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.



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Oh yes!

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



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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