The 2004 Publications Recognition Program (PRP) Guidelines have been finalized. If you are familiar with the program, you will notice some major changes this year. If you are a first-timer, this is a great year to submit your newsletters and/or Websites. The rules are more flexible than ever before, with more emphasis on members, quality and friendly competition.

The first major change is in the number of awards. They have been reduced. It was time to consolidate and streamline the groupings. Editors and Webmasters will each be competing in eight categories.

One of the stated purposes of the PRP is to challenge and inspire local group members to contribute to local group newsletters and Websites, enhancing the local Mensa experience. In the past, the PRP was split into two sections: newsletters and Websites. This year, the program includes an entire division dedicated to individual contributors. Although a few of the contributor awards existed last year in either the newsletter or Website sections, this year they all reside in a section of their own.

In previous years, editors were allowed to submit only three issues of their newsletter — usually chosen for the best overall qualities. Any outstanding individual contribution that was not in a submitted issue could not win an award. This year, in addition to the three issues that editors submit for award consideration, they may also submit any other individual contribution from the remaining issues of that year. This change should give more contributors the opportunity to be recognized for their exceptional work.

The final major change is a reduction in the number of Owls awarded. For the past several years, three Owls were presented to newsletters and three to Websites, each Owl representing the best in small-, medium- and large-sized groups. The multiplicity of Owls based on group size had the effect of telling the small and medium groups that they couldn't compete equally with the large groups. In some cases, this perceived inability to compete just wasn't accurate, nor is it necessarily true currently. Additionally, awarding numerous Owls cheapens the awards: The Owl has long been used by Mensa to signify excellence, and it is time to return to the tradition of awarding just one Owl for the best newsletter and one Owl for the best Website.

You can view the complete PRP Guidelines on line.

With the guidelines finalized and published, it is time to find judges. Due to the PRP's expansion to three sections, the program needs at least 24 judges, eight per section. Judges should represent a cross-section of Mensa. Former editors and Webmasters are welcome to judge, but previous experience is not a requirement. A majority of our members will never edit a newsletter or become a Webmaster, but their opinions are just as important because every member is an end user of the newsletters and Websites. Anyone interested in judging can e-mail the PRP Chair, Marc Lederman, by clicking on his name below.

—Marc Lederman
   2004 PRP Chair