Forest & Maves: 2025

Monday, December 1, 2025

November, 2025
Zoom w A re figuring out recordings and minutes.
Sent A personal recording from IBD meeting.
Requested J re funding a presenter.
Nudged ExComm to approve mini-minutes
Reached out to Mexico NatRep to offer help uploading magazine to the Hub.
Notified ExComm of 2026 MWJ schedule.
Wrote to new MWJ Editor re schedule and apologizing for being late already.
Sent list of still live mailman lists to E.
Added new UK NatRep to IBD spaces.
Worked on figuring out good date for next ExComm meeting.
Sent AML’s ExecDir contact information for GS and also several reports we’d spoken about.
Drafted reply to member in Macau.
Closed ExComm poll for approval of IBD mini-minutes.
Zoom w A re minutes prep.
Updated links to governing docs on the Hub.
Participated in ExComm discussion re expelled members and IVNC logistics.
Zoom w E re clusters of DIMs and IVNC logistics.
Asked J re trademark issues’ progress.
Prepped Nov ExComm meeting agenda and notice.
Listened to AGM recording to figure out who voted Nay.
Reviewed pronouncement from Ombudsman.
Discussed complex expulsion matter w Mensa Germany.
Wrote MWJ column.
Asked Alex to re-make a couple award certificates.
Further discussed Mensa Germany issue and helps draft a couple of options.
Wrote an essay about uses of high intelligence for a book by a former Chair of Mensa France.
Updated NatRep for Italy on the Hub.
Zoom w DoA and German Chair re nuances of a membership issue.
Started an IBD discussion re nuances of good standing references in the Constitution.
Drafted a motion about Bylaw 13.2 and shared with GPAC for feedback and refinement.
Zoom w A re database, websites, and staffing.
Submitted Jan MWJ column.
Wrote and submitted 6-month report to the Foundation.
Worked in finding /requesting the last few IBD presentations from various people.
Posted Awards Announcement on Hub and FB.
Added new SMAC chair to the Hub manually.
Shared concerns with E over increasing persistence bordering on harassment from a member wanting to start a Mensa.
Zoom w A re staff contracts.
Zoom w A re staffing needs and other topics.
Wrote additional text for awards article in MWJ.
Advised a NM board member on ways to increase board productivity without having full formal meetings.
Scheduled zoom meeting for member safety discussion with DoA.
Pulled work invoices for staff.
Sent firm response to Macau.
Zoom w AJ.
Verified identity with UK Companies House.
Responded to a query from a domain registry regarding a company in China trying to register domains using the name Mensa.
Advised new chair of Mensa Italy re member discounts.
Zoom w S re many topics.
Zoom w key people re IBD mandate for database development.
Drafted document regarding staffing proposal for ExComm.
Drafted message to IBD re update on 25-42 progress.
Zoom w A re staffing, motion logistics, and trademarks.
Offered advice for planning a FB for parents.
attended & participated in weekend meeting of the Mensa foundation in Dallas.
Zoom w A re messaging and staffing and minutes.
Worked on staffing proposal.
Filled out reimbursement form for Foundation meeting.
Reviewed and suggested edits on AJ’s motion about I-SIGs.
Discussed options and logistics for in-person exComm meeting.
Filed remaining reimbursement request for IBD meeting travel.
Zoom w A re communication channels.
Shared white paper re staffing proposal with ExComm.
Zoom w A re staffing issues.
Discussed Korea’s trademark needs w J.
Filled out and sent legal agreement doc to Chair of S. Korea for review.
Requested N&LComm to approveMensa Italy’s request for benefits’ partners to display the marks.
Zoom w A re prep for his vacation.
Forwarded urgent request to MI’s trademark lawyer regarding Korea.
Drafted and shared updated contract for AT.
Reviewed and commented on designs for a new membership certificate.
Zoom w ~12 IBD members to discuss how to share names of expelled and sanctioned members.
Zoom w A re reports and vacation planning.
Zoom w MI’s trademark lawyer re Korea and other topics.
Nudged ExComm re identifier code for Companies House.
Nudged N&L Comm to finalize approval (or not) of Mensa Italy’s request.
Sent new draft contract to Korea.
Made LN admin on MI’s LinkedIn account.
Zoom w AT re contract for next year.
Drafted long response to the Hub Team re points raised in their annual report.
Zoom w DoD & DoA re forms for importing things to the UK and also preparation of report to IBD re progress on database.
Responded to points from Hub Team’s annual report.
Drafted summary of 25-42 report and shared with small team for review.
Posted Foundation announcement of speaker series session.
Zoom w E re open issues needing progress or resolution.
Looked up contact info for MI’s accountants.
Zoom w M re general check-in.
Sent brief email to IBD re Progress on 25-42.
Zoom w Chair of B&H re prep for a video I’ll be making.
Zoom w A re general catch up.
Requested several people coordinate their efforts on drafting changes to Bylaw 12.
Zoom w J re catch up.
Edited 25-42 report to include comments from DPO.
Confirmed alarming email re domain registration in China to be a phishing scam (didn’t reply).
Zoom w KK re meeting post-mortem.
Sent 25-42 report to ExComm.
Tweaked proposed motion re I-SIGs and returned to mover for further edits.
Updated ExComm agenda to include MSCR motion, strategic planning notes, and changes to items that we can do later on the Hub.
Finalized 25-43 and passed to A for formal processing.
Reminded ExComm of reports and updates to our agenda.
Summarized some trademark issues re online tests and sent request to MI’s trademark lawyer.
Reviewed updated contract with Mensa Korea and passed along to MI’s trademark lawyer.
Discussed my view and advice on an issue in Mensa Germany.
Shared my opinions about some motions proposed by GPAC.
Shared drafts of additional motions regarding sanctions.
Zoom w S re catchup and motions.
Re-listened to IBD meeting recording to confirm what happened with 25-41.
Zoom w A re catch-up.
Updated ExComm agenda with last minute things.
Made new magazine directory for Denmark.
Led ExComm Meeting on Zoom.
Compiled and sent meeting recording to A.

