I finally finished writing and submitting my formal Quarterly Reports. I really dislike those report formats. Oh well. For those who are curious, here is a more detailed recounting of what all I’ve been doing since November 2010:
As Communications Officer
• Attended the November Planning Session / AMC meeting.
• Replied to a member’s ongoing complaints about Bulletin content and priorities.
• Discussed concerns with Bulletin Editor and Dir of Marketing & Communication.
• Consulted with Exec Director and RVC regarding a LG’s on-going complaints about Bulletin editor.
• Reviewed and clarified Bulletin advertising policy with editor and AMC Chair.
• Made content suggestions for and reviewed November, December, Jan, Feb, and March issues of InterLink
• Reviewed Nov/Dec, Jan, Feb, and March Bulletins.
• Forwarded notice of a member’s passing to National Office.
• Gave Tresurer some talking points for her presentation to the AMC in November.
• Nudged PRP Chair many times to keep the program moving along.
• Asked key staff to put Bulletin online in current month and to notify the membership that it’s there, so we can begin tracking how many members use it ( in anticipation of discussing whether or not to offer it as an e-subscription)
• Reviewed bids for Bulleting printing.
• Responded to a member’s complaint about not having her article published in the Bulletin. And responded. And responded.
• Confirmed that Central Indiana Mensa’s newsletter e-distribution plan was acceptable.
• Participated in discussion about MindGames bids on Marketing Committee.
• Developed plan to resolve the many issues regarding LG newsletters and USPS changes.
• Continued to work with Web team on renavigation of Web site.
• Appointed Jill Mabli as an InterLink columnist, then Brad Christman and Terri Keeling.
• Appointed Marc Lederman to Com3.
• Discussed logistics and costs of regional supplements in the Bulletin.
• Participated on AMC teleconference meeting.
• Helped craft a survey to learn how LGs distribute newsletters.
• Explained to a frequent columnist for LG newsletters regarding not allowing him to use Mensans’ email addresses to sign them up without their permission for a mailing list in order to advertise his book.
• Reviewed a slightly questionable ad for the Bulletin (said yes).
• Worked with staff on development of HTML emailed Events Register
• Responded to editors and circulations managers’ concerns about upcoming USPS changes.
• Checked in on Handbook Coordinator.
• Cheered when the Bulletin won and Association trends award.
• Reviewed and commented on a few marketing concepts.
• Participated in discussion on the LocSecs elist.
• Asked RVC 9 to correct Utah Mensa’s changes to newsletter delivery defaults.
• Reviewed and commented on the Marketing and Communications plan for 2011-2012
• Reviewed and commented on the Web Services Department Plan for 2011-2012.
• Participated in conference call with Dir of Operations and an expert on mailing issues.
• Offered my thoughts to staff regarding sharing background check results to the LDW committee (don’t do it).
• Forwarded requests for information to the appropriate staff.
• Discussed a member’s use of Mensans’ email addresses for spamming purposes.
• Drafted long explanatory essays for AMC and eventually editors regarding newsletter distribution issues and options.
• Drafted a motion to update and combine privacy policy, including flipping the flag to e-pubs as default delivery.
• Filled out Exec Dir’s annual evaluation.
• Advised staff regarding expanding background checks.
• Oversaw avatarmagedon in the forums and made some tweaks to approval guidelines.
• Responded to a disgruntled member who wants “Mensa” to improve society but declined to organize or participate in any such efforts himself.
• Moderated the Webmasters elist when interactions became too abrasive.
• Responded to members’ questions to candidates.
• Soothed some feathers in various Online Community conflicts.
• Responded to and RVC’s query regarding AML’s forum use and moderation policies and how they apply to sites not on the AML server, such as Yahoo and Facebook (AML has no jurisdiction over such forums).
• Recommended topics for LDWs in Portland.
With the Communications Committee
• Much discussion regarding options for groups’ newsletter distribution.
• Directed Com3 to review and judge a forum member’s interactions- ultimately suspended him for 30 days.
