BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA COMMUNICATIONS

MERIT BADGE

February 2009

Troop 171Mooresville, NC

Piedmont CouncilBoy Scouts of America

Itinerary/Today 8:00am until 9:30am Presentation 9:30am until 10:00am Interview/Group 10:00am till 10:10am Break 10:10am till 10:30 Post Interview 10:30am till 11:30am Campfire Plan 11:30am till Noon Lunch Noon-Group #1 5 Minute Speech

Group #2 Work Barbecue

1:00pm-Group #2 5 Minute Speech Group #1 Work barbecue

Communications/Technology

VIDEO

Websters DEFINITION

a verbal or written message a process by which information is exchanged

between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior

exchange of information a technique for expressing ideas effectively (as in

speech) the technology of the transmission of information

(as by print or telecommunication)

Requirement #1

List as many ways as you can think of how you can communicate with others.

What are they?????

Signs, Notes, Fax, Telephone, Letters, TalkE-mail, IM, Speech, Teach, Radio, TV,Morse Code, CB, Two Way Radios, Books,Magazines, Expressions, Body Language, Conversations in a group, Sign LanguageChat Rooms, Music, Poetry, Smoke Signals,

SOME EXAMPLES

LISTENING

Listening Is Important

Over our lives we will listen to many, many discussion, speeches, rules, preaching etc.

Many Fortune 500 companies provide employees with listening training

Listening and hearing are two different things

Listening and Critical Thinking

There are four types of listening:Appreciative

Listening for pleasure or enjoymentMusic, movies, comedy, plays

EmpatheticListening to provide emotional support for speaker

A shrink listens to a patient; you listen to a friends rant

ComprehensiveListening to understand the speakers message

Direction to a friends house; in a class or seminar

CriticalListening to evaluate a message

A campaign speech; a peers research paper

Causes of Poor Listening

Not Concentrating Daydreaming, mind wandering, dozing

Listening Too Hard Trying to remember every fact, no matter how minute

Jumping To Conclusions Putting words into the speakers mouth; interrupting

speaker, anticipating what speaker will say/do next Focusing On Delivery Instead Of Message

Speakers accent, clothes, stuttering, presentation tools

Take Listening SeriouslyLike any skill it takes practice and self-descipline

Resist DistractionsWhen you catch your mind wandering make a conscious effort to pull it back

on track; try to anticipate what the speaker will say/do next

Dont be Diverted by Appearance or Delivery

Suspend Judgment a closed mind is an empty mind

Focus Your ListeningListen for main points

A good speech only has a fewListen for evidence

Is it accurateAre the sources objectiveIs it relevant

How to Deliver a Speech

ELEMENTS OF GOOD SPEECH

ATTITUDEREHEARSALVERBAL EXPRESSIONNONVERBAL EXPRESSION

ATTITUDE

Attitude matters a great deal with delivery. A confident presence is an aspect of your

credibility and persuasiveness.

DONT

* Dont hide behind the lectern, wear hats, or chew gum.

* Dont look over the audience heads or envision them naked (silly myths).

* Dont watch your own feet when you dance. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!

REHEARSAL

Practice, practice, practice.

Say your speeches out loud as youre writing them.

Use the mirror for an audience!

ELEMENTS OF GOODSPEAKING

VOCAL EXPRESSION: * You must speak loudly enough to be heard, clearly enough to be understood, and slowly enough for your audience to keep up.

NONVERBAL EXPRESSION * Body language matters because it influences

your credibility and helps the audience focus on your speech.

Vocal ExpressionThere are five dimensions of voice that can be manipulated for greater effect. Volume - Speak louder or softer for emphasis.

Pitch - Stay at an appropriate mid-range level.Rate - Accelerate for a few sentences to excite,Slow down and pause to emphasize some words.Articulation - Speak clearly with full voice.Quality - The personality of your voice, resonant,throaty, nasal, etc.

Nonverbal Expression

Gesture naturally, as you would when you talk with friends.

Free your hands as much as possible to allow that to occur.

1) Make the manuscript your friend with large font, double spacing, and only complete sentences on one page.

2) Use the lectern for your notes.3) Keep your hands out of your pockets.

