July 2026 was pretty busy, too

But at least it ended with a vacation!

• Attended American AG. Several intense productive discussions with wise people regarding going forward, planning, solving gaps, licensing, testing, etc.
• Zoom w A re catch up and status of GWS negotiations.
• Looked for employee contracts for auditors.
• Zoom w A & O re updating web graphic of FNMs, etc.
• Updated map and grid of current FNM/PNM/ENM/DIMs.
• Sent long email to ExComm, N&L, and ISC re logo issue and steps to be taken.
• Zoom w A re schedules and plans.
• Discusses N&L issues with ExComm, then sent everyone a pdf of the booklet.
• Redid grid of current NMs in clearer color.
• Bought plane ticket for IBD meeting.
• Confirmed room nights w IBD org chair.
• Reviewed and commented to DoA on annual report forms.
• Responded to intro w TV producer.
• Initiated discussion with Treasurer re financial support for various Mensa foundations.
• Updated ExComm on status of summer priorities and spend discussion of MICF.
• Sent call for agenda items to IBD.
• Nudged Awards Comm.
• Zoom w TV show developer re using Mensa members in a true Crime Solving series.
• Researched the several companies included in draft contract for TV show.
• Discussed brand integrity issues with ExComm.
• Wrote long response (w citations) to Ombudsman re concerns about MHKF.
•  Researched background info on author of an alternative adaptive test and shared with ExComm.
• Responded to HW re draft additions to potential contract for TV show.
• Responded to ExComm discussion re MICF.
• Calculated & prepped calendar of deadlines up to IBD for A.
• Created graphic and posted call for International Awards nominations to several platforms.
• Zoom w A re IBD planning.
• Zoom w AJ re IBD planning details.
• Reviewed draft contract re TV series and forwarded it to MI’s trademark attorney  with additional information and a point of concern.
• Set and gave notice of deadline for ExComm annual reports.
• Scheduled zoom call with MF re MICF.
• Requested input from J re funding AT and new staff to IBD meeting.
• Responded [in French] to member offering several ideas for MI.
• Zoom w A re frustrations.
• Responded to some tickets and cleared out some spam.
• Kept the ExComm discussion about charities and funding going.
• Forwarded Mensa Korea trademark issues to AML’s ExecDir to keep her in the loop.
• Responded the Mensa Brazil’s invitation to their AG.
• Drafted motions re MICF and sent to MF for review.
• Researched flight options to attend a Mensa Brazil event.
• Carefully reviewed and commented on initial findings from facilitated strategic review of MIL.
• Nudged Treasurer re budget for additional staff to the IBD.
• Mapped out the sequence for handling the complex topic re foundations, donations, and pertinent motions.
• Cleared out hundreds of spam from ticketing system.
  
• Zoom (over an hour) w MF re MICF.
• Informed ExComm of the first next set re MICF.
• Informed ExComm re facilitated strategic planning sessions.
• More research on flights to Brazil.
• Still more research on how to get to Brazil cheaply and comfortably. Told the hostess I don't think I can swing it.
• Zoom w A re staffing, planning, IMD timeline.
•  Posted motion and poll to ExComm for appointment of MICF trustees.
• Sent intro emails to ExComm and MI staff re facilitated strategic planning sessions with HP.
• Nudged JK re trademark issues in China and Indonesia.
• Responded briefly to acknowledge long complaint email from a member in Romania.
• Kept ExComm discussions going re foundation donations, Romanian complaint, and possible acts Inimical motion.
• Notified AT re mensa dot pk going to a gambling site.
• Added US NatRep to IBD Hub spaces.
• Closed vote for appointment of MICF Trustees and informed IBD.
• Forwarded request from AML to A.
• Sent reimbursement request for ORD - OTP for IBD Meeting.
• Sent reimbursement request to Foundation for FortWorth meetings.
• Prepped and sent update to IBD re database.
• Zoom w A re planning and messaging.
• Reformatted some email attachments so A can open and read them.
• Checked w JK re funding for IBD invitees and more before responding to requests.
• Drafted lengthy response re funding for extra IBD attendees.
• Phone call w TV guy re negotiating a compromise that makes me more comfortable about risk to Mensa’s reputation and brand image.
• Zoom w A re annual reports and agenda planning.
• Reviewed draft of annual country report form and made comments.
• Completed membership survey for AML.
• Wrote long explanation of TV opportunity and requested ExComm input on the revised contract.
• Worked on amendment to Bylaw 15.
• Worked on digging up all the motions proposed but not put before the IBD to be added to IBD agenda.
• Asked a few ExComm members for help locating languishing motions.
• Responded to member on LinkedIn asking about leading several projects he has thought of.
• Responded to a few tickets and cleared out a few dozen spam tickets.
• Sent images of logo violations in a recent NM magazine to N&L chair.
• Responded to discussion re test database update to the IBD.
• Nudged O re applying for International Archives and Records Committee.
• Suggested that someone apply for ISP.
• Sent drafts of revised Bylaw 15 and explanation to GPAC for input.
• More correspondence w TV producer and ExComm.
• Signed contract with TV producer (after adding an extra caveat for NMs who don’t want to participate).
• Advised Chair of an NM re member conflicts outside of Mensa scope.
• Asked IBD re bids for hosting 2028.
• Discussed AT status with ExComm.
• Nudged Awards Comm.
• Nudged NM chairs and IBD re needing Awards nominations.
• Acknowledged a couple awards nominations and notified Awards Committee.
• Responded to NM Chair’s questions about IBD locations.
• Responded to NM Chair re structure for responding (or not) to member-to-member conflicts.
• Investigated Hub modules installed, free, and paid and discussed alternatives w E & A.
• Zoom w A&E re Hub modules, then w A&O re country reports.
• Forwarded an email from the ExecDir email to User Support.
• Advised DoA on some annual reporting questions.
• Advised BZ re promoting the 2027 AG (AML).
• Discussion w ExComm re inviting Japan rep to Thurs ExComm meeting.
• Discussion w A and MJ re staffing process.
• Worked on Bylaw 15 revision.
• Sent link to draft of revise N&L rules to the committee for input.
• Updated ExComm voting record.
• Notified MF that the motion to appoint the MICF trustees has passed.
• Added all motions for IBD agent into the very very rough draft document.
• Reviewed and comment3ed on document advising potential bidders for IBD meetings.
• Zoom w A re staffing process, motion planning, etc.
• Reviewed short list of staff candidates and gave thumbs-up on all of them for progressing to interview phase.
• Zoom w A re HP remit and procedures proposal.
• Advised on scheduling interviews.
• Interacted with the constant complainers on FB.
• Zoom w A re countries’ annual report forms and process.
• Flew to Belgrade to meet w the Mensa Serbia folks, then on to EMAG.

