(Link to PDF version for printing)

February 2007
Newsletter

Monarch butterfly on Scarlet Milkweed

We are always looking for original artwork for our newsletter, submit yours to editor@palmbeach.us.mensa.org.

All newsletter submissions are now due by the 10th of month.

Please visit our website at www.palmbeach.us.mensa.org

 

Contents

LocSec Column The Tenth Story Coming... Treasurer's Report Where is Boca Raton??? Gut Busters

 

Front Page Clip art courtesy of Kaboose

 

LocSec Column

Some of us I presume well into the trails of our carefully chosen new years resolutions. How are they treating us? Are we winning, just bearing up, or regretting our choices? I have to admit to only two new years resolutions. Two items from the Four Agreements (The Four Agreements, a practical guide to personal freedom. A Toltec Wisdom Book by Don Miguel Ruiz).

First, "Don't take anything personally" - nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own dreams. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others you want be the victim of needless suffering. This has been a stumbling block for me for as long as I can remember. I tell myself that what I hear has no effect upon me, but later in retrospect I find myself hearing it over and over and trying to live as if it did not affect me, but it already has, and I feel the weight of the words on my mind, and the negative emotion of the words sap my sprit. I want to be free of this, so I am trying real hard not to take things personally. The second agreement I am resolving to adhere to is "Don't make assumptions" - Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life. So often I listen to only part of what is said because I think I know the rest, or I know what is coming, and I assume I know. Sometimes I am right, but when I am wrong the cost can lead to immense emotional strain and worry. I am impatient, and I am reasonably intelligent (not everyone would agree) so I think I can short cut verbal transaction by jumping the gun so to speak and completing the speakers statement in my mind, the trouble is I am not the speaker, and what I expect the speaker to say is not necessarily what the speaker will say, and if I make an assumption, I may not even hear what was said correctly since I have already made my own assumption. Many love affairs have been dashed before they blossomed by one or both partners making assumptions. I look forward to more personal freedom in 2007 stemming from my New Years Resolutions. What were yours dear readers?

For more details of the Four Agreements go to URL:

http://www.businessballs.com/thefouragreementsdonmiguelruiz.htm

Brian K. Johnson / LocSec Palm Beach Mensa

 

The Tenth Story

By the time you receive this, the 2007 Smarti Gras Regional Gathering in Orlando will be a happy memory, and it will be almost time for the 2007 Valentine Regional Gathering in Destin. I hope we are seeing each other at least one of those events, if not both. If you have never attended an RG, this might be the year to give it a try! And then Tampa Bay Mensa's RG will be Memorial Day weekend.

I attended my very first RG one month after I became a member, and I have been a regular attendee ever since. If I go too many months without the camaraderie of an RG, I feel a kind of withdrawal.

What do I miss? Games? Speakers? Hospitality? Everything! But especially the conversation and seeing old friends, as well as the opportunity to make new friends from everywhere.

Have you ever thought about receiving your local group newsletter by email rather than by snail mail? Many groups are considering offering that as an option. There are a lot of reasons this would be a good thing. First, it would save your local group money on the printing and mailing. Second, it would save a tree or two. Third, it would ease the burden of stress on those who ready the newsletter for mailing. And finally, you don't run the risk of your newsletter being either delayed or completely lost in the mail. (I honestly received a post office envelope containing a torn cover of the Gainesville group's newsletter from November. That was all - just a piece of the cover, which had my address on it. I received it in January!) So if your local group is thinking of offering the option of receiving your newsletters via email, if you are internet savvy, perhaps it is time to consider it. And if there is something in it that you really do want printed, you can print it out at home. I know that I will be opting to save my share of trees this way!

I was surprised to learn that many members do not take advantage of the many things available on the national website (us.mensa.org). If you haven't been there recently, perhaps you should check it out. I admit that I log in at least once a day, if only to the games page - love the Sudoku and the jigsaw puzzle!

But you can keep track of what the AMC is doing, as first the agenda for upcoming AMC meetings are posted, and then after the meeting the minutes are posted. You can enter into all kinds of verbal exchanges on the Mensa Discussion Forums. You can find contact information for most Mensa members around the country in the Mensa Member Directory.

The list goes on - why not take some time to explore YOUR national website?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Maggie Truelove

Regional Vice Chair, Region 10

3333 Honeysuckle Lane Orlando, Florida 32812

407-855-9078

truluvs@cfl.rr.com
rvc10@cfl.rr.com

 

Coming...

NORTHWEST FLORIDA MENSA
Valentines Advisory

February 9-11, 2007 (3 p.m. Friday thru noon Sunday) at the Holiday Inn, 1020 Hwy 98 East, Destin, FL.

A great program is shaping up - pack your most outrageous t-shirt for the Wit T-shirt Contest, your pirate costume, and your GPS - or just come on down and we'll outfit you! All your favorite events are scheduled along with some new treats, and the best RG cuisine anywhere.

And you can take our smiling dolphins home with you on our 51h Anniversary t-shirt! See details on pre-ordering on page 6 to be sure your size is available and waiting for you.

Registration is $40 per person if paid by Feb I, $45 per person at the door, or $20 per person for Friday night, $35 for Saturday, and $10 for Sunday. Please make checks payable to Northwest Florida Mensa.

 

Treasurer's Report

10-334 Treasurer's Report
Fidelity Federal Checking	5462.36
US Postal Bulk Mail Acct	278.81
Receivables (Funding)	289.51
Payables (printing)	-207.71
Total Assets 7/1/2006		5822.97
Fidelity Federal Checking	4903.63
US Postal Bulk Mail Acct	118.88
Petty Cash Acct (Postage)	200.00
Prepaid Postage	99.10
Receivables (Funding)	190.29
Total Assets 12/31/2006		5511.90

Through the second half of 2006 Palm Beach County Mensa had a small net loss. This was due to increased printing fees based on the new format of the newsletter. I hope you all agree that it's worth the difference. Year to date the group's assets have increased. We set up a petty cash account for newsletter printing fees. It is held by the circulation manager. The account is a simple alternative to setting up a credit account with our printer. I welcome any comments or ideas.

Tom Winchester, 334 group treasurer
email: treasurer@palmbeach.us.mensa.org

 

Where is Boca Raton???

Where is Boca Raton??? With some 75 Mensans in the highest traffic city in Palm Beach, why aren't there any meetings in my town? Hello there BR folk! If you desire a book club, a game night, a speaker on micro breweries, a romp in the park, send us your idea and your organizers name. Your ExComm will coordinate the event to avoid conflict with Mensa activities in adjacent areas so more Mensans are available to attend. This is your group too, step up to the plate and take charge in Boca. Lets have a Boca activity in March!!!

 

Gut Busters

A man was driving to work when a truck ran a stop sign, hit his car broadside, and knocked him cold. Passersby pulled him from the wreck and revived him. He began a terrific struggle and had to be tranquilized by the medics.

Later, when he was calm, they asked him why he struggled so. He said, "I remember the impact, then nothing. I woke up on a concrete slab in front of a huge, flashing 'Shell' sign. And somebody was standing in front of the 'S.'"

BATHROOM HUMOR

• Express Lane, five beers or less (over urinal)

• Make love, not war. Heck, do both - get married! (women's restroom)

• If voting could really change things, it would be illegal. (unisex)