Well......

 So that happened!

What I did in April 2025

Director of Administration

• Drafted update to IBD re CRM issues.
• Responded to someone interested in helping with branding.
• Shared opinion with ExComm re how to retroactively approve tests.
• Zoom w M.
• Zoom w A re minutes preparation.
• Helped get a link for PhotoCup files on the Hub.
• Sent CRM issues update to IBD & NM chairs.
• Added a few new NM chairs to the Hub.
• Pulled together a list of all the languishing motions that need to go to the IBD.
• Zoom w DoD re CRM issues.
• Zoom w ExComm.
• Prepped info for IBD if a motion ends up going to them.
• Much back and forth discussion with ExComm about procedures.
• Zoom w DoD re testing concerns.
• Wrote two long essays about strategic planning and shared with ExComm.
• Nudged CRO re Germany.
• Call w DSNM re transition topics.
• Discussed with DoD transition to-do items.
• Kitten task re timezones for A.
• Requested metrics for brand awareness from AML staff.
• Zoom w M.
• Manually added a member to the Hub per UserSupport request.
• Discussed with ExComm possible solutions for awkwardness surrounding dates of AT approval.
• Researched and wrote long reply to IBD questions re AT approval timeline.
• Honed to-do list.
• Zoom w A re PhotoCup and wording of a draft motion.
• Drafted an ExComm statement to the IBD re AT/KK concerns.
• Zoom w M re AT and CRM issues.
• Zoom w J re AT issues.
• Zoom w P re Hub training and ISC needs.
• Zoom w A re minutes structure.
• Worked on trying to recover the MI instagram acct.
• Zoom w A re social media plans.
• Responded to a request for an LDW session at the AG in Chicago.
• Sent SL a copy of the NLL booklet.
• Proofed June MWJ and sent notes to editor.
• Zoom w A social media plans and needs.
• Zoom w B re special election procedures.
• Asked E about Comm Events Team’s “Virtual Cafe.”
• Manually added an IBD member to the Hub.
• Started planning organization and training needs for ISC needs on NMs’ Hub spaces.
• Offered specific and general help to N&LComm chair.
• Began work on revising Bylaw 15.
• Sent JB instructions for signing up to the Hub.
• Manually added a member from Serbia to the Hub.
• Call with DoD re CRM topics.
• Posted London minutes to IBD.
• Posted an ISP Cv to IBD space.
• Participated in discussion re CRM needs going forward.
• Zoom w A re possible CRM solution and needs.
• Responded to N&L Comm re 80th Logo contest.
• Manually added a member from India to the Hub.
• Manually added a member from US to the Hub.
• Looked at and discussed possible SoMe management tool.
• Prepped and sent travel reimbursement requests.
• Set up Hub space for Awards Comm.
• Dug around for an hour trying to find instagram accounts and clues about who might have the keys.
• Created brand new Instagram Account for MIL and sent keys to M&A.
• Zoom w A re social media planning.
• Manually added a member from Italy to the Hub.
• Manually added a member from the US to the Hub.
• Zoom w Communications teams re planning and needs.
• Zoom w Hub team chair re catch up.
• Zoom w A, A, & E re communications planning.
• Wrote responses to News Team interview questions.
• Chased down reimbursement details for two trips.
• Manually added a member from the US to the Hub.
• Zoom w A re minutes and social media.
• Call w DSNM re SIG issues.
• Began uploading NMs’ constitutions and magazines to the Hub spaces.
• Added file structures to NM Hub spaces.

Acting Chairman as of April 11

• Set up chairman-mil address
  
• Sorted through 3k emails, more than 500 of which were unread.
  
• Shepherded composition of response to T’s resignation.
  
• Directed M to send out motion to appoint an ISP.
  
• Directed M to send out ExComm response to resignation.
• Wrote up my idea of an asynchronous ExComm meeting and shared with ExComm.
• Call w DoD re transition planning.
• Zoom w A re minutes/motions wording.
• Set up Hub space for asynchronous ExComm meetings.
• Prepped agenda for Async meeting .
• Discussion w A re social media
• Zoom w M re social media, election committee, CRM issues, and agenda.
• Posted agenda to ExComm for April Async meeting.
• Prepped the Hub space for the Async meeting with all the agenda items and polls.
• Sorted out a misplaced motion discussion thread.
• Participated in ExComm Async meeting.
• Zoom w AJ re several IBD concerns.
• Reviewed and commented on presentation about Photocup pitch to sponsor.
• Zoom w M re CRM issues and messaging to IBD.
• Sent CRM update and other news to NM Chairs/IBD.
• Responded to a NM chair about data concerns.
• Asked people to serve on Special Election Comm.
• Summed up and nudged discussions/decisions in Async meeting.
• Consulted ExecDir re motion timing.
• Zoom Meeting with ISC.
• Zoom w M re CRM, ISP/AT, social media, motions.
• Sent notice of Async meeting adjournment.
• Checked status of the 80th Anniversary Logo contest announced earlier in the month.
• Updated liaison list on Hub.
• Directed Special Election Comm to go forth and do.
• Initiated Lessons Learned thread re Async meeting.
• Call w S re ongoing concerns.
• Zoom w M re motions to go to IBD.
• Initiated prep for next meeting agenda.
• Approved a few motions to go to the IBD.
• Notified new Awards Comm.
• Discussed with ExecDir clean up of IBD General space.
• Zoom w M re motions.
• Zoom w NZ Char and DoD re database.
• Zoom w DoD re several hanging topics.
• Sent Volunteerism Report to Chair of NZ.
• Zoom w M re AT, ISP, CRM and recruitment.
• Nudged ExComm re Hub discussion and proposed motion.
  
