It is no secret that I’ve been quite down on Mensa for the
past many months. My reasons are fairly well-known and shared by many.
Lots of members, newish and seasoned, are seriously
questioning the direction and future of the organization we all love. So much
so that many are intending to just give up and walk away, especially during
this time of year when the renewal notices are piling up on our desks.
Matt and I are life members, so to walk away from Mensa
would take a bit more effort, though it can be done if we wish to forego the
investment we made in order to make a statement of our displeasure. However, our kids are not life members; we have been paying
their membership bills for them each year. This year, they’re off in college,
getting far more intellectual stimulation and camaraderie than they get from
Mensa (albeit at a much higher price). So the simple way for me to express my
lack of support for the direction and administration of Mensa would be to
simply not continue those two memberships.
However, the only way Mensa will change— will turn around and start
back on a path towards being the great smart thing we want it to be—is if there
are significant changes at the top. So I’m going to renew Owen and Lindsay’s
membership—not because I like how Mensa is, nor because they get anything out
of it, but because…
I’m buying two votes.
Sure, it costs money. But when I think of all the money I’ve
invested in Mensa over the years, beyond my dues, it’s a drop in the bucket.
And I’m not the only one. Think of the receipts for mailing testing packets
back to the office every proctor has neglected to turn in. Think of the gas
money we’ve all spent to get to a meeting because our help was requested. Think
of the ink and paper we’ve donated to print out flyers for events. Think of the
TIME we’ve given to do our part to cart food and answer phone calls and write
articles and design websites and edit newsletters and prepare reports and and
and…
When you add up how much non-dues money I’ve spent in one
form or another for the good of Mensa, two memberships is nothing.
So I’m going to spend money on improving Mensa one more
time.
I’m buying two votes.
I urge others, especially the angry, disgusted, passionate
members questioning the value of membership in Mensa-As-Is…
Renew.
Buy a vote.
Make a difference.
