Advice to Newcomers (part two)
Here's the next "Advice To Newcomers" column I wrote:
In last month's newsletter, I suggested that newcomers start getting more out of their Mensa membership by attending at least four local events. Bring a guest or two if you'd like, and introduce yourself to other Mensans. I gave some suggestions for appropriate "snacks to share", and suggested how to find the Mensa group at a restaurant when you have no idea who they are.
Once you've gotten to know the local group, you might want to go to out of town events, too. Often a whole different group of Mensans enjoy the traveling events.
You can take a guest or family members to most of these; you could also go with friends you have made in the local group. Most out-of-town attendees value the comfort and privacy of a single room in the hotel where the event is being held. When you reserve your room, be sure to specify that you are with the Mensa event.(*) However, it is common to reduce expenses by sharing rides and sharing rooms. (If you don't know anyone else who's going, you can usually ask the registrar for help in finding a roommate.) You probably won't spend much time in your hotel room. There will be plenty of things to do and people to meet. Don't spend all your time with people you already know - introduce yourself to others, swap email addresses, kick up your heels or settle in with a board game.
Most Mensa weekend events include breakfasts and other meals in the registration price. There will always be plenty of drinks and snacks available. If you're not sure what's included or what you should bring, don't hesitate to ask the organizers.
The Annual Gathering, or AG, is a great place to start. Every year over 1500 Mensans gather to attend interesting programs, talk, sit in on the annual Business Meeting, talk, play games, talk, and generally have a good time. It is usually held over the Fourth of July weekend, and moves around the country. Often members take their families and stay extra days. The 2004 AG was in New Orleans, the 2005 AG was in Las Vegas, and the 2006 WG (World Gathering) was in DisneyWorld. The 2007 AG will be "old time" and down-home, in affordable Birmingham, Alabama.
If the AG is too large, too far away, or too expensive for you - or if you simply don't want to wait until next summer - try a nearby Regional Gathering (RG). Many local groups host RGs every year. Each group's RG acquires a flavor of its own. The St. Louis RG tends to be small, with just a few programs and plenty of socializing over sandwiches and chocolate in the Hospitality room. Traditionally its highlight is a formal banquet followed by karaoke late into the night - or joining the other karaoke refugees in Hospitality for ice cream and commiseration!
Every Halloween weekend, Chicago Mensa hosts HalloweeM. This enormous Halloween party attracts 500 to 600 Mensans. There is a complete gifted children's track and kids' costume party as well, so many families attend. However, the adults' costume contest often features punning costumes, and some of the double entendres are definitely risqué. It's no wonder that 'WeeM has become known as a good RG for singles, too. Whether young or young at heart, you're sure to meet others who think intelligence is sexy.
The many Ohio RGs are known for lots of home-made food in the Hospitality rooms and games, games, games - bridge tournaments, poker tournaments, trivia tournaments, euchre, Scrabble, sing-downs, silly relay races, and double deck cancellation hearts (DDCH). Or you might attend a camping event like Indianapolis's Outdoor Gathering, or Utah's Ski SIG week.
For professional development and a more intense learning experience, try a Mensa Colloquium. Colloquium participants discuss a topic in-depth and attend presentations given by internationally-recognized experts (although there is plenty of time to socialize as well).
You could help determine this year's winner of the Mensa Select Award by attending the annual Mind Games event. Mind Games participants evaluate new games and judge them carefully. (Oh, and socialize too.) Previous years' winners include Trivial Pursuit, Apples to Apples, and Fluxx.
Regions occasionally sponsor Leadership Development Workshops, or LDWs, that any member may attend for free. At an LDW you will learn more about how to organize events large and small, how to produce a newsletter, how to talk with the press, even how to maintain high standards of food safety.
Whatever out of town event you attend, you will find that the quickest way to become part of the "in crowd" is to volunteer. You'd be amazed at how much a good dish-washer is appreciated!
* NOTE: I didn't go into detail about this, but I really should have. If you attend an out-of-town Mensa event and stay at the event hotel, please, please, please make sure the hotel knows when you make your reservations that you are with the Mensa group. Even if you don't get a special rate, even if they tell you that "the block is full", insist that they note it in your reservation anyway. This is because the organizers of the event generally get discounts for the group meeting spaces based on the number of room-nights the event brings to the hotel. If enough attendees stay enough nights, then they'll even get the Hospitality Room, Game Room, etc all for free. In this way organizers keep the prices low.
By the way -- the people who organize these events? All volunteers who work incredibly long hours. Generally they're not even comped with a free registration. When you go to a Regional Gathering, find a volunteer and give them a back rub! :-)
In last month's newsletter, I suggested that newcomers start getting more out of their Mensa membership by attending at least four local events. Bring a guest or two if you'd like, and introduce yourself to other Mensans. I gave some suggestions for appropriate "snacks to share", and suggested how to find the Mensa group at a restaurant when you have no idea who they are.
Once you've gotten to know the local group, you might want to go to out of town events, too. Often a whole different group of Mensans enjoy the traveling events.
You can take a guest or family members to most of these; you could also go with friends you have made in the local group. Most out-of-town attendees value the comfort and privacy of a single room in the hotel where the event is being held. When you reserve your room, be sure to specify that you are with the Mensa event.(*) However, it is common to reduce expenses by sharing rides and sharing rooms. (If you don't know anyone else who's going, you can usually ask the registrar for help in finding a roommate.) You probably won't spend much time in your hotel room. There will be plenty of things to do and people to meet. Don't spend all your time with people you already know - introduce yourself to others, swap email addresses, kick up your heels or settle in with a board game.
Most Mensa weekend events include breakfasts and other meals in the registration price. There will always be plenty of drinks and snacks available. If you're not sure what's included or what you should bring, don't hesitate to ask the organizers.
The Annual Gathering, or AG, is a great place to start. Every year over 1500 Mensans gather to attend interesting programs, talk, sit in on the annual Business Meeting, talk, play games, talk, and generally have a good time. It is usually held over the Fourth of July weekend, and moves around the country. Often members take their families and stay extra days. The 2004 AG was in New Orleans, the 2005 AG was in Las Vegas, and the 2006 WG (World Gathering) was in DisneyWorld. The 2007 AG will be "old time" and down-home, in affordable Birmingham, Alabama.
If the AG is too large, too far away, or too expensive for you - or if you simply don't want to wait until next summer - try a nearby Regional Gathering (RG). Many local groups host RGs every year. Each group's RG acquires a flavor of its own. The St. Louis RG tends to be small, with just a few programs and plenty of socializing over sandwiches and chocolate in the Hospitality room. Traditionally its highlight is a formal banquet followed by karaoke late into the night - or joining the other karaoke refugees in Hospitality for ice cream and commiseration!
Every Halloween weekend, Chicago Mensa hosts HalloweeM. This enormous Halloween party attracts 500 to 600 Mensans. There is a complete gifted children's track and kids' costume party as well, so many families attend. However, the adults' costume contest often features punning costumes, and some of the double entendres are definitely risqué. It's no wonder that 'WeeM has become known as a good RG for singles, too. Whether young or young at heart, you're sure to meet others who think intelligence is sexy.
The many Ohio RGs are known for lots of home-made food in the Hospitality rooms and games, games, games - bridge tournaments, poker tournaments, trivia tournaments, euchre, Scrabble, sing-downs, silly relay races, and double deck cancellation hearts (DDCH). Or you might attend a camping event like Indianapolis's Outdoor Gathering, or Utah's Ski SIG week.
For professional development and a more intense learning experience, try a Mensa Colloquium. Colloquium participants discuss a topic in-depth and attend presentations given by internationally-recognized experts (although there is plenty of time to socialize as well).
You could help determine this year's winner of the Mensa Select Award by attending the annual Mind Games event. Mind Games participants evaluate new games and judge them carefully. (Oh, and socialize too.) Previous years' winners include Trivial Pursuit, Apples to Apples, and Fluxx.
Regions occasionally sponsor Leadership Development Workshops, or LDWs, that any member may attend for free. At an LDW you will learn more about how to organize events large and small, how to produce a newsletter, how to talk with the press, even how to maintain high standards of food safety.
Whatever out of town event you attend, you will find that the quickest way to become part of the "in crowd" is to volunteer. You'd be amazed at how much a good dish-washer is appreciated!
* NOTE: I didn't go into detail about this, but I really should have. If you attend an out-of-town Mensa event and stay at the event hotel, please, please, please make sure the hotel knows when you make your reservations that you are with the Mensa group. Even if you don't get a special rate, even if they tell you that "the block is full", insist that they note it in your reservation anyway. This is because the organizers of the event generally get discounts for the group meeting spaces based on the number of room-nights the event brings to the hotel. If enough attendees stay enough nights, then they'll even get the Hospitality Room, Game Room, etc all for free. In this way organizers keep the prices low.
By the way -- the people who organize these events? All volunteers who work incredibly long hours. Generally they're not even comped with a free registration. When you go to a Regional Gathering, find a volunteer and give them a back rub! :-)