• Zoom w M re Macau and CRM.
• Call w E re Macau.
• Notified ISP candidates of the IBD’s choice.
• Submitted identification documents to MIL legal firm.

American Mensa

• Whipped up two LDWs for the AG.
  
• Commented on some preparations the Nat Awards Committee may need to consider.

Increasing Member Participation

 I was recently asked "What would you do to increase member participation?"

Here is my answer:

For decades, I’ve heard Mensa leaders express concerns about low member-participation. However, having done quite a few in-depth research projects on the topic, I have come to the conclusion that “participation” levels are not nearly as bad as they might seem. 

Mensa has members of all ages and interests. At each stage of life, free time and resources vary; young people may be busy with school, establishing careers, or raising children and older members may have limited finances or mobility. Some members live far from the urban areas that offer many in-person activities. Some members are introverts and don’t particularly enjoy large gatherings.The extroverted members who attend big events simply don’t see the quiet, introverted members who are participating in their own ways.

“Participation" in Mensa includes much more than just physically showing up at large  gatherings. Members participate when they attend a small monthly games night in their home town. They participate when they read a newsletter or silently lurk on a Mensa social media platform. They participate when they encourage a friend to join. They participate when they vote in elections. They participate when they socialize online with fellow SIG members. They participate when they connect with a SIGHT host while traveling. They participate when they send a link to a Mensa scholarship opportunity to a friend’s child. They participate when they encourage a frustrated gifted child to keep going because there really are people in the world who think the same way and there are communities where they can find acceptance. They participate when they carry their membership card as a token of pride.

So how would I increase member participation? Adding more ways to connect online, obviously, but more importantly, getting the message out to all members— we see you and your choice of how you participate in Mensa is valid... and valued.

Honestly, I don't know.

In light of recent ExComm changes, many people have been asking me if I plan to throw my hat into the ring and run for Chair. Honestly, I don't know. 

We have to turn the ship upright, patch the holes in the hull, get it off the rocks, and mend the sails.

Until that's all done, there is no point in trying to decide which cabin I want to sleep in.

First things first.

What I did in March 2025

• Archived several more groups on WP.
• Worked on N&L manual.
• Reviewed motion re IBD meeting bid process.
• Initiated ExComm discussion of ExecDir wishlist.
• Reviewed ExComm Business Plan and the IBD 2021-2025 Strategic Plan in order to incorporate them into a template for ExComm reporting.
• Prepped GY Hot Topics Sheet #5 in English and Italian.
• Zoom w A re social media.
• Prepped consistent teaser graphics for Hot Topics sheets.
• Zoom w A re social media.
• Responded to questions from Ombudsman re FB post.
• Zoom w M.
• Zoom w DoD re motion preparation.
• Reviewed and shared thoughts on proposed MSCR revisions.
• Worked on motion preparation.
• Began work on revising Bylaw 5 and asked ExComm for input on a key section.
• Call w DSNM re motion prep.
• Zoom w M.
• More work on revising Bylaw 5.
• Polished N&L Manual and sent draft to ExecDir for input.
• Discussed some nuances of Bylaws and Guidelines regarding travel expenses.
• Prepared full motion for amending Bylaw 5 and sent to Chair for March agenda.
• Revised motion on Bylaw 5 based on useful feedback from ExComm.
• Wrote first draft of pre-meeting report.
• Responded to inquiry about joining the GY committee.
• Responded to some tickets.
• Call w DoD re CRM issues.
• Drafted motion to  update bylaws re establishment of DPO position.
• Zoom with M mostly re CRM issues.
• Zoom w A re  social media planning.
• Fixed  error on Hot Topics sheets and re-sent.
• Zoom w DoD re common topics.
• Zoom w a few ExComm members re upcoming motions.
• Reviewed agenda for March 21 meeting and made many many comments and suggestions.
• Zoom w M re CRM issues.
• Worked with M for hours to draft messages re CRM issues.
• Zoom Zoom Zoom Zoom w M.
• Notified IBD and NM Chairs re CRM issues and procedures.
• Another day, another flurry of answering IBD questions re CRM issues.
• Zoom w AJ.
• Drafting more response  to IBD re CRM issues.
• Drafting response to CM re CRM issues.
• Proposed motion to ExComm re CRM uploads.
• Added new S. Korean chair to Hub spaces.
• Sent “attaboys” to Archivist, Hub Team, News Team.
• Crafted declaration of motion approval and directed ExecDir to inform the IBD, NM chairs, and the ISC.
• Zoom w M re procedures.
• Zoom w A re Photocup.
• Responded to Chair of Italy re Mensa-branded app.
• Proofed May issue of MWJ.
• Sent DoA report for March 21 meeting to ExComm.
• Corresponded with Chair of Australia regarding current issues.
• Zoom w M re N&L book and other issues.
• Sent NNL & Trademark Manual to ExComm.
• Printed a copy of the NLL Manual for people who don’t get around to looking at the pdf before the meeting.
• Zoom w A re photocup.
• London ExComm meeting.
• Messaged IBD re NLL booklet.
• Messaged IBD re CRM situation update.
• Messaged IBD re ISP candidate info.
• Prepped details regarding ExComm vol issues.
• Responded to some tickets.
• Zoom w M.
• Asked M to tell User Support that expiry dates are unreliable for the near future.
• Zoom w A re minutes and photocup.
• Sent A all photocup applications from last fall.
• Zoom w SMAC.
• Sent a million suggestions to chair of N&L Comm.
• Nudged ExComm members to  indicate zoom meeting preferences.
• Zoom presentation on Adaptive testing.
• Clarified MWJ column assignments.
• Worked on setting up special ExComm meeting.
• Responded to some tickets.
• Zoom w M.
• Checked in with News Team chair.
• Zoom w DoD.

