Still Getting Hassled by Yash

Some members complain about letting their addresses be available to other members. Officers are required to allow their contact info be available to members. Today I got this "Thank You" card in the mail:

This is from the creator and leader of the A&E SIG Consortium, Yash Talreja, the same asshole who cost AML well over $10K in legal fees to get him to stop illegally using the Mensa name and Logo.  Same guy who is STILL using the Mensa logo for at least one of his groups:

Same guy who bought the domain "robincrawford.com" (seems to be defunct now) in order to denigrate me during the recent election. Same guy who libels me here and here.

I have complained to AML a few times, but no one seems to be concerned about my reputation or the on-going harassment.

Ah, the rewards of serving Mensa!

Links to Some of My Reports

Matt helped me set up DropBox, and now I have several of the big reports I've written for Mensa available for anyone who wants to download and read them:


The RVC Conundrum Background Paper 2011
The Local Group Service & Funding Report 2011
Governance Task Force Report 2010
InterLoc Background Paper 2010
Name & Logo Workbook 2009
Local Group Service & Funding Report 2006

RVC Replacement Proposal

My RVC Conundrum Background Paper is done. Wanna see it? 


Keep in mind this is not an AMC proposal, nor was it developed by the Governance Blueprint Task Force. This is plain vanilla member Robin's work and proposal. How it will be received I cannot predict, but at least the necessary dialogs will be shaken back to life, this time with plenty of hard data to consider.


Thank you to Howard and Pam at the National Office who kept answering my requests for information. Thank you to Marc for helping sum up the previously floated solutions' pros and cons and to the current and past RVCs who took time to answer my questions about their jobs.

Not-So Erudite

So I was sipping morning coffee and surfing the various social media sites I'm on, and came across this link to a blog post: 15 Things White Girls Love to do on FaceBook (no one I know).  I was cracking up as I recognized nearly everything she listed.

What is really amusing to me is that most of my Facebook and Twitter friends are Mensans, and the outside world somehow expects us to be far more erudite than we really are. But noooo... we're just as inane and dorky as everyone else. I think this is comforting in a way.

(Thanks, Leah!)

AMC Meeting in Las Vegas

So apparently there was an AMC meeting this weekend. I have to wonder why, since there was no advance discussion with members of agenda items before the meeting via the AML Forums, Facebook, RVC Columns, or even on Grapevine, nor commentary from any of the 21 officers we sent to Las Vegas during the meeting. I did see a few pictures on Facebook of some jolly times in the casino and restaurant, so I know not all the planes went down, which is good. 


Hope they all had a nice time and I look forward to hearing what was accomplished.

Frequency of RVC Replacements

I'm feverishly working to finish up my background paper regarding RVC replacement solutions. Here's one of the bits of data I dug up:

Out of 88 RVC terms (Region 10 was added in 2000) since 1995, there have been 10 mid-term vacancies. Of those, 5 left office before the first year was over.

Ignoring the term that just started this summer, in the past 15 years, just over 6% of RVC have needed to be replaced within 12 months. Nearly 13% have needed to be replaced at some point during the two-year term.

Holiday Cards vs Facebook

I was raised to write long holiday letters every year, and hand address and sign hundreds of cards. Last year I just didn't get to it. No one noticed. I've noted a steady decline in the numbers I receive, and yet I feel like I'm more up-to-date with friends and family than I used to be. I think the on-going updates and interactions via Facebook, blogs, and other social media have supplanted the old tradition. And for once, in a good way.

I think it's so much nicer to keep up in little bites through out the year instead of reading paragraph after paragraph of bragging about how the kids are doing in school, what vacations we took, home improvements, etc.

Serif or No Serif?

I've been an editor for a long long time, and always heard and believed that serif fonts were more legible. But I believed without researching beyond swallowing whole the conventional wisdom in a few old graphic design texts I learned from.

The quick brown fox

jumped over the lazy dog.

This article changed my mind. Hope you enjoy it!

RVC Replacement Pros & Cons Needed

Any of my readers have a list of the pros and cons of the  previously suggested solutions? If so, please drop me a line.

The RVC Conundrum

The bronchitis is lifting, WeeM is over, and I'm trying to get my motivation back to work on Mensa projects.

In my last report to the AMC from the Governance Blueprint Task Force, I specifically requested  "A statement from the AMC indicating this project is important, and that they are inclined to actually consider structural changes would do much to encourage our efforts." Since then, I have heard nothing, not even from the AMC members of the task force. I sent out an email to the committee, asking some questions and trying to nudge some action on some of the small governance issues we're hoping to tackle. I asked for some specific actions, such as "We need someone to gather up and list the options [for RVC replacement] considered and the basic pros and cons of them." I received one response from one committee member supporting an idea already discussed (regarding advertising for appointed positions), and utter silence from the rest.

