Public Speaking: Finding synergy between Boy Scouts and Toastmasters

I've been working on the Public Speaking Merit Badge requirements for a couple of months now. I joined Toastmasters International this summer and began working toward the Competent Communicator designation, and it turns out some of the requirements of the CC match the Boy Scouts Public Speaking Merit Badge, which are:

1. Give a three- to five-minute introduction of yourself to an audience such as your troop, class at school, or some other group.
2. Prepare a three- to five-minute talk on a topic of your choice that incorporates body language and visual aids.
3. Give an impromptu talk of at least two minutes either as part of a group discussion or before your counselor. Use a subject selected by your counselor that is interesting to you but that is not known to you in advance and for which you do not have time to prepare.
4. Select a topic of interest to your audience. Collect and organize information about the topic and prepare an outline. Write an eight- to 10-minute speech, practice it, then deliver it in a conversational way.
5. Show you know parliamentary procedure by leading a discussion or meeting according to accepted rules of order, or by answering questions on the rules of order.

To date, I have finished the first, second and third requirements of the Public Speaking Merit Badge by participating in several Table Topics sessions and completing the matching CC requirements (specifically speech #1 - the Ice Breaker - and speeches #5 and #8 - Your Body Speaks and Get Comfortable with Visual Aids). I have also completed the fourth requirement by having served as General Evaluator of one Toastmasters meeting.

I am currently working on writing speech #10 - Inspire Your Audience - which would fulfill the fourth Public Speaking Merit Badge requirement. Finishing Toastmasters speech #10 will coincide with my completion of the Boy Scouts Public Speaking Merit Badge.

NOTE: For anyone just tuning in, check out my mission with this blog, On Becoming a Man of Merit.