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From 5/23/02
- A letter from Angie Richardson, Editor for Mensa 76's "Spirit of 76" to Dan Wilterding

Hi, Dan and all --
Who's been nominated for the Small Group Owl? Angela Mabray and Central Oklahoma Mensa's Mensokie, that's whooo. Congratulations! You deserved this recognition completely.

Way to go, Angela, and way to go, Rachael and Roger:

• a.. Lonestar Mensa Armadillo Literary Gazette -- Photography
• b.. Lonestar Armadillo "Your Fellow Lonestar Mensans" -- Poetry
• c.. Central Oklahoma Mensokie 9/1 Cover -- Artwork only covers, and ballots not completely descriptive
• d.. Central Oklahoma Mensa Mensokie -- Style
• e.. Central Oklahoma Mensa Mensokie -- Found
• f.. Central Oklahoma Mensa Mensokie -- LocSec Column (Nancy Park)
• g.. Central Oklahoma Mensokie "Haiku" by Melisa Derk -- Poetry
• h.. New Mexico Menzia Quiz Queen -- Puzzles, Game
• i.. New Mexico Menzia "Luna Rosa" -- Poetry
• j.. Lonestar Armadillo -- RG Pictures

We're going to do our best to whup all your butts next year, though. Just thought I'd let you know -- don't slack up! :)

The Editors e-list recently carried the notice from Ed Gordon, PRP 2002 Chair, posting the judges' final PRP nominations. I have the full list of nominees, in case anyone needs it.

Best,
Angie Richardson
Mensa 76
elan@cowtown.net

From 7/7/01

Mini-Minutes of the American Mensa Committee Meeting
July 7, 2001
Addison, Texas
by Dan Burg, Second Vice-Chairman

Election and appointments to the AMC:
Regional Vice-Chairman for Region 8: Scott Rainey.
Development Officer: Don Pendley.
Director of Science and Education: Dr. Michael H. Jacobson.
Membership Officer: Joanna Soper.
Communications Officer: Tyger Gilbert.

Appointments to other than the AMC (alphabetical by appointed position and/or committee):
Community Activities Program Coordinator: DeDe Tredinnick.
Corporate Counsel: Sean Healy, Esq.
Convention and Travel Consultant: Rose Lee B. Crutcher.
Historian: Vince Bonzagni.
Intellectual Property Counsel: Clifton E. McCann, Esq.
InterLoc editor: Jane Gmur.
Interpretive Counsel: Nancy J. Heller, Esq.
Leadership Workshop Development Coordinator: Kebba Buckley.
MensaWorldConnect Coordinator: Benjamin Bao.
Literacy Project Coordinator: Jackie Abrams.
Second National Representative to Mensa International (NatRep): BAKKE.
Third NatRep: WERDELL.
Fourth NatRep: BURG.
First Alternate NatRep: PENDLEY.
Second Alternate NatRep: KIRSCH.
Parliamentarian: BAKKE.
Project Inkslinger (r) Coordinator: Marc Lederman.
Assistant RVC, Region 1: Wendy Birchmire.
Assistant RVC, Region 7: Tony Jackowski.
SIGs Officer: Cat Sterrett.
Supervisory Psychologist: Dr. Abbie Salny.
U.S. SIGHT Coordinator: Tanya Hsu.
Assistant U.S. SIGHT Coordinator: De Freshwater.
Awards Committee chair: Gabe Werba.
American Mensa Cyberspace Committee chair: Rich Schwartz.
Bylaws Committee: BAKKE (chair), BURG, BANKO, and BURNHAM.
Community Services Committee chair: RUDOLPH.
Finance Committee chair: WERDELL.
Gifted Children Committee chair: Dr. Joan Hiller.
KidsTrek Coordinator on the Gifted Children Committee: Martha Feld.
Intellectual Events Committee chair: Dave Gunderlach.
Joint AML/MERF Research Review Committee chair: JACOBSON.
Leadership Development Committee chair: BURKE.
Licensing Committee chair : PENDLEY.
Membership Committee chair: SOPER.
Name and Logo Committee chair: PENDLEY.
Nominating Committee chair: Darlene Criss.
Publications Committee: GILBERT (chair), BANKO, MAGNUS.
Risk Management Committee chair: Deb Stone.
Salny Award Committee chair: BURNHAM.
Site Selection Committee chair: BURG.

