Renew or Not To Renew- That is the Question

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.

Old Forums Moderation Process

This is a blast from the past— the organization and moderation processes for the AML Online Community circa 2007.

ORGANIZATION

Administration of American Mensa’s Forums is organized in a tiered structure as follows:

·      The Communications Officer and the staff Internet Services Manager are responsible for ensuring that the Forums fulfill the purposes stated above.

·      The Communications Committee is responsible for developing and reviewing the guidelines and policies for AML’s Internet Services.

·      The Communications subcommittee on community issues (Com³) acts as the evaluative body for issues arising on AML’s Forums. Appointed by the Communications Officer, Com³ is responsible for maintaining the sense of camaraderie, moderating or facilitating other appointed moderators, and advising the Communications Officer and the Internet Services Manager. Com³ will review complaints and may recommend corrective action for violations of the Forum Guidelines.

·      Moderators are appointed by the Communications Officer. They are responsible for the overall flow of discussion on the Forums, for resolving minor disputes, and for ensuring a congenial atmosphere. They may move, rename, edit or delete messages to keep message threads and subjects consistent and to keep topics within the scope of this service. They may declare off-topic discussion threads to be locked and warn subscribers regarding inappropriate rhetoric.

MODERATION

Mensans have many strongly held opinions, and there will be disagreements from time to time on the Forums, some of which may get quite heated. It is important that all participants remember that this is not a war zone and disagreements are not battles to be won.  If you are experiencing a difficult interaction with another member and are unable to resolve the issue yourself, please notify the moderator(s).

If a member violates the intent of this service, these guidelines, or the American Mensa’s Minimum Standards for Internet Services, he or she will be subject to any or all of the following actions:

Informal Intervention

A moderator may participate in the discussion thread, asking participants to tone down and self-edit their posts.

Take it to Private Messages

A moderator may request that participants move the conversation to private messages.

Ignore User

Members are under no obligation to read posts they consider negative or abusive. Additionally, members don't have to like everyone or agree with anyone. Members do have to get along at least within the extent of the Forum Guidelines. Sometimes this may entail ignoring and distancing oneself from other participants or discussions. A moderator may request that participants disengage from unpleasant and hostile situations by simply ignoring each other. Like shunning in medieval times, “ignoring” can be a powerful social tool.

Moderator Intervention

A moderator may warn one or more participants that certain posts are not acceptable. The moderator will note the offensive behavior, and after receiving such a warning, participants should conduct themselves more appropriately. A moderator may also edit or delete posts or “lock” topics.

Interim Suspension

If a poster’s online behavior is alarmingly out of line, the Communications Officer or Internet Services Manager will suspend that member from the Forums until Com³ has a chance to review the situation and determine the wisest long-term course of action.

Formal Warning

If a participant continues to violate the Forum Guidelines, despite moderator intervention, a formal warning will be given. Following a formal warning, participants will be monitored for compliance with Forum Guidelines.

30-day Suspension

If a participant continues to disrupt the social atmosphere of the Forums, Com³ will review the situation and may suspend Forum access for 30 days. A formal written letter explaining the specific rationale for the suspension will be sent.

90-day Suspension

If, after a 30-day suspension, a participant resumes inappropriate posting, Com³ will review the situation and may decide to suspend Forum access for 90 days. A formal written letter explaining the specific rationale for the suspension will be sent.

Longterm Suspension

If, after a 90-day suspension, a participant resumes previously identified inappropriate activity, Com³ will review the situation and may decide to suspend Forum access indefinitely. A formal written letter explaining the specific rationale for the suspension will be sent.

Other actions deemed appropriate

While these actions cover most instances of intervention, it may not cover all situations. Consequently, other actions may be taken to ensure these Forums are not disrupted or abused.

Any decision to suspend a member from the AML Forums will be reviewed by the Communications Officer, Internet Services Manager, and Com³ before implementation. If suspension for 30 or more days is recommended, the participant(s) will be requested to share their views and explanations.

APPEAL

Members may appeal to the AMC Communications Officer concerns regarding moderator interventions. The Communications Officer will consult with the moderator(s) involved, the Internet Services Manager, Com³, the Communications Committee, and/or the AMC Chairman in review of any appeal.

Today's Letter to the AMC

Dear Members of the American Mensa Board of Directors,

This is not yet another “Save Howard” appeal. What is done is done, and I’m confident you all are more than aware of my opinions on the matter.

Nor is this another “Replace the Executive Director” request.