Monday, November 3, 2025

Next year is Mensa's 80th anniversary — our "Oak Jubilee." Over eight decades, we have built a global membership organization that nurtures, supports, and celebrates intelligence. In an increasingly anti-intellectual world, we have created an environment where gifted people of all ages and nationalities can feel safe to "unfold" and be their true selves.

We've come a long way since two Brits met on a train, but despite the best efforts of hundreds of volunteers and staff, past and present, Mensa International faces several significant challenges in our quest to be the world’s foremost society for intellectually gifted people.

The sad truth is that the majority of our members probably don’t even realize Mensa International exists. Mensa International is a loosely connected federation of national groups; most members know little about activities in other countries, rarely meet or interact with international members, receive very little international news, are oblivious to international volunteering opportunities, and often remain unaware of or unable to access tools such as the international website or Hub.

Many of our challenges boil down to resources: money and volunteer time.

Because resources have always been tight, International Mensa’s approach to technology and advances has been to repeatedly choose cheaper, quicker, easier options. We’ve cobbled together our infrastructure and policies one piece at a time, always focusing on the cost of the individual component being considered at the moment.

Today, we have a non-functioning CRM, two websites based on two different systems running on different hosts of different reliabilities, poor security, a lack of integration capabilities, a broken JCA, and missing or obsolete procedures. This fragmentation is no longer working for us.

In the 1993 novel Men At Arms by Terry Pratchett, the character Captain Samuel Vimes muses about the Boots Theory of socio-economic unfairness:

The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money. Take boots, for example. ... A really good pair of leather boots cost fifty dollars. But an affordable pair of boots, which were sort of OK for a season or two and then leaked like hell when the cardboard gave out, cost about ten dollars.

... But the thing was that good boots lasted for years and years. A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while a poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet.

It’s time for a reboot.

And this time, we're going to allocate enough resources, mainly volunteer time and effort, to do it right. The IMD project is like planting an oak tree for the benefit of future Mensa generations, and like an oak tree, it will be strong and long-lasting.

"Darlin', my October has been busy since August!

