Tuesday, May 31, 2022

What I really Did Feb-June 2022

The formal Quarterly Reports to the AMC don't really show what gets done on a granular level.  I keep track, and perhaps this will be helpful to future Comm Officers or Chairs trying to find a Comm Officer.


 February 25  — June 16, 2022


Communications Officer
  • Created outline of Comm Guide & referenced pre-written sections
  • Facilitated crowd-sourcing discussions with editors re what to include in a Comm Guide.
  • Read 104 newsletters
  • Requested meeting with NO staff regarding using AML resources to better help LGs create and maintain websites
  • Asked Jennifer Jewel to review draft of Editors’ Survey.
  • Corresponded with Editor of a small group about newsletter issues and options, including sending a mock up of a more efficient layout.
  • Researched official AML pantone colors and fonts.
  • Proffread Editors’ Survey before it goes out.
  • Nudged on server / PHP upgrade progress I was promised last November.
  • Directed member inquiry about SIGs to SiGs Officer.
  • Discussed advertising policy for LG newsletters with Editors.
  • Met with Charles in person regarding Communications topics.
  • Attended March AMC meeting.
  • Consulted with Ex Dir, Chair, and 1st VC on how to handle communications resulting from an Exec Session decision.
  • Helped RVC1 with a MC moderation issue.
  • Reviewed April/May Bulletin.
  • Reviewed June Bulletin.
  • Circled back with Staff on how to handle mention of paper directories in the bylaws, then passed the topic to the Bylaws Comm Chair.
  • Responded to an RVC’s question about how CAN-SPAM and using Mailchimp fit together.
  • Reviewed tasks handed out by the Strat Planning Comm and reported to AMC on my progress.
  • Made suggestion to BAD and Timmy on a new approach to the Criminal Acts TF problem.
  • Nudged AMC regarding cleaning up and tending to Vol MP listings.
  • Reached out to a few people to dig up old Mensa Member demographics (for my LDW on volunteerism).
  • Crowd-sourced input on photo-editing software options for Editors.
  • Discussed with Bylaws Comm Chair and then AMC changes to the MDA as a result of March’s Appendix 15 motions.
  • Intervened in Region 9 MC community to tend to an admin/moderation request from the RVC.
  • Gently admonished a LG editor for political humor of questionable taste.
  • Nudged about TOS update again. Nudged again a month later.
  • Nudged a few people to respond to a member wanting to start a SIG.
  • Nudged CB on a list of IT topics I sent a couple weeks ago.
  • Long phone call with CB about several issues.
  • Crowd-sourced suggestions for free clip art.
  • Reviewed and summarized results of Editors’ Survey and identified action items.
  • Requested help from Dan Burg regarding Guide section covering copyright and libel.
  • Nudged AMC re MDA changes.
  • Briefly discussed paper/printing price increases and options with Bulletin staff.
  • Asked Eric Werme for help on Guide section covering newsletter distribution.
  • Sent spring letter to Editors.
  • Finished up Members’ Rights & Responsibilities document and shared with AMC.
  • Tended to a complaint about moderation in the AG 2022  MC community.
  • Tended to member’s complaint about being moderated again in Region 1 MC community.
  • Discussion with Trevor re Bulletin Advertising policy & process.
  • Nudged AMC about making use of the Vol Marketplace.
  • Nudged AMC about finishing the Rights & Responsibilities (CoC) document.
  • Purchased a pro-license for Zoom calling with officers.
  • Responded to a LocSec regarding newsletter requirements.
  • Participated in discussions with Editors about improving the MC library for sharing content.
  • Long phone call with member about her concerns regarding MC administration.
  • Reached out to a columnist about reprinting articles in other newsletters, and began uploading content to the Pubs Officers’ MC library.
  • Pointed out out-of-date indicia to a few editors.
  • Phone call with Timmy re next term and other issues.
  • Responded individually to more than 20  queries about upcoming MC TOS update.
  • Successful Zoom call with Pubs officers- 28 on the call.
  • Contacted a couple columnists asking for articles to share with other newsletters.
  • Disappointed a member pressuring me to override MC decisions made by her RVC. Several times. Suggested she preference to another region
  • Long email discussion with Trevor about patterns of Board stalling on implementing large projects.
  • Prepped and uploaded 33 articles to Pubs Officer library.
  • Facilitated AMC online discussion of volunteerism report and ideas.
  • Messaged all MC Admins regarding the TOS update and their administrative autonomy.
  • Requested (again) that the Minimum Standards for ICS page on the AML website be updated per the March 2022 motion.
  • Call with CB re Mensa Leader & Wired schedules & content.
  • Requested I Made Mensa Better badge ribbons for the AG.
  • Whipped up a basic template for new TJM editor and sent supportive information and documents.
  • Recruited a few more clowns for MC Admin sandbox so I can figure out work-arounds for wonky threading when moderating.
  • Asked Chip if he has any Bulletin content LG newsletters can use.
  • Uploaded directions for downloadable graphics and ads for newsletters to use.
  • Sent CB list of Wired & Leader content ideas I’d sent back in Oct.
  • Posted link and graphic directions for navigating to the Pubs Officers’ Library.
  • Uploaded more content to Pubs Officers Library.
  • Call with Trevor re volunteer program and other issues.
  • Zoom with LocSecs to talk about websites and SM options and pros/cons
  • Posted links and info to LocSecs about MC instructional videos
  • Mucked around in the Admin Sandbox testing moderation technicalities.
  • Advised an RVC regarding a LG using membership addresses via Google Groups.
  • Did more work on the Members’ Rights & Responsibilities document and motion to codify.
  • Wrote article for Bulletin on national e-newsletters.
  • Wrote  3 Bulletin Volunteer Spotlight columns.
  • Researched newsletter distribution information.
  • Phone call with Timmy regarding him driving AMC discussions and actions stemming from Vol TF Report (followed by no action).
  • Requested editing help from Staff on newsletter distribution barcoding section of LG Comm Guide.
  • Crowd-sourced Pubs Officers re e-pub distribution techniques. 
  • Wrote up a motion to align the MDA with Appendix 15 changes back in March.
  • Phone call with CB about Bulletin and other communications topics.
  • Researched and wrote LG Comm Guide section about printing and web-viewing resolutions.