To say that I'm frustrated is an understatement.

Ok, so I already knew that Mensa leaders are not in a "change is good" mood. I get that. So I'm not going to pound my head against a wall in hopes of making sweeping changes. But there are a few that can be made now, and one in particular that MUST be made now-- the RVC Replacement problem must be solved.

So, finding myself being the little red hen, yet again, I'm taking it on and preparing a background paper in hopes that a solution we haven't thought of will leap out. The good news is, I am seeing a shimmer of an inexpensive solution not yet proposed. I prefer not to describe my idea here yet, since I have more facts to gather first and may yet discover that I'm way out in left field.

I've been combing through the bylaws pulling relevant set sections regarding AMC  appointments and RVC elections.

I've been interviewing people —current and past RVCs and LocSecs— to create a thorough  description of what an RVC really does or is expected to do (fascinating and eye-opening, by the way— and yes, I'll blog it later).

Today I'll go find the New York law and section that is hanging us up regarding not letting the AMC or LocSecs appoint replacement RVCs with voting rights. I have a good notion of what it says, but I need the actual words. 

So there you have it— I'm working to make progress, in tiny tiny stages.

Belated Self-Congratulations

I've been keeping this blog up fairly reliably for over four years! Even I am a little amazed that I have that much to say about Mensa. To my knowledge, this is one of only two such topical blogs, so I'm rather proud and hope that I've been able to contribute to the general open discussion so many members claim to want. I have several thoughts percolating into essays now... I'm just waiting until this horrid cold lets go of me so I can breathe for ten minutes at a time.

I Remember

The kids had just gotten to school- kindergarten, and I was at home, alone,  when Matt called to tell me to turn on the TV, someone had flown a second plane into a second building in New York.... and that there was no way this was a coincidence (we, like everyone else, assumed the first plane was an accident). I spent the rest of the day, glued, watching in horror with the rest of the country, unable to believe what I was seeing and hearing.

At one point, I did call the school to see if they needed any assistance... I figured they might be closing and sending kids home, but they stayed open.

Matt works about 4 miles away, at Fermi National Laboratory — high energy physics. They do pure science and have no classified secrets or weapons, but still it was not an unreasonable target in a world where reason seemed to have disappeared.

When the kids finally got home, they walked in and right away I called them for a "double cuddle" (two perfect children in my lap at one time—nothing better in the world)... and then I just broke down, sobbing. Sobbing for them, for the world they would be living in. For the loss. For the unknown.

I don't know how much they understood. Some bad men stole some planes and blew up buildings because they don't like how Americans live and how we believe. Of course it's far more complex than that, but how does one explain to a 5 year old?

It will be interesting to see what they say today, as we watch a bit of the  coverage and...

   ...remember.

(And yes, they really did hold hands on the way to school. It looks adorable, but the truth is that they were making sure neither of them got there "first")

AMC meeting in Arlington, TX

It's strange to not be at the AMC meeting, but the Facebook status updates of some of the board members are quite revealing.

HalloweeM 36

As a member of Chicago Area Mensa, I'd like to personally invite you to enjoy our Regional Gathering, HalloWeeM, from October 27-30 in Wheeling, IL.  WeeM (as we tend to call it) is four full days filled with programs, gaming, food, and beverages for all ages as well as hundreds of friends you haven't met yet!
 We have traditional events that happen every year, like:
* Thursday night pig roast
* Friday night pun-filled costume contest  (the theme this year is Spooky Scary WeeM!)
* Pretentious Drinking and Desserts on Saturday night
* Live bands and dancing
* Poker tournament (just for fun and pride, no real money involved)

We also have gaming going 24 hours a day, using our incredibly huge game collection (one of the largest collections in the midwest!). There are programs, including lectures, forums, and interactive sessions.  And, of course, there's hospitality, with our famous soda machines keeping you hydrated, a chilled salad bar, and several hot meals throughout the weekend.

Our hotel, the Westin in Wheeling, IL is only a couple of years old and thus shiny and new-feeling, surrounded by fun restaurants, with lots of space for our hospitality, gaming, and programs.  At only $126 per night if you book by October 1st, the hotel is an incredible bargain for the Chicago area! HalloWeeM is really a great value, too, at just $85 for four full days, including meals!  You can register and book your hotel at our website.

