Video Clip and Discussion Guide: An important part of being in a community is interdependence. The members of any community share ideas and responsibilities for maintaining and improving the community. This film clip shows two examples of communities forming through collaboration, or collective action, around an idea for improvement. 

Video Clip and Discussion Guide: The board of directors is the decision-making group responsible for maintaining the mission of a nonprofit organization. It is a volunteer position in which board members develop a network and career and life skills. The organization benefits from the different skills of the members of the board (trustees). 

Video Clip and Discussion Guide: The government cannot and will not take care of all of society's needs. In all countries, there is a balance of what needs are addressed by government, by business, and by philanthropy (or the nonprofit sector). In the U.S. where the government is relatively small and limited, the nonprofit sector addresses many needs where there are gaps between government and business. Because of the good philanthropy does for all, there are tax benefits for nonprofits and for people who donate to philanthropy. 

What are the forces in our lives that separate us from the outdoors today, and what can we do to fuel up on the power of nature? In this lesson, young people research the benefits of being outside and the human impact on the environment or about environmental justice issues with a local impact.  Then they make a service-learning plan to take action to protect nature and get others outside in nature or to address an enviromental justice issue they've identified. This lesson is suitable for physical education, biology, geography, and English classes. 

Learners use visual literacy skills to analyze the components and message of an image. The students identify issues that are meaningful to them and create a simple image/message and then design a social media campaign to advocate for their issue. 

One of the fundamental purposes for education is to prepare youth for responsible citizenship. This includes caring for others and the common good, understanding how government and voting work, following current events, listening to diverse points of view and having civil conversations, and advocating for a cause. This toolkit includes background information and project ideas related to civic participation.

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