October 2025

Zoom w A re IT costs and planning.
Reviewed organagram and sent changes to be made to A.
Asked E to look over a spreadsheet for safety.
Responded to ExComm concern regarding inaccuracy in my annual report.
Zoom w A re IBD and IMD planning.
Asked Monday for advice about file names.
Zoom w A re IMD presentation planning.
Shared with ExComm info from Foundation re international scholarship funding.
Drafted message to IBD re new CRM information.
Sent update to IBD/NM Chairs re CRM report.
Zoom w A re agenda planning.
Looked for and listed all 2024 IBD motions.
Notified entrants to the 80th Anniversary Logo competition that they didn’t win.
Responded to a NM Chair re CRM issue.
Judged PhotoCup.
Adjusted a surname on the agenda.
Reset TikTok password and shared with LN.
Sought ExComm advice re messaging to NM chairs.
Posted formal statement to NM Chairs re status of JCA and data uploading requirements.
Zoom w A re IBD planning.
Prepped agenda for Oct ExComm meeting.
Zoom meeting with MIDB teams.
Zoom w DPO re presentation.
Zoom w A re IBD agenda and motion prep.
Cheered at announcement of approval of the Adaptive Test.
Proposed funding extra coffees and lunches for non-invitee presenters.
Emailed DPO re her two presentations.
Worked on agenda for ExComm meeting.
Worked on IBD agenda.
Zoom w A re agenda fine tuning.
Discussed topics with Ombudsman.
Responded to perpetually disgruntled member re Facebook moderation.
Responded to ICO re collaboration opportunity.
Zoom w A re IBD prep.
Discussed with ExComm concerns about potentially disruptive attendees.
Added 2025 motions to IBD Support Pack.
Informed IBD delegates about how the Motion Market will work this year.
Corresponded with Brazil Chair re presentations.
Corresponded w KK presentation order and concerns.
Sent agenda linked schedule to all invitees and presenters.
Sent DOO email addresses of extra IBD meeting people.
Responded to Korea Chair re legal matter.
Zoom w A re prepping meeting documents.
Added GYCs and PhotoCup liaisons into the giant spreadsheet of NM contacts.
Reviewed IBD Support Pack and sent comments to A.
Worked on script for meeting.Zoom w A re planning.
Put expense claim form on the Hub.
Worked on script for meeting.
Caught up on emails.
Researched and wrote long response to several stakeholders re trademark infringements.
Zoom w A re IBD preparations.
Updated IBD spaces w correct info re Austria NatRep.
Zoom w E re IBD planning.
Reviewed recent activity on official SoMe accounts.
Sent request for extra coffee break names to IBD organizer.
Long phonecall w PH re CRC.
Attended Mensa Foundation meeting.
Worked on opening remarks for meeting.
Zoom w A re IBD planning and prep.
Corresponded with DoA re IBD prep and agenda concerns.
Set hidden NM spaces to public so ISC can see the files.
Added names of expelled members to IBD Confidential.
Looked into finding forms for trademark authorization.
Zoom w DoD re IBD prep.
Zoom w A re NM info spreadsheet plans.
Zoom w J re trademark topics and IBD prep.
Polished my script for IBD.
Reviewed and advised on design for brain teaser cards.
Prepped script for awards.
Redirected a couple of Americans who sent things to MI instead of to AML.
Printed out scripts.
Went to IBD meeting. Did all the things.
Attended full day ExComm meeting.
Spoke at a press interview for German TV.
Zoom w A re very brief gestalt catchup.
Sent recording of ExComm meeting to A.
Shared my calm thoughts re how to work on the unreasonable motion about database.
Corrected name of an expelled member.
Added chair of CRC to the ISC space.
Zoom w S re post IBD catch up.
Zoom w A re prepping mini minutes and how to handle the last minute database motion.
Copy/pasted fodder for mini-minutes and sent to A.
Posted link to the Past Chair’s annual report to the Hub.
Responded to new SMAC chair re getting started.
Requested images of awards for posting.
Clarified unrecorded piece of an IBD motion for mini-minutes.
Asked Chair of Denmark about a member.
Sent recording of IBD meeting to A.
Poked around in email archives for information about testing in Kosovo and discussed with DoD and Treasurer.
Responded to AML Brand Partnership Director re suspicious Sudoku books on the market.
Posted confidential Ombudsman’s report to IBD.
Set up ExComm poll for approving mini-minutes.
Attended ‘WeeM and met with AML’s ExecDir.
Zoom w A re updating Bylaws.
Helped A by identifying all the Bylaw pages needing an update.
Attended Chicago’s RG HalloweeM.

Met with new AML ExecDir.
Participated in “Meet the AMC.”
Discussed liscening concerns.

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

What I did in September 2025

It never slows down!

