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Communications Merit Badge
Courtesy of Northwest Georgia Council, Coosa District, Rockmart Troop 23
Communication merit badge
requirements
1.
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.
2.
3.
4.
Obtain information
A persuasive argument
Appreciate or enjoy something
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
requirements
3.
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
requirements
7.
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.

Communication

Language
◦ 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 2

Choose 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 Pitch

Get 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 3

Write 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 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.
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 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.

Reporting an Event Objectively






Pick up agenda if one is available
Sit near the front so you can hear
Don’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 6
Develop 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 Aids
Requirement 7

Use 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 8

Plan 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 flags
Color guard enters and Scouts/Audience
stand at attention
 Parents and Audience recite Pledge
 Dinner
 Assign Guest speaker
 Award Presentation
 Special Program, Crossover, Song, Skit
 Announcements
 Closing


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
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
Requirement 9

Career Opportunities in Communication
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Advertising
Communication Education
Electronic Media, Radio and TV Broadcasting
Journalism
Web-Related Careers
Public Relations
Theater/Performing Arts
Advertising

Advertisement & Commercials, Sales
Manager, Executive, Marketing Specialist,
Media Planner, Creative Director, Media
Sales Specialist, Public Opinion
Researcher
Communication Education

Language Arts, High School Speech,
Forensics (debate) Coach, Drama
Director, College or University Professor,
Speech Communication Department
Chair
Electronic Media, Radio,
Television Broadcasting

Network 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
Journalism

Reporter, Editor, Photographer,
Newscaster, Author, Scriptwriter,
Publisher, News Service Researcher,
Technical Writer
Web-Related Careers

Webmaster, 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 Relations


Managing the public image of an organization
or individual
Publicity 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 Arts
Off-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
Resources
Communications Merit Badge Series
Boy Scouts of America 2011
Use this with Communications
Merit Badge Pamphlet & Check
For Updates in Requirements
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Don’t Forget: