Values / Service / Personal Example
Citizenship and Leadership
A short primer
This is an adaptation of a short speech I gave Friday to a group of young people ages 9–19. They were finishing a weeklong camp capped by a service project. I was asked to talk about citizenship and leadership. How’d I do?
There are two types of people in this world. People who contribute to society and people who take. I’m not here to judge anyone but I’d like to talk with you about your decision. NO matter how old you are, you can decide which kind of person you want to be. You don’t get to decide for other people and it’s not your job to tell them what they are.
When you have a job and pay taxes, you contribute. Your job is what helps other people get or do the things they want to do. Your taxes are what pay for roads, schools, and the military among other things. Just by having a regular job, you’re contributing to your community, whether it’s your hometown, your state, or anywhere else in America. You’re part of something bigger than yourself.
That’s part of being a citizen, but not just a citizen, a good citizen. But that’s not the only way to contribute. Your actions here show there are many ways to give.