No bids have been received to date for the 2004 and 2005 Annual Gatherings. Bids may now be submitted for the 2004 AG from consortiums of individuals as well as from local groups, for immediate consideration. Bids for the 2005 AG are still restricted to local groups, and will be considered at the 2002 AG.

AML finished the last fiscal year with revenues exceeding expenses by approximately $79,000, which is within 0.4% of the budgeted amount.

Sales of at-home tests are up 700% since they were made available for sale through the web site.

The Minimum Standard Bylaws were amended to clarify that proctors and SIGHT Coordinators are nominated by the local group, but appointed by the national coordinator of each program.

The Executive Director is considered an ex officio member of the AMC and of the Executive Committee without vote; the ED may be excluded from discussion of certain matters.

If charges are filed against a member before a Regional or National Hearings Committee, the member may not resign until the charges are resolved. Elections and other changes in National Hearings Committee membership will not affect a hearing already in progress.

Next AMC meeting: September 29, 2001, in Ontario, California.

From 1/25/01

Yesterday, after church, I had my blood pressure checked by our church nurse. It was 196/108. She ordered me to see my doctor at the earliest opportunity.

I saw him today. He checked it again, and it was still high. Last summer it was 132/80. He asked me what had been going on my life lately, and I told him of various events that have occurred to me over the past several months.

He then wrote out the following instructions. "Robert Beatty is ordered to step down from the office of National Chairman of Mensa immediately due to health related issues".

I told him I only had about five months left of my term, and he said I could easily have a stroke in those five months.

Therefore I am stepping down immediately as National Chairman of Mensa.

I talked to Pam and Jean first, then to Russ, Dan, Jim (who wasn't home), and Darlene. Jean is aware of some of the responsibilities being thrust upon her, and will learn more rapidly. I will do all I can to help her, as will Pam and all the other members of the national office. I ask you to provide her all the help you can provide her in this sudden transition.

Jean will become Chairman immediately, and Russ will become First Vice-Chairman immediately. Russ, Jean, Dan and I talked about the need to fill the position of Second Vice-Chairman. We all thought it would be good to appoint Darlene to fill out the term. She is willing to do so, and will not run for the position for the next term. Dan will very shortly be preparing an E-Mail ballot for you all to vote upon.

Darlene will also immediately become Chairman of the Hearings Committee, replacing Dick Amyx. Dave Remine and I will be the other two members of the Hearings Committee.

Jean and I will both write a column for the next Bulletin, and I will send a letter to all the Loc Secs and Editors.

I will also be withdrawing from candidacy for Chairman for next term. Guy Conti - please note this.

As I was told tonight by each of the individuals directly, Jean will be running for Chairman now, and Russ will be running for First Vice-Chairman. Dan has said he will run for Second Vice-Chairman. These will need to be by petition. Fifty valid signatures are necessary, to be recieved by Guy Conti by March 1.

Jean will also be taking my place on the MERF board, and on the IBD Ex-Comm. Will persons preparing the mailing lists for these please make the necessary changes.

To maintain continuity, I will remain on the IBD, but will now only have two votes. Jean and Russ will each have three. I will also remain on the Finance committee, to help ease the transition for Jean. I will also complete Pam's review, and thank everyone for sending me their comments. I have now had responses from everyone.

I don't think any committee assignments need to be changed, although Russ should pick up liaison for the committee's Jean had. These are SIGs, MensaMate, Awards, Leadership Development, and LDW Coordinator. I ask Russ to continue as By-Laws Chairman and Parliamentarian, and Darlene to keep Name and Logo. Dave Remine will pick up Bootstrap, as per the ASIE.

This has been a very difficult day for me, as I leave the Chairmanship under these circumstances. But as much as I care for Mensa, as Kathy told me, "I need you more than Mensa does, and so do your children and grand-children. And we all want more than a memory of you."

God bless you all.

Bob

From 1/21/01

Sixth Sense

With the USA elections finally over, it does not take a psychic ability to know that the Mensa elections will go much more quickly and easily. In fact, in Region 6, we have a common sense approach to candidates, a different kind of “Sixth Sense” as it were. This year, our region is in luck with two candidates: Ray O’Connor from North Texas Mensa and Dan Wilterding from Mensa 76. Both gentlemen agreed to answer a few questions so that we could get to know them a bit better. Geri Neemidge from Lonestar Mensa and Don Taylor from Panhandle Mensa were the driving force behind formulating questions that would give our candidates the opportunity to tell us their goals and reveal a bit about their individual personalities. I’m TJ Lundeen, Central Oklahoma Mensa, and I had the privilege of working with both candidates as well as the question makers to produce what I believe is a first in any region: questions coming out of the region and answered by the regional candidates for the regional membership. And that approach just makes sense. Sixth Sense.

When Dan Wilterding wrote to say the questions were thought provoking, he might have been thinking of the one in which Sixth Sense asked the following:

Mensa gatherings are a bit like a stew -- many ingredients blended together. What ingredients would you put in the stew to make it the most savory? Should it be a meal to appeal to everybody or should it be gourmet-style for select palates? (This does not necessarily pertain to just RGs.)

Ray O’Connor (RO): I have a friend who brings her mother to RGs. Upon checking in, her mother goes to the games’ room to start playing Bridge. She emerges only for meals and a minimum of sleep. Bridge is her passion and RGs meet her fervor. I know members who miss the interpersonal contact of hugging. Mensa gatherings provide that opportunity. (I will admit that some of us are more needy than others.)

Before joining Mensa, I went to a party at a friend’s house that happened to be the open house for the local Mensa group. My wife’s comment was “Those people are just like you!” Mensa is a stew. We are all different. We have very different interests and Mensa provides a way we can share those interests with people who while different, are “just like us.”

Dan Wilterding (DW): We are like a stew in many ways, although I think of us as a buffet or smorgasbord -- unending samples, spicy and rare, variety and quantity to suit any palate. We are subtle flavors with surprising aftertastes; we are textures and combinations seldom seen. In us, you will find that hamburgers mix well with fine wine. We are this smorgasbord, with variety and depth to suit all tastes and desires -- requiring only the effort of going to the table in order to partake, and by partaking becoming part of the feast. We are what we choose to take from the table; we are also what we bring to the table.

Sixth Sense asks: With the recent push to expand membership, what do you think needs to be done to retain members and bring pride in membership to a higher level?

DW: Pride in our Mensa and member retention go hand in hand. When, as an organization, Mensa is consistently seen by the members to be responsive to the needs and desires of the members, increased pride and retention will follow.

RO: A big brother/sister program is very effective in helping new members find their “special interest”. Mensa is what we make of it. The special interest group facility of Mensa helps everyone find that special niche for his or her interests. Your special interest may be British Comedy, Bridge, Trivial Pursuit, lunch, Regional Gatherings, Dance or just having someone with whom to talk (hug). If you can’t find your special interest in Mensa, become the national coordinator and form a group. I did. It was easy.

When asked what Mensa does, I usually refer to MERF and the annual scholarship programs. We were instrumental in collecting books to help with flood relief a few years back. Unfortunately, only a very few members work on these worthwhile projects. If I’m to feel proud, don’t I have to give more of myself to those projects?

The best way to retain members is to get them involved!

Sixth Sense: What are some of the challenges (not necessarily Mensan) that you have experienced, and how would you incorporate some of your successes in those challenges to your new position as RVC 6?

RO: My challenge was raising four Mensa eligible children.

My Ph.D. studies in Industrial Psychology exposed me to ideas on how to motivate Mensans. As RVC 6 I will try to motivate Mensans to get involved, to be active, to do something of which to be proud.

I was Director of Federal and Municipal Contracts for a major leasing company. I want to help the Region 6 groups to negotiate their contracts for RGs. I’m an RG groupie. Sue and I attend as many RGs as we can afford. I will encourage the local groups in Region 6 to have RGs and my offer will include, I’ll do hospitality.

DW: A few years ago I decided to go back to school, having previously qualified for government funding for college. Unfortunately the government agency in charge had lost my paperwork (and proof of qualification). After exhausting all avenues within that agency, I sought assistance in the office of my US Senator. Shortly after, everything was put right and I was once again funded and able to attend college. Two-and-a-half years later, I was the proud possessor of a degree in Industrial Technology.