Removed Hub access for former ExecDir.
Assembled contributions from past Chairs for MWJ article.
Discussed strategic planning with a few ExComm members.
Zoom w A & E re IBD prep and transition issues.
Noodled around with seating configurations for IBD meeting.
Participated in MIMD meeting.
Zoom w A re meeting planning.
Zoom w A re task assignments.
Zoom w Ombudsman re complaint from Romanian Chair.
Zoom w A&E to figure out Zoom account configurations.
Zoom w J re testing and component motion crafting.
Discussed Mailman lists to be closed with DOO and DoD.
Responded to Ombudsman’s request for information regarding a complaint.
Responded to ICO’s request for three presentations at the IBD meeting.
Nudged oomi re written confirmation of data deletion.
Drafted response to CM’s continued demands re CRM.
Zoom w A re CRM demands and issues.
Dug up and forwarded CRM contract and info to A.
Posted July ExComm minutes for voting.
Notified IBD that I have received confirmation that MI has terminated the contract and that all Mensa International data has been deleted from the former CRM company's systems.
Posted transition update to IBD re ExecDir.
Zoom w AJ and SF re their motion about adaptive testing and trademarks.
Zoom w J re finessing politically charged situations.
Zoom w A re agenda planning.
Drafted proposed changes to the Contact Us page to mitigate misdirected enquiries.
Discussed GDPR concerns with DSNM.
After consulting with treasurer, drafted an ExComm motion to fund DPO and GPAC Chair to IBD.
Prepped two IBD motions (2024 remits and trademark use) to go out.
Posted ExComm motion re IBD funding.
Fixed wonky formatting of discussion thread about ExComm 25-26 Priorities.
Call w CRC member re committee conflicts.
Phone call w AML member asking for help with AML situation.
Requested most recent formal report on Cyprus from ISC Chair.
Responded to misdirected enquiry to the Hub Team.
Worked on prepping explanation s for changes to Bylaw 15.
Drafted a possible motion to establish Internal Procedures for Detection and Response to Data Breaches.
Wrote lengthy explanation to ExComm of all the ways the DPO has been involved in the CRM situation from the beginning.
Zoom w A re MIMD, PhotoCup, agenda, and general to-do lists.
Zoom w ICO to hand over TikTok account (but no luck).
Posted updated bylaws and recent ExComm minutes to IBD spaces on the Hub.
Sent invitation to IBD meeting to the DPO with description of what we’d like her to present.
Zoom w A re several topics.
Zoom w Ombudsman
Participated in ExComm discussion about Strategic Plan.
Advised DoA re annual reporting and appointment process.
Responded to questions regarding the ExComm minutes from July.
Zoom w A re tools needed for MIMd teams.
Responded to MWJ editor’s request to change my column.
Offered formatting advice to Hungary Chair re motion for IBD.
Nudged Awards Committee to finalize decisions.
Wrote annual reports for Awards, SEC, and HP committees.
Reviewed financial reports from treasurer.
Manually added new nature from UK to the Hub.
Addressed some ExComm concerns regarding application process and deadlines.
Reviewed preliminary report from Ombudsman and drafted a proposal for how to handle the topic in the IBD meeting.
Discussed with ExComm a request to present re Adaptive testing at the IBD meeting.
Drafted lengthy response to email thread with ISP and KK.
Asked DoD to add Polish proxy the right email lists.
Zoom w J re IBD agenda topics.
Sent updated masthead information to AML magazine editor.
Responded to ISC chair’s question regarding annual reports.
Zoom w A re CRM legalities and agenda planning.
Prepared agenda for ExComm meeting on Sept 24 to go over appointments.
Reached out to ExComm member offering an ear and help smoothing the workload.
Worked on scheduling meeting with new SoMe coordinators.
Zoom w DOD re mailman lists.
Set up meeting with SoMe coordinators.
Responded to questions from South Africa re bidding process.
Notified ExComm of deadline for annual reports.
Sent formal invite to MO.
Zoom w A re many topics.
Call w A to transition Survey Monkey acct.
Requested Zoom meeting with DPO and Ashley.
Arranged Zoom w KK.
Zoom w A re CRM and agenda topics.
Requested CC to send CRM logs from March/April if she still has them.
Zoom w A & E re CRM issues.
