THE Chapter 4 COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION HE JOINT RESOLUTION, as stated earlier (p. 5), provides for participation of civil and educational authorities and patriotic organizations in a continuous effort to dignify and emphasize the significance of citizenship. This naturally leads to the question, "What kind of civil and educational authorities and patriotic organizations are contemplated in the joint resolution?" Numerous organizations, groups, and individuals have participated wholeheartedly in naturalization ceremonies throughout the country and have contributed immeasurably to the impressiveness of the occasions. Not all of these can be listed here. They have included, however, members of the judiciary and of bar associa tions; the Armed Forces of the United States; the American Legion and other veterans' organizations; the Daughters of the American Revolution; Colonial Dames of America; General Federation of Women's Clubs; National Council of Jewish Women; Boy Scouts of America; Elks; Kiwanis; Rotary; Lions; Civitan clubs; Chambers of Commerce; churches of all denominations; schools; social agencies; and labor organizations. Addresses are often given by members of the local Bar, faculty members of neighboring schools and colleges, or other prominent persons. Flags, pamphlets, and patriotic literature are generally presented by one of the local organizations and further interest is stimulated at many hearings by the presence of some of the teachers who have assisted in the citizenship classes. It may be safely said that many courts construe the resolution to include any, or all, of those mentioned as possible participants in the "effort to dignify and emphasize the significance of citizenship." Needless to say, the same organization, or organizations, should not be drawn upon for every occasion. Many of those mentioned are not found in every community. Even if all were located in any one community, there would be no necessity or expectation that all would participate upon all occasions. The extent to which each organization is utilized depends upon the type of ceremony planned and what it can sincerely and constructively contribute toward carrying the plan out. The judge, with his sense of propriety and dignity as well as his understanding of local situations, is in a position to exercise discrimination in deciding what organizations and which individuals can best help in making an induction ceremony effective. The need for careful selection of the organizations and individuals who should participate gives force to the reasoning that the judge himself should usually be chairman of the committee to plan the program and that he should perhaps also be the master of ceremonies. If the leadership is assumed by the judge, he can enlist the assistance of different organizations from time to time and can select individuals who will make the program interesting and impressive. In this way a community movement is built up in which large numbers of people become acquainted with the new citizens and the naturalization ceremonies, rather than just particular organizations. An opportunity would thus be afforded for eliminating both the occasional ambitious and self-seeking individual and the petty rivalries among some organizations, which tend to disrupt and destroy the spirit of the occasion. Use should be made only of those organizations or individuals who are actively interested in citizenship activities. If the judge is confident, however, of his selection of properly qualified people and is sure that no unwise or inappropriate action will be taken by those selected, then he may delegate responsibility for the ceremonial. This has been done in many courts with signal success. A more or less permanent advisory committee composed of representatives of the Bench and Bar, civil and educational authorities, and representatives of patriotic or other organizations should be appointed to insure an effective ceremonial at each hearing and to integrate properly the courtroom ceremony into the long-time, larger citizenship program that precedes and follows this final step. If the judge himself cannot accept the chairman ship, he should see that a person of standing in the community is appointed to head this important committee, a person who can command the respect of every member of the committee, one who understands the significance of ceremonies and knows how to obtain cooperation in putting on a fitting program. Well-planned citizenship programs, in which there is an active participation by representatives of the community not only during the court ceremony but also before and after, can go far toward blending the new citizen into the community and making him a part of America. |