One of the lessons from this is that help is available when you need it, but you have to ask. Another lesson is that it is possible to do the right thing for yourself and for others by working together. There are many ways to be right; sometimes it takes a bit of digging to find the one that is also fair and just.

Incorporating these lessons will involve ensuring open communication between members in such a way that there is no hesitancy in requesting or offering assistance, coupled with active cooperation among members to improve our Mensa in whatever way needed -- large or small.

Sixth Sense: For fun, we asked each candidate to write a haiku explaining why we should vote for him as RVC.

DW:
Together we can.
Addressing the needs of each
we address our own.

RO:
Chili Peppers are red, Bluebonnets are blue.
Vote for me, I’ll work for you.

Sixth Sense: What ideas do you have for Region 6 to become one of the most involved Regions? How would you go about incorporating those ideas? What would you offer, if anything, to the uninvolved majority?

RO: Let’s use today’s technology! A very effective technique of communications is e-mail lists. I’m on several Mensa e-mail lists and get to share with my friends from around the country even when I can’t get to the local gathering to be with them in person. Get inactive members on e-mail lists where they get to share more with their Mensa friends. North Texas Mensa has an online chat room where members can share ideas.

Mensa offers special interest groups. The local groups need to put together a varied program to offer something of interest to a wide range of interests. However, the uninvolved must want something of value for their annual dues. It is up to the individual to get involved. The local group can facilitate. Thereafter, it is up to the individual.

DW: The uninvolved majority -- that large percentage of members that join, pay their dues, and little else … for many the satisfaction of membership is enough; the magazine and card are reward enough. A different thought: could it be that many of these “uninvolved members” simply attend different functions than the observer?

Some members may wish to be more active, but “real life” will not allow -- for those we must continue to offer activities and opportunities against the time that they are able to become more active; perhaps an occasional reminder or personal invitation to an event would be in order. Hmmm, sounds a lot like the way to treat “regular” members, doesn’t it?

Sixth Sense: What would you consider proprietary enough NOT to discuss with the general membership?

DW: Not sure what you mean by proprietary. Using “confidential” instead, as a roundtable society very few things fit the bill: matters of a personal nature that do not involve Mensa, or anything that I agree to keep in confidence (until and unless released from the agreement) are the first things that come to mind.

As a roundtable society (what we profess to be, therefore what we should be), few are the situations that justify withholding information.

RO: A local group could be negotiating contracts with hotels. For a time while the negotiations are ongoing, it would be misleading to discuss those terms. American Mensa may be negotiating contracts. During the negotiation stage, disclosure would be inappropriate. Other than such ongoing negotiations, Mensa is our group and there should be nothing that is private from all the membership.

Sixth Sense: How do you express gratitude and thank you’s to volunteers?

RO: Being a champion hugger, I always offer hugs as my personal thank you. This year I’ve had the honor to be hospitality chair for the RGs at Houston, Austin and Dallas. For Houston’s RG, I purchased “Hell on Wings” for a special hospitality volunteer who did so much to make hospitality a huge success. At Austin’s RG, special aprons were purchased for hospitality volunteers. At Dallas’s RG, I made extra meatballs for my volunteers.

As the Volunteer Coordinator for the 2001 AG, there are not words enough to express our gratitude for those without whom the AG would not succeed. Mensa is what we make it. There is no better way to enjoy Mensa activities than to volunteer to be a part of the team that makes them happen.

DW: Among other ways: hugs (if welcomed), public thanks, private thanks, more opportunities to volunteer, occasional opportunities to sit one out, reciprocal volunteering.

Sixth Sense: If Mensa were an automobile, what would be the make, model, and year? How would you make it perform better?

DW: What was the car that Johnny Cash sang about? The 1949-50-51-52-53-54 whatever it was - That’s Mensa -- an eclectic combination of parts from various sources, joined together in (sometimes) new and interesting ways, and guaranteed to draw attention wherever it goes. All it needs to run better is a new air filter to enhance the input, fuel injection to allow all the cylinders to get all the gas and enhance responsiveness, and perhaps some interior amenities for the comfort and convenience of the occupants. Oh yeah, an occasional bath and oil change, too.

RO: Mensans would seem to me to be Volvos. We come with more features. We are the select top 2%. When we run, we run better than the rest. When we don’t run, we are especially difficult to get running. People look at us as something special. Yes, definitely a Volvo!