Worked on pulling and ordering all past ExecDir emails re CRM. Approx 10 hours on Saturday.
Zoom w KK re ATest.
More work digging in emails.
Zoom w A re both of us starting to crack.
More work digging and organizing emails re CRM.
Zoom to onboard LN as Public SoMe Coordinator.
Finished assembling all CRM-related emails into on 130-page pdf and sent to DPO.
Worked on draft of motion re Internal Procedures for Data Breaches.
Reset ownership of an NM Hub space.
Approved final list of SoMe teams’ members.
Facilitated getting special presenter registers for IBD meeting.
Sent Motion 25-16 to DOO for posting to IBD.
Drafted response to IBD members’ proposed motion.
Zoom w A; general catchup.
Zoom w A re data protection policy drafting.
Zoom meeting with MIDB team.
Zoom w A re planning this week.
Combined several suggested pieces of data protection policy into one document.
Zoom w A re policy draft.
Re-drafted data protection policy.
Zoom w KK re AT progress.
Zoom w KM re BML and AT.
Zoom w A re survey monkey and policy drafting.
Reviewed all applications and notes preferences and comments.
Responded to questions from SoMe coordinator.
Commented on internal document re CRM incident.
Worked on agenda.
Sent request for clarification or confirmation of text for some motions.
Zoom w A re database reporting to IBD.
Finished [what I think is] last draft of a motion regarding data security procedures.
Zoom w A re motion and internal CRM incident document.
Call with DOA re getting more involved.
Zoom w A re CRM incident reporting.
Zoom w a few ExCmm members re AT status and presentation at IBD meeting.
Zoom w A & DPO re CRM incident reporting and planning.
Zoom w A re planning.
Worked on sorting through agenda motions that weren’t fully fleshed out.
Zoom w AJ re working on a motion.
Zoom w AT and LN re social media.
Zoom w A re MIDB infrastructure questions.
Worked on IBD agenda.
Arranged adhoc Zoom w several ExComm members.
Researched and put all ExComm motions since last IBD meeting into spreadsheet.
Zoom w LN re SoMe.
Zoom w A and several ExComm members re planning.
Advised a few IBD reps on motion wording.
Drafted Chairman’s annual report.
Requested DoA’s help facilitating some MIDB discussions with ExComm.
Notified Awards Comm of final list of 2025 winners.
Shared Chairman’s Annual Report with ExComm.
Nudged ExComm re 2025-2026 Priorities.
Two-hour Zoom w A re initial run-through of IBD agenda.
Zoom w treasurer re agenda.
Added name to list of expelled members.
Worked with DPO on policy/procedure crafting.
Worked on agenda.
Posted long response to IBD discussion re Adaptive test.
Sent reminder to ExComm about meeting for deciding on appointments.
Zoom w A re agenda and reporting.
Worked on finalizing list of IBD NatReps and proxies.
Worked on agenda.
Cleaned up IBD Confidential and IBD General Hub spaces.
Updated draft of database protection procedures motion per DPO’s input.
Helped LN find email addresses of SoMe team members.
Explained to a member why he has been suspended from the Hub.
Checked with some presenters to ask for summary descriptions.
Zoom w A re CRM report and agenda planning.
Responded to ExComm discussion re CRM report.
Worked on IBD agenda.
Tweaked agenda for ExComm meeting.
Sent request to AT to design Awards.
Discussion with ExComm re CRM report.
Worked on Agenda and CRM report.
Tended to some Contact Us tickets.
Zoom meeting w ExComm to discuss and decide on appointments.
Responded to a NM space owner re Hub instructions.
Responded to AJ re nuances of motion procedure and past minutes.
Researched to find the minutes of last year’s AGM.
Zoom w A re agenda.
Zoom w A re agenda.
Zoom w A & J re agenda.
Zoom w A re agenda.
Zoom w A re agenda.
Zoom w A re agenda.
Drafted intro text to agenda link.
Zoom w A re agenda.
Send Agenda to IBD.
Discussed philosophy of in camera sessions with ExComm.
Zoom w A re report.
Consulted with DPO re messaging.
Discussed WG logo designs and other concerns with AJ.
Sent CRM report to IBD.
Prepped list of agenda changes to be made and sent to A.
Zoom w A re meeting planning and logistics.
Answered some questions from LN.
Responded with details to an Ombuds request.
Zoom w A re CRM report details.
Drafted messaging re CRM report updates.
Call w LN re FB page access and SoMe in general.

