Communications Merit Badge

Courtesy of Northwest Georgia Council, Coosa District, Rockmart Troop 23

Communication merit badge requirements1. Do ONE of the following:

a. For one day, keep a log in which you describe your communication activities. Keep track of the time and different ways you spend communicating, such as talking person-to-person, listening to teachers or the radio, watching television, reading books and other print media, and using any electronic communication device. Discuss with your counselor what your log reveals about the importance of communication in your life. Think of ways to improve your communications skills.

b. For three days, keep a journal of your listening experiences. Identify one example of each of the following, and discuss with your counselor when you have listened to: 1. Obtain information 2. A persuasive argument 3. Appreciate or enjoy something 4. Understand someone's feelings

c. In a small-group setting, meet with other scouts or with friends. Have them share personal stories about significant events in their lives that affected them in some way. Take note of how each scout participates in the group discussion and how effectively he communicates his story. Report what you have learned to your counselor about the differences you observed in effective communication.

d. List as many ways as you can think of to communicate with others (face-to-face, by telephone, letter, e-mail, text messages, and so on). For each type of communication discuss with your counselor an instance when that method might not be appropriate or effective.

2. Do ONE of the following: a. Think of a creative way to describe yourself, using, for example, a collage, short story or

autobiography, drawing or series of photographs, or a song or skit. Using the aid you created, make a presentation to your counselor about yourself.

b. Choose a concept, product, or service in which you have great confidence. Build a sales plan based on its good points. Try to persuade the counselor to agree with, use, or buy your concept, product or service. After your sales talk, discuss with your counselor how persuasive you were.

Communication merit badge requirements3. Write a five-minute speech. Give it at a meeting of a group.

4. Interview someone you know fairly well, like, or respect because of his or her position, talent, career or life experiences. Listen actively to learn as much as you can about the person. Then prepare and deliver to your counselor an introduction of the person as though this person were to be a guest speaker, and include reasons why the audience would want to hear this person speak. Show how you would call to invite this person to speak.

5. Attend a public meeting (city council, school board, debate) approved by your counselor where several points of view are given on a single issue. Practice active listening skills and take careful notes of each point of view. Prepare an objective report that includes all points of view that were expressed, and share this with your counselor.

6. With your counselor's approval, develop a plan to teach a skill or inform someone about something. Prepare teaching aids for your plan. Carry out your plan. With your counselor, determine whether the person has learned what you intended.

Communication merit badge requirements7. Do ONE of the following:

a. Write to the editor of a magazine or your local newspaper to express your opinion or share information on any subject you choose. Send your message by fax, email or regular mail.

b. Create a web page or blog of special interest to you (for instance, your troop or crew, a hobby, or a sport).. Include at least three articles or entries and one photograph or illustration, and one link to some other Web page or blog that would be helpful to someone who visits the Web page or blog you have created. It is not necessary to post your Web page or blog to the Internet, but if you decide to do so, you must first share it with your parents and counselor and get their permission.

c. Use desktop publishing to produce a newsletter, brochure, flier or other printed material for your scout troop, class at school, or other group. Include at least one article and one photograph or illustration.

8. Plan a troop or crew court of honor, campfire program, or an interfaith worship service. Have the patrol leaders' council approve it, then write the script and prepare the program. Serve as master of ceremonies.

9. Find out about three career opportunities in the field of communication. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.

Requirement 1-d List as many ways you can think

of to communicate with others (face-to-face, by telephone, letter, e-mail, text messages, etc).

For each type of communication, discuss an instance when that method might not be appropriate or effective.

CommunicationLanguage

◦Most common way that we use symbols to communicate (alphabet to symbolize or stand for sounds in the spoken language).

◦Letters to words: Hold, Touch, Apple, Love, Intelligence,

Freedom

◦Words to Sentences: Facts, Opinions, Questions, Commands

Speaking without words◦Nonverbal

Words, Colors, Shapes

Talking with your Body◦Body Language

Other ways of Communication without words◦Body Posture

◦Clothing

Sloppy vs Sharp

Mass Communication & Digital Technologies◦Radio, TV, Newspapers, Films,

Theater, Cell Phones, Internet, Texting, Websites, Social Network Sites, Mail, Faxes, Email

Requirement 2Choose a concept, product or

service in which you have great confidence. Build a sales plan based on its good points. Try to persuade counselor to agree with, use or buy your concept, product or service. After your sales talk, discuss how persuasive you were.

Make a Good Sales PitchGet the Audience’s Attention

◦Tell how your product or service changed your life or someone else’s

Connect to the Audience’s Needs◦Know your audience (you would not sell

lawnmower service to an apartment owner, but you might sell a dog-walking service)

Offer a Solution◦Explain how their lives will improve & describe

any problems that might arise if they do not.Close the Deal

◦Before you end your speech, ask your audience to act! Make it clear how they can buy your product or sign up for your service right away.

Requirement 3Write a 5 minute speech. Give it

at a meeting of a group. Choose a Topic you are familiar with Write an outline Practice your speech Introduce yourself Deliver Information the audience can

understand Present Speech with good natural flow

and good body posture

Requirement 4Interview someone you know fairly well,

like or respect because of his or her position, talent, career, or life experiences. Listen actively to learn as much as you can about the person.

Prepare and deliver to your counselor an introduction of the person as though this person were to be a guest speaker, and include reasons why the audience would want to hear this person speak.

Show how you would call to invite this person to speak.

Tips for Interviewing & Introducing a Guest Speaker

What is your full name and professional title?How long have you been in your current

position?What are your duties?What do you like best about your career?What is the most difficult challenge you face

in your position?Did you go to College or receive Special

Training?What activities or interests do you enjoy when

you are not working?Is there anything else you would like to share?