How to improve? Again, motivation is the challenge with the exceptional. If motivated there are few limits as to what we can achieve. Volvo is always searching for an improved feature. We need to always be looking for that program or service that will facilitate greater member participation. There are local groups with chat rooms. I would suggest an e-mail distribution list that includes a large number of members in all communications. I believe the local groups will be the first line in developing programs that address the particular needs of their members. We will need to develop and offer training programs to the future leadership of the local groups to help them develop.

Sixth Sense: Although Region 6 has wonderful members, anyone can become irrational under intense and stressful conditions. We do occasionally attract a member short on social skills and/or disruptive to the local group? How would you handle these behaviors?

RO: We border on legal issues here. American Mensa has the resources to help the RVC and the local groups in dealing with “exceptional” members. We must be very careful.

What is extremely disruptive to some may be considered acceptable to others. Who defines what behavior is unacceptable? There have been many examples of members who don’t like other members. I heard a proposal to ban members’ non-Mensan spouses from local group activities. The intent was to bar one individual who was not liked. I’ve heard of a LocSec who boycotted her local group’s RG because she was mad at the RG Chair. I’ve observed local groups not advertising an RG for another group in their region because “there wasn’t room” in the newsletter.

I believe you’ll agree that many behaviors are not in the best interests of Mensa. However, Mensa is a very tolerant group. We must work very hard to nurture that tolerance. That is one of our strengths. When we encounter one who goes beyond even our tolerances, I would strongly urge getting National involved.

DW: Depending on the situation. Often a quiet talk on the side is all that’s necessary to resolve a difficulty. If a friend is needed to help someone that has over-indulged -- be (or find) that friend. Ideally the solution to any “problem situation” can be found when the matter is handled promptly, fairly, and with a minimum amount of involvement from outside.

Sixth Sense: What do you see as the major challenges facing Region 6 now? Describe any ideas that you have to face these challenges.

DW: One of the challenges is to build a sense of community, a valid perception that members and local groups are cohesive parts of a whole that is simultaneously inter- and in-dependent. Another challenge is knowing when to back off and let things be. A third is to ensure that we have a sense of value returned from our investment in Mensa, to feel that we are “getting something out of being a Mensan” besides a card and a magazine. The primary way to address these challenges involves frequent, timely, and open communication. We also need to acknowledge value where found, and encourage development as individuals and groups.

RO: When I attend RGs in the South and Northeast, I am struck at the aging of Mensa. We seem to be getting older without replacing ourselves with the next generation. I strongly urge programs directed at younger members. 

I am proud to say that when perusing the Dallas monthly calendar, I notice a number of activities directed at younger members. That needs to continue and be encouraged. If we don’t have anything of interest for the younger members, we will lose them. The best way to keep them is to get them involved. Nominating Committees need to be aware of the younger members. No better way to get involved than to become an officer. Youth tracks at RGs are very desirable. While I see the Florida and northeast RGs aging, I see more children at Texas RGs.  

We need to address the issue of inactive members. More varied programs may help. A big brother/sister program may help. Calling them and asking may help. E-mail distributions may help. However we address the issue, we need to strive for ways to give value to our inactive members. 

Sixth Sense: While it is interesting to see how our candidates’ responses compared and contrasted, we also thought it could be worthy of note to give our candidates a list of ten more questions and ask them to pick five to answer. The surprise came when both candidates chose independently to answer most of the same optional questions, but in very different manners. The first optional question to be answered by both candidates was as follows: Most members take a greater interest in the affairs of Mensa when those members are well informed. What ideas to you have about enhancing communication and the different communication vehicles already utilized between the RVC and the members in Region 6? How would these benefit the members?

DW: The currently available newsletters and various electronic media are excellent. Also excellent are phone calls, visits, and letters to individuals (not necessarily just the local group officers). Establishing a reputation of being responsive and available is a priority. Promoting activities involving several groups at once is a good way to build healthy relationships between individuals and groups, besides enabling and encouraging information passing.