If you want to add even more fun to your HalloweeM, volunteering will put you right in the middle of the action.  By being a volunteer, you'll be entered in a raffle for a great prize, and you'll receive a highly collectible WeeM pin! The design is different every year!  If you'd like to volunteer, contact our volunteer chair.

Or, perhaps you have a great product that Mensans would love?  HalloweeM is the best opportunity to sell your wares or get the word out about your business, by signing up for a vendor table.  Your products will get visibility to hundreds of Mensans!  Contact our vendor coordinator  for details!

HalloweeM is also a great time to indoctrinate--err, I mean, introduce--your non-Mensan friends to the group.  While registration rates are slightly higher for non-members, the difference is provided back to them as a coupon for the Mensa test, so it's a perfect opportunity to bring them to the dark side (where we have smart cookies).

Make sure to book hotel soon, as the block tends to fill up early. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me here or e-mail the event chairs at .  We're also on Facebook (search for HalloWeeM) and Twitter (@ChicagoMensa).  We hope to see you at WeeM!

Tiny Change for the Better--Bravo!

One of the recommendations from the Governance task Force last fall was to open national-level volunteer positions to all members, including those not already known to the AMC folks. This would mean writing up good descriptions of the task to be done and the skills necessary to to the job well and then advertising far and wide.

I was very pleased to see that concept actually used recently when John Recht sent out the call for an LDW Chair. He specified who the person would be working with, what the goals of the committee are, what responsibilities would be, and what special skills are being sought.

I suspect there will be some new highly qualified and enthusiastic people dipping their toes into the national waters, which can only improve the organization, regardless of who is ultimately chosen.

Bravo, John!

Local Groups Will Remain Strapped

The fall AMC agenda is out. Looks like the AMC is going to not consider increasing funding to Local Groups who could use it to improve their services to members. To say I am disappointed is an understatement, but it seems that members chose to elect representatives who do not care for the plight of members at the local level. 

Ah well, I tried. In retrospect, I would have been wiser to simply take the ~$600 I paid out of my own pocket to print those reports and distribute it to groups myself.

Live and learn. Local Groups will just have to make do with the 2007 funding levels.

LG Funding Concern- Reductions for Underperforming Groups

The AMC finally read my LG Service & Funding report, and they had questions and concerns, which Elissa forwarded to me so I could address them. Since then, it's been quite amusing to tussle with the new Membership Officer, who seems to be against the plan for a number of reasons, one of which is that the groups who have their funding reduced under this plan will be displeased. Here was my response to that:

Those amounts were suggestions. You could certainly tweak the rubric so that Groups which provide little or no service still get 82¢ per member. And you can eliminate the current practice of cutting off funding to Groups that don't meet the minimum requirements... just keep throwing money at them and perhaps someday, a spark plug will move into the area and use it.

But I firmly believe that Groups that want to provide more than the minimum should be funded to do so. Don't keep holding back your racehorses in order to not offend your slugs.

Every time Mensa policy defaults to pleasing the slowest, the timidest, the most luddite..... we put another nail in our coffin.

Fascinating

And a good case for a Board having a decent amount of face-to-face time.


Until the Vulcan Mind Meld...Building Shared Mental Models


"... when confronted by opinions that conflict with our own, we generally defend our thinking or feign interest in someone else’s mindset rather than submit to the subtle and deep work of testing our own mental models. We rely on and are often rewarded for the repertoire of responses we have developed to familiar stimuli in our environment. We look for the right answer to solve the problem or question, based on our past experience. If well practiced, we can be on automatic pilot and push our way through a workweek of data, expectations, and requests from others without examining or questioning our underlying assumptions."


"Groups hold mental models about their relationships and actions....To be an effective board, members need to know a lot about how other members think. And they need to carve out time for defining their prevailing governance model.  "

Snow!

View from our stateroom veranda!




- Posted using my iPhone

This

is why I've been neglecting my blog for a week!




- Posted using my iPhone

:-(

My dog died.

Local Group Funding Report-2006

Members are talking about Local Group Funding. Some might want to take a refresher look at the 2006 Local Group Funding Report.

Local Group Services & Funding Report- Linked

Finally, here is the Report of the Local Group Services & Funding Task Force! (You'll need your login and password information). 

I gave the AMC hard copies in Portland. Now, whether any of them will really read it, let alone take any actions...

I am Now Just a Forum Civilian

Letting go of the Communications Officer role means I no longer see all the "Moderator-Only" threads. It feels really strange, after 5 and a half years to be a civilian on the forums.

RVC Replacement

Some people advocate having proper special elections for RVC replacement, and using the Bulletin as the vehicle for the process.

