by Matthew Zipple

Created on: May 31, 2010

The following requirements are the official requirements of the Boy Scouts of America as stated in merit badge pamphlet 33325A (Revised 2002). They are accurate as of May 30, 2010. Because they are the official requirements published by BSA, I did not author them, nor are they in my own words. However, below the requirements I have given suggestions as to how I believe that one should go about completing the requirements.

From BSA Merit Badge Pamphlet 33325A:

"1. Do the following:

     a. Explain four features of the free enterprise system in the United States. Tell its benefits and responsibilities. Describe the difference    between freedom and license. Tell how the Scout Oath and Law apply to business and free enterprise.

     b.Describe the Industrial Revolution: Tell about the major developments that marked the start of the modern industrial era in the United States. Tell about five people who had a great influence on business or industry in the United States. Tell what each did.

2. Do the following:

     a. Visit a bank. Talk with one of the officers or staff. Chart the organization of the bank. Show its relationship with other banks, business and industry.

     b. Explain how changes in interest rates, taxes, and government spending affect the flow of money into or out of business and industry.

     c. Explain how a proprietorship or partnership gets its capital. Discuss and explain four ways a corporation gets its capital.

     d. Explain the place of profit in business.

     e. Name five kinds of insurance useful to business. Describe their purposes.

3. Do the following:

     a. Pick two or more stocks from the financial pages of a newspaper. Request the annual report or prospectus from one of the companies by writing, or visit its Web site (with your parent’s permission) to view the annual report online. Explain how a company’s annual report and prospectus can be used to help you manage your investments. 3

     b. Pretend to have bought $1,000 worth of the stocks from the company you wrote to in requirement 3a. Explain how you "bought" the stocks. Tell why you decided to "buy" stock in this company. Keep a weekly record for three months of the market value of your stocks. Show any dividends declared.

4. Do ONE of the following:

    

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