I know that you’ve gotten many emails, phone calls, and other messages expressing members’ thoughts and wishes. I know that at least the Treasurer has been given a number of questionable activities to look into. I know that you’ve been conducting an investigation into the workings of the National Office and soliciting input from current and former staff with which to base your decisions and actions going forward. Were I on the Board, I would fully endorse a full investigation.

I also know that you have chosen not to interview former staff members who left more than six months ago (and I suspect that not all of those who left in the last six months were asked to complete your survey). This, of course, strikes me as a great failing with your investigation, since I and many others firmly believe that the problems in the Office are not a recent development but started several years ago, involving a larger number of past staff.

I am also skeptical of the objectivity of this investigation, since you’re interviewing current staff members who may be less than candid, what with their livelihoods on the line, and considering rumors of recent raises and promotions.  Surely you can explain away members’ concerns that staff silence and collusion are being bought.

Be that as it may, I have a couple questions.

I believe that the Executive Director’s employment contract is up for review in the spring of each year. Did you, as a body charged with this responsibility, review and actively choose to renew her contract, or did you take no action at all, allowing the contract to simply roll over due to other considerations or simply neglect, both results, of course, being that there is no way you could, even if you wanted to give into the members’ wishes, replace her?

Assuming that your hands are legally tied by her contract, when is the next opportunity you (or the next Board) will have to review and choose to extend or not extend her employment, and will this fall directly at the beginning of Mensa’s election season where some may be reluctant to take action, positively or negatively?

I am quite sure the upcoming election will hinge greatly on this matter, and it would help members make sound voting choices if they have facts instead of rumors to base their decisions on.

Thank you in advance for your time and answers to my two questions.

Robin Crawford
Chicago Area Mensa

Politics and Proctoring

I’ve been a proctor for oh, maybe ten years or so. I forget exactly. It’s generally a joy to do—talking up Mensa, answering questions, promoting activities and participation, being the  welcoming face to new members.

But about a month and a half ago, I decided that I was no longer comfortable rah-rahing for an organization that was becoming, in my opinion, less and less welcoming. It was the whole AM Facebook meltdown that was the final straw—I could not in good conscience tell people that Mensa was this happy, accepting family they were looking for. I’ve ranted about that in previous posts; no need to repeat myself here.

Then came the Howard/Executive Director/National Office/AMC storm.  I’m angry and despondent and disgusted... and really really don’t want to do any more testing for Mensa. I was intending to notify our local Proctor Coordinator this coming week, and arrange to get him all my unused testing supplies.

So here I was this afternoon, relaxing after a long day dropping off the boy child at college and looking forward to a night without kids in the house for the first time in what feels like forever. Then the phone rang. Our LocSec was frantic—she had seven people show up for the testing session and no proctor. Since I live only 20 minutes away, could I please come over and do the test session?

I was torn.

On one hand, I was weary and disinclined to do any more testing. On the other hand, I harbor no displeasure with our Local Group, and certainly had nothing against the people who had driven far to take the test. To say “no” would have been just... well… shitty. So I changed my shirt, grabbed my testing supplies, and headed over. The session went smoothly. The Local Group was relieved and thankful.

I only hope the AMC feels the same way.

Actions to Take & a Lesson on Calumny

Many people have asked what they should do to right the wrongs they see at the National Office. It is a fact, and one I still support, that the Executive Director has the authority to hire and fire staff as she sees fit, without consulting the AMC.

There is NOTHING members or the AMC can do to reverse her decision regarding Howard Prince.  Chanting “Bring back Howard” is useless and makes us all look like whiney petulant children.

The actions that will turn Mensa back into the organization the members want are fairly simple. Pressure on the elected officers should be applied, respectfully, so they act in a manner pleasing to the members they serve.

The AMC, and the ExComm in particular, need to be inundated with concrete actionable reasons to dismiss Pam as the Executive Director of American Mensa. 

Only after the AMC has hired a new Executive Director, who will presumably act more in accordance with the ASIE, Bylaws, Constitution, and wishes of the membership, can specific staff changes occur. 

Now, before you go writing to the AMC with all your thoughts why Pam should be removed, consider this:

"Acts inimical to the society" are defined as "deliberate acts that are harmful to, or result in harm to, Mensa." “Acts inimical” to Mensa shall include (though the definition shall not be limited to) the following:
Threatening, intimidating, coercing, calumniating or otherwise interfering with persons involved in the authorized activities of Mensa including volunteers, appointees, or paid staff members;

(there are other acts listed in the ASIE, but this is the pertinent one)

Calumniating, you may recall, is what Barry Levine did to Dave Remine that led to Barry's banishment from Mensa. So what is calumny? Basically a false and malicious statement designed to injure the reputation of someone or something.