Communications Committee
  • Sent Editors’ Survey to Staff for Survey Monkey formatting and implementation.
  • Asked for input on graphic showing which content is appropriate for which communication venue. No response from committee members.
  • Nudged on goals and projects. No response from committee members.
  • Shared Editors Survey results summary. No response from committee members.
  • Crafted and posted ad for 22-23 CommComm.
  • Sent message to committee members thanking them, asking for feedback, and pointing them to the application for next term. No Response from committee members.
  • Sent emails to potential CommComm members for next term.


Volunteerism Task Force
  • Asked M-Leaders and LocSec MC communities to discuss Volunteer Categories—Time, Skills, Needs & Treatment
  • Bumped topic for RVCs re cultural attributes of low-ranking groups.
  • Added Mary Lee Kemper to the TF.
  • Wrote up section on LG culture’s effect on volunteerism.
  • Emailed three TF members who I never hear from to check if they’re still onboard.
  • Solicited members from M-Hospitality who do NOT have much Mensa vol experience to be fresh eyes for the report and to generate recommendations.
  • Drafted write up of conversation with Lora Mitchell regarding processes for members who drive off volunteers, then sent it to her for editing and expansion.
  • Nudged TF members to generate recommendations.
  • Hours and hours of typesetting and graphics tweaking.
  • Guided and facilitated proofing process.
  • Figured out how to incorporate a review of a paper-only copy of the old Leadership Retreat Guide.
  • Reached out to a few more people for any lingering recommendations to include.
  • Finalized report and shared with AMC.


Strategic Planning Committee
  • Brainstormed possible measurements if we add Volunteerism as a tenet of the Strat Plan.
  • Discussed and discussed if and how to incorporate Volunteerism into the Strategic Plan.
  • Suggested education for the AMC about the finer hidden details of the SP. 
  • Drafted motion wording to incorporate volunteerism as a focus of the Value component of the Strategic Plan.

Marketing Committee
  • All committee work is done via a FB group instead of MC. I have not been added to the FB group, so I did not participate in any discussions or decisions.

Name & Logo Committee
  • Finally got added to the committee in late May.

SIGs Advisory Committee
  • Facilitated help for a member wishing to start a non-secular Bible study SIG.

National Awards Committee
  • Sent reminder to Chair about quarterly reports.


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