(Link to PDF version for printing)

June 2007
Newsletter

Spring Flowers

 

Contents

LocSec Column The Tenth Story Humor Summer Solstice Celebration DAG (Dining Adventure Group) Review Trivibits Happy Birthday to our members with birthdays in June

 

LocSec Column

Who needs Generation X

Who are generation X? There are various definitions, for example, Wikipedia says: "Generation X includes anyone born from 1961 to 1981 in the United States." It is considered that Gen-X influence over pop culture began in the 80s and peaked in the 90s. Some of the defining factors are said to be the transitions resulting from the decline of colonial imperialism to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War.

The term originated from a study of British Youth by Jane Deverson in 1964. The study revealed a generation of teens who generally rejected the mores  of their parents and thumbed their noses at society's social norms. To sell the book from this study it was named "Generation X."

Since then several books have been written about Gen-X, describing them as having only a hazy sense of their own identity, but a monumental pre-occupation with all the problems left to them to fix by the previous generation. They are described as paralyzed by the social problems they see as their inheritance, such as racial strife, homelessness, AIDS and fractured families.

Their attitude to work has been an issue for employers, their employment is volatile. They grew up in a rapidly de-industrializing Western World, and experienced the economic recession of the early 1990s and 2000s. They have seen the traditional permanent job contracts disappear, being replaced by un-secure short-term contracts. They have experienced off shoring and outsourcing of their jobs and many have experienced years of unemployment or underemployment at service jobs in their youth. Many of them are as a result overeducated and underemployed. This has resulted in a deep sense of insecurity in Gen-Xers, whose usual attitude to work is Take the money and run.

Generation X was also the title of a punk rock band formed in 1976 by Billy Idol et al. Doubtless some of the characteristics that other generations attribute to Gen-X have resulted from their music.  

If you are employing Gen-Xers it is important to understand they do not respond to the motivators of the boomers. Many of the characteristics for which generation X has received such bad press are also the very qualities that make them valuable employees. If we want an empowered work force they are it, give them the ball and they will run with it. They are self-directed, having been so from a young age, and... they are computer literate! They are flexible adaptable workers who will respond to boomer managers who create an environment with teamwork and communication where they are challenged by and enjoy what they do. They need to be measured on performance rather than appearance, and they will be creative employees.

So where are they in Mensa????? Our survival as an organization depends upon attracting Gen-Xers. Boomers are retiring, the silent generation is learning to play shuffle board, it is the Gen-Xers who must take us into the 21st century. I am calling upon Gen-Xers to pick up the volunteer ball and get involved by taking up one of the open positions in our local chapter. Take a look at the open positions on page 2. We can use your help!

Brian K. Johnson / LocSec Palm Beach Mensa

 

The Tenth Story

This column marks the last month of my first term as Region 10 Vice Chair, or RVC 10. I had very high hopes for things to accomplish, at the start of my term, very much like any freshman office holder, I imagine, full of big ideas. Some of those things did come to pass, like the Region 10 website. Some of them didn't, such as my plan to have local groups share ideas in my column. It didn't happen, because there was very little feedback. I took for granted that the local officers would have lots of time and energy to respond, and they didn't always have the time.

Which brings me to another thing I do want to mention in this column - all those local officers who are the unsung heroes of Mensa. 

Without them, local groups wouldn't function. Without the editors (bless them) spending many hours each month putting together the local group newsletters, we wouldn't have said newsletters. Without the proctors testing potential new members, local groups would wither away to nothing eventually. The LocSecs and other members of the ExComm are the veritable glue that hold a local group together. The membership officer is often the one who makes first contact with new members and determines whether that new member gains a bond with the local group. Gifted Children Coordinators, who coordinate activities and information to our youngest members, are encouraging a future generation for Mensa. So from me personally to all current, past, and future local officers of Region 10- a huge THANK YOU for all you do for Mensa. (And, yes, this includes those who host local group events, whether you are an officer or not. You are not forgotten!)

One thing I didn't do that I plan to do in the next term is to visit all the groups. Some groups have RGs, and they are easy to visit because of that. But I know I have neglected many other groups who don't have an RG. So count on the fact that sometime soon I want to come to an event in your group, not because there is a problem that needs fixing, but because we just need to get to know each other. I look forward to it.

Of course, in the meantime, please don't hesitate to initiate a chat with me at an RG. I would love to hear what is going on in your group.

Maggie Truelove

 

Humor:

Humor we are often reminded is the best way to stay healthy in mind and spirit. The March 2007 edition of the Mensa bulletin had an excellent article by Dr Faustino Gonzales M.D. on Humor as a way to cope with grief. The next article by Donald Marcus recommended a web site at the end:     journals.aol.com/jdmar55  and look for humor.

Here is a sample from that site:

Two Englishmen are on a train.  One says "Is this Wombly?"

"No," the other replies, "It's Thursday."

"I am too.  Let's have a drink."

 

Summer Solstice Celebration -- Saturday, June 23, 2007, 5:00 pm 'til??

The Summer Solstice celebration will take place two days after the actual Solstice. But we can toast it anyway. The evening will be one of the longest of 2007.

There will be barbecues, a great swimming pool, clear skies, and a wrap up or wind down with desserts at my house, within walking distance of the pool area. Bring something to throw on the grill, any other picnic-type food to share, and your swim gear. Drinks, plates, utensils, chips & the like will be provided. If it rains all day, forget grilling outside and bring prepared food instead. We'll celebrate indoors at my house.

RSVP by June 22 to Elissa Rudolph:

561-496-0124, elissa12@bellsouth.net.

 

DAG (Dining Adventure Group) Review

It was Big Tomato in May -- review next time. No DAG in June unless you consider Elissa's Summer Solstice party an Adventure. If you do, then please join us. See calendar entry for details

 

Trivibits (contributed by Elissa)

Seen on the back of a Nestle's 18-wheeler carrying "America's Baby - Baby Ruth" --  "If you can taste the crunchy whole peanuts and the creamy caramel, you're too close."

License plate on yellow Hummer: BUMBLB

License plate on a black SUV: RUKUKU2

 

Happy Birthday to our members with birthdays in June

Shawn Bennett	Matthew T Dunkel	Cheryl Lynn Gommel
William J Greene	Jules H Grossberg	Julie K Joyner
Richard A Little	Anne B Matson	Richard Merritt
Michael Antinori	Edward James Mitchell	John Neal Murray
Allen Lawrence Rockwerk	Dr Sharron L Ronco	William Selmi Jr
Carolyn K Slade	Richard A Starita
Aurea Catherine Tomeski	Elissa Rudolph