Sunday, August 31, 2025

August was a busy month!

Accepted ExecDir’s resignation as of Aug 31.
Many lengthy discussions with several regarding transition planning.
Brainstormed IT needs w partial ExComm.
Attended EMAG .

Met w CL re CRM and AT topics.
Met w BML ExecDir re many mutual topics.

Zoom w A re projects.
Informed members pressing for establishing a Mensa in Macau that the ExComm voted to not consider development in China for the foreseeable future.
Asked Danish chair re complaint email I received.
Responded to Korea Chair re bidding, licensing, and meeting attendance.
Wrote long detailed response to CM’s questions regarding the CRM.
Forward info about an expelled member to ombudsman and DoO.
Updated and refined spreadsheet of staff tasks and shared with J.
Informal Zoom w most of ExComm re staffing plans.
Responded to a member asking about SoMe roles.
Responded to DB re annual reports deadlines.
Shared link to recording of informal ExComm discussion.
Nudged DoA re annual reports.
Updated and sent to DoO the list of all IBD motions passed in 2025.
Commented on and prepped voting poll for motion about an ENM.
Wrote a long firm response to the ISP and SAM developer about what is at stake.
Prepped forms for annual reports by appointees and committees.
Reviewed and made update notes for NM-all email list.
Zoom w ISP and DoD re adaptive test approval issues.
Call w DoD re email list.
Researched missing chair addresses for email list.
Commented extensively on draft of NM annual report form.
Researched retirement gift ideas.
Sent annual report forms to appointees and committee chairs.
Proposed change to MWJ column schedule to Editor and DoA.
Worked on prepping NM Annual Report form draft.
Nudged Awards Committee.
Sent request to former chairs to write a paragraph about M for the MWJ.
Updated Austria NatRep on the Hub.
Updated a couple tasks on staff spreadsheet.
Wrote long response to email thread about approval of the adaptive test.
Sent idea about psych students using Mensans as practice subjects for IQ test administration to Foundation.
Responded to issue with FB mod suspension.
Ordered retirement gift for M.
Finished first pass at thorough update to Bylaw 15 and shared with M.
Nudged ExComm votes on Cyprus motion and then participated in further discussion of the motion.
Responded to a comment on a motion before the IBD re conflicts of interest.
Requested confirmation in writing that all MI data has been deleted from oomi and our contract with them canceled.
Requested old list of NMs’ data management systems.
Set up poll for ExComm motion to cancel contract with oomi. Participated in further discussion on refining the motion.
Redirected ExComm to focus on time-sensitive priorities.
Worked on Bylaw 15 revision.
Drafted 2025-2026 ExComm Priorities and requested input from the rest of ExComm.
Assembled motions passed between meetings for inclusion in minutes of July ExComm meeting.
Zoom w M.
Directed M to sever contract w oomi.
Directed M to put 25-14 to a vote.
Prepped Google Doc for N&L Comm to use to refine updates to the rules.
Updates Awards nomination spreadsheet.
Hours of work drafting IBD agenda.
Reviewed spreadsheet of M’s access and accounts and sent questions to M and J.
Drafted full update of Awards Committee remit and procedures and shared with committee.
Participated in Mensa Foundation meeting.
Zoom w A.
Re-word Awards remit motion per suggestions from JB.
Forwarded IBD ballots to people who didn’t get them.
Nudged ExComm re Priorities list.
Worked on spreadsheet of staff tasks.
Requested DoD to review and tidy up balloting email group for IBD voting.
Zoom w J re staffing and IBD prep.
Reviewed Social Media applications and wrote up my thoughts on who should be in which position (this took several hours).
Submitted reimbursement for Dusseldorf flights.
Nudged ExComm re Priorities list again.
Updated progress on Action Points on the Hub.
Discussed branding colors with N&L Comm and ExComm.
Researched colors NMs use for the logo on their websites.
2-hour zoom w A re bylaws, transition, and Social Media.
Alerted everyone I can think of about a scammer using my name to ask for “favors.”
Drafted and shared compromise rule modification regarding logo colors.
Nudged V and AT to review SoMe applications and schedule a meeting to finalize decisions.
Zoom w A re prepping SoMe content repository.
Call w DSNM re several issues.
Final Zoom w M re transitioning.
Facilitated further Awards Comm discussion and voting.
Added DSNM discussion topic to IBD agenda.
Asked E to update email lists with proxies.
Inserted hyperlinks on SoMe content google doc.
Wrote motion for IBD approval of officer remits passed by ExComm last summer.
Posted ExComm motion to change registered Company Secretary.
Worked on ExComm Priorities document.
Zoom w A re SoMe task.
Prepped addition to Guidelines re Appointment schedule and sent to DOO.
Reminded ExComm of key dates for appointment process.
Sent request to NM chairs for their social media etc contacts.
Sent deadline reminder to former MI Chairs re MWJ article.
Shared last year’s appointment spreadsheets as examples.
Zoom w M to try to figure out LinkedIn puzzle.
Call w JG, a member wanting to learn more about SMAC.
Added AML NatRep to the Hub.
Zoom w Alex re SoMe role assignments.
Worked on Bylaw 15 revision.
Advised Mensa Germany re logo use.
Advised DoD on two motion drafts.
Summarized Awards voting progress and nudged committee.
Long phone call with PH re CRC topics.
Responded to CRC request.
Sent long thoughtful reply to N&L Comm re revision of rules, particularly font choices.
Zoom w Chair of NZ re technology, testing in Vietnam, and IBD prep.
Zoom w A re GDPR and database need.
Zoom w A re potential constitutional change and IBD agenda planning.
Attended SMAC meeting, which was ultimately cancelled due to non-participation.
Zoom w J re IBD planning.
Wrote my part of a special column for the Nov MWJ.
Shared several thoughts re drafted motions about DIM fee processes.
Worked on IBD agenda.
Reminded ExComm to review and comment on draft minutes so we can vote to approve them.
Reviewed and commented on draft SoMe assignments.
Nudged Awards committee.
Shared SMAC’s “final” version of the 26-32 Strategic Plan with ExComm.
Helped ISC Chair get access to a few NMs’ spaces on the Hub.