Nonverbal Expression

Eye Contact- look directly at person

Facial Expression- conveys mood/feelings

Gestures/Body Movement- nodding/forward

Use of Space- Standing/Sitting/Close /Far

Appearance- clean/neat/appropriate

VIDEO

Non verbal elements between

Obama and McCain

Body Language Quiz

Careers Communications

Careers in Fields Related to Communication

BusinessEducationGovernment/PoliticsHealth CareersInternational Relations and NegotiationsLawSocial and Human Services

BUSINESS It is well recognized that communication plays a vital role in the functioning of any government, business, or industrial organization. A national study indicates that the essential skills needed by a competent employee to get a job and to succeed and be promoted are primarily communication skills.

Careers in business and communication include: sales representative, executive manager, personnel manager, public information officer, industrial and labor relations representative, negotiator, director of corporate communication, customer service representative, newsletter editor, communication trainer, human resources manager, mediator, and buyer. (Also see Law, Media, and Public Relations and Advertising.)

HIGH TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES The link between computerization and communication has become the subject of extensive research by communication specialists. Many departments of communication offer a specialization in information sciences, human information theory and processes, or communication technologies, often dealing with communication by computer, compressed video, and teleconferencing.

Careers in technology and communication include: trainer for communication technologies, closed circuit television producer/director, systems analyst, technical copywriter, language specialist, speech synthesizer, cognition researcher, audio and visual computer display specialist, and performance assessor.

EDUCATION A teacher of any subject has to effectively organize and deliver material to students. Communication skills are necessary to facilitate comprehension and understanding no matter whether the subject is math, science, reading, or English. Great teachers are great communicators. Besides teaching, there are other education-related careers.

Careers in education include: teacher (elementary and secondary), school counselor, educational researcher, audiovisual specialist, educational administrator, school/university information specialist, director of college news, director of a collegiate information center, educational tester, development officer, educational fund-raiser, alumni officer, college placement officer, college admissions director, and college recruiter

The Interview

VIDEO

A FEW GOOD MEN

Interview Tips What is the purpose of the interview?

Find out more about the person Find out what their opinions are on things you care

about? Interviewing person for a job? Possibly to manage a project for you? What their skills are to help you with an Eagle Project?

Their can be multiple reasons.just make sure you have a PURPOSE!

Sample Questions? What is your full name and professional title? What are your duties? Do you have a family? What are your hobbies? Why? Did you go to college? Where? Why? What has been your most difficult challenge in life? If you could plan a week to go anywhere, where would it be?

Why is it so important to you? Where have you lived? Visited?

ALWAYS TAKE NOTES TO REFER BACK TO LATER

INTERVIEW

9:30 AM- 10:00AM

Mr. Scruggs

BREAK

10 MINUTE BREAK

10:10AMINTERVIEW DISCUSSION

Campfire Planning10:30am until 11:30pm

THE CAMPFIRE PROGRAM PLANNERBe sure that every feature of this campfire program

upholds Scoutings highest traditions. 1. In a campfire planning meeting, fill in the top of the

Campfire Program sheet (over). 2. On the Campfire Program Planner (below), list all

units and individuals who will participate in the program.

3. Write down the name, description, and type of song, stunt, or story they have planned.

4. The MC organizes songs, stunts, and stories in a good sequence considering timing, variety, smoothness, and

showmanship. 5. The master-of-the-campfire makes out the Campfire

Program sheet (over).

CAMPFIRE PROGRAM Place __________________________ Date ___________________________ Time ___________________________ Camp directors approval: _________ ________________________________ Campers notified _______________ Campfire planning meeting ______ M. C. _________________________ Song leader ___________________ Cheermaster___________________ Area set up by _________________ ______________________________ Campfire built by _______________ Fire put out by _________________ Cleanup by ____________________ Spot Title of Stunt, Song, or Story By _____________________ Time 1 Openingand firelighting 2 Greetingintroduction M.C.

20 21 22 Closing

LUNCH

11:30AM UNTIL NOON

5 MINUTE SPEECH

GROUP #1 NOON

GROUP #2 1:00PM

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA COMMUNICATIONS MERIT BADGEItinerary/TodayCommunications/TechnologyWebsters DEFINITION Requirement #1LISTENINGListening Is ImportantListening and Critical ThinkingCauses of Poor ListeningHow to Deliver a SpeechELEMENTS OF GOOD SPEECHATTITUDEDONTREHEARSALELEMENTS OF GOOD SPEAKINGVocal ExpressionNonverbal ExpressionNonverbal ExpressionVIDEO Body Language Quiz Careers CommunicationsCareers in Fields Related to Communication The InterviewVIDEOInterview TipsSample Questions?INTERVIEWBREAKCampfire Planning 10:30am until 11:30pmLUNCH 5 MINUTE SPEECH