June 2026 was BUSY!

• Answered questions re ® symbol in N&LComm discussion.
• Cleaned out a few dozen spam tickets.
• Responded to a member’s inquiry re MHKF.
• Nudged unresponsive Awards Comm.
• Filled out Stripe account verification information.
• Responded to Awards topics.
• Discussed value of SSOT w JK.
• Zoom w A re catch up and priorities for coming week.
• Added menu item in IBD Confidential for the IBD Manual.
• Nudged ExComm to keep working on staffing topic.
• Directed DSNM and DoD to draft motions for bylaw amendments to bring details of FNM status inline with the Constitution.
• Pondered and responded to attorney re several trademark protection issues.
• Provided MHK & MHKF with formal statement re members’ concerns.
• Started pondering the BML/AM/MIL MoU and Bylaw 15.
• Reached out to JMG to talk about Australia’s position on trademarks and licensing.
• Responded to trademark attorney re not filing opposition to a few odd name registrations.
• Removed underage India member from Hub.
• Responded to request for presentation time at IBD meeting.
• Discussed with SB and AJ my idea for doubling up on presentations at IBD meeting.
• Zoom w A re staffing pressures and concerns.
• Zoom w A to figure out logistics of applicants’ access to website and Hub.
• Prepped April–Dec 2025 From the ExComm columns for website.
• Call w DoA re staffing interim solutions.
• Helped draft a call for ad hoc vol assistance for A.
• Verified identity for Streets.
• Manually deleted NZ members from the Hub except KD and his wife.
• Prepped Jan–June 2026 From the ExComm columns for website.
• Notified Awards Comm that JC no longer has Hub access.
• Responded to Swedish chair re database status.
• Taught O how to do the motions database preparations.
• Asked ExComm if they want a meeting in June or July.
• Continued ExComm discussion re LinkedIn Learning licenses.
• Kept ExComm discussion re staffing going.
• Contacted Australian chair re trademark topic.
• Worked on finding 2025 motions handled before the IBD meeting for O to put into the spreadsheet.
• Wrote quarterly report for Mensa Foundation.
• Proposed dates and times for informal ExComm meeting.
• Zoom w A planning, staffing, prioritizing.
• Informed ExComm re O and kittens.
• Zoom w A re Hub removal process.
• Drafted explanation of doing a country sort for Hub removal.
• Worked on figuring out good day & time for ExComm meeting.
• Sent email to introduce O to MO re motions database project.
• Sleuthed and found some missing IBD motions from 2015.
• Discussed Facebook issues with VS.
• Sent spreadsheets for 2014 and 2013 motions to O for clean up.
• Responded to suspicious AML members regarding likely cost to AML of the 80th Anniversary video. 
• Zoom w JMG re trademarks and other IBD issues.
• Narrowed down and proposed day and time for an informal ExComm meeting.
• Zoom w A re staffing topics.
• Kept ExComm thinking about the staffing topic.
• Consulted with ST about a possible partnership idea he found.
• Consulted w ExComm re bonus.
• Reviewed and granted permission for our trademark attorney to display the MI logo on their company’s website page listing their clients.
• Asked AML for help tracking down docs re Carlton.
• Reviewed and approved privacy statement for volunteer applications.
• Shared work-in-progress job description for new hire w A.
• Advised a NM Chair re suspended member joining another NM.
• Nudged J re SAM status.
• Advised IBD invitee about the registration website.
• Sent O the 2011, 2010, and 2009 IBD motions to put into the motions database format.
• Worked w J to sort out a bill for NordVPN.
• Solicited IBD advice re adding letters to Mensa in other languages.
• Responded to inquiry on LinkedIn from a member frustrated that he can no longer use the Find Members” feature on the website.
• Zoom w A re staffing.
• Zoom w DPO et al re privacy document status.
• Researched bylaws re Past Chair rights.
• Advised MWJ editor and DoA re article concerns.
