography
      1. Benchmark HS.2 Identify and describe how civil society sector organizations help people nationally and internationally.
    3. Standard PCS 07. Skills of Civic Engagement
      1. Benchmark MS.1 Identify and research public or social issues in the community, nation or the world related to the common good. Form an opinion, and develop and present a persuasive argument using communication tools.
      2. Benchmark MS.2 Discuss a public policy issue affecting the common good and demonstrate respect and courtesy for differing opinions.
      3. Benchmark MS.3 Participate in acts of democratic citizenship in the classroom or school, such as voting, group problem solving, classroom governance or elections.
      4. Benchmark HS.1 Utilize the persuasive power of written or oral communication as an instrument of change in the community, nation or the world.
      5. Benchmark HS.3 Participate in acts of democratic citizenship in the community, state or nation, such as petitioning authority, advocating, voting, group problem solving, mock trials or classroom governance and elections.
  3. Strand PHIL.IV Volunteering and Service
    1. Standard VS 02. Service and Learning
      1. Benchmark MS.1 Select a service project based on interests, abilities and research.
      2. Benchmark HS.1 Select a service project based on interests, abilities, and research.
    2. Standard VS 03. Providing Service
      1. Benchmark HS.1 Provide a needed service.
      2. Benchmark MS.3 Describe the task and the student role.
      3. Benchmark HS.3 Describe the task and the student role.
    3. Standard VS 04. Raising Private Resources
      1. Benchmark HS.1 Build a case for giving, explaining why resources (volunteers and money) are needed.
    4. Standard VS 05. Integrating the Service Experience into Learning
      1. Benchmark MS.3 Identify outcomes from the service.
      2. Benchmark HS.3 Identify outcomes from the service.

Learners research a natural disaster and the role of the four economic sectors in responding to the needs. They participate in a donation campaign or other service project and learn about organizations to which they can contribute their philanthropy. 

Focus Question: How can we best help people who are victims of a natural disaster?

Duration: 
PrintOne 50-Minute Session, plus time for a service project
Objectives: 

The learner will:

  • define philanthropy and its relationship to the four economic sectors.
  • research philanthropic organizations involved in disaster relief efforts.
  • organize and carry out a collection drive and contribute to a nonprofit organization(s).
Materials: 
  • copies of handouts below
Bibliography: 
Instructions: 
Print

  1. Anticipatory Set

    Talk about the current events or disaster coming up in conversations or in the news. Listen to and ask young people about the facts they are hearing and their concerns and feelings about the events. Clarify the information the students share and help them locate the area affected on a map. It may be helpful to teach them how to check the reliability of facts and sources.

    Build empathy for the people impacted by the situation. Tell them that many young people just like them are experiencing loss because of the disaster. Ask the youth to reflect on why someone might want to help the victims of the disaster by writing notes, donating money, or sharing goods in response to this crisis.

  2. After a natural disaster (like a hurricane or earthquake), many people and organizations want to help the people who experience loss of homes, loved ones, and other resources. Discuss the kinds of needs people might have after they are hit by a disaster (shelter, food, clothes, water, a way to contact loved ones, health care).

  3. Review and define the three civil society sectors: For-profit, Nonprofit, and Government. See the handout below: Sector Information for Discussion. All of these sectors contribute in times of hardship.

    Define the word philanthropy as sharing time, talent, and treasure, and taking action for the common good. (The nonprofit sector is also known as the philanthropic sector.) Discuss specific ideas of how the different sectors can support victims of a disaster (volunteering, fundraising), what treasures they can share (money, food, clothing, blankets), and what talents may be valuable (engineers, doctors, builders).

  4. Describe how the sectors are working together to respond to the current disaster:

    • The president of the United States will react to the news of the disaster with a public statement of purpose. What government help has been promised to the victims?
    • The president and media will appeal to the household sector for help. Discuss how that relates to philanthropy. How are individuals stepping up to serve and why?
    • Different nonprofit organizations will be active in the disaster area. Discuss what types of resources and services they will offer? Where does their money come from?
    • For-profit organizations will contribute money and other resources. What are their possible motivations for giving?

  5. Ask the learners how they could mobilize the power, generosity, and leadership of young people in their community to respond to the disaster? Brainstorm possible service projects and discuss what information they need in order to decide on a plan.

  6. Using the handouts related to conducting research and relief organizations, have youth collect information online and by interviewing people at local organizations. Tell them to gather information, ideas, and support in preparation for making a decision to take action.

  7. The handout (below) Web of Concern is a model for discussing the different areas of concern in a disaster. Put one area in the center circle (on a display board) and have the learners brainstorm the possible needs and issues related to the area of concern. Discuss the young people's research and information gathering efforts to determine a plan of action for a service project.

  8. Discuss the steps necessary to carry out the project and increase participation in the larger community.

  9. Volunteers may take on projects such as the following: Create a series of posters to advertise the efforts and provide facts and information. Create a theme song/rap to attract the attention of as many potential philanthropists as possible. Write a letter or record an interview about the natural disaster and the efforts of the relief agency the young people support.