Government-in-Action+Hours+&+Civic+Action+Reaction+Paper

= Government-in-Action Assignment=

Students are to attend at least two different types of meetings OR become involved in a political campaign by the end of the Third Marking Period as part of this project. Attendance or participation has to be from this calendar school year (since August 28th).

There is NO hour requirement for this assignment - just that you participate in two activities (or one activity over multiple days). You may attend more than the two required but you will not receive any additional points for doing so. Typically, two experiences have proved to be enough participation to fulfill the paper length requirement.

After attending the meetings, you are to write a five page reaction paper (double-spaced) based on your experiences. The purpose of this requirement is for you to see how what we have discussed in class is implemented at the local, state and national levels.

How should the paper be laid out?

 * Describe the meeting/event (what made you choose to attend that event, what type of individuals were there, where did it take place, etc.)
 * Explain the process (how was it run, who ran the meeting/event, what was discussed, etc)
 * It is recommended that you take notes and gather any documents distributed during the meeting
 * Involvement (did you get involved in some way, was it possible to get involved, how was it possible, etc)
 * Reaction to the meeting/event (your opinion and impressions, successful or unsuccessful, good or bad example of democracy, etc)
 * Repeat for second (or any additional) events

What type of "Action" are you looking for?
Involvement in any organization that involves attributes that are discussed in your textbook. Examples of which are:
 * Volunteering with the [|Department of Elections] ([|Student Poll Worker Application])
 * Must be 16 by Election Day (November 6th)
 * Volunteering for a Political Party
 * [|Delaware Democratic Party]
 * [|Delaware Republican Party]
 * Volunteering for a Political Campaign (Election Day on Nov. 6th - bold indicates incumbent)
 * Presidential Campaign
 * **[|Barack Obama / Joe Biden (D)]**
 * [|Mitt Romney / Paul Ryan (R)]
 * Delaware Congressional Seats
 * U.S. Senate: **[|Tom Carper (D)]** vs. [|Kevin Wade] (R)
 * U.S. House of Representatives: **[|John Carney (D)]** vs. [|Tom Kovach] (R)
 * State Level Offices
 * Governor: **[|Jack Markell (D)]** vs. [|Jeff Cragg] (R)
 * Lt. Governor: **[|Matt Denn (D)]** vs. [|Sher Valenzuela] (R)
 * Newark/Pike Creek Area [|Delaware State Senate Districts]: 8, 9, 10 and 11
 * 8th District: **[|Dave Sokola (D)]** vs. [|Bill Stritzinger] (R)
 * 9th District: **[|Karen Peterson (D)]** vs. (no Republican candidate)
 * 10th District: [|Bethany Hall-Long (D)] vs. (no Republican candidate)
 * 11th District: [|Bryan Townsend] (D) vs. [|Evan Queitsch] (R)
 * Newark/Pike Creek Area [|Delaware State House Districts]: 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26
 * 21st District: **[|Michael Ramone (R)]** vs. (no Democratic candidate)
 * 22nd District: **[|Joe Miro (R)]** vs. [|David Ellis] (D)
 * 23rd District: [|Paul Baumbach] (D) vs. Mark Doughty (R)
 * 24th District: **[|Ed Osienski (D)]** vs. (no Republican candidate)
 * 25th District: **[|John Kowalko (D)]** vs. (no Republican candidate)
 * 26th District: **[|John Viola (D)]** vs. (no Republican candidate)
 * New Castle County Offices
 * County Council President: [|Christopher Bullock (D)] vs. [|Mike Protack] (R)
 * County Executive: [|Thomas Gordon (D)] vs. [|Mark Blake] (R)
 * Newark/Pike Creek Area [|New Castle County Council Districts]: 3, 5, 9, and 11
 * 9th District: **[|Tim Sheldon (D)]** vs. [|Scot Sauer] (R)
 * 11th District: [|Dave Tackett (D)] vs. (no Republican candidate)
 * Volunteering with an Interest Group or Citizens Advocacy Group (examples of election groups are found below):
 * [|League of Women Voters]
 * [|The League of First Time Voters]
 * [|Rock the Vote]
 * [|Divided We Fail]

Seeking to get informed about how governmental groups influence you by attending (and maybe even participating in them). Examples of student-led opportunities are:
 * Student Government (Freccia)
 * Junior Statesmen of America (Wharton)
 * RAP Club (Morano)
 * Key Club (Carmack)
 * Jefferson Award Committee (Morano)
 * Eagle Scout Project
 * [|Model United Nations] (run by the Kirkwood Highway branch of the YMCA - fee involved / thru January)
 * [|Youth in Government] (run by the Kirkwood Highway branch of the YMCA - fee involved / starts in February)
 * Leadership Positions or Participation at Leadership Conferences on behalf of a non-gov based organization (BAASU, FFA, BPA)

Seeking to get informed about how governmental groups influence you by attending (and maybe even participating in them). Examples of these "adult-level" opportunities are:
 * [|School District Board Meetings](linked to the Christina School District website)
 * Board Meetings
 * Strategic Plan Meetings
 * Code of Conduct Review Meetings
 * Civic Association Meetings (dependent on your apartment building or development)
 * [|Pike Creek Area]
 * [|Newark Area]
 * City or Town Council Meetings ([|Newark], [|Wilmington], [|Middletown])
 * Town and Gown Meetings (University of Delaware)
 * Meetings/Guest Speakers or Lectures at the [|University of Delaware]
 * [|County Council Meetings] (New Castle County)
 * [|DELDOT Public Hearings] (state transportation issues and discussions)
 * [|Delaware House or Senate] (visit the State Government)
 * [|U.S. House or Senate] (visit the National Government)
 * [|U.S. Supreme Court] (visit the U.S. Supreme Court)