Friday, August 22, 2025

If you're going to do it...

do it right. On the other hand—

Thursday, July 31, 2025

What I did in July 2025

Officer Report July, 2025

Chairman

Drafted possible motion to appoint interim CRC members.
Closed the voting on the motion to approve the June Async meeting minutes.
Attended American AG.

Attended Colloquium.
Met w ExecDir and Treasurer to discuss staffing options.
Met w DB re interim CRC configuration.
Participated in Foundation meeting & receptions.
Discussed strategic planning with former SMAC chair.
Participated in M&G for International officers
Presented LDW for LG Communications officers.
Presented program about Mensa International.

Zoom w A.
Worked on reviewing and drafting edits for IBD Motion 25-15.
Shared insider views on a request from a educational company to collaborate with Mensa.
Discussed motions with GPAC chair.
Zoom w DSNM re motions and issues.
Zoom w chair of Australian Mensa re constitutional inconstancies.
Gave A directory info for new South Africa and Slovakia chairs.
Found and organized all IBD motions passed in 2025 so far and forwarded to DOO for Bylaws updating.
Responded to CRC candidate’s questions.
Zoom w DoD re many topics and to-do items.
Facilitated forming consensus on interim CRC motion.
Put forth motion and poll for appointing interim CRC members.
Pointed new US Chair to past Async meeting to see how that format works.
Read and forwarded research article about intelligence and a lower need for socialization to A and AT for social media fodder.
Responded with explanation to a committee chair’s request to join IBD Open Session space.
Requested input from ExComm re scheduling next meeting.
Notified members of the recent Special Election Committee that they are dismissed.
Notified the last couple live groups on WP that they need to move to the Hub.
Checked on status of KAT joining the user Support Team.
Sent formal IBD meeting invite to AT.
Zoom w A, AT, and V re grand social media planning.
Zoom w A re database, social media, and member discounts.
Messaged w M re CRM topics.
Messaged w UserSupport Team re CRM topic.
Lots of discussion w V re social media platforms, official approval formalities, and policy needs.
Prepped and put up motion/poll to appoint KAT to User Support.
Prepped and sent Doodle Poll for July ExComm meeting.
Sent initial onboarding email to CRC committee.
Began drafting agenda for July ExComm meeting.
Met w US NatRep to onboard to ExComm.
Zoom w M re Cyprus, NatReps, motions, and other topics.
Worked on July ExComm meeting agenda(s).
Email discussion with new CRC member re getting started.
Zoom w A re planning projects and coordinating to-do lists.
Pointed out significant loopholes in eligibity restrictions to CPAC chair.
Contacted Danish editor re Hub registration and uploading permissions.
Asked US NatRep for details of AML’s agreement with TKS.
Responded to several Mensa Foundation discussion threads.
Manually added member from Denmark to the Hub.
Put together a long list of S oMe ideas and where to find the content.
Researched best travel options to get to and from Dusseldorf.
Worked on SoMe strategy planning and content sourcing.
Zoom w A re SoMe open meeting preparations.
Zoom w A and MJ re CRM project and volunteer issues.
Set up Hub space for Membership Database project.
Thoroughly review complaint from Cyprus and made note.
Zoom w A re discount benefits project and process and SoMe open call meeting planning.
Zoom w M.
Zoom w A to catch up on website crisis du jour.
Participated in on-going discussion re web host situation.
Put my foot down re Macau.
Emailed MWJ editor re funding for IBD meeting.
Nudged ExComm re July agenda, reporting, and a discussion thread to participate in.
Requested clarification about a Mensa Germany expulsion issue.
Shared opinions about possible solutions to an issue in Mensa Germany.
Discussed Macau issue with DoD.
Reviewed updates re recent website hack.
Sent email to IBD & NM Chairs with status update re MI Membership data.
Zoom w A re webhosting options.
Worked to get Awards Committee back on track.
Put together a list of additional nominees to consider for awards and shared with committee.
