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RVC Thoughts - April 2007
Hello members of Region 3! This article has a bit of a mixed bag of messages,
some are legislative news and some are general house keeping. I'd like to begin
by announcing the winners of my drawing for extra funding to hold a local New
Members' event. Ten groups requested to be entered, I had enough funding for
three and received an extra $300.00 at the AMC meeting. The winners are: Western
Pennsylvania, Cleveland, Columbus, Mid Michigan, Western New York, and Northern
Michigan. The amount of $100.73 each will be transferred by National into these
groups' accounts, for use to help fund a New Members' event sometime in 2007.
Kentuckiana, Cincinnati, Blue Grass, and Western Michigan were not drawn but
will receive priority for funding for a 2008 event when I hold a drawing next
year. The six groups who didn't enter, please do so next year; this is a good
opportunity to welcome new members into a group.
In last month's column, I pitched the importance of voting in the upcoming
election. What I forgot to mention was the Mensa International elections. These,
too, are very important, since Mensa is a world-wide organization. The
candidates include some American Mensa members who are very deserving of your
support and vote. As always, though, vote for whom you think is best, but please
vote. While it is not appropriate to use this column to endorse individual
candidates, I will say that your choice matters in shaping the future of both
the national and international organizations. If you are satisfied the way
things are, vote so. If you would like at least a hope of change, vote that way.
Just follow the simple voting procedure and let your opinion be counted.
On the legislative front, I will quickly highlight the motions passed or
rejected which I think influence us the most. Many are purely administrative and
have little or no consequence, so I'll skip those altogether. My ratings are
based on my personal belief of the impact of the motion on the general
membership; there are numerous ways of looking at these, but I'm giving you my
slant on things.
The good news:
A motion was passed which requires local consent to host an Annual Gathering in
its territory. In these days of SIGs and consortiums, having someone decide to
hold an AG in your area can be like Dorothy's house falling on you - most
unwelcome. Those groups who want an AG, fine. This protects those who don't from
an unsolicited bid.
Groups who bid for an AG with a personal presentation to the AMC and don't win
it will be reimbursed up to $400.00 The only way to have a prayer in winning an
AG bid is to present one in person, and this can be costly to a local group.
This encourages groups to bid on AGs.
A motion was defeated which would have set the responsibility of the hosting
group for a financial loss of an AG to 100 times Mensa regular dues. When a
group makes an honest effort to host an AG, they shouldn't be on the hook for
losses which could devastate them for years to come.
The proposed changes to Minimum Standard Bylaws and Model Bylaws for local
groups were approved. These changes in some instances clarify and streamline
what is expected of local groups.
The Local Group Charter Review Committee was dismissed. This is a victory for us
who wish to see local groups left alone and protected from unnecessary paperwork
and procedures.
The neutral news:
Guidelines were established for the Research Review Committee. Doesn't affect
the average member much, but for anyone involved in it, should serve to better
set the goals of that committee and how they achieve them.
The bad news:
Colloquia will now be sponsored by the Mensa Foundation. I objected to the loss
of member recourse. The local group now has to coordinate with the Foundation ,
which is analogous to a public authority; it has no responsibility to Mensa
members. At least with AML involvement, members could bring complaints and
concerns to elected officials. Be this as it may, colloquia will continue to be
held, which benefits the membership.
Testing fees and prior evidence review fees are being raised. While local groups
will see their reimbursement for test administered raised from $12.50 to $15.00,
this is proportionately a decrease. Also, I couldn't personally support a fee
increase for a program which is imperative to Mensa attracting new members and
which I don't believe is being administered as efficiently as possible.
The FY 2007 - 2008 budget was passed. It was a business-as-usual budget which
will make it increasingly difficult for future AMCs to contain the
administrative and operational cost of Mensa.
As I prefaced with, this is my slant on the more important subjects. I'd be more
than happy to discuss any or all areas in more detail with anyone who cares to.
Lastly, don't forget Southeast Michigan Mensa's upcoming RG, Western
Pennsylvania's around Labor Day, Cleveland's at the end of September, and watch
for news from Columbus, which ran into difficulty with its proposed hotel and
now is scrambling to hold the RG at a new site; it may or may not be held this
year. If I forgot anyone, just let me know. I welcome your comments, concerns,
critiques, and will even accept "atta boys" if offered. Hope to hear from you
soon and please vote!
Dave Swanka
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