TOASTMASTERS helps members improve their public speaking, presentation and leadership skills. TRANSFORMERS CLUB meets the 2nd and 4th Monday's of the month at the Morningside Country Club in Johannesburg, South Africa. Come and visit us to see what TOASTMASTERS is all about!
Theme for 2011/2012: The Club is the newest member

JP, winner of the 1st round

Lerato makes her opening remarks

On Monday the 22nd of November, Transformers members and guests took to the stage in the Transformers Survivor 2010 Contest.

Tea-light candles and an array of colourful headdresses filled the room as participants tried their best to outdo each other in what has become an annual event on the club's calendar. Making his appearance again this year was Santa, in all his Lindt chocolate glory, and he took his position again at the front of the stage.

Another returning item was the survivor pot, whose depths held the answers to who was still in the contest.

Keith opens with fire	Ruth takes a gamble

10 contestants entered their names into the pot for 2010, and once the formalities of the contest forms and rules had been explained it was all systems go.

The participants for Transformers Survivor 2010 were:
Keith Bowen, Nontu Made, Jim Powell, Glenice Ebedes, John-Peter Gernaat (aka Laughter Dude), Ruth Taylor, Lerato Molefe, Mary Byrne, Jacques Velleman and Lorna Ellis.

1st time Survivor Lorna Ellis	1st time Survivor Jacques Velleman

The first round required the use of visual aids. Each participant received their own impromptu powerpoint presentation with a refreshing new set of images, many of which pertained to events that had occurred in the past year. Famous South Africans such as Siphiwe Tshabalala and Leon Schuster filled the screen, whilst new quotes and figures kept every speaker guessing.

One after the other speakers lined up to take a shot at weaving a story around the strange, funny, and often ridiculous slides, and after the dust had settled, 6 contestants survived:
Keith, Jim, Glenice, Mary, John-Peter and Jacques.

Jim Powell explaining that sound	Glenice through to round 2

A recess and snacks filled the gap before the 2nd round of vocal variety and body language took place.
This time, contestants were asked to choose between two bowls, each containing a sound effect. The choice, was either "Animal", or "Mineral" and the subsequent sound effects depicted either the sound of an unknown creature, or that of an unknown non-creature.

Contestants were then asked to explain what was making the sound, and why it was important to the sustainability of the earth.
As the sounds played, contestants launched into their illustrations, describing in detail everything from ancient creatures to incredible science experiments, all with a view to saving the earth.

Everyone gave outstanding performances, and when the sounds had finally died down, and the judges had had their say, 3 survivors made it into the final:
Jacques, Mary and John-Peter.

The final round was a combination of all that had come before, but this time included props.
The 3 finalists were asked to present to the world their incredible discovery of an ancient scripture found on the island, using a visual aid depicting the location, a supporting object they had found nearby, and the scripture itself.

Jacques' lost scroll discovery	Mary explains the missing diary

Jacques found an ancient scroll lying on a hidden beach. A pine cone lying nearby provided a clue to the original writer's intentions.

John-Peter described the Mesopotamian inscription he had found in a cave, with a strange feather lying nearby.

Finally Mary took up the tail with her story of the lost diary entry and the strange rock found alongside it in the forest.

By audience vote, the results were:
3rd Place - John-Peter Gernaat
2nd Place - Jacques Velleman
1st Place - Mary Byrne

Mary Byrne - Winner of Transformers Survivor 2010!	Ruth recieves her triple crown!

John-Peter won the prize for winner of the first round - with a score that was "off-the-charts" as one rules official put it!

Two raffles were also held, with Jenny Shiers and Ruth Taylor taking the spoils.
Ruth was then awarded her Triple Crown certificate, an outstanding achievement for the year!
The gavel was then handed back to the President to wrap-up the evening.
A big thanks goes to all those who assisted on the night, as well as to all the participants.
It certainly proved that impromptu speaking is a skill that can be learned, and to watch some our members try their hand in this context was rewarding for all.

Transformers holds it's final meeting on the 13th of December and all guests and visitors are welcome.
If we don't see you then, have a wonderful Christmas, and fantastic new year.