Let's suppose RVC 11 quits today. The deadline is past, but with effort, the call for candidates gets put into the Aug Bulletin. Candidates raise their hands and get listed in the Oct Bulletin (having missed the deadline for the Sept issue).Let's shorten voting for 6 weeks to only 3, add a week of counting and triple validating, and the new RVC 11 starts Nov 1.

Nearly 4 months and only one AMC meeting, in the best scenario.

If RVC 11 waits until mid-Aug to quit, the call for candidates goes into the October Bulletin, ballots into the Nov/Dec, vote validation complete by mid January. Region 11 will have had no voting representation at 2 AMC meetings.

As I see it, there are two issues to consider: Making sure there is someone knowledgeable and able to advise Local Groups and ensuring that the collective opinion of the region is voiced at the board meetings. It is quick and easy to appoint someone to be a regional advisor. It is quick and easy to appoint someone to poll a region's members and ferry their thoughts to the board meetings. It is not so quick and easy to replace a voting member of the board. 

So my question is this: Are RVCs like delegates of the Electoral College, without whom a segment of the membership is uncounted? Do RVCs objectively poll their entire membership and voting accordingly for every motion?

The Backfire Effect

Correcting misinformation with facts strengthens belief in falsehoods. Could this happen in Mensa? Nah... We're too smart.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Feeling the Tribal Love

So I'm here at the AG. I had been wavering about attending after I lost; unlike Barry, I wasn't to up to facing people who clearly didn't want me.

But time heals and I received more and more calls, emails, and texts from friends and colleagues, encouraging me to not hide in a hole. They made it clear that anyone who actually worked with me or follows what goes on at the national level, anyone who pays attention to the reports and other work I've done... they all know I am too valuable to lose. That's really nice to hear, and with enough repetitions, including from people I don't know well, personally, I pulled out of my funk and decided I needed to attend.

I need to show Mensa that I am not crushed and hiding with my tail between my legs. I need to demonstrate that I wasn't doing all this work and running for office just because I wanted fame, glory, and a trip to Europe. And I needed... the hugs and reassurance from my tribe.

I'm getting that, in spades.

"I'm so glad to see you!"
"The wrong person won."
"Can I talk you into staying on Name & Logo? You're the expert and we need you."
"I voted for you, and I told my whole group to vote for you, too."
"I don't think the AMC is ready for any change, but if anyone can get something done to improve the governance, it's you."
"Woo hoo!"
"I just can't believe what happened with the election... How sad for Mensa."
"Will you do this? And stay on this committee and maybe do....?"
"You are planning on running again next year, right?"
"We neeeeeeeddddd you!"

I am here. And except for a few moments of discomfort, it feels good. I am still raising my hand to take on a few large national level jobs.... Roles that interest me. Projects where I think I can make a difference. Challenges that will stretch me and broaden my Mensa expertise even further. Perhaps I'll let my readers guess and reveal what my new positions are after the AG.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Social Media vs Online Communities

I've said for quite some time that each electronic communication and connection medium should be used differently. Here is a nice article about some differences.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Oh yes!

I'm at the AG... Out to dinner with GenX and friends.



- Posted using my iPhone

Election Committee Report

The final Election Committee report is available. Just as I'm starting to feel better, I got to read over and over and over again how I lost. Oh joy.

I think one thing that steams me is how I spent so much time being open and transparent with my views on issues, unlike Cookie and Dan, only to learn that voting members don't care (I tracked how many asked me questions or visited the Web site with all my information). Are my views so way off-base that I would have done better to keep my mouth shut and fingers duct taped?

A Site Every Mensan Should Visit Soon

Just geeking out a bit...

Local Group Service & Funding Report

I finished it! The Local Group Service & Funding Report is finally done. It will be on the AML site soon, but if you're curious, I have it here, too.

Edited: Grumble grumble...For some reason my dot-mac account is not letting people download the file. Make a comment and give me your email address and I'll send you the pdf if you want it.

To The Election Committee

I have seen what Lee is writing and publishing about Maggie and the Election Committee.
His message is --how shall I put it-- really petulant and vicious.

Speaking as one of the more aggrieved parties in this election mishap, I would like to take this opportunity to state, publicly and unequivocally, that:

Local Group Expenditures

I should blog something, but I've been hard at work on the Local Group Service & Funding report. Just to take up space, here's a graph from the data I'm working with.