Example:“Thanks for coming today. Our guest

speaker is Sgt. Patrick Bonito, Jr., a 18 year veteran with the Marietta Police Department. Sgt. Bonito supervises the Detective Unit and is part of the Federal Task Force to recover Exploited and Missing Children. When he is not working, he is a Scoutmaster with Troop 23 and enjoys spending time with his family. Sgt. Bonito has graciously agreed to speak to us today about his position and other career opportunities in law enforcement. Please welcome Sgt. Patrick Bonito, Jr.”

Requirement 5Attend a public meeting (city council,

school board, debate) approved by your counselor where several points of view are given on a single issue.

Practice active listening skills and take careful notes of each point of view.

Prepare an objective report that includes all points of view that were expressed, and share this with your Counselor.

Reporting an Event Objectively

Pick up agenda if one is availableSit near the front so you can hearDon’t be swayed to one side or other, just

listen attentively and quietly about the topic

Write a report of the meeting, making it unbiased and factual as possible

Be sure to write the Counsels actions to the issue

Keep the report to one or two pages, and summarize the main issues & points of view

Requirement 6Develop a plan to teach a skill or

inform someone about something.

Prepare teaching aids for your plan.

Carry out your plan.Determine whether the person

has learned what you intended.

Teaching Skills & Teaching AidsEDGE

Explain how it is done-Tell themDemonstrate the Steps-Show themGuide learners as they practice-Watch them do itEnable them to succeed on their own-Use

memory aids, practice it, they teach it

Requirement 7Use desktop publishing to

produce a newsletter, brochure, flier or other printed material for you Troop. Include at least one article and one photograph or illistration

Requirement 8Plan a Troop Court of Honor,

Campfire program, or an interfaith worship service. Have the Patrol Leaders’ Council approve it, then write the script and prepare the program. Serve as MC

Campfire Program

Who will set up the campfire area?Who will build the campfire?Who will put the campfire out after

the program?Who is participating in the program

and what is being covered: skits, songs, awards.

Which Troop members will clean up afterwards?

Court of Honor

Assign Scouts to carry in flagsColor guard enters and Scouts/Audience

stand at attentionParents and Audience recite PledgeDinnerAssign Guest speakerAward PresentationSpecial Program, Crossover, Song, SkitAnnouncementsClosing

Interfaith Service“A Scout is Reverent”Carefully choose elements such as

scripture, prayers, hymns and all other parts of the worship. Be considerate of everyone present; be respectful of all religions.

Pick a Theme: Creation, Thanksgiving, Doing One’s Best, the Great Outdoors, and on the Trail to Eagle

Pick a Location that enhances the experience

Requirement 9Career Opportunities in

Communication◦Advertising◦Communication Education◦Electronic Media, Radio and TV

Broadcasting◦Journalism◦Web-Related Careers◦Public Relations◦Theater/Performing Arts

AdvertisingAdvertisement & Commercials,

Sales Manager, Executive, Marketing Specialist, Media Planner, Creative Director, Media Sales Specialist, Public Opinion Researcher

Communication EducationLanguage Arts, High School

Speech, Forensics (debate) Coach, Drama Director, College or University Professor, Speech Communication Department Chair

Electronic Media, Radio, Television BroadcastingNetwork newscasters, talk-show

hosts, radio and television, broadcast station manager, video/audio librarian, community relations director, unit manager, video/audio editor, news director, news writer, transmitter engineer, technical director, media buyer, market researcher, producer, casting director, researcher, and floor manager

JournalismReporter, Editor, Photographer,

Newscaster, Author, Scriptwriter, Publisher, News Service Researcher, Technical Writer

Web-Related CareersWebmaster, Web Developer, Web

Designer, Information Architect, Web Producer, Graphic Designer, Programmer, Multimedia Specialist, Systems Administrator, and e-commerce specialist (someone who maintains the systems that process payments online)

Public RelationsManaging the public image of an

organization or individualPublicity Manager, Advertising

Manager, Marketing Specialist, Press Agent, Lobbyist, Corporate Public Affairs Specialist, Account Executive, Development Officer, Fund-raiser, Membership Recruiter, Sales Manager, Media Analyst, Media Planner, Creative Director, Audience Analyst, News Writer, and Public Opinion Researcher

Theater/Performing ArtsOff-Stage Positions: Theater

Management, Instruction, Technical, Production Positions

Careers in Performing Arts: Performing Artist, Scriptwriter, Producer, Director, Costume Designer, Scenic Designer, Lighting Designer, Theater Critic, Makeup Artist, Stage Manager, Model, Theater, Professor, and Casting Director.

Review 3 Careers: Advertising:

◦ Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising, academic training in creative or visual aspects of selling, a product or service, combined with technical and practical applications in technology and business applications.

Webmaster:◦ Private Certification, IT Schools, Associate Degree

Programs, or Major in Computer Forensics. ◦ Training and Experience can be on the job.

However, many of them require company or business experience.

Reporter:◦ Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, History, or

English, Experience in the Field you are reporting (Sports Reporter would need experience in sports).

Requirement Review:__1.d. List of ways to communicate __2.b. Present a sales pitch __3. Present a 5 minute speech __4. Deliver an Introduction __5. Attend a public meeting __6. Teach a skill __7.c. Produce a newsletter or flier __8. Plan, prepare, serve__9. Discuss 3 careers in

communication

ResourcesCommunications Merit Badge

Series Boy Scouts of America 2011Use this with Communications Merit Badge Pamphlet & CheckFor Updates in Requirements

Don’t Forget: