Saturday, June 12, 2010

What I've Done since March

When I set out to fill in my Communications Officer and Committee Chair reports each quarter (or third of a year-- is there a term for that?), I start by listing nearly everything I've done, then I mash it all together in logical ways, based on what the reporting form du jour is asking for.

Here, for your reading pleasure, is my raw list of what I did:

As Communications Officer & ComComm Chair
• Nudged and supported PRP Chair to hit deadlines.
• Forwarded a few notifications of members moving or dying.
• Worked with a member to help her access her LG newsletter online.
• Replied to many many members 's questions and comments regarding the LGS&F Survey.
• Worked with an editor regarding how to get monthly membership data--and made a suggestion for his April Fools issue.
• Continued to hammer out the details and compromises with disgruntled member regarding InterLoc publishing his letter.
• Discussed actions to take or not take regarding an odd member using fake credentials on Facebook.
• Researched and wrote lengthy background paper about InterLoc.
• Led extensive discussion on AMC elist regarding InterLoc's future.
• Prepped agenda for ComComm meeeting in March.
• Reviewed proof of spring issue of FRED.
• Worked with Howard on design, template, and content plans for InterLink.
• Investigated correlation between lapsing members and those who received e-pubs (16% lapsing members had selected epubs).
• Went to Minneapolis for media event at Mall of America. Participated in meeting with parents.
• Wrote long reply to BC regarding his concerns about the directory and gatherings listings' changes in the Bulletin.
• Replied to St Louis editor regarding her quest for a printer.
• Forwarded some members' ideas for national events and marketing projects to appropriate staff members.
• Discussed with Exec Dir why Mensa doesn't provide testing results for Intertel.
• Brought up the ride-sharing ASIE to the AMC for revision-- it was discussed then something shiny caught our eyes and the topic faded without any motions to amend being crafted (I will revisit it next term).
• Answered a member's question about the tax status of AML.
• Discussed with Maumee Valley editor regarding finding and using material published by other editors.
• Sat in (via GoToMeeting) on Webniar: "The Best Blend: Digital and Print"
• Asked Howard to help Western Michigan editor with something about local listings on the Web site.
• Helped a member find another member he knew back in the 1960s.
• Helped a member find information about his local RG.
• Participated (via conference call) in Web Services Dept Development Calendar meeting
• Wrote too-long of an annual report for the Bulletin (Is it a bad thing that there are so many people to thank?)
• Responded to query about the cost and effort involved in creating a Mensa National Office in Second Life.
• Forwarded an editor's request regarding label stock to National Office.
• Did a ton of work on reviewing and revising many ASIEs which pertain to publications in preparation for motions for  the July AMC meeting.
• Reviewed members' comments on the Bulletin (both positive and negative).
• Forwarded a hand-written request from a member for more brochures.
• Helped Bulletin Editor respond to a member's inquiry regarding inclusion of the International Journal and InterLoc in the Bulletin.
• Participated in AMC teleconference in May.
• Forwarded a member's request  to be removed from distribution of Isolated M.
• Notified LG Editors about concerns regarding an advertisement they received from a disbanded SIG. 
• Cajoled several new volunteers into being regular contributors to InterLink.
• Wrote my InterLoc to InterLink article.
• Solicited feature article for InterLink regarding the Ombudsman election controversy.
• Discussed Bulletin advertisement policy with Exec Director.
• Forwarded a member's PR idea to the Development Officer.
• Proofed April/May Bulletin.
• Proofed June Bulletin.
• Proofed July Bulletin.
• Reviewed April/May InterLoc
• Reviewed June InterLoc
• Reviewed tasks and volunteers needed for the various positions for the next term.


As Chair of Name & Logo Committee
• Wrote an article about proper logo use for InterLoc.
• Reviewed and made decisions on various logos and designs which were similar to the Mensa logo.
• Investigated and made requests for cessation of use of the Mensa name in a variety of Web sites, blogs, Facebook, etc.
• Reviewed and worked with Local Group editors and Web masters regarding logo useage.
• Reported several infringements to CafePress and Zazzle.
• Reviewed and approved or disapproved logo designs or use of the Mensa logo on a variety of member-originated items and events.
• Worked with SIGs Officer regarding several on-going issues with SIGs’ use of the name and logo.
• Led a conference call with involved leaders regarding on-going and growing concerns and conflicts with a set of SIGs and misuse of the name and logo.
• Began discussion regarding rules for members how wish to have the logo as a tattoo.

As Chair of the LG Service & Funding Committee
• Began review of mountain of data from the survey.
• Directed Beth Anne and Jean to develop bones of a rubric for assessing LG's levels of service provision.
• Directed Don to worth with staff to gather and analyze financial data from LGs.

As Gifted Youth Committee Liaison
• Facilitated sharing of ALL information between the Mensa Foundation, The AG Committee, the NEYPC, and the members of the GYComm. 
• Tried to guide the GYComm to more setting of goals and making of policy recommendations.
• Met with GYComm chair in Minneapolis.
• Facilitated future direction and backup solutions for Kids Trek.
• Acted as a sounding board for the NEYPC.
• Firmly reminded the GYComm that they need to help LGs do things for kids and worry less about tracking statistics for a public elist.
• Questioned the connection between the committee's activities and the charges to the committee (and was told to back off).
• Worked to arrange a meeting with AMC Chair, GYComm Chair, myself, and others so we can try again to clarify what the AMC wants from this committee.
• Explained budgeting concerns and limits to committee as they got all enthused about creating tshirts to give away at the AG.
• Explained why the Kids-Forum has not been implemented (still waiting for GYComm to craft the guidelines and policies).


As a member of the Finance Committee
• Participated in discussions leading to motions for the July AMC agenda.


As a member of the Governance Task Force
• Proposed a structure for proceeding and organizing research and conclusions.
• Read and summarized three books on non-profit governance.
• Wrote summary about governance needs suggested by AML's Strategic Plan.


As a member of the Licensing Committee
• Participated in discussion about special postmark at the AG.
• Participated in a discussion about a potential book deal.
• Participated in a discussion about some games.


As a member of the Colloquium Committee
• Made a suggestion for a possible speaker.


(I'm also on the Marketing and SIGs Advisory Committees, but they've been really quiet lately.)

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