As Name & Logo Committee Chair
• Developed a year-long plan for Name & Logo education.
• Created a N&L presentation for the AMC.
• Investigated uses of “Mensa” on Facebook in businesss names, and on artwork.
• Responded, yet again to questions regarding usmensa.org.
• Judged appropriateness of a newsletter running a photo of the logo carved on a pumpkin (yes).
• Began drafting a form for tracking N&L issues and actions.
• Reviewed and offered suggestion on N&L / Branding ads
• Advised a LG editor regarding picture puzzle variation of the logo.
• Reviewed and discussed continuing name and logo violations by a former member.
• Consulted about actions to take or not take regarding continued, escalating harassment by the former member.
• Refrained from reacting to escalated online harassment by a disgruntled former member.
• Directed staff to contact Yahoo to pull the plug on a unauthorized group using the Mensa name.
• Reviewed design for candy wrappers for N&L acceptability.
• Contacted a couple groups about logo use and directed them to proper graphics.
With the Name & Logo Committee
• Developed a N&L presentation quiz
• Discussed if a member can call his web site “Mensa Science.” ( no)
• Reviewed and recommended a tiny design change to an RG shirt that wanted to use the Mensa name.
With the Local Group Services & Funding Task Force
• LGS&F Discussed questions to answer with the data from the survey we did.
• Gathered financial data from groups and developed a spreadsheet to facilitate categorization and analysis.
As Chair of the Governance Blueprint Task Force
• Facilitated AMC discussion of GTF suggestions and developed some consensus on priorities in advance of the next TF to take on the topic.
• Discussed with ombudsman the logistics and consequences of involving more members in the AMC’s discussions about governance issues at this stage. Suggested RVCs seek additional input as they feel necessary.
• Provided an RVC with some wording about what the GBTF will be doing.
• Appointed Elissa Rudolph, Jean Becker, and Roger Durham as members. Will be asking at least three other, non-AMC members to join us.
As AMC Liaison to the Gifted Youth Committee
• Directed GYComm Chair where to advertise available articles for newsletters.
• Stood by the GYComm Chair when her policies for the BrightKids elist were questioned.
• Reviewed GYComm budget requests and prompted committee chair for more information.
• Re-educated GYComm about the Foundation’s grants to LG youth programming.
• Reviewed written office process for GCC background checks.
• Worked on updating the draft of a Memo of Understanding regarding gifted youth between various parties and organizational branches.
• Attended a Mensa Foundation trustees’ meeting to speak about gifted youth issues.
• Shared an idea for a Mensa Foundation project with the Gifted Youth Specialist.
• Advised GYComm on steps to take before implementing electronic interaction services for young members.
• Provided input on directions for GYComm.
• Explained to GYComm that there is already a family discount for children of members.
• Gave input on a GYComm survey to parents.
As a member of the Finance Committee
• Reviewed draft budget and prepared 4 pages of comments and questions for staff and the treasurer.
• Attended the Finance Committee meeting.
• Recommended increasing the budget’s estimated cost of legal fees we will need to address ongoing issues and harassment by former member.
As a member of the MIL Internet Policy Committee
• Discussed ways to streamline membership verification for online SIGs.
• Discussed Facebook issues with MIL Internet Policy Committee.
As a member of the MIL Name & Logo Committee
• Discussed the use of “mensa” (as in cafeteria) on a German smart phone ap.
Chicago Area Mensa
• Served on Nominating Committee
• Proctored 5 test sessions.
As a Candidate for First Vice Chair
• Created Web site
• Participated in forum discussions
• Responded with long thoughtful essays to members’ questions
• Designed and printed campaign cards (let me know if you want some to set out at your next gathering)
• Wrote a short campaign article and submitted it to LG newsletters.
Miscellaneous
I blogged. And blogged. And blogged. :-)
I also attended Solstice RG and the Electronic Gaming Colloquium, but those were solely for my own enjoyment.
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