Local Group Expenditures ( EOFY 2010 reported data)

It's Been a Week

It's been a week since I got the call telling me that I lost the election. During that week I've been hobbling around on a sprained ankle and eating pain pills, steam cleaning the carpets because of a sick dog, and listening to the wheedling of a son who came within half percentage point of the all-Bs necessary to keep his computer in his room over the summer (you do understand who is really feeling the punishment, right?).


I've had to endure all that while still reading letters complaining about fonts in the Bulletin and answering questions about acceptability of name and logo use on liner notes, artwork, and SIG URLs. I am still working like mad to wrap up the giant Local Group Service & Funding report. I've been cleaning out my inbox and either answering dangling questions and requests or forwarding things to my successors. I even had the joy of proofing the July Bulletin— with the original set of election results (ouch).


I've been composing the messages to my various elists, committees, and helpers to thank them and to make introductions. I've even been doing a little bit of AMC-motion discussion. I've been talking with people who ask me to take on this or that national role for the next term. I've had conversations with other losing candidates about whether or not to contest the election (I'm not going to).


And I've been fielding calls and emails from well-wishers. At first, I was miserable and didn't want to talk to anyone. Emotions swirled, many of which were not very pretty. I'm allowed to feel like crap at how the campaign went and how the election turned out, so I'm not going to apologize for that. But those calls and messages have made me remember that while the uninformed voters may not know what skills and talents I offer, plenty of people do know, and do appreciate me. I'm able to see that the sun will still shine and Mensa still has a welcoming place for me.


It's been a week.
It's time for me to quit wallowing, put on my big-girl panties, and do the right thing.

Two Things I'm Pondering Today

• After almost 4 years of posting lots of meaty information and opinions about Mensa issues and controversies, readership is highest now, when the election is over and the content is mostly just personal and admittedly, a little petulant (I figure I'm entitled—it's my personal blog, after all).

What does this say about what information Mensans really want to consume?

• I looked over the quarterly officer reports, and for my own amusement, I compared the quarter-to-quarter text of certain officers' reports. Quite a bit of cutting and pasting, I see. I was also surprised at the ones that are missing here and there.

What does this say about the usefulness of our current reporting process?

Saying Thank You

I'm working my way down my list of "Things to tell Brian" about communications, "Things to tell Roger" about Name and Logo, and "Goodbye and you rock" messages to all the fabulous members who have served with me on committees and projects. I was very fortunate to find and keep the people I worked with:

Sallie, Guy, Mel, Nancy, James,
Brian M., Gary, Dennis, Brian R., Gail, Thomas, Greg, Dan W., Barbara, Terri, Bill, Erik, Tim, Rob, Dana, Lynn, Kevin, Sheila, Brad, Zee, Marc, Carol, Claire, Jill, Lessa, Kathe, Don, Jared, BethAnne, Jean B., Jean D., and many others over the years.

One of the calls I got yesterday, expressing the usual "surprise at the election outcome / gosh you sure did lots of great work / what will we do without you" sentiments also commented on my annual report in the Bulletin and how while most other officers' were filled with  "I, I, I," and wrote about everything they did and accomplished, my column was taken up with thanking my people. Well, yes, I've always believed that was the purpose of that column. Members know I get stuff done. I already had my name in lights, so to speak. For the other volunteers, that annual mention was all the reward and glory I could offer them.

They deserve everyone's thanks.

Reactions to the Election Results

So just as the congratulations poured in when I "won," now the "Well shit, that sucks" messages are filling up my inbox. My favorite exchange so far:


"The voters in these elections a woefully uninformed.  I just don't know who's going to drive the train anymore without Robin there."


My reply: "Don't worry about no Robin to drive the train. No one wants to get anywhere."


And yes, I've heard from Dan. I was shocked at what he wrote to me. I'm debating the ethics of posting it here. It would be unethical to publish a private email, but then again, so many things in this election were underhanded and slimy and my consistent effort to take the high ground approach did not exactly teach me that being ethical is of any value in Mensa. 

