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Power to the People

Grades: 
9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: 
Philanthropy
Social Studies
Keywords & Concepts: 
Citizenship/Civic Engagement
Core Democratic Values

Participants research leaders who used the nonprofit sector as an alternative power structure to make positive changes in society. They will identify the Core Democratic Values that each leader focused on.

Duration 
PrintOne 55-Minute Session
Objectives 

The learner will:

  • define and illustrate the core democratic values.
  • explain how marginalized individuals and groups used the nonprofit sector as an alternative power source to make positive changes in society.
Materials 
  • Core Democratic Values handout
  • Philanthropic Historical Leader Websites handout
  • printed copies of Philanthropic Leader Scavenger Hunt handout
Reflection 

Preview this video of Madam C.J. Walker

Related Resources 

Instructions

Print

  1. Anticipatory Set:

    Watch the YouTube video Madam C.J. Walker - Successful Business Woman. Discuss how she acted for the common good. Discuss her character traits and make a list for all to see. 

  2. Share the Core Democratic Values handout and read their definitions. Look at the list made about Madam C.J. Walker and identify her character traits that align with Core Democratic Values.

  3. Often in history, the protection of minority voices is sought by private action, not the government. Individuals often use organizations in the nonprofit sector to hold people in power accountable for their actions on behalf of the public.

  4. Philanthropic Leader Scavenger Hunt

    Share the Philanthropic Historical Leader Websites handout and distribute printed copies of the Philanthropic Leader Scavenger Hunt document. 

    In teams of 2 - 3, participants use the provided website links to “hunt” for historical leaders who exemplify each Core Democratic Value. Each leader should be listed only once. The team with the most matched leaders, and sufficient justifications win! Allow approximately 25 minutes for this activity.

  5. Discuss

    • Which team won?
    • What is the most interesting thing participants learned about a historical leader, during the scavenger hunt?
    • Why is private action important to the protection of minority voices? Which historical leaders demonstrated this the best?
    • What are the ways citizens have used organizations in the nonprofit sector to hold people in power accountable for their actions on behalf of the public?

  6. Service: The participants find local organizations where they can volunteer or contribute through the Independent Sector website. They scroll down to the section titled “The Sector in Your State” and click on the state in which they live.

Philanthropy Framework

  1. Strand PHIL.II Philanthropy and Civil Society
    1. Standard PCS 01. Self, citizenship, and society
      1. Benchmark HS.5 Describe civil society advocacy organizations and their relationship to human rights.
    2. Standard PCS 02. Diverse Cultures
      1. Benchmark HS.5 Describe how women and minority groups have used the civil society sector as an alternative power structure.
      2. Benchmark HS.7 Identify and give examples of the important roles women and minorities have played in the civil society sector in history.
    3. Standard PCS 05. Philanthropy and Government
      1. Benchmark HS.10 Discuss the results of private citizen voluntary action intended for the common good on public policy changes.
      2. Benchmark HS.12 Explain why private action is important to the protection of minority voices.
      3. Benchmark HS.14 Give examples of how citizens have used organizations in the civil society sector to hold people in power accountable for their actions on behalf of the public.
      4. Benchmark HS.4 Identify and discuss civil society sector organizations working to protect individual rights, equity, and justice.
      5. Benchmark HS.6 Give examples of civil society sector organizations implementing fundamental democratic principles throughout history.
  2. Strand PHIL.III Philanthropy and the Individual
    1. Standard PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark HS.10 Identify reasons why historic figures acted for the common good.