No Kidding. It is a matter of both dogma and documentation that there may not be more than one class of Mensan, regardless of age, gender, financial status, etc. So, it was with some surprise that members heard that St. Louis Area Mensa had banned kids from its Regional Gathering, even though the kids were members. Looks like that group is living right up to its acronym.
ASAE Does It. National staff's adherence to the principles of and participation in the American Society of Association Executives has rankled with some members, especially those who believe in the unique nature of Mensa. Maybe the tight association of the two organizations is getting closer; maybe this was simple serendipity (for those who participate in both organizations): The December AMC meeting in Disney World was right across the hall from a meeting of — c'mon, guess — the ASAE. Since there was no RG connected with the AMC presence, maybe having both organizations' meetings together was a Minnie Gathering.
Slight Selection Committee. Only one local group followed the rules regarding the deadline for bidding on the 2007 Annual Gathering. A second group bid nearly three weeks after the deadline. Both groups' bids were considered equally by the Site Selection Committee.
Tim-brrrrrrr! Tim Folks has resigned as AMC Communications Officer, citing battles, nicks and conflicting management philosophies — as in when he tried to give volunteers responsibility with the requisite authority to carry out tasks, struggled against micromanagement policies, attempted to build a system of backups for positions and insisted the editors e-list be kept open to members. What he got from some AMC members was the cold shoulder, along with a lot of hassle. If this is what results from AMC folks trying to work for the membership, watch out for falling leaders. Timber!
Ejection Faction. Ya gotta take heart from this one. The website for the 2006 World Gathering (at the same hotel as the above-mentioned December AMC meeting) originally stated that anyone could be denied permission to attend or could be ejected for no reason at all. Protests broke out on the e-lists, and the wording was changed. Must just have been coincidental timing.
Actions Sometimes In Effect. The ASIEs are "only guidelines" for AMC that can be followed but don't have to be, according to several members of that august body. Since we're all equal, I wonder if AMC is willing to extend that privilege of choice to all of us!
A Lot of Bull. When staff editor Dick Hodgson published a picture of a tattooed lady on the cover of the Mensa Bulletin, it was refreshing. When he subsequently published derogatory letters, it was beyond surprising. American Mensa members are constantly being told not to do anything that would put the organization at risk. Maybe that is left up to the staff instead.
— compiled by Staff