Silver Linings

• I will save about a thousand dollars a year on dog boarding.
• I will no longer have to listen politely to raving loons.
• I can unsubscribe to MPol because I have no need for the three grains of value per thousand posts generated by the hate-filled crazy people on it.
• I will not have to deal with Tony Lash, Tom Taffee, or Barry Levine in Portland.
• I get 50 or so hours of time back each month.
• I don’t have to hold back and be politically correct and sensitive to people’s feelings on my blog.
• I can enter the PRP and other competitions, just like a regular member with full rights.
• Less email. Way less email.
• I won’t have to pretend that I think the vaunted “Strategic Plan” has any meaning. I can shout “the emperor has no clothes” from the rooftops.
• No more proofing the Bulletin, InterLink, FRED, and other materials.
• No more meaningless quarterly reports.
• I can stop telling people “NO.” As in “No, you can’t use the logo that way.” “No, you can’t be a dick on the forums.” “No, you can’t distribute membership data without a release.” “No, I can’t make the butthead stop harassing you on your unofficial elist.” “No, we’re not going to print your moronic article.”
• I won't have to get in the middle of the conflict between the AMC and the bullying tactics of the ombudsman.
• Now that I’m not TPTB, the ombudsman might take my side if I push for action regarding the continued seriously damaging libel about me on the web.
• I can put away my big brass balls and stop doing the difficult, right things instead of the easy, popular things.
• I no longer have to research and consult members before making decisions only to be flogged for not researching and consulting enough, sooner.
• I can take on projects because they interest me, not because "but Robin, you're the only one who can..."
• Less writing.
• More desktop space.
• Fewer deadlines.
• I can be safe from arrows I endured because others on the AMC were too chicken to speak up to the membership.
• I can sit back and be amused as little forward-thinking action is taken while concerned members whine about how “we have to find ways to engage the younger members.”
• Annual Gatherings will be for fun, not for work.
• No one will complain about the cost of my dinner.

Today's Mood

The Election Screw-up

As angry and shredded as I am by the events of this week, I do firmly believe that the office staff and election committee acted impartially, ethically, and as efficiently as possible at every step. The balloting company we hired messed up, caught their mistake, and corrected it. There was no conspiracy or manipulation.

Sometimes the universe just fucks with people. 

And the recount tells a different result

Results of Election Are In

Dreaming

I thought I was all calm and zen-like about this election, but last night I had a dream about it. Results were announced, and Dan and I tied. I woke up wondering if I should call heads or tails. 


Win or lose, I am ready for this election to be over.

Old Goals from 2004-Still Pertinent Today

Double-posing today as I continue my review of old LocSec documents. Here are the goals I set for myself back in 2004. What fascinates me is how well they align with AML's current strategic goals.

Robin’s Goals as Local Secretary 2004

Goal #1. Major group functions will continue despite the failure of any one person.

Check that the following positions have updated job descriptions and details:

Pubs            Treasurer            Scholarship Chair

LocSec            Gifted Children Coordinator            GOBS Liaison

Editor            Activities Bulletin Editor            SIGHT Coordinator

Programs            HalloweeM  Chair            Secretary

Publicity            Hospitality Chair            Circulation Manager

Membership            Project Inkslinger /Literacy            CAP Chair

BusMgr            Testing /Proctor Coordinator           

            Actively request monthly reports for each of the above.

            Actively offer or locate assistance for the above.

            Actively solicit replacements before volunteers burn out.

Goal #2. The budget will end with a surplus.

            Ride herd on keeping costs down.

            Support fundraising projects

            Whip up volunteer enthusiasm for ‘Weem and MindGames.

Goal #3. Members will be informed about decisions affecting the CAM and AML.

            Review AMC minutes

            Write a monthly LocSec column.

Goal #4. Paperwork will be filed on time.

            Show up; stay on top of things; be responsive to requests.

Goal #5. Members will feel that they’re being attended to.

            Answer calls and email promptly.

            Attend a variety of local activities.

Goal #6. CAM will comply with all AML and CAM bylaws, Standing Orders, & ASIEs.

            Request guidelines, ASIEs, SOs, and bylaws from AML.

            Gather all CAM SOs, ASIEs, and bylaws.

            Comb through all minutes to finish up the above gathering.

            Appoint a CAM committee to review ASIEs and SOs and bylaws

Determine current appropriateness.

                        Draft motions for proposed changes.

                        Delineate steps for making bylaws changes.

                        Initiate bylaw changes.

Goal #7. CAM will overtake SFM as second largest group.

Support publicity efforts.

Goal #8.  Information will be consistent in announcements and publications

            SIGs

                        Contact Cat for AML definitions

                        Find CAM ASIE or SO about SIGs

                        Confirm or draft a CAM definition

                        Update ChiMe, Web site, etc.

            Admission Costs

                        Search holy documents for any information. If none is found, initiate

motion confirming age 7 (or 8) as age under which children are free.

                        Update ChiMe and Web.

LocSec Report from 2004

Regardless of the outcome of the AMC election, there are lots of changes in the Crawford household this year regarding Mensa involvment. For one thing, Matt finished his third term as LocSec. As part of the transition, he’s been going through files to figure out what needs to be passed on and what can be tossed. He found my old binder of LocSec notes, and asked me to see if anything in it should be handed to the new officer.