Only 24 Zooms this month, but then again, I was in London and able to talk to people in person for nearly a week.

What I did in February 2025

 

• HP work.

• Zoom w DoD re DIM requests Zoom w M re HP.

• Call w J re SMAC.

• Responded to a query from Turkey.

• Reviewed how timezones are expressed in the Hub calendar feature.

• Notified ExComm of MWJ column schedule and deadlines for 2025.

• Discussed next steps with HP.

• Zoom w A re website.

• Zoom w M.

• Looked up and provided addresses to M for complaint respondents.

• Manually added French member to the Hub.

• Zoom interview with ISP candidate.

• Zoom w A re website.

• Reviewed timelines and discussed w HP how to handle the consequences of the Chair acting ultra vires.

• Responded to tickets.

• Commented on draft of Jan 26 ExComm minutes.

• Worked on staff task review.

• Sent my ISP preferences to Exec Dir.

• Zoom w M.

• Formally requested HP assistance from two people.

• Prepped formal HP statement regarding recusals.

• More email discussion re HP processes and needs.

• Zoom w HP to hand things over to M&M.

• Responded to T re my involvement in an 80th Anniversary logo competition.

• Proofed and sent comments for April MWJ.

• Set up voting poll to approve Jan 26 ExComm minutes.

• Prepped Jan/Feb/Mar "From the ExComm" columns for website.

• Zoom w M re MWJ concern.                                             

• Zoom ExComm meeting re ISP choice.

• Uploaded ISP candidates’ CVs to IBD Confidential space.

• Drafted a proposed long-term solution for the CRO situation.

• Zoom w A re Photocup ideas on website.

• Responded to inquiry from Denmark about how to upload their publications.

• Checked in with B re his role on the Hub Team.

• Checked in on Archivists.

• Drafted motions to change CRO to CRC and to formally establish the Hub Team.

• Zoom w M re T’s continued HP concerns.

• Shared J’s presentation on strategic planning with SMAC.

• Zoom w M re ISP development.

• Zoom w M re SMAC, ISP, HP.

• Zoom w A re SoMe and website.

• Posted announcement of ISP appointment to IBD Confidential.

• Posted approval of ExComm Min for Jan 26.

• Helped A with a kitten task.

• Zoom meeting with SMAC.

• Hours and hours prepping a spreadsheet of staff tasks.

• Finished and sent first draft of staff task spreadsheet to ExecDir.

• Zoom w DoD re website server, IBD bid process.

• Shared my opinion on order of actions for IBD to take re ISP appointment.

• Zoom w A re website and social media. (17)

• Zoom w Rom chair re WG ideas.

• Drafted my [May] MWJ column.

• Zoom w M re ISP, social media, staffing.

• Responded to member asking about volunteer positions, and uncovering an out-of-date doc on the AML website (requested to have it removed).

• Nudged CRO about Luxembourg.

• Zoom w ICO team.

• Zoom w DoD.

• Zoom w A re website, social media, photocup logo.

• Sent draft of photocup logo to N&L for review.

• Finished and sent May From the ExComm column to MWJ editor.

• Worked on prepping for N&L discussions re updates.

• Zoom w A re news team post schedule.

• Zoom w A re social media planning.