Cit Comm MB #3 and Communication #5 overlap?

[BuffaloAnnie]

If you counsel the Communication MB and Citizenship in the Community, you might have noticed that these two requirements are very similar. I've always required Scouts to attend two separate meetings, but I'm questioning that. Do you count attendance at one meeting for both badges? I understand that Cit Comm 3 just says you have to explain your conclusion to your counselor, and Communication 5 involves writing a report. But can it be the same public meeting? It feels like the point of these exercises is the same.

Citizenship in the Community #3: Do the following:

a) Attend an in-person meeting of your city, town, or county council or school board, local court session; OR another state or local governmental meeting approved in advance by your counselor.

b) Choose one of the issues discussed at the meeting where a difference of opinions was expressed, and explain to your counselor why you agree with one opinion more than you do another one.

Communication #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.

Thanks for sharing your opinion, especially if you have experience with these badges.

[Eagle94-A1]

I too used to, stress USED TO, do that. But was informed that unless the requirement specifically states you cannot use an activity for more than one requirement, you gotta accept it.

I am waiting for the duel enrolled Girl Scout/Scouting America Scout to do one project for both their Gold Award and Eagle.

[fred8033]

@Eagle94-A1 is right.

For advancement, read BSA/SA Guide To Advancement.
https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33088.pdf

Section 4.2.3.6 Fulfilling More Than One Requirement With a Single Activity
"At times it may be appropriate for a Scout to apply what was done to meet one requirement toward the completion of another."

Your situation is also explicitly answered.

"Some requirements may have the appearance of aligning, but upon further examination differ. These seemingly similar requirements usually have nuances intended to create quite different experiences. The Communication and Citizenship in the Community merit badges are a good example. Each requires the Scout to attend a public meeting, but that is where the similarity ends. For Communication, the Scout is asked to practice active listening skills during the meeting and present an objective report that includes all points of view. For Citizenship in the Community, the Scout is asked to examine differences in opinions and then to defend one side. The Scout may attend the same public meeting, but to pass the requirements for both merit badges the Scout must actively listen and prepare a report, and also examine differences in opinion and defend one side."

[BuffaloAnnie]

Thank you, both!  I appreciate hearing from someone more familiar with the Guide to Advancement. It's a large document and I wouldn't know where to begin looking. I'm so happy that it mentions the exact situation I asked about! That answers my question completely.

[SSScout]

It has never come up to me in conversation, but why not ?    BUGLE as the instrument in the MUSIC Merit Badge req.#1. and #4b........