How to Be a Good Citizen
The key to having a prosperous country with an effective government is to have good citizens. Voting in elections is just one of the many ways to support the government. Here are some tips you can follow to be a good citizen.
Participate in Government Projects
Apart from voting in elections, you can also do the following things to be an active member of the government.
Show support by getting involved in different government projects. Encourage other people to do the same.
Follow rules and regulations. Rules are made to be followed. Don’t take these laws for granted. Even if you think you can get away with it, avoid doing things that might get you in trouble, like not paying your taxes.
Voice out your opinions, grievances and recommendations properly. There’s no need to be an outlaw just to make a stand. Vote in elections and attend local meetings. Choose the proper arena to air out your thoughts.
Be willing to serve the government in times of need. If there’s a need for additional military personnel and you know you have the capacity for it, have yourself listed. If you’re a health care professional and there is a need for health care volunteers, don’t hesitate to sign up.
Be a Responsible Member of the Society
Advocate for people’s rights.Respect the rights of others. Report to government officials any violations of these rights.
Have a watchful eye. Keep informed on what’s happening in the government.
Offer yourself to others. Help people whenever you can. Be kind and expect nothing in return. Donate old things to charities instead of throwing them away.
Be responsible for your actions. Try to do the right thing even if it may be difficult to do. Remember that whatever you do affects other people. Be considerate.
Promote social welfare by joining different organizations and institutions.
Respect and understand other people’s opinions even if they are different from yours.
Take Care of the Environment
Dispose trash properly. Segregate waste into 2 groups, non biodegradable and biodegradable.
Learn how to reduce, reuse and recycle materials. Encourage your neighbors to do the same. (Learn the 13 cool ways to reuse a CD case)
Plant trees in your backyard.
Conserve water and electricity. Replace damaged pipes and dripping faucets (Tips on how to get rid of a leaky faucet). Try to avoid using equipment that require electricity for things you can do by hand, like shredding papers.
Avoid using materials that are harmful to the environment, like aerosol sprays and insecticide. Don’t use disposable materials. Use recycled paper bags instead of plastic bags
Buy products that support environmental causes.
Being a good citizen entails selflessness. We are all responsible for one another. Let’s make our country a better place by working together in reaching our goals. Like they always say, no man is an island.