• Advised chair of MHK re on-going member concerns about N&L permissions.
• Wrote a few short pieces of Mensa history for use on social media.
• Discussion w ExComm re IVNC messaging and how to correct impressions.
• Zoom w A re frustrations on many topics.
• Zoom w A re IBD update messaging and staffing topics.
• Drafted update on high priorities for IBD.
• Zoom Foundation meeting.
• Zoom w A re messaging, staffing, and general to-do list for the week.
• Sent email to IBD with updates on the four big priorities.
• Zoom w A re staffing proposal.
• Responded to an inquiry from an Iranian via LinkedIn.
• Zoom w E re testing, membership transfers, and other meta issues.
• Worked on edits to description for new staff.
• Prepped agenda and zoom link for informal ExComm meeting.
• Advised Chair of Norway re Mensa values for online platforms.
• Forwarded member complaint to Int’l Ombudsman.
• Zoom w A re challenges.
• Responded to CRC Chair re referendum timing.
• Passed an idea about a social media platform to AT.
• Responded at length to Ombud’s request for additional info about a FB conflict.
• Reviewed and sent comments on a draft motion about MI’s charitable foundation support process.
• More correspondence with Ombudsman re FB.
• Added new Chair of Mensa France to the Hub.
• Responded to members’ theories about Hub activity levels.
• Finally finished my MWJ column for September. Phew!
• Explored and documented information for the DPO re Hub data and privacy.
• Responded to questions from chair of CRC.
• Reviewed request to initiate a hearing for Acts Inimical.
• Added S’s input to the draft job description fro the new  hire.
• Discussed staffing topic with JS.
• Zoom w A re Hub permissions.
• Worked w A to further investigate Hub permissions and powers and log steps taken for reporting to DPO.
• Reported CoC violation on FB to admin and Int’l Ombudsman.
• Investigated how to change primary user on an MlL bank account.
• Signed bank document for change of primary user.
• Discussed domain registrations w E & A.
• Wrote yet another draft of a Strategic Plan.
• Shared thoughts and priorities for the summer with ExComm.
• More work on recent Hub access issue.
• Explained to O what I need in a white paper on AT.
• Zoom w A re Hub issues and other topics.
• Zoom w ExComm (informal) to nail down staffing direction. 
• Restored various Hub permissions that had been disabled while investigating an issue.
• Zoom w A re Hub and staffing.
• Zoom w A re staffing application process.
• Researched infold minutes and agendas and responded to S. Korea Chair re trademark concerns.
• Reviewed and commented on privacy policy for volunteer applications.
• Sent logo banner to trademark attorney for inclusion on their website listing their clients.
• Reviewed latest version of staff description and ad.
• Urged MHK to share content about their activities with MI social media.
• Zoom w A re job description for new staff.
• Calculated hourly rate range based on ExComm’s stated annual range.
• Prepped formal notice of IBD meeting and deadlines and sent to various communications people.
• Prepped list of key words and names to search for AT white paper and sent to O.
• Zoom w A and AT re social media team onboarding.
• Signed POA for Mensa Korea to pursue trademark infringements.
• Posted notice of IBD meeting and agenda deadlines hither and yon.
• Responded to IBD+ organizer re details of meals and coffee.
• Responded to members on FB asking about what MI does and how to formally complain about moderation etc.
• Reviewed complaints from members in Mensa Italy.
• Zoom w A, SG, ad MJ re vol application form legalities.
• More responding to FB concerns and accusations.
• Directed concerned member in HK to contact the Ombudsman.
• Zoom w Chair of Croatia re a motion he is working on.
• Recorded video congratulating Mensa Argentina on 20 years.
• Attended American AG & Foundation Colloquium & meeting.
• Met w JM re TV show possibility for MI.
• Evangelized for MI.