I found this. I used to ask all of my volunteers every year to turn in end-of-year reports. Here’s my LocSec EOY report from 2004—the year of too many incorporate nightmares. It’s kinda an interesting trip down memory lane, and I rather like the reporting format. I wonder if this could be used in some fashion at the AMC level.

Local Secretary End-Of-Year Report

April, 2004

What have you done this year?

I’ve kept a detailed log each month, which I’ll pass on to the next LocSec.

I did set personal goals last May and accomplished most of them:

Budget was balanced.

Members were kept informed about stuff in my monthly LocSec column

Paperwork was filed on time.

Emails and phone calls were answered promptly.

We followed most of our Bylaws, ASIE and Standing orders.

We overtook SFM as second largest group.

I filled all the positions for longer than two weeks.

I took care of a little corporate administrivia here and there.

What new ideas did you try, and how did they pan out?

I totally changed the format of the agenda and supported Michael’s formatting changes for the minutes. People seem to like the agenda but not the minutes, although they take up less space in ChiMe and are available in full on the Web site.

I started the process of reviewing and revising the Holy Documents, but got sidetracked with other, bigger issues.

I worked hard to make all Steering Committee members feel validated and involved. I think I was successful—many have latched on to the phrase “I’m still happy and I love my job.”

What needs/expenses/challenges arose that you didn't anticipate?

Corporate issues.

What tasks are just too onerous for one person to keep up with?

This job takes at least 30 and more like 70 hours each month. If it were to be done by one person who also had a out-of-the-house career, I’d recommend the creation of an official Executive Assistant.

What changes would you recommend?

Cater dinner for people at the Board meetings to decrease the pressure to hurry so we can go out for dinner and be back in time for the rest of the meeting.

Who on your committee deserves special thanks?

Everyone—the way we’ve pulled together and supported each other through this difficult year is astounding.

What goals do you have for next year?

Work on Literacy , Inkslinger, MensaWorldConnect, and CAP.

Find money to finish off the endowment of the MERF scholarship.

Find money to start growing our own, locally-controlled scholarship again.

Whip up enthusiasm for a colloquium.

Revise Holy Documents.

Stay on track with the budget.

Finish writing all the Job Descriptions.

Make more progress on Long and Winding Project.

Rev up the Gifted Children’s and Teen SIG programs.

Energize the Area Coordinators.

Keep members were kept informed about stuff in my monthly LocSec column

File paperwork on time.

Keep up with emails and phone calls.

Follow our Bylaws, ASIE and Standing Orders.

Overtake GNYM as largest group.

Fill all the positions with happy volunteers for longer than four weeks.

Are you still happy and do you still love your job?

Yup.

What I've been Doing March to June 2011

It's been a quiet couple months as many of us focused on the election and responding to members' requests for information. Mostly I've been focusing on finishing up projects and preparing for transitions.

As Communications Officer

• Attended March AMC meeting in Atlanta.

• Intervened with a forum squabble between long-time adversaries.

• Prepared volumes of explanations for the electronic newsletter issue on the March agenda.

• Actively moderated the Webmasters elist during  kerfluffle.

• Advised RVC1 regarding forum TOS and guidelines and how they apply to Yahoo and Facebook.

• Appointed new columnists for InterLink and filled in when necessary.

• Wrote article for editors explaining e-pubs delivery default change.

• Wrote more and more explanations about it.

• Developed an education PR plan for helping members make their delivery choices known.

• Discussed an issue regarding Bulletin policy with the Nat Ombudsman.

• Nudged Bulletin dept regarding running ads about online Bulletin access.

• Continued advising regarding Web redesign

• Sent reminders regarding turning in reimbursement requests by March 31.

• Attended Digital Now conference in Florida.

• Discussed with Bulletin editor a member’s concerns about the magazine advocating adultery.

• Requested LDW workshop topics for the AG.

• Forwarded several members’ requests regarding newsletter delivery preferences

• Forwarded a few members’ change of address or death notices to Nat Office.

• Nudged on PRP progress.

• Discussed with admins some tweaks to policy for AML’s Facebook group. Will follow up with next ComOfficer.

• Reviewed and commented on April/May and June Bulletins.

• Reviewed and approved March, April, May, and June InterLinks.

• Fumed about continued libel from angry former member.

  

As Chair of the Communications Committee

• Suspended two members from the AML Forum for 30 days.

  

As Chair of the Name & Logo Committee

• Approved design of new GY brochure

• Looked at link to reviews of Mensa Café & Lounge in CA. Recommended further investigation to see if they’re still in business.

