Ken Baker recently joined REES’ Healthcare and Interior Design in Atlanta to lead the Senior Living practice.  Well known in the senior living industry, Baker has also had a high visibility career in government relations, including serving as Regional Executive for the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor.  Baker serves as a vice president on the REES management team, and works to continue to build the firm’s senior living practice. . From 1988-1990, Baker founded and served as president of The Lincoln Company, Inc. in Atlanta, offering strategic marketing and government affairs planning to businesses. From 1984-1988, he held a White House appointment, serving as the Representative of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor.  He oversaw the workforce activities in eight southeastern states and served as a spokesperson for labor initiatives.  Prior to holding that position, he served as a member of the House of Representatives for the State of Tennessee for two terms.  His committee assignments included State and Local Government Committee and the Labor Committee.  He is a graduate of Lambuth University with post-graduate studies at the University of Tennessee.  He is currently a member of the Urban Land Institute; the American Association of Housing and Services for Aging; NAHB, Senior Housing Council; the Association of Non Profit Homes for Aging; and the Society for Marketing Professional Services. 

Citizenship In The Community Merit Badge

Requirements

Homework

1. 
   
   

   HOMEWORK AND PREREQUISITIES:
   READ the latest Printing of the Merit Badge book before you arrive and be prepared to actively participate in the class!!! If you complete #2, #3, #4, #7 and #8 you will be able to finish the badge at the clinic. Have the Worksheet by Rob Greenland that is available at the bottom of the website link above completed.
   1.    We will be discussing what it takes to be a good citizen.       
   2.    Draw a map of your local community:
   
       * a.    Identify important government buildings; city hall, county courthouse public works/services facility.
   
       * b.     Identify the nearest fire station, police station and hospital to your home.
   
       * c.    Other significant historical points of interest.
   
       * Additional - Chart the organization of your local or state government. Show the top offices and tell whether they are elected or appointed.
   
   3. Do the following:
   
       * a.    Attend a city or town council or school board meeting, or a municipal; county, or state court session.
   
       * b.    Choose one of the issues discussed at the meeting where a difference of opinions was expressed, and explain to your counselor why you agree with one opinion more than you do another one.
   
   4.    Choose an issue that is important to the citizens of your community; then do the following:
   
       * a.    Find out which branch of local government is responsible for this issue.
   
       * b.    With your counselor's and a parent's approval, interview one person from the branch of government you identified in requirement
   
   4a. Ask what is being done about this issue and how young people can help.Share what you have learned with your counselor.
   5. We will be watching an appropriate movie that shows how the actions of one individual or group of individuals can have a positive effect on a community. Afterward we will have a discussion on what you learned from the movie about what it means to be a valuable and concerned member of the community.
   6. List some of the services (such as the library, recreation center, public transportation, and public safety) your community provides that are funded by taxpayers. Tell your counselor why these services are important to your community.
   7.     Do the following:    * a.    Choose a charitable organization outside of Scouting that interests you and brings people in your community together to work for the good of your community.
   
       * b.    Using a variety of resources (including newspapers, fliers and other literature, the Internet, volunteers, and employees of the organization), find out more about this organization.
   
       * c.    With your parent's approval, contact the organization and find out what young people can do to help. While working on this merit badge, volunteer at least eight hours of your time for the organization. After your volunteer experience is over, discuss what you have learned with your counselor.
   
   8.     Develop a public presentation (such as a video, slide show, speech, digital presentation, or photo exhibit) about important and unique aspects of your community. Include information about the history, cultures, and ethnic groups of your community; its best features and popular places where people gather; and the challenges it faces. Stage your presentation in front of your merit badge counselor or a group, such as your patrol or a class at school.

Ken Baker recently joined REES’ Healthcare and Interior Design in Atlanta to lead the Senior Living practice.  Well known in the senior living industry, Baker has also had a high visibility career in government relations, including serving as Regional Executive for the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor.  Baker serves as a vice president on the REES management team, and works to continue to build the firm’s senior living practice. . From 1988-1990, Baker founded and served as president of The Lincoln Company, Inc. in Atlanta, offering strategic marketing and government affairs planning to businesses. From 1984-1988, he held a White House appointment, serving as the Representative of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor.  He oversaw the workforce activities in eight southeastern states and served as a spokesperson for labor initiatives.  Prior to holding that position, he served as a member of the House of Representatives for the State of Tennessee for two terms.  His committee assignments included State and Local Government Committee and the Labor Committee.  He is a graduate of Lambuth University with post-graduate studies at the University of Tennessee.  He is currently a member of the Urban Land Institute; the American Association of Housing and Services for Aging; NAHB, Senior Housing Council; the Association of Non Profit Homes for Aging; and the Society for Marketing Professional Services. 

Citizenship In The Community Merit Badge

Requirements

Homework

1. 
   

   HOMEWORK AND PREREQUISITIES:
   READ the latest Printing of the Merit Badge book before you arrive and be prepared to actively participate in the class!!! If you complete #2, #3, #4, #7 and #8 you will be able to finish the badge at the clinic. Have the Worksheet by Rob Greenland that is available at the bottom of the website link above completed.
   1.    We will be discussing what it takes to be a good citizen.       
   2.    Draw a map of your local community:
   
       * a.    Identify important government buildings; city hall, county courthouse public works/services facility.
   
       * b.     Identify the nearest fire station, police station and hospital to your home.
   
       * c.    Other significant historical points of interest.
   
       * Additional - Chart the organization of your local or state government. Show the top offices and tell whether they are elected or appointed.
   
   3. Do the following:
   
       * a.    Attend a city or town council or school board meeting, or a municipal; county, or state court session.
   
       * b.    Choose one of the issues discussed at the meeting where a difference of opinions was expressed, and explain to your counselor why you agree with one opinion more than you do another one.
   
   4.    Choose an issue that is important to the citizens of your community; then do the following:
   
       * a.    Find out which branch of local government is responsible for this issue.
   
       * b.    With your counselor's and a parent's approval, interview one person from the branch of government you identified in requirement
   
   4a. Ask what is being done about this issue and how young people can help.Share what you have learned with your counselor.
   5. We will be watching an appropriate movie that shows how the actions of one individual or group of individuals can have a positive effect on a community. Afterward we will have a discussion on what you learned from the movie about what it means to be a valuable and concerned member of the community.
   6. List some of the services (such as the library, recreation center, public transportation, and public safety) your community provides that are funded by taxpayers. Tell your counselor why these services are important to your community.
   7.     Do the following:    * a.    Choose a charitable organization outside of Scouting that interests you and brings people in your community together to work for the good of your community.
   
       * b.    Using a variety of resources (including newspapers, fliers and other literature, the Internet, volunteers, and employees of the organization), find out more about this organization.
   
       * c.    With your parent's approval, contact the organization and find out what young people can do to help. While working on this merit badge, volunteer at least eight hours of your time for the organization. After your volunteer experience is over, discuss what you have learned with your counselor.
   
   8.     Develop a public presentation (such as a video, slide show, speech, digital presentation, or photo exhibit) about important and unique aspects of your community. Include information about the history, cultures, and ethnic groups of your community; its best features and popular places where people gather; and the challenges it faces. Stage your presentation in front of your merit badge counselor or a group, such as your patrol or a class at school.