Drafted "script” for my portion of the SoMe open meetings.
Researched and drafted lengthy response to concerns raised by Chair of Cyprus.
Zoom w A & AT re planing for SoMe open call meetings.
Caught up with Foundation online discussions.
Pre-SoMe meeting practice and alignment.
Zoom open meeting for social media teams.
Zoom with LN re social media ideas.
Zoom w DoA re MWJ questions.
Second Zoom open meeting for social media teams.
Helped DoA find the Aug MWJ.
Zoom w ISC.
Zoom w A re web hosting options and ideas.
Wrote Chairman’s report for May 22–July 20.
Reviewed SoMe ideas and questions from LN.
Prepped for meetings with PF and MJ.
Offered advice re ExComm column in MWJ.
Manually added chair of Mensa Bulgaria to the Hub.
Responded to NZ Chair re SoMe questions.
Zoom w P re motion drafting and staffing thoughts.
Zoom w M.
Zoom w DoA re annual report forms and processes.
Zoom w A re webhosting and database planning.
Drafted a motion with NatRep-DE to tidy up the list of documents all Mensas are required to share with MI/ISC.
Pondered DoD’s topic of how to share info of expelled members with all NMs and requested that it be postponed until Oct ExComm meeting.
Zoom w A re August planning.
Pulled together notes and quotes from emails and zoom calls re CRM situation.
Advised DoA on annual report forms and dealing with expelled members.
Zoom w A re web planning.
Drafted my Mensa Renaissance vision. Changed name to Reboot.
Prepped table for “voting” for Awards Committee.
Zoom w A re prep for meeting w MM & Team on Wed.
Advised FB admin re mod removal quandry.
Forwarded research article about high-ability adolescents to News Team and SoMe folks.
Long Zoom w M re his meeting with the CRM company.
Asked Treasurer to include budget for awards.
Nudged Awards committee.
Prepped friendly amendments to an IBD motion for approval during ExComm meeting.
Wrote long response to DSNM’s questions about the CRM.
Attended SMAC meeting.
Began drafting ExecDir job description.
Set up July-Aug Async meeting space and motions.
Zoom w A re meeting w IT folks later in the week.
Helped chair of Mensa India with a Hub configuration problem.
Prepared for ExComm Zoom meeting, including incorporating input from J, who couldn’t attend.
2.5 hour ExComm Zoom meeting.
Posted to Awards Comm my specific thoughts about all the nominees.
Dealt with yet another request from members in Macau.
Zoom w A re prep for meeting w website/database team.
Sent motion 25-14 with friendly amendments incorporated and an explanatory preamble to ExDir for posting to IBD.
Zoom w A re preparing for meeting about CRM options.
Zoom w M.
Advised DoD re handling a friendly amendment.
Packed for EMAG.
Zoom w A re the CRM/IT meeting I had to miss.

Monday, July 28, 2025

Key Leadership Competencies

I took a screenshot of this from a TikTok post because it made me go "hmmmm...."

(It's from a site called Brilliancebrief.com)

Saturday, July 26, 2025

Space to Unfold

I recently stumbled across an essay by Henrik Karlsson in his blog "Escaping Flatland."

When I meet a person who is truly, profoundly themselves, I sometimes think of a letter Charles Darwin sent to Joseph Hooker in January 1862 after receiving a package of orchids.
“Good heavens,” Darwin wrote about the Angraecum sesquipedale, an orchid from Madagascar with a nectary as long as his forearm, ”what insect can suck it?” There must exist a pollinator moth with a tongue longer than any that has ever been observed, he conjectured later. The moth and the orchid must have evolved in dialogue.
This is what I infer when I see someone who is comfortable in their unique strangeness, too. There probably exists someone who enabled that evolution of personality. A parent, a friend group, a spouse. It is rare for people to come into themselves if no one is excited and curious about their core, their potential. We need someone who gives us space to unfold.

It occurs to me that in many ways this is what Mensa offers people of high intelligence — space to unfold and be comfortable as their true selves.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

June— My Last Month with Two Positions!

Officer Report June, 2025