 |
NCCS Supports the |
The Scouting programs of the Boy Scouts of America promotes "Duty to God and Country" at each level. These principles are incorporated into Scout Citizenship achievements and through Religious Emblems programs. The National Catholic Committee on Scouting ® supports the BSA Good Turn for America Project and the Get Out to Vote initiative.
In 2003, NCCS introduced the Good Turn Project to recognize Catholic-chartered units for their service to their charter organization. This project provides a step-by-step template to document the project from planning to completion evaluation. In addition to the pride of doing their "Duty to God and Country", the unit and participants earn a Certificate of Merit from the NCCS Religious Activities Standing Committee.
In 2004, BSA introduced the Good Turn for America Project. This project has three focuses: Healthy Living, Food, and Shelter. In addition, because 2004 is an election year, they are also promoting a "Get Out The Vote" initiative and ask adult and youth Scouts to help their local communities to register new voters and assist, where possible, to get voters to the polls. Scouts and Scouters can earn Good Turn for America patches and year segments by registering their project on the Good Turn of America website (see link below).
Although Cub and Boy Scouts are too young to vote, that does not mean that they can not help promote "good citizenship." Some states provide a kids's voting program where those under 18 years old are allowed to vote for a limited number of candidates in a mock voting booth in the same polling place as their parents' voting place.
NOTE: This is general information, and should not be interpreted as legal guidance. Detailed information can be found on the links at the bottom of this page.
Another way to show good citizenship is by assisting others to sign up to vote. The Boy Scouts of America and the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops have specific regulations and guidelines regarding how their representatives (a Scout in uniform from a Catholic unit would be a representative of both organizations) can conduct themselves regarding political issues. In general, the regulations and guidelines say that an adult or youth in a Scout uniform can not endorse any candidate or party, or lobby for or against any issue. They can, however, pass out information on how and where to register to vote.
Links to more information:
July 3 2007