| Palm-Mensa | Newsletter | |
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(Link to PDF version for printing)
March 2007
Newsletter
![[Image: Owl]](images/200703/owl.jpg) |
Wit and Wisdom. "A little lower if you please" |
Contents
LocSec Column
Mensa is a meeting ground for intelligent minds to meld, scratch that, we are not Vulcan's, we are Mensans. However, as a Star trek enthusiast I always felt that it would be a great experience to mind meld with some of the special people I know. On a voluntary and mutually beneficial basis of course. Well in Mensa we are lucky to have a way of getting mentally close using SIGS. SIGS are special interest groups. They are formed by regular members for the purpose of uniting Mensans who have an intense interest in a specific sport, field of study, of hobby, or hot topic. There are notices of two SIGS in this newsletter, if you want more try the AML web page: http://www.us.mensa.org/. Then click GROUPS, then click Special Interest Groups, then click SIG Listing. You will be able to see the whole list of SIGS available to you.
If you click Create a SIG, you will read how to go about setting up a SIG on your favorite topic. If you click SIG cross reference you will see the major categories that SIGS fall into. This can be useful for finding if a SIG on your favorite subject already exists.
Some SIGs have their own web site, such as Mensa Club Med SIG at: http://www.mensaclubmed.org/, or Tolkien at http://www.cep.unt.edu/bree.html. I suggest when you have a few minutes to spare you do a survey of our Mensa SIGS and see if there is one there you would enjoy belonging to.
If perchance you do not see a SIG on your favorite topic take up the challenge and start one. It is a great way to get to know others who share your passion.
Brian K. Johnson / LocSec Palm Beach Mensa
The Tenth Story
Thank you, Region 10! I am reelected due to there being no opposing candidate. You sure make it easy for me!
In case you haven't heard yet, at the January AMC meeting, a motion was passed that will give local groups 10 cents more per member per month, as well as 57 cents more per second member in the household per month. And did I mention that there are no strings on how the local group uses their funds? I am very proud of this motion passing, as I was on the Local Group Funding Task Force that worked for many months, examining local group finances and whether or not local groups needed more money and so on. I am also proud of the AMC for approving our motion.
Another issue that came up before the AMC at the January meeting is the Local Group Charter. This motion was tabled until March for a couple of reasons. First, many on the AMC felt that the wording needed some polishing. Second, and perhaps more importantly, some of us felt that the concept of the Local Group Charter needed to be clarified for the membership, some of whom have expressed that they felt it was a move toward control by the AMC. And that's not what it is, at all. In actuality, the Local Group Charter is just codifying the relationship that is already in place between national and local groups. It explains what is expected of the local group and what is expected of national. In my opinion, this would be especially useful each time a new LocSec takes office. It would give them a blueprint to follow. If you are unsure of that, I think you will be able to download a copy from the national website and read it for yourself.
If you missed Smarti Gras and Valentime this winter, you may be well into RG withdrawal. But take heart, because the Tampa Bay ARRR RG is approved and on the calendar. It is coming up on Memorial Day weekend. And while we are talking RGs, Broward Mensa's RG - FLoRanGe a trois - is moving . . . from October to Labor Day weekend! Just think, two three day RGs in a row! What more could a region want?
March 25-26 is the next AMC meeting. As always, the agenda for that meeting will be available on the national website for you to read. If you have comments to share about any of the issues coming before the board, please do email or call me or another AMC member.
Maggie Truelove
Regional Vice Chair, Region 10
3333 Honeysuckle Lane Orlando, Florida 32812
407-855-9078
Music Lovers--CandleLight Concert Series
A series of CandleLight Concerts has been arranged by well known musical director and soprano Marilyn Mims. Call (561) 627-6105 9am-2pm wk. days for tickets.
Sun. Feb. 25 -- Roget Pontbriand's Big Band Sound
Sun. Mar. 25 -- Marcio Bezerra and Estibaliz Gastesi classical pianists
Sun. Apr. 15 -- Javier Bernardo, tenor; Ramon Tebar, piano; Miguel Gonzales, guitar
Concerts will be at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palm Beaches at: 635 Prosperity Farms Road, North Palm Beach. It is on the west side about 0.5 miles North of Northlake Blvd. just over the canal.
Changed your Email lately?
If you have changed your email please be sure and let A.M.L. know your new email so you can receive AML info, and we at Palm Mensa can send you event notices. Please send your current email address to National Mensa Office:
Thanks to Mensa Volunteers:
We wish to convey special thanks to Lois Hammond who mailed scholarship applications to all high schools and colleges in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee Counties. More thanks to Robert Reiffel, Pfeiffer Trowbridge, and Cindy Grover who read and scored the scholarship essays received from those applications. Their ratings determined which essays went on to the regional competition. Every year at least one student receives a scholarship from Mensa in our four-county area. Janice Johnson
Scholarship Chair
Robert Reiffel is now the asst. scholarship chair. (He is also a proctor).
Broward Mensa Philatelist SIG
For stamp collectors young and old, from novice to highly experienced, and all in-between, please contact Paul Bezanker (PBezanker1@aol.com) (or via U.S. Mail - with a stamp - to 22605 SW 66 Ave. #409B, Boca Raton, FL 33428) to share your stories, want lists, and questions. I am a renewed collector, picking up where I left off when I was a mere 12-year-old naive accumulator/collector. Now I subscribe to three publications, go to as many stamp shows as possible, and meet lots of interesting local collectors and dealers. Who knows, we may even publish a newsletter!
Dining Adventure Group (DAG)
Review of Atlantic Fish Company, Delray Beach : We were seven in January -- Hub and Rita Elkins, Pat and Paul Couture, Barbara Rosen, Patrick Peacock, and Elissa Rudolph (organizer). It was a Friday night in high season, so we had a bit of a wait even with a reservation. Once seated and recognized by the server, who was extremely attentive once she saw we were a congenial group, we commenced conversation and sampling the specials (pecan crusted snapper was among the delicacies). As with most Mensa get togethers, the discussion ranged from current events to Mensa's future to the next restaurant we should try. The food and service were good to excellent according to the diners. See calendar for next meeting.
"Boca Raton Where are you?" - Follow up.
Two Bocans (Not Vulcans!) are planning events in Boca! Jerry Mitchell wants to hold a luncheon group periodically, and is looking for interest from other members in Boca and surrounds. Please contact him if you would like to meet for lunch or brunch on Saturdays or Sundays.Email your interest and preference to Jerry at jmit9@yahoo.com
Kay Skog is planning a get together in her home, and her event is listed in the Calendar. If you are in their area and you have an interest please RSVP to Kay, see calendar for details.
Mensa Testing -- Proctors
Do you have a friend who want to take the Mensa IQ test? Here is a list of our proctors and their contact info. Prospective members may contact them to arrange a test. Tests are not given on a regular basis, but are scheduled on an individual basis, with the date and time set by mutual agreement. It is more efficient if multiple candidates take the test simultaneously, so see if several friends want to take the test together.
Proctor Okeechobee: Robert Rieffel, 863-763-6990, okeerief@earthlink.net
Proctor Port St. Lucie: Deche Hamill, 772-461-8873, deche1702@aol.com
Proctor Martin County: Janice Johnson, 772-463-0495, Janice@aposner.net
Proctor Boynton Beach: Hank Colman, testing@palmbeach.us.mensa.org
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