That Verify Your member Data Email and postcard

I had Mensa stuff on my to-do list for today. All sorts of small but useful this and that sorts of tasks. I ended up spending the entire day dashing from Mensa forum to Mensa forum answering questions and smoothing feathers.

The big kerfluffle today was the email and post card everyone got about the Oral History Project. Now it might not have been quite such a big deal, except for a perfect storm of several issues:

 

1. Despite telling the membership over and over in many ways, people either didn’t read or forgot about it.

2. The actual email/postcard was sent from the publishing company, and I have no idea who on the Mensa side saw it before it went out. Despite being Communications Officer, I certainly didn’t. Had I, I would have made more than a few suggestions for improvement.

3. The email/postcard looked like phishing. It came from a non-Mensa address, with a non-Mensa number to call WITHIN 7 DAYS.

4. Mensans are smart enough to recognize an expensive vanity publication when they see one.

 

Then, those who were gullible or curious and actually called the number on the message, after verifying their name, phone number, and address, were asked a series of questions about why they joined, what it’s done for their career, what’s the best part about being a member, and so on— the actual oral history stories the project is to collect. To be fair, the email/postcard DID state “We are also collecting stories from our Mensans to memorialize the history of identifying and fostering human intelligence for the benefit of humanity.” But somehow, since that wasn’t in the alarming bold “Please call 1-855-242-9245 (toll free) to take care of this important matter today” print, I and probably others missed that part.

 

After the interview questions, the sales pitch began. It was expensive, pushy, and even when I declined, I was asked if my current address is the one I’d like my package delivered to.

 

So as a result, across Mensa today, people were confused, suspicious, angry, and accusatory. I responded as best I could, after alerting the National Office that we have a big fire spreading that needs putting out. I corresponded with several key staff people in-the-know and crafted and shared long explanatory posts here and there.

 

Nearly everyone I read on several Mensa outlets said they considered it spam and were absolutely not going to participate. Most postcards and emails went in the shredder or trash file.

 

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After a day of speaking as a Board member, I finally get to compose my personal opinion thoughts here:

 

* Yeah, ok, it’s a vanity publication. Some people dig that sort of thing. Mensa will end up with a bunch of stories which is great marketing fodder, and Staff didn’t have to do much work to get all the useful copy. It didn’t cost Mensa any money, beyond potential lost dues revenue from members who quit over this issue.

 

* I hope this teaches all the higher-ups a solid lesson that messages sent to the membership should be reviewed by a couple actual members-with-a-clue before going out.

 

* I wish I knew the interview questions in advance so I could have been prepared to tell my fabulously interesting Mensa stories.

 

* Holy crap, what they’re trying to sell me is a lot of money! My ego is not worth the price they’re asking.