Contents

LocSec Notes by Elissa Rudolph

This is my last column as Local Secretary, so I'd like to tell a story that is outside of Mensa events. I've always been amazed and astounded at the variety of places to go, things to see in Palm Beach County. Our climate is such that a person can be outside enjoying the warm breezes while learning history, meeting interesting people and adding to our life experiences. Such was my mindset when I visited Mounts Botanical Garden (https://www.mounts.org/) in West Palm Beach (near the airport) recently. I learned so many incredible details about the Garden and the current exhibit "Origami in the Garden," which will be there until May 12. The tour I was on was especially for those who are Green Cay life members (https://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Locations/Green-Cay.aspx) so we were with a dedicated docent who knew the backgrounds of many of the exhibits and took her time to answer questions and regale us with facts that showed us the incredible ways nature (and people) adapt to unusual circumstances. Here is the tale of the Jade Vine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strongylodon_macrobotrys), endemic to the Philippines. Mounts Botanical has an extensive Jade Vine installation spread across the type of scaffolding you might see for Wisteria Vines. The flowers look a bit like green shrimps. In their native country, the Jade Vine's flowers are visited by hummingbirds that help to propagate the vines. The tiny birds insert their bills into the flower pockets to drink the nectar, the stamens release pollen onto their little heads while they're busy drinking, and the birds then carry the dusting of pollen to the next flower. Unfortunately, in south Florida, our hummingbirds cannot be taught, or don't want to be taught, to perform a similar job to continue the Jade Vine's propagation. Enter Palmer, a Mounts Botanical gardener who is a stand-in for the hummingbirds. He uses his finger to gather the pollen from one flower to another ensuring that the Jade Vine continues to bloom. It takes time, but as Palmer described the tasks he must perform, he was smiling ear to ear. What a great job! I wonder how the job description reads!

Enjoy April flowers -- visit Mounts Botanical Garden!

Notes from the Disk of the Editor... by Dan Tobias

If you haven't sent in your ballot for this group's local election, you have until the end of March, so some of you may still have time to do it depending on when you're reading this. This is also the deadline for renewing your Mensa membership (if you're not already a multi-year or life member) without a lapse. Since the AMC just passed a dues increase, late renewals will be at the new higher rate, so you really don't want to be late this time; perhaps you want to renew for multiple years while you can still do it more inexpensively. If you don't keep your membership active into April, you won't be able to vote in the national and international Mensa elections which are coming up.

This month you can also watch the local group votes get counted and attend the meeting of the newly elected ExComm; see notices and listings elsewhere in this issue.

It's another tight issue, so I'll wrap this up now.

North County Gathering March 24 by Laura Bulawski

It was a lively crew came together for the North County Gathering March 24! We ate at Carmela's Pizza in Stuart, recommended by Eric Maikranz, our renowned author. Great choice, Eric! We were seated in a small room with another group called the Treasure Coast Classical Guitar Society. They were there when we got there. So the first Mensa guest who arrived asked them if they were the Mensa group. Her question was answered with a chorus of snickers and guffaws. Apparently they didn't consider themselves similar to us.

The pizza was remarkable, rivaled anything from Chicago or New York; maybe the best pizza in all of Florida - so far.

In typical Mensa fashion, several conversations were going on at once along with a formidable amount of verbiage from the music folks. The reverb in that room was like conversing in a gully. But occasionally we could hear each other. Our next gathering will be at a venue with excellent acoustics. Whether food is served or not is secondary.

Circular left to right: Brian Reeves, Laura Bulawski, Linda and Rob Clendening, Rogena Harris, Charlie Gay, Cindy Groover, Desiree and Eric Maikranz

Second Sunday Dinner Review by Elissa Rudolph

Happy times at Tim Finnegan's Irish Pub in Delray Beach! The music began around 6 pm but was low-key enough that conversation within our group was possible and absorbing. There were many new faces -- Michele Beier, Janis Holden, Judy Boudreau, Dave O'Brien, Ken Scrocca, Martin Stengelin, and Daniela Schmid -- hope to see all of you at future events! Then there were the usual companions -- Brian Reeves, Dan Tobias, Sharron Ronco, Nancy and David Jauvitz, Amy Shaughnessy, and Elissa Rudolph. I had Shepard's Pie, which was great. I saw Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash, and more Irish-themed meals. Join us for April's Second Sunday Dinner!