RO: I believe Rik Hess has done a wonderful job as our RVC. His monthly column is always informative and I look forward to reading it each month. Rik is always available whenever I have a question. I’m lucky in that Rik lives only 70 miles away from me so that I have been able to take advantage of his hospitality (although no way near as much as I would like). At RGs Rik is always available to the members. Rik was on the program of every Region 6 RG I attended to answer our questions and share with the members what was going on at National.

If elected, I will set as my goal to do as good as Rik.

Sixth Sense: Ray went on to answer the next question in order, which was “Local groups are the heart and soul of Mensa. In your opinion, what are the specific things we can do to strengthen the local groups?”

RO: We need leadership training programs. We need leadership in program development, organizing gatherings, and help in getting involvement from more of our members. We need active programs that will facilitate getting the members out and together. It doesn’t have to be intellectual. A movie night helps to get Mensans together. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants are easy to organize. One of my favorites is Sunday Brunch.

The 2000 RG committee for Houston was large. Every communication was e-mailed to the entire committee. Every reply and comment was shared with the entire committee. Even though I live 200 miles away, I felt a part of everything that was happening. There must be a lesson to be learned from that wonderful experience. The more members that are part of an activity, the more we get to interact with each other.

Sixth Sense: For his second question, Dan opted for “Would you consider rethinking any part of our Bylaws? Why? Why not?”

DW: Of course I would consider it, albeit realizing that Bylaws revision is neither easily nor quickly done, nor will everyone be satisfied with the outcome. I have long been a proponent of “plain English” guidelines and regulations, believing that greater understanding promotes greater compliance. I also believe that fewer rules are generally better.

Sixth Sense: Both Ray and Dan chose to answer the following: What three goals would you like to accomplish as RVC 6?

DW: Based on conversations with other members and on my own thoughts on the matter, I intend to do the following:

1. Establish a seminar that will emphasize brainstorming for regional activities.
2. Initiate a recurring weekend road rally -- planned by participating groups to include activities in and around their own areas.
3. Make it possible for each member to be on frequent (and friendly) speaking terms with members of at least two other groups in the region; thereby building a sense of the larger community that is Mensa

RO: I would like to have more gatherings. I offer to be the hospitality chair for any Region 6 group that will have an RG.
I would like to see more youth oriented programs. We need the next generation to become more active. I would encourage the Nominating Committees to seek younger members. I would encourage youth tracks at RGs. If you bring your kids, I’ll bring mine.
I would like to see more leadership training programs. We need to work with national to organize and implement leadership training. As part of the leadership program, I would propose a prototype of a big brother/sister program.

Sixth Sense: Again, coming together in choice of questions, the candidates answered, “Do you have any ideas on how to solve the problem of location and affordability of AGs as the prices of hotel rooms rise and local groups seem less willing to host?”

DW: Some very good suggestions have already been brought up -- joint ventures between local groups or between groups of individuals come immediately to mind. Perhaps we could deal with a national hotel chain for discounted rates if we agree to use their facilities in various cities for a specified number of years.

RO: As Volunteer Coordinator for the 2001 AG, I am aware that an AG is much more than a local activity. Without a large number of volunteers from around the world, no AG has a chance of success. That being said, why can’t we have an AG in a location with a non-local group?

Several years ago, a non-local group proposed an AG in Las Vegas. Hotels were inexpensive, food costs low and airfares reasonable. That proposal lost due to concerns about the limited local resources in that city. I think it is time to rethink the idea.

Sixth Sense: For the fifth and final optional question, Ray and Dan again chose the same one. Why did you decide to run for RVC 6?

RO: Prior to learning that Rik Hess had decided not to run, I was thinking of how much Mensa has given me and how little I have given back. I had made up my mind to ask Rik how I could help him when I discovered that he wasn’t going to run. In a short time friends from three different Region 6 groups asked me to run. I couldn’t do anything else but accept.

It is time for me to give to Mensa. I know RVC is a great deal of responsibility and work. I believe it’s my turn to carry the ball.

DW: Over the past several years I have taken advantage of the benefits that Mensa offers. I am now in a position to repay (at least in part) by service to Mensa. I will be an active advocate for the region, and actively pursue increased cooperation and realization of potential among the members.

We hope you enjoyed this. We enjoyed putting it together. More than anything, we hope you will take the time to contact your candidates or discuss issues on the various Region 6 e-lists. Communication is the key to a better Mensa.

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