So as long as anyone speaking out against Pam Donahue is willing and able to provide evidence for the veracity of his or her statements, it should not be considered an act inimical.

NOTE: The following examples are for illustrative purposes and ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE.

Calumny:

“Pam sacrifices puppies in the office.”

Not Calumny:

“I observed Pam with the remains of a dead puppy on her desk when I visited the office for the Finance Committee meeting on February 30th, 2010. Furthermore, I noted an increase in the budgetary line item for blood removal cleaning solution.”

Calumny:

“Pam’s a poopy head who believes she doesn't have to answer to the membership.”

Not Calumny:

“Pam said that she wants the AMC to butt out of how she runs the office, and here’s the IM conversation I had with her where she said that.”

Calumny:

“Pam spends Mensa’s money to buy booze for herself and her cronies.”

 Not Calumny:

“On April 31st, 2012, I was at dinner with Pam and observed her using her corporate card to pay for a round of drinks for her friends from ASAE.”

Calumny:

"Pam hires and keeps her friends on staff even if they are incompetent at their jobs."

Not Calumny:

"Pam hired Gilda Rosencrantz, who is tagged in FB pictures indicating that she went to college with Pam's daughter. Gilda was put in charge of making graphics for AML's Mental Games event and misspelled the banner image as 'Menial Games'. Gilda received a 5% raise at her review 6 months later." 

Something Is Rotten In the City of Arlington

Let me start with what I do NOT know:

I don’t know if Howard has signed or will sign any kind of non-disclosure agreement as part of the terms of his dismissal.

I don’t know of legal action he may or may not take against Pam, the AMC, or Mensa in general – and I’m not sure he would as he really does love Mensa. On the other hand, I don’t know if there would be legal action from the AMC.

Here’s what I DO know, based on years of working closely with Howard and other staff, and several years of being Pam’s new best friend – right up until I lost the election, after which I was thrown under the bus and kept out of the loop politically:

The AMC, via the ExComm, hires an Executive Director charged with running a National Office to get stuff done the AMC wants done. They hire and fire ONLY the Exec Dir. The Exec Dir, in turn, has total control over what happens in the office. Pam had her reasons for firing Howard. While I can guess, I cannot fully know what those reasons were. But I firmly believe them to have been trumped up reasons. (Cookie has posited a plausible theory on Facebook which two separate people have told me was the cause given for his dismissal.)

The working environment in the National Office has been increasingly toxic for the last three or four years. We have lost Catherine, Mary, Julies Boone and Clark, Roger, Heather, Bryan, and now Howard. Other staff, such as Paige, have been marginalized (whether it was Paige’s decision or not). New, young, and less experienced people have been hired. Testing is down. Membership remained flat for a third year. Dues are going up. Tasks deemed important enough to be touted in the Bulletin by even the Chairman—namely the Online Compendium and Guides—are not getting done due to staff time not being allocated.  

Two other former employees besides Howard have shared stories with me about her management of the office, despite being given specific directives by Pam to “not get too friendly with Robin.” Howard has been held in high regard by many of his fellow co-workers just as he is by the membership at large. They have shared with him their concerns about Pam’s erratic and abusive management style. Simply put, he knows too much.

Pam has actively worked to keep members and AMC members in the dark. Money is being spent to hire outside consultants to take over tasks formerly done by volunteers, which further limits the exposure members have to the goings on in the National Office. During the week prior to Howard’s dismissal, the Board of Directors were kept in the dark about which staff person was on the firing line. Additionally, even Marc Lederman, Howard’s Board counterpart, was told he may not speak with Howard and threatened with possible legal ramifications if he did.

Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE knows that Howard has long been the clear choice to replace Pam as Exec Director of Mensa. He was a threat to Pam’s job security, and became more and more so as her overall performance continued to spiral downward.

Howard is a member of Intertel, thus, he clearly qualifies to join Mensa. Already, a number of members have asked him to. He has always expressed a firm intention to join when he is no longer a staff member. He continues to express publicly that he loves Mensa in general.

Pam did consult with the ExComm, and a majority (of the five people ruling Mensa—the rest of the AMC was kept in the dark) backed her decision to dismiss Howard. All but one of the current ExComm members are running for re-election. If you don’t like that they supported Pam’s decision, then don’t vote for them, and spread the word to encourage other members to vote accordingly. Heck, start the process for recalling them.

As I said before, like it or not, Pam did have the authority to let Howard go. The only solution to reversing this action is for the ExComm to fire Pam and to replace her with a new Executive Director who will act more in line with the wishes of the membership, which in my opinion would include rehiring Howard. Of course, an even better solution would be for the ExComm to hire Howard back as Executive Director.