Notice of a Regular Meeting of the ExComm of Palm Beach Area Mensa

There shall be a Regular Meeting of the ExComm held by Zoom on April 5, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.

The Zoom link is:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81913840749?pwd=SnYvbWFPSnIwamxDWmJVZ1dseUFQdz09

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss organizational matters and the routine business of the group.

All members are invited to attend.

This March 19, 2024.

BRIAN REEVES, VICE LOCSEC

RVC Message by Thomas George Thomas, Region 10 Vice Chair

It's official! Because she was the only person to submit a petition, Katharine (Kay) Klasen has been declared elected as Regional Vice Chair 10 (RVC10) beginning July 1, 2024. If you are attending the Annual Gathering in Kansas City, make sure to come to the Meet and Greet and offer your congratulations in person!

Others who have been declared elected are Lori Norris as AMC Chair, Ian Randal Strock as First Vice Chair (moving over from his current position as AMC Secretary), Franck Mounier as Regional Vice Chair 1, Steve Welch as Regional Vice Chair 2, Richard Magnus as Regional Vice Chair 3, Matt Crawford as Regional Vice Chair 4, Curt Krambeck as Regional Vice Chair 7, and Kelly-Marie Jones as Regional Vice Chair 9. It is possible that there will be a complete turnover for RVCs this year, since only Region 5 has an incumbent running; the remaining three contested elections are between new candidates as well. Of this group, only Richard Magnus has served as RVC in the past, and that was over 20 years ago (2001-2003). Aside from the Chair and First Vice Chair, only the Secretary position is guaranteed to be a carry-over from this term since both candidates are current RVCs. So, the next term will be a very fresh start with between 9-12 new members out of 15 positions.

Just because Region 10 is already decided doesn't mean you should skip the election (which begins on April 15). Aside from the three national positions to be decided, there are also five Bylaws referenda on the ballot, and a concurrent Mensa International Ltd. (MIL) election for Chairman, Director of Administration, Director of Development, and Treasurer. There are three candidates from American Mensa on the International ballot this year: LaRae Bakerink (Chairman), Robin Crawford (Director-Administration), and John Recht (Director-Development). You can find all the candidate statements for the MIL Election in the March 2024 Mensa Bulletin.

Please vote! American Mensa needs your voice, since we are a large part of the international body, but have had the lowest representation in elections.

The American Mensa Committee (AMC) met in Dallas, TX on Saturday, March 9, 2024. All motions on the agenda passed (see my column last month for the list).

Because the motion to Increase the Membership Dues passed, we were also able to pass the 2024-2025 AML (American Mensa Ltd.) Budget. This will allow an increase to the monthly allotment to Local Groups from $0.85 to $0.96 per member per month, as well as an increase from $1 to $2 for each new member who joins a local group (transfers and reinstatements excluded).

The Budget webinar I mentioned last month has been posted on the American Mensa website at https://www.us.mensa.org/lead/amc/amc-webinars/2024-25-amc-budget-webinar/. This provides more detail on how the budget is broken out among the various projects and initiatives.

The full minutes of the meeting must be approved by the AMC before they can be posted, but the mini-minutes for the March meeting have been posted at https://www.us.mensa.org/lead/amc/meeting-reports/ under the dropdown "2024-03-09 -- Dallas, TX".

Until next month (or until I see you online),

Thomas George Thomas
Email: RVC10@us.mensa.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomas.g.thomas
Mensa Connect https://connect.us.mensa.org/communities/local-groups/region-10
Region 10 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MensaRegion10/

CURRENT STATS: 196 paper, 286 electronic.

Jon Gruebele for American Mensa Second Vice Chair

(Candidate articles are published as submitted and are not endorsements)

Starting mid-April, we'll elect a new Board of Directors (AMC) for American Mensa. Generally, 90% or more of members don't vote, and contests can be very close. Your vote can indeed make a difference in this election. When you get your election materials, please take a moment to review the candidates and vote for the ones who will serve us best.

I'm running for Second Vice Chair. I've been a LocSec and now Regional Vice Chair (RVC4) for many years. I've consistently voted for fiscal responsibility and good governance. Most recently, I've voted against a dues increase that went too far. I've served on multiple committees and task forces, and spent countless hours engaging with the Region's Local Groups.