• Approved design for kids’ AG shirts.

• Communicated logo nuances to an enthusiastic artist

• Discussed how to handle a vendor selling a shirt with a snarky Mensa cartoon and claiming it is a parody.

• Advised DVM regarding use of Mensa in title of a Yahoo group.

• Reviewed and approved  GenY SIG logo.

• Reviewed and approved GaySIG pin design for 2011 AG

• Advised on positioning of letters on a charm for Fox Imaging.

• Advised on unacceptable logo use in art for a SIG’s web site.

• Reviewed and commented on trademark campaign ad for June Bulletin.

• Advised Denver LocSec regarding owner of an unofficial blog regarding unacceptable use of name and logo.

• Discussed actions to take regarding a book about how to pass the Mensa test.

• Reviewed a “Mensa” dining set

  

As Chair of Local Group Service & Funding Task Force

• Worked with committee members to develop a rubric for funding.

• Organized and began write up of final report.

As Chair of Governance Blueprint Task Force

• Facilitated a little more AMC discussion of broad-stroke priorities

• Added members

• Broke committee into small teams, each assigned to tackle a particular recommendation.

As GYComm Liaison

• Advised, yet again, on necessary steps for setting up an interactive blogging service for kids.

• Advised on concept of honor cords for Mensa kids’ graduations.

• Advised on confidentiality of YMs information in LG directories.

• Reviewd spring issue of FRED.

• Did a little more work with Foundation liaison regarding Memo of Understanding.

• Advised GYComm Chair about concerns regarding lower retention of young members and asked about  what data we have to use.

As member of MIL’s Name & Logo Committee

• Forwarded concerns about MensaUnderground Facebook group to Nat Office legal team

Chicago Area Mensa

• Proctored 4 tests

• Designed WeeM Logo

Mandating Volunteer Service

As some know, I have been an active member of my local mothers of multiples club for a long time. That club has grown and recently the Board of Directors, faced with concerns about lack of participation and volunteering, proposed a bylaw amendment that would require some amount of volunteer effort from every member. I gave it some thought and jumped into the discussion. I am sharing it here, since Mensa, like my mothers’ club, regularly faces volunteer shortages and frustration at the lack of participation by the membership.

I’ve been a member of this club for… gosh, almost 15 years now. I’ve been a member of other organizations, too. Joining is what we social creatures do. It’s how we create the villages that are necessary for raising our children and maintaining our societies.

One thing I’ve noticed is that there are phases and stages of participation, much like the phases and stages children go through in our families. For a while, babies just stare wide-eyed and overwhelmed and just….take. And take and take and take and … poop. Later they start to give back a little— a smile of recognition, a cessation of taking for three hours at a time so mom can sleep. Eventually they help by holding their own bottles, or kissing a sister’s booboo. As time goes on, toddlers fetch a spit-up rag for a sibling, feed the cat, dress themselves. And so it continues, until one day you wake up and realize your teen can fully take over the lawn mowing and you’ll never have to do that chore again—you can retire to the patio and roll your eyes when he forgets to alternate directions like you would have done it.

Volunteering— participating in the village life that makes our society— is the same, and more complex, since we each belong to overlapping communities. I took from this club for a few years, gave back for a few, and now enjoy mostly sitting on my hands and just watching what I helped to create grow and flourish. I still roll up my sleeves in other clubs I belong to, and in still other aspects of communal life, like school fundraisers, I do absolutely nothing—never have never will; it’s just not my cup of tea.

In TCMOTTC* , we have women in all the stages of club participation, and that’s awesome. We have women who do nothing for TCMOTTC but who raise money for my kids’ school. Hooray!  We have women who care for neighbors’ dogs, create music in churches, monitor school board antics, and write checks for breast cancer research. We are amazing people, we suburban moms, and we are needed in every community.

Please, do not turn passion to obligation. Do not ask for actions that are out of sync with our life stages. And do not require that this club take priority over all the other communities that also need us. 

* TriCities Mothers of Twins & Triplets Club

This Week's Project: LGS&F

In addition to lawn mowing and prepping for a weekend party, I'm hoping to pull together all the  data and documents and survey results into a readable, useful report for the Local Group Service and Funding task force.

Here's what my dining room table looks like with all the information we're looking at. Some of what you see are 60-page report and surveys.

Finally!

The new AML Web site is up and running, with fancy fabulous navigation and a search engine that works. If you can't find what you're looking for... you must be thinking very differently than the hundreds of other Mensans who gave their input on the organization and navigation.

Congrats to the AML Web Services team- you ROCK!