Citizenship in Society Merit Badge Requirements

Requirements

1. # Copy link to requirement 1
   Before beginning work on other requirements for this merit badge, research the following terms and explain to your counselor how you feel they relate to the Scout Oath and Scout Law: identities, diversity, equality, equity, inclusion, discrimination, ethical leadership, and upstander.
2. # Copy link to requirement 2
   Document and discuss with your counselor what leadership means to you. Share what it means to make ethical decisions.
   1. # Copy link to requirement 2.a
      Research and share with your counselor an individual you feel has demonstrated positive leadership while having to make an ethical decision. (It could be someone in history, a family member, a teacher, a coach, a counselor, a clergy member, a Scoutmaster, etc.)
   2. # Copy link to requirement 2.b
      Explain what decision and/or options that leader had, why you believe they chose their final course of action, and the outcome of that action
3. # Copy link to requirement 3
   Consider ethical decision-making.
   1. # Copy link to requirement 3.a
      Think about a time you faced an ethical decision.
      1. # Copy link to requirement 3.a.1
         Discuss the situation, what you did, and how it made you feel.
      2. # Copy link to requirement 3.a.2
         Share if you would do anything differently in the future and if so, what that would be.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 3.b
      List three examples of ethical decisions you might have to make in the future at school, at home, in the workplace, or in your community, and what you would do.
      1. # Copy link to requirement 3.b.1
         Share how your actions represent alignment with the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
   3. # Copy link to requirement 3.c
      Explain to your counselor how you plan to use what you have learned to assist you when that time comes, and what action(s) you can take to serve as an upstander and help other people at all times.
4. # Copy link to requirement 4
   Repeat the Scout Oath and Scout Law for your counselor. Choose TWO of the following scenarios and discuss what you could do as a Scout to demonstrate leadership and your understanding of what it means to help others who may seem different from you:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 4.a
      Scenario 1: While at camp, a youth accidentally spills food on another camper. The camper who gets spilled on gets angry and says something that is offensive to people with disabilities; their friends laugh. What could/should you do?
   2. # Copy link to requirement 4.b
      Scenario 2: Your friend confides in you that some students in school are making insulting comments about one of their identities, and that those same students created a fake social media account to impersonate your friend online and post messages. What could/should you do?
   3. # Copy link to requirement 4.c
      Scenario 3: A new student in your class was born in another country (or has a parent who was born in another country). Your friends make rude comments to the student about their speech or clothes and tell the student to “go back home where you came from.” What could/should you do?
5. # Copy link to requirement 5
   Document and discuss:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 5.a
      Ideas on what you personally can do to create a welcoming environment in your Scouting unit.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 5.b
      An experience you had in which you went out of your way to include another Scout(s) and what you did to make them feel included and welcomed.
   3. # Copy link to requirement 5.c
      Things you can do to help ensure all Scouts in your unit are given an opportunity to be heard and included in decision-making and planning.
6. # Copy link to requirement 6
   With your parent or guardian’s approval, connect with another Scout or youth your own age who has an identity that’s different from yours. (This means a trait, belief, or characteristic different from you.)
   1. # Copy link to requirement 6.a
      Share with each other what makes the different aspect of your identity meaningful/special to you
   2. # Copy link to requirement 6.b
      Share with each other ONE of the following Options:
      1. # Copy link to requirement 6.b.i
         Option 1: A time you felt excluded from a group.
         1. # Copy link to requirement 6.b.i.1
            What was the situation?
         2. # Copy link to requirement 6.b.i.2
            How did it make you feel?
         3. # Copy link to requirement 6.b.i.3
            What did you do?
         4. # Copy link to requirement 6.b.i.4
            Did anyone stand up for you?
         5. # Copy link to requirement 6.b.i.5
            What did you learn?
         6. # Copy link to requirement 6.b.i.6
            Would you do anything differently today?
      2. # Copy link to requirement 6.b.ii
         Option 2: This imaginary situation: You’re attending a new school and don’t know anyone there yet. You notice they dress very differently than you do. At lunchtime, you decide you’ll try to sit with a group to get to know other students. People at two tables tell you there is someone sitting at the currently empty seat at their table, so you end up eating by yourself.
         1. # Copy link to requirement 6.b.ii.1
            How would that make you feel?
         2. # Copy link to requirement 6.b.ii.2
            What could the students have done?
         3. # Copy link to requirement 6.b.ii.3
            If that happened at your school, what would you do?
   3. # Copy link to requirement 6.option3
      c Discuss with your counselor what you learned from the discussion with the other Scout or youth.
7. # Copy link to requirement 7
   Identify and interview an individual in your community, school, and/or Scouting who has had a significant positive impact in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you feel your community, school, or local Scouting group does not have such an individual, then research a historical figure who meets these criteria, and discuss that person with your counselor.
   1. # Copy link to requirement 7.a
      Discover what inspired the individual, learn about the challenges they faced, and share what you feel attributed to their success
   2. # Copy link to requirement 7.b
      Discuss with your counselor what you learned and how you can apply it in your life.
8. # Copy link to requirement 8
   With the help of your parent or guardian, study an event that had a positive outcome on how society viewed a group of people and made them feel more welcome. Describe to your counselor the event and what you learned.
9. # Copy link to requirement 9
   Document and discuss with your counselor three or more areas in your life outside of Scouting where you feel you can actively provide stronger leadership in.
   1. # Copy link to requirement 9.a
      Making others feel included.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 9.b
      Practicing active listening.
   3. # Copy link to requirement 9.c
      Creating an environment where others feel comfortable to share their ideas and perspectives.
   4. # Copy link to requirement 9.d
      Helping others feel valued for their input and suggestions.
   5. # Copy link to requirement 9.e
      Standing up for others.
10. # Copy link to requirement 10
    Discuss with your counselor how stereotyping people can be harmful, and how stereotypes can lead to prejudice and discrimination. Share ideas you have for challenging assumptions and celebrating individuality.
11. # Copy link to requirement 11
    Scouting strives to develop young people to be future leaders in their workplaces, schools, and community environments. As you look at your current involvement in school, your family, Scouting, your job, and/or community, think about how you can have a positive impact in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
    1. # Copy link to requirement 11.a
       Describe your ideas on how you can and will support others with different identities to feel included and heard at your school, workplace, and/or social settings in your community.
    2. # Copy link to requirement 11.b
       Explain how including diverse thoughts and opinions from others with different identities can:
       1. # Copy link to requirement 11.b.1
          Make your interactions more positive.
       2. # Copy link to requirement 11.b.2
          Help everyone benefit by considering different opinions.
    3. # Copy link to requirement 11.option3
       c Give three examples of how limiting diverse input can be harmful.
    4. # Copy link to requirement 11.option4
       d Give three examples of how considering diverse opinions can lead to innovation and success.