| Transformers Survivor 2009 |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by John-Peter | |||
| Tuesday, 15 December 2009 18:31 | |||
 The 2009 Transformers Toastmasters Survivor is ……….. We walked into a room that looked a little different to the usual Transformers meetings. We were greeted by a large earthenware pot poised on a table to right of where the podium usually stands and a slide projector and screen in the place of the podium. “Please write your names as large as possible on this card and hand it back”, was the instruction given. The meeting started as usual but looking around the table it was evident that something was afoot. Many of the assembled group of 12 (9 members, 2 return guests and 1 new guest) were wearing unusual hats and brightly coloured attire. Call to order, introductions and the loyal toast were followed as usual by a toast for the evening. Cheryl-Lynn Langley toasted all South Africans as survivors for making it through this year of economic turbulence and the usual crime, she having been robbed the previous night. Glenice Ebedes offered the response. The scheduled prepared speech for the evening was postponed for logistical reasons.
Here is a sample presentation. See whether you can invent a story to entertain your audience as the slides follow one another (starting with the Survivor logo).
What fun as one after the other the speakers were caught out by unexpected images in the presentation that required very quick thinking to integrate them into a flowing speech. Seven contestants survived to the second round: Keith, Cheryl-Lynn, Rod, Ruth, Solani, Mary and John-Peter. Round 2 required the contestants to demonstrate vocal variety and body language in the most unlikely of scenarios: Noah, about to seal the ark against the rains that have already started, is confronted by a pair of late-comer animals at the foot of the gang plank. In a 2-minute speech the speaker had to alternate between motivating for this pair to come aboard and against such a decision at the ring of a bell. Cheryl-Lynn had to argue for saving the ostrich; Ruth really did not want a pair of tarantulas onboard; Mary capsized the ark with a pair of elephants; Rod was faced with rotting sheep’s wool; Keith wanted to prevent the elephants being consumed by boa constrictors (trust you have all read/seen “the Little Prince” by Saint-Exupéry); Solani fended off flesh eating piranha and finally, John-Peter had mosquitoes buzzing around his ears – why couldn’t they just fly on in? The photos don’t do justice to the antics of the speakers.
Well that sorted out the top three: could have handed out the chocolates and gone home…….. Round 3 required the contestants to demonstrate the best use of props. Speaking to an auditorium of archaeologists each contestant was asked to open a box that contained an unknown artefact and to present same to audience as the archaeological find of the century!
By audience vote the final results were:
This pretty much means that an annual contest has been added to the Transformers calendar.
Under Hall of Fame, Glenice reported her first 2 paying assignments as an events photographer. Well done. Toastmasters’ year runs from July to June. This was the last meeting for the calendar year but marks the mid-point in the Toastmasters year. The first meeting for 2010 takes place on Monday, 11th January at the Tennis Pavilion of the Morningside Country Club and everyone is welcome. If you would like to attend as a guest to investigate Toastmasters give John-Peter a call or drop him an email (just click Contact Us/Map/Directions in the grey box alongside). The committee of Transformers wishes everyone, Toastmasters, guests and casual readers of this website, a wonderful and safe festive season.
|
|||
| Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 January 2010 21:06 |
Third prize: Mary Byrne
Second prize: John-Peter Gernaat
And the Transformers Survivor for 2009: Cheryl-Lynn Langley.
