The president Andrew Timberlake called the meeting to order at 18.25 and requested everyone introduce themselves.
Kirsten confirmed the programme and Matt proposed the Loyal Toast.
The Toastmaster for the evening was Paul Smith.
Speeches
Thuli Makhene: CC1 Why I must learn the Tango
Thuli held the meeting entranced as she highlighted the two constants in her life – travel and learning to speak an increasing number of languages. Her parents seemed to want her to live in every province in South Africa and while living there to learn the language spoken most frequently in that province!
Once she was operating under her own steam she studied in the USA and then learnt French so she could really make the most of a field trip to Paris.
Now her ears are set on learning Spanish and the challenge of visiting Spain or the more exciting prospect of Tango-ing in the Argentine.
Terry Mashoke: CC1 Perfect work in Progress
Terry who started life in Zimbabwe was very relieved at the age of 6 that her mother decided to stop providing her with more brothers and sisters!
She loved school holidays, especially a trip to the Victoria Falls, when she went on a sunset cruise and game viewing.
Boarding school, at the age of 9 was a bitter sweet experience but taught her discipline & independence.
Her post school days started with secretarial training, which gave her access to, but not a seat in, the Board Room.
So she set off on the road to higher education, first a PR diploma in London, then a B degree in marketing communication and so to an MBA.
This enabled her to graduate from a sales rep, to accounts manager and then strategic management and so the trip continues from typing pool to Board Room and who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Theresa Muller: CC2 Small Business in South Africa
Theresa provided us with a range of fascinating business statistics, primarily from overseas, with respect to small and large businesses, their contribution to GDP, employment statistics, etc.
On the positive side she highlighted that it was actually small business that made the world go round, primarily because they had the flexibility to rapidly take advantage of and adapt to changing situations.
However on the negative side, small businesses tended to be hardest hit by economic downturns, but she countered this with innovative suggestions on how to overcome some of these problems, for example small businesses working together to pool their resources
She closed by saying that for South Africa to do well it must ensure not just the survival but also the success of our small businesses.
Danie Fourie: CC2 Conspiracy Busted
Danie posed the Question “Did NASA actually land a man on the moon or was it a well orchestrated hoax”.
He presented 3 strong arguments to prove the hoax theory and countered these with three equally good explanations to prove man really did land on the moon.
His first argument was based on the fact that the flag planted on the moon was flying and not drooping, when it was in a vacuum. The second argument hinged around the lack of stars in photos taken on the moon and the final argument discussed the footprint on the moon.
Having challenged our thinking processes Danie left the audience to weigh the evidence and decide for themselves.
Ray Smit: CC3 Random Acts of Kindness
Ray described Random Acts of Kindness as being kind without warning. He said Random Acts of Kindness were always a win-win, since both the giver and receiver benefited.
Google records half a million Random Acts of Kindness and websites are dedicated to the topic.
Classic random acts of kindness include paying a tollgate fee or stopping to help change a tyre for a total stranger.
Ray asked his son and daughter for examples, his daughter suggested playing with a child at school, who had no friends or sharing her lunch with someone who had none. His son suggested standing up for someone who was being bullied
Ray closed with a quote from Martin Luther King “The Time is Always Right to do What is Right”.
Presentation of ACS Badge
Before breaking for recess Andrew proudly presented Graham with his ACS Badge.
Media Education Session
Kirsten and Erich presented a fascinating very informative session on how to conduct a TV interview. Kirsten’s recorded TV interview on the role and value of a Life Coach was viewed and reviewed by everyone. Kirsten and Erich then reworked the interview, based on a number of suggestions and the audience again assessed this vastly improved and very much more dynamic interview.
Evaluation Session
Mathew, as chief evaluator, led the session in which Karen evaluated Thuli’s speech, Monica Terry’s speech, Andrew Theresa’s speech, Richard Danie’s speech and Mathew Ray’s speech.
Time Keeper – Emma Dougherty very efficiently provided the timing.
ALS Presentation – Richard summarised the Extensia project, how this club had been very successfully relaunched.
Grammarians Report - Danie Roux gave a creative humorous grammarian’s report.
Hark Master – The audience had listened well and Coralie as Hark Master was not able to extract much money.
On a Point
The next meeting would be on Wednesday 17 June.
COT Training for all new Committee Members was on Saturday 20 June.
The Clubs Induction dinner was scheduled for Wednesday 24 June 2009, details to follow.
The Clubs humorous contest was provisionally scheduled for Wednesday 19 August
and Mini-Con would be held in Johannesburg on 16 and 17 October at Woodmead
Danie Roux reminded members that he recorded on DVD all the speeches and evaluations. Copies could be had at a cost of R10.00. this money was to be put in a self addressed envelope and given to him after which he would forward copies of the assignment.
Members would be asked to vote, via e-mail, for the awards to be presented at the installation dinner.