A majority -- somewhere between eight and twelve of fifteen elected positions -- will be filled by members entirely new to the AMC. Some have no national experience; some don't even have Local Group leadership experience. My opponent has neither. While a fresh perspective can be important, we'll already have plenty of that on the next AMC. We'll also need leaders who have the experience and expertise to translate good ideas into action.

Candidates will point out various challenges Mensa faces. We absolutely have work to do. Fortunately, I have extensive professional experience as a certified process and product improvement expert. I've led and coachedleaders through hundreds of projects. Findingroot causes and implementingcost effective, quality solutions is one of the Second Vice Chair's prime responsibilities.

The Second Vice Chair may also be appointed as one of the American representatives on Mensa International's Board. I have served as International Strategy Chair. I've attended many international Mensa events. I've lived in Switzerland and Germany for a total of seven years as an adult. During a 35-year professional career, my responsibilities have spanned the globe.

The election materials will have much more detail about my accomplishments and insights. Once you review them, I'm hoping you'll agree I'm the best candidate for Second Vice Chair. Please vote for Jon Gruebele, and thanks for your support!

5 - 25 Years Ago in Palm Mensan

5 years ago: April 2019

"In the February Palmensan story regarding recycling I invented a fictional place called Ecological Eden so that I could portray an idealistic environmental system in present tense, The March Mensa Bulletin version was edited in a way that littered it with ‘could', ‘should' and ‘would' in a dozen locations. When writing utopian-oriented prose I strive to avoid those repetitive auxiliary verb forms. Our editor Dan Tobias is to be commended for exercising restraint!" --Horace Hone

10 years ago: April 2014

"With the exception of the LocSec position, results of the 2014 Local Group election were decided when the nominating committee nominated only one candidate for each seat.The lone contested race is between Bruce Benson, current Deputy LocSec, the Nominating Committee candidate, and Molly Leban, Newsletter Editor, who filed by Petition."--Unsigned, perhaps Molly Leban, Editor

15 years ago: April 2009

"I'd like to address the issue of payment at a restaurant event. While it's true that some restaurants will gladly provide separate checks, many won't -- and, frankly, it's not reasonable to expect them to. Look at it from the standpoint of the wait staff -- they're handling a group of, say, 20 people, many of whom came alone. Is it fair to ask an already busy waitress to split the check 14 ways? I recommend that you always bring sufficient cash to cover your bill. Otherwise, you may find yourself in an uncomfortable situation if the restaurant refuses to split the bill. We're Mensans -- we can figure out our own portion of the check." -- Rich Haney, LocSec

20 years ago: April 2004

"24,000 proxies submitted as of this writing (March 10)!! Is that incredible, or what? Who would have guessed any group of Mensans, let alone 24,000 would agree on anything? ... It would be great to see that 24,000 number go way over just to get us in a comfortable area. All those proxies will be exercised at Mensa's Annual Meeting in Las Vegas so that we can correct our Certificate of Incorporation. Thank you all for your hard work in getting the word out." --Elissa Rudolph, RVC

25 years ago: April 1999

"Stalwart souls Lynn O'Dwyer, Barry Karas, Sharron Ronco, John Swick, Rita Pringle, Bob Dolson, and Elissa Rudolph braved Boat Show people and threatening weather to meet for March's dinner at Rooney's Irish pub in West Palm Beach. With streets blocked off and parking at a premium it wasn't an easy trip but definitely well worth the hassle. The restaurant reserved our spot in a quiet area near the fireplace so even when the music began we did not have to shout. Fish and chips, steak pie, pasta with salmon, topped off by Irish coffee helped the group find that satisfied feeling." --Elissa Rudolph

Gifted Youth, by Parisa Hamzetash, GYC

Congratulations! You are all old enough to vote in MENSA ELECTIONS!¹

That is right! We have one class of Membership within Mensa, and every Mensan in good standing is allowed to vote in our elections.²

2024 is a busy ELECTION YEAR for us because we have 3 separate elections! We have our LOCAL GROUP Palm Beach Area election, we have our NATIONAL American Mensa election, and we have the MENSA INTERNATIONAL election all taking place in the same year!

Mensa International holds elections every 3 years. There are 4 International Officers that the worldwide membership votes on. These are the the International Chair, the International Director of Administration, the International Director of Development, and the International Treasurer. This year, there are multiple candidates for each role so I encourage you to spend some time on the mensa.org website to review each Candidate’s campaign³ materials. Voting is done electronically.

American Mensa is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors, which is called the American Mensa Committee (AMC). The 2024 Election Portal⁴ is the hub for information on the candidates and the amendments. Several of the positions were unopposed so the candidates were “declared elected”; however, there are 3 AMC Officer roles that you will be asked to vote on in this election - specifically, the Second Vice Chair, the Secretary, and the Treasurer. In addition, there are 5 Proposed Bylaws amendments. Voting will take place between April 15 and May 15, and can be done electronically.

Finally, our local Palm Beach Area group holds elections every 2 years. Ballots were issued in the March Palm Mensan newsletter along with instructions to return the ballots to the Election Committee by March 31, 2024. In contrast to the International and National organizations, our local group has a 3-member Nominating Committee that slates people for the roles; however, no one is “declared elected” since there is an opportunity for our members to elect someone using a “write-in” method.

As always, please feel free to write me at giftedyouth@palmbeach.us.mensa.org with any thoughts, suggestions, feedback, or especially to say hello and introduce yourself!

Magically,

Parisa

___________________

¹ American Mensa is governed by the New York Not-For-Profit Corporation Law, which states in §701(a) that Board Directors of the Corporation shall be at least 18 years of age. However, the law does not set an age minimum on voting rights.

² American Mensa has defined a Member in Good Standing for voting to be one whose 2024-2025 dues are paid by March 31, 2024; whereas Mensa International has defined any Member in Good Standing on April 3, 2024 as eligible to vote in the International election.

³ www.Mensa.org / Login / Mensa International Tab (orange) / Democratic Procedures / Candidates for 2024 Intl Election

⁴ www.AmericanMensa.org / Lead / Board of Directors (AMC) / Elections / 2024 Election Portal

Birthdays

Mensaversaries

New Arrivals

Joined: Katharine Bahr (Hobe Sound)
Joined: Nathan Curry (West Palm Beach)
Joined: Catterina Diotto (Boca Raton)
Rejoin: Suzanne Head (Stuart)
MoveIn: Barbara Hegelund (Port Saint Lucie)
Joined: Alisa Kunapinun (Fort Pierce)
Rejoin: Bernice Rubino (Wellington)
Joined: Daniela Schmid (Delray Beach)
Joined: Tanner Stevens (Hypoluxo)

Departures

MoveOut: Julie Grazier-Meihofer (Oak Park)
MoveOut: David Starr (St Petersburg)

NOTE: Above items (birthdays, Mensaversaries, arrivals, and departures) are taken from reports out of the American Mensa national office. If something pertaining to you is missing or incorrect, contact the office at 817-607-0060, or MembershipDirector@americanmensa.org. The editor will sometimes add, remove, or correct something to suit individual preferences if you ask nicely, but it's always better to get it correct at National. (Same goes for your address to receive the newsletter, paper/electronic choice, and privacy preferences; see the national website.)

Member-submitted items are welcome; deadline is the 20th of the month for the following month's issue. The editor reserves the right to edit for content, space, etc. E-mail: editor@palmbeach.us.mensa.org. Snail mail: Dan Tobias, 27 Royal Palm Way #301, Boca Raton FL 33432-8740.

2022 - 2024 PALM BEACH AREA MENSA LOCAL GROUP OFFICERS & VOLUNTEERS

* ExComm Board

Web: palmbeach.us.mensa.org   Facebook: PalmBeachAreaMensa
Meetup: mensa-100   Mensa Connect: Palm Beach Area Mensa
Gifted Youth Program: giftedyouth@palmbeach.us.mensa.org

Mensans Eat, Meet & Greet and...

Check for updates on Meetup and Facebook, and be sure to RSVP there or by phone/email, as details are subject to change.

Color Pixel Page

Have any photos or artwork you want to see here? Send it in! editor@palmbeach.us.mensa.org

Some persons, places, and things: Metamorphosis-- butterfly life cycle: egg (tiny on the leaf base), caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult butterfly, at Mounts Botanical Garden (Elissa Rudolph); Morikami Gardens (David Arden); Wakodahatchee Wetlands (Michael Grossfield); Glitter and glitz at Nieman Marcus, Boca Raton (David Arden); Fran, Kay (who will be our RVC this July), and Christine at the